SPRING 2008

Recently I visited the ATA Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. This show is geared for the archery trade industry; in fact, it is the who’s who of the industry. At these shows I promote the magazine and trade secrets, as well as see what’s new in the industry. One of the things I enjoy is helping new businesses get started when they have a unique product. This year there was a lot of new ideas that really grabbed my attention, but one stood out the most. It was Little Jake and the Three Bears.

Little Jake is a book series that will be coming out in June of this year. The visionary behind Little Jake is Robert H. Jacobs, Jr. I sat with Robert and listened to his most interesting stories about the inspiration of the Little Jake

series. Robert was training to be a school teacher and enjoys spending time with his family. Being a hunter Rob wanted to read stories to his children about the positive joys and pleasures of hunting and fishing. Rob thought that he would get on the internet and find a list of all the hunting children’s books that he would be able to read to his children. As the quite large list began to print, Rob was shocked and disappointed because there was not one positive book on hunting available. They were all anti-hunting, unbalanced, tree hugging distortions of truth.

The disappointment was the fuel for the Little Jake Adventures and Rob set out to fill the gap. The education and training of our children is the foundation of the future. If we don’t share the passion for the sport we could lose the privileges that we have. The passion is so ingrained into the fibers of our nature that it is enlightenment to the traits of man. The passion brings completeness to our soul. From the dawn of misty time, hunting and fishing have formed innate instincts of a people and a nation. Within man is an ancestral memory that calls out to release a connection with the past that paves the way for the future.

Robert has stepped up to the plate to take a leadership roll in the positive education of young people. The Little Jake Adventures are graphically a work of art. The stories hold the attention of both young and old. My grandchildren just love the stories. They see the reality of life and the balance of nature in a well organized fashion.  Little Jake learns about the preparation for a hunt, the safety aspects, and the rules that are part of a memorable experience. The detail in his simple, yet educational, stories will captivate your heart.

Building a better Generation of Sportsmen is what The Little Jake Adventures are all about. Spending time with Rob and his team I had the opportunity to see into their hearts. Rob and the Little Sportsman Inc. are making an inspiring endeavor to make a difference. I have found them to be the perfect recipient for the MVP Award of Excellence. I want to thank you guys for your hard work in making a difference in the most important segment of our industry and that is our young people.

Article By MVP Outdoors.