Junior Late Dove Hunt Saturday

Hunters wanting to ensure a future for their favorite sport have their sights on a solution involving a local pond, youngsters and lots of doves.

These grown-up sportsmen organize the Junior Late Dove Hunt every fall. The free event gives kids ages 17 and under the chance to explore an American pastime as old as gunpowder.

"We just want to preserve the tradition of hunting, get kids interested in it like we are," said Jean Wilson, a Yuma hunter involved with the event. "Without these kids we aren't going to have hunting and fishing. That's why we do all these activities with the kids."

The Junior Late Dove Hunt is planned for 6:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Quigley Pond east of Yuma near Tacna (See inset for directions).

Boys and girls 14 and older will need the proper license to hunt. Kids 14 and under must be accompanied by a licensed adult.

"It can be a dad, an uncle or a friend," Wilson said. "Safety is our number-one concern."

To preregister, call Debbie Hovatter at 210-7304. Hovatter can also be reached at getoutsideaz@gmail.com.

This area's biggest dove season happens in September, followed by the much quieter late dove season. The latter opened Nov. 20 and runs through Jan. 3, 2010.

"If the dove population is down, they cancel the hunt. But the numbers are up," Wilson explained. "All these hunts are done to manage the species. Doves can overpopulate, starve and die of disease."

This year's Junior Late Dove Hunt is sponsored by Arizona Game and Fish, Southwest Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee and the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club.

"If we got 20 kids we'd jump for joy," Wilson said. "Last year we got kids from Wellton, Roll and Tacna. We need to get some Yuma kids out there."

Wilson recently suggested in her outdoors column - which runs in the Yuma Sun - that parents may want to consider carpooling.

"Maybe parents don't have the gas to get out there," she said.

After hunting the kids will be treated to hot dogs.

"They aren't going home hungry," Wilson said.

The next hunting event for kids will be the Cibola Water Fowl Hunt. That event is slated for Dec. 11-13.

Directions to Quigley Pond:
* Take Interstate 8 east from Yuma
* Turn off at Exit 40E (Tacna)
* Drive north for 2.5 miles
* Turn left at signs for event

Darin Fenger can be reached at defenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.