Several youths dove, waterfowl hunts coming in December
The recent dove hunts, including the youth hunt, hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Southwest Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee at Texas Hill Farms, were very successful with more hunters participating than last year and with better dove populations on site as well.
The kids, accompanied by an adult, were able to fill their quota of birds this year and some of them said it was because they had practiced prior to the hunt - which proves that "practice does make perfect."
Thanks to all of the volunteers that helped make these hunts safe and successful. A huge thank you as well to Barbara Braden for making the hunt at her farm possible.
Now it's time for the young hunters to get in even more practice to be ready for the Dec. 5 "free" Junior Dove Hunt at Quigley Wildlife Area, east of Wellton and also hosted by Game and Fish with the help of SWAZHPC, open to junior hunters 17 years old and younger and accompanied by a licensed adult hunter.
It is our hope to see more Yuma-area kids try their hand at this hunt. To pre-register, call Debbie Hovatter at (928) 210-7304 or e-mail getoutsideaz@gmail.com.
It doesn't stop there. The following weekend - Dec. 11-13 - the 3rd Annual Cibola Junior Waterfowl Camp at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge will take place. It also open to junior hunters 17 years old and younger and accompanied by a licensed adult hunter. This is sponsored by Game and Fish, Cibola NWR and Ducks Unlimited with the assistance of SWAZHPC and other volunteers.
A refundable $40 registration fee is required but refunded upon arrival and meals are provided.
This is a great outdoor opportunity for the kids and parents. Volunteers, both hunters and non-hunters, are needed and will be most welcome.
Registration forms are available at from getoutsideaz@gmail.com. Call Hovatter for details.
And it doesn't stop there. January the "free" Annual Youth Fishing Clinic takes place. In past years this fun event for kids has been held at Fortuna Pond, however, this year it will be at the Yuma West Wetlands pond making it available to more anglers. I'll report more on this as we get closer to the event.
HUNT HAPPENINGS
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: For lots of hunting and fishing opportunities with a friendly group of people, come to the Oct. 7 meeting (a 6:30 p.m. dinner precedes the meeting at 7 p.m.) and get acquainted at the American Legion Hall, 2575 Virginia Dr. Call Jim Ammons at 726-6841 for details. Join the club and get in on the Oct. 10 Bob Hefner Memorial Bass Derby.
• Spring hunt application deadline: Submit your application for Spring turkey, javelina, buffalo or bear to any Game and Fish office in person or by mail - deadline is 7 p.m. Oct. 13 - a reminder that postmarks don't count. One common mistake is using the wrong year's hunt license so be sure you have your 2010 license in hand. Mail applications to AZ. Game and Fish Department, Attn: Drawing Section, P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ. 85087-1052. Be sure to get your copy of and review the Spring Hunt Regulations.
• Yuma Friends of NRA Banquet: Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Dr. in Yuma. Tickets are $30 (includes a great dinner along with the raffle and auctions). Visit www.friendsofnra.org/AZ/events for details or to purchase tickets online.
FISHING CLUBS
• Yuma Bassmasters: Attend Tuesday's 6 p.m. club meeting at Yuma River Marine and sign up for the Oct. 10 open team points tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing. Call 783-6502 to ask about the reasonable club dues and fees or e-mail Jeff Pacewic at jpacewic@msn.com. Check next week's column for an update on the club's points standings.
• Yuma Pro/Am Series: Sign up Oct. 12 through 17 (the draw is at 6:15 p.m. sharp on Oct. 17) at Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way to fish the Oct. 18 Pro/Am competition launching out of Fisher's Landing. Call Bob La Londe at 520-1270 or e-mail bob@yumaproam.com.
• Yuma Desert Bass Anglers: Check next week's column for results of the latest team tournament along with angler standings or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984,
• Bass Class on the Water: Want to learn to catch bass like the pros? Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621 for instructions, tips and techniques along with locations and bait selections to help you catch fish during all seasons and conditions with a fully rigged bass boat and all gear provided. Seminars are also available for groups at RV parks and homes.
SHOOTING SPORTS
• Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are welcome to shoot the trail of 3-D animals at 6:30 a.m. each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range with the range open all week for practice and enjoyment. Dues are $15 for adults (shoot fees $5 and $3 for members) - youngsters are always free of charge. Call Jean Wilson at 726-0953.
• Southwest Bowhunters: Archery shoots at 9 a.m. each Sunday at Adair Park with the practice range open all week. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday and Sunday at Adair Park. Ask about youth shooting programs available at the range. Call John Gross at 580-7837. Also call Mike Brick at 783-9268 about a shooting program for both boys and girls offered by the Yuma Boy Scouts; for the 4-H shooting program call the 4-H office at 726-3904; and for Yuma Young Guns call Coach Franco at 246-7157.
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open Black Powder Match Oct. 17 at the Adair Park range. Call James Ingram at 726-6632.
• Cholla Gun Club: Formal matches to begin soon at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range. Call Jim Stewart at 342-7392.
• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Oct. 18 High Power Rifle Match at the Adair Park big bore range, open to civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters (ask about the youth program) who sign up by 7:30 a.m. Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.
• Yuma Matchmasters: Open IPSC Combat Match Oct. 11 at the Adair Park small bore range with sign up at 7:30 a.m. and the shoot at 8 a.m. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.
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Jean Wilson can be reached at jeanrenegade@yahoo.com (new e-mail) or call 726-0953.
