Travis and Steven Zimmerman love to talk turkey.

The two brothers from Chesapeake were one of nearly 100 young people selected to attend the seventh annual National Wild Turkey Federation Porter Wagoner/JAKES Conservation Field Days.

The event was held June 13-16 at Hickory Knob State Park in McCormick, S.C. Youths from the United States and Canada are chosen to attend.

Participants learned about fishing and wild game calling. They also got a chance to participate in may other hands-on, outdoors-related projects such as a course on low impact camping, plant and animal-sign identification, and getting close and personal with a few reptiles.

Nationally recognized experts from the outdoor world provided learning stations in wildlife conservation, rock climbing, fishing, shooting sports and safety, arts and crafts, archery, and game calling.

Travis, 11, and Steven, 7, represented the South Hills Longbeards, a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Travis was selected at last year's local chapter banquet held in August.

There are more than 174,000 members 17-and-under nationally who belong to JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Safety). Country singing legend Porter Wagoner, namesake and sponsor of the event, called from Nashville to welcome all the participants.

Travis and Steven are the sons of John and Brenda Zimmerman.

For more information on this year's banquet, contact South Hills Longbeard chapter representative Robert Burcham at 740-867-8475. Jim Walker/The Ironton Tribune