Late dove season now in full swing
Take advantage of our second chance to participate in the late dove season, in full swing now until Feb. 2. Game and Fish reports, “When it comes to experiencing some of the finest wing-shooting that Arizona has to offer, the “second” dove season – which opens Friday, Nov. 19 – is not to be missed.” Their report goes on, “While the bigger white-winged doves, prized during the traditional 15day season in September, have long since migrated to Mexico, the more acrobatic mourning doves remain abundant and widespread. The second season is a long one, lasting a whopping 45 days and running through Jan. 2, 2022. There still is a 15-bird daily bag limit, all of which must be mourning doves. The possession limit remains 45 mourning doves after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in any one day. NOTE: The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages all hunters to harvest as many Eurasian collared-doves as possible. There is an unlimited daily bag and possession limit year-round for this invasive species.
A few things to remember to make the most of the upcoming season:
It’s important to continue remaining physically distant from other groups, or persons not in your same party or household, but Arizona’s dove hunters are strongly encouraged to stay socially connected and share in the fun experiences.
A combination hunt and fish license for youth hunters ages 10 to 17 is only $5. Children 9 and under do not need a license when accompanied by a licensed adult (two children per adult). Licenses can be purchased online at www. azgfd.com/License/ or from any license dealer.
Hunters 18 and older must possess an Arizona migratory bird stamp ($5) that can be purchased online, or from any license dealer.
Shooting hours are 30 minutes before legal sunrise until legal sunset.
One fully feathered wing must remain attached to each harvested dove until it reaches its final destination.
Keep in mind that dove hunters are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Shell casings (shotgun hulls) and associated debris constitute litter and must be picked up and packed out. Littering while hunting or fishing are revocable violations, and a conviction can result in the loss of hunting privileges for up to five years.
For everything “dove,” read the “2021-2022 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations.” Also visit www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/ mourningdove.
Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) funds consist of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, shooting ranges, boating access and more.
In addition to the late dove season that opens Friday, several other small game hunting seasons are underway, including quail (Gambel’s, scaled), Oct. 15-Feb. 6; cottontail rabbit, July 1-June 30; chukar,
Sept. 1-Feb. 6; and tree squirrel (Abert’s, Kaibab and red, excluding Mount Graham red squirrel), Oct. 1-Dec. 31. The season for Mearns’ quail opens Dec. 3nand closes Feb. 6.
HUNT HAPPENINGS
Arizona hunters who were unsuccessful in the recent 2022 spring draw still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for javelina or turkey. “The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has posted a list of leftover hunt permit-tags on its website at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/ Draw/.
A total of 1,538 leftover hunt permit-tags are available for the following hunts:
921 handgun, archery or muzzleloader (HAM) javelina
322 archery-only javelina 205 general javelina 62 youth-only javelina 16 general turkey 12 raptor capture AZGFD will accept paper applications for leftover hunt permit-tags – by U.S. mail only – beginning Monday, Nov. 29. All completed paper applications must be addressed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. There is no “mini” draw. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail. For more information, including license and hunt permit-tag requirements, refer to the “2022 Spring Turkey, Javelina, Bison, Bear, and Raptor Capture Hunt Draw Information” booklet, or call 602-942-3000”.
Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Huge Thank you’s to sponsors of our Custom Made Barbeque outfit we’ve had to raffle. I’ve included information about in this column each week for lately. Without their help, the club could not have accomplished the raffle. Sponsors are Alexander Auto $2,500, Arizona Lighting $500, Arizona Lighting $500, Arizona Wildlife Federation $200. Bad Influence Marine $200, Big Bob’s Flooring $500, Bingham Equipment $50, ($50 gift card), Bobbies Territorial Harley Davidson $500, D. Parrish family $200, Daily farms $500, Desert Door $1,000, Dr.Kempton $300 (2-150 gift cards), First Bank Yuma $200,Grandma Jo’s $100, Harrison Farms $200 (2 gift packages), Jones & Jones $200, K&P Ent. $35 (tractor), McKay Trucking $200.00 (bike), McNeece Oil $500, Meaghann Harbinson Realtor $300, Meisenhimer/ Aivazain & Tennant CPA $200, Mr. B’s Bikes $200, Palm Canyon Dermatology $200, Pilkington Construction $500, Precision Auto $500 (Pistol), Rhino Linings of Yuma $400, Shay Oil $1,000, Sun Rentals $200, Sunset Nursery $250, The Crossing $490, Valley Sand & Gravel $400, and Ware Farms $200. Contact Pat Headington at 928-941-6168 for tickets.
YUMA DESERT DOVES: Any woman interested in learning about firearms, shooting, hunting, being in the outdoors as well as wildlife conservation and putting it all to good use can attend meetings – 6 p.m. every
3rd Thursday at Brewers off Ave. B – you’ll be most welcome. Questions? Call Catherine Thompson at 928-580-9012 or email Tanja Eiben at tpeppermintpatty@yahoo.com. Ladies are welcome to become a club member – call Tanja at 928581-6851.
Check here next week (Dec 12th) for some good ideas for Christmas gifts. Time is flying!
Fishing clubs
YUMA HIGH SCHOOL BASS FISHING CLUB: Open to both Junior High and High School students. David Parrish and his crew are back working with the young anglers so it’ll be a great year for all the kids with a lot of learning going on. If any Yuma area student is interested in teaming up with the group, call David Parrish at 928-941-6168 for answers to any questions you might have and when I learn something I’ll pass it on to you.
YUMA VALLEY ROD AND GUN CLUB: Keep a check on this column for Bass Tournament dates, times, etc. as soon as I receive them from the Chairmen Brandon Kendell and Bo Williams. Contact Pat Headington at 928-941-6168 or visit him at 585levy@gmail.com with questions.
AMERICAN BASS – YUMA REGION: Jimmy Waits is now the contact person attempting to locate someone to handle bass tournaments for ABA here when the season rolls around again. Call Jimmy at 928-210-3372.
Shooting sports
YUMA TRAP AND SKEET
CLUB: Saturday and Sunday matches held at the Adair Park range 8 a.m. to 12-noon with Tuesday and Thursday matches 12-noon to 4 p.m. with sign up range fee $1 paid at the club house prior to shooting. Non-Member fee $7, Member fee $5 per round of 25 targets. Please use small bills or check.
Eye & Hearing protection required. Call Bob Avila at 928-580-0918.
YUMA YOUNG GUNS are busy with practice as usual at the Adair Park range.
YUMA RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB: Visit hprifleyuma.com for information on when they will begin their fall shooting schedule at the Adair Park big bore range. Check into the youth firearms training that also might be available.
YUMA MATCHMASTERS: Monthly matches ongoing with the PRACTICAL USPSA the 2nd Sunday,COWBOY SASS, THE 4th Sunday (no shoots July & August),COWBOY FAST DRAW, 3rd Sunday, STEEL MATCHES – 1st Saturdays, MULTI-GUN/PCC matches 1st Sunday, NATIONAL RIFLE LEAGUE (NRL) .22 The 2nd Saturday. Check Yuma Matchmasters.com, Facebook or call Irene Snyder at 920-613-4598.