DOVE HUNTING FESTIVITIES

The contests and celebrations that usually accompany the hunt will be back this year:

• Sprague’s Sports Big Breast Dove Hunting Contest — from the beginning of Friday through noon Saturday, hunters can stop by with their biggest bird and a chance at the prize pool. For more information call (928) 726-0022.

• Fourth annual Clint Curry Memorial Youth Dove Hunt — in Dome Valley from 5 to 11 a.m. Saturday, $5 junior licenses available from Game and Fish on site. Call Mark Brooks at (928) 2107627.

• Second annual World Championship Dove Cook-Off — Professional and amateur cooks face off against each other at noon Saturday at the Yuma Civic Center, Visit www.yumadovehunting. com or call (928) 376-0100 for more info.

• 11th annual Mike Mitchell Memorial Dove Hunter’s Barbecue — doors open 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Cocopah Bend RV and Golf Resort, with dinner served at 6 p.m., along with auctions and games for all ages. Tickets at the door $20 for adults, $10 for children age 12 and younger.

• Jim Breck Memorial Dove Derby — held on Monday, signups 8 to noon Saturday and Sunday at Sprague’s. For more information or to sign up by phone, call Bill Roosma at (928) 503-6392.

Bedinger said this year’s annual cleanup for the end of the early hunting season will be Sept. 16, “to kind of thank the agricultural community for opening up their lands to hunters.” To sign up, call (928) 376-0100.