Dove shoot for Wounded Warriors successful
The Wounded Warriors dove shoot on Sept. 1 conducted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region IV, and the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club again this year was a huge success. Join me in understanding how important it is for each of us to do whatever we can, whenever we can, to assist these men and women who sacrificed so much and are going through endless struggles now after being wounded while protecting our rights to everything we are so fortunate to call our own. A lot of these wounded warriors are not as lucky as most of us and we need to be aware of what they have gone through and are still going through.
Scott Fischer, law enforcement program manager for Region IV of Game and Fish, said, “Thank you for being willing to do a piece on this event.” “I don’t strive to get any recognition around the hunt as I don’t want it to tarnish the luster and purpose ... specifically, it’s all about the veterans that sacrificed for us, so this is for them.
I guess the only information I would like you to know and I believe would be important to share is that this special event would not be possible without the support and solidarity/community pride of Yuma. We make this project work through only donation and the business men and women of Yuma step up (big time) to make this happen. Ware Farms generously donates the field/land every year, the club helps out so graciously with food and mentorship
Jean Wilson for the new hunters in the field, Sprague’s steps up every year to donate ammunition, and more businesses than I can list step forward with monetary donations that make it possible to treat these men and women to a few memorable days hunting and relaxing,
Having now done this for four consecutive years, there is one thing I am comfortable saying, this is an event that has truly changed lives, has helped troubled souls, and helped people reconnect to a love of the outdoors. It’s a special few days and these men and women who have sacrificed so much deserve so much more but for now this is what we are happy to provide.”
A story from the heart told to me by John Nicewander, a veteran himself of the Vietnam era, now retired and in good shape, also a working member of YVRC, related that he and Donny Hazlett showed up in the wee hours on event day to first help cook breakfast along with a welcome bunch of cooks from the YVRGC club to do the cooking and cleaning up, after which, then assisted in whatever was needed to be done for all the guys and gals there who had been wounded during their tour of duty so they could enjoy the day outdoors. Donny had brought one of his Vizsla’s, a Hungarian pointer retriever, to assist the warriors in retrieving their downed birds. It really paid off when John and Donnie turned out assisting one of the guys who was the least mobile who agreed to let them and the dog help in getting his birds. They were back-up help for the mentor who was already with the wounded warrior.
After a share of attempts, when the warrior finally started downing birds, the dog went into action. Guage (the vizsla) brought all seven birds back to him. He could not believe that this dog was bringing the birds back to “him.” He was overjoyed. This warrior had never been hunting or shot a pump shotgun before. He was trying his best, and it took him numerous attempts before he started to connect with the flying birds, but he did it. What a feeling not only for him but us as well.
John finished his story with, “We all have a tendency to take life for granted, but in real life the simple things are sometimes major obstacles, but “he did it!” There were many warriors there and all worked hard at it. He was just one!”
When asked, Doug Beach, president of YVRGC, also at the event, told me he was busy cooking and cleaning up to where he didn’t get a chance to do much else. At our latest club meeting, though, he let us know how and why he felt so avid about the Wounded Warriors program, that it is so very important. What the club accomplished was merely a small ‘thank you’ to those in need for all they have and are still going through for us. The Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club did what they do best — assist where needed and all agree that recognition is unnecessary. It was their way of saying thank you to those Wounded Warriors who were able to be there and will be ready to do the same and more when next time rolls around.
Hunt happenings
• Visit Arizona’s California condors: This year has proven exciting for California condors in Arizona and Utah with the milestone hatching of the 1,000th condor at Zion National Park, but the excitement is far from over as the 23rd annual public condor release is scheduled for Sept. 28. The public is invited to join the recovery effort by witnessing first-hand a spectacular release into the wild of several captive-bred young condors on National Public Lands Day.
• Women to hunt javelina: Catherine Thompson of the Region IV Game and Fish office reports that ladies (beginning hunters interested in learning how to hunt) have gotten together recently for their first dove hunt and will now begin planning and practicing for their first javelina hunt in February. Ladies who are interested in this great learning program can contact Catherine at 342-0091 or yumavalleyrgc@gmail.com. Check next week for an update of how the ladies did on their first dove hunt.
Fishing clubs
• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: Since it was decided to find someone who might want to see the club continue offering the fishing community a similar fishing experience as Mac and Bobbi McDermott had done, I still haven’t gotten anything official — but check next week’s column for answers. Sorry it’s taking so long.
• Desert Pro/Am Draw Series: I’ll have tournament results next week or you can call Michael Obney at 928-750-7081. Keep practicing for the Sept. 21 bass tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing!
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: It won’t be long now before the 2020 schedule of fishing tournaments will be put together again. Robbie Ballew and his crew will be sure to keep bass anglers busy all year with Glenda Hazlett putting together some great catfish ideas for next time.
• The Hideaway: The ideal fishing shop is located where Mitch’s Bait Shop had been (just east of the former Sportsmen’s). The new owners Danny Woods and Blake Hash as well as Edgar will be on hand to assist with your every fishing need.
• Yuma High School Bass Fishing Club: A great way for any high schooler, both boys and girls, to learn about fishing for bass with members of the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club (and, if and when they continue, Desert Bass Anglers) assisting the kids in providing them with boats and equipment as well as guidance as they learn. It is an exciting year so far for our next generation of anglers at Fisher’s Landing/Martinez Lake. Interested high schoolers can call Terry Hurt, school sponsor, at 580-6567 or visit StudentAnglerFoundation.com to get started.
• Game and Fish suggestions: Save time, buy online. Grab a license online and go “Fish AZ.” Also, should be a fish planting coming up that I’ll report on next week along with fishing tips I promised but had to put off.
• Ladies fishing fun: It’s been a long, hot summer but we intend on getting back out to the water as soon as the weather cools a bit. I’ll let it be known as soon as a date and location is decided.
Shooting sports
• The Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Regular shooting matches are 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays at the Adair Park trap and skeet range with fees $1 to sign up and $6 nonmember fee per round of 25 targets. Member’s fee is $4 per round with 5 shooting fields available — field 1 & 2 skeet, field 3 wobble trap, field 4 & 5 trap. Eye and hearing protection required. Annual dues $30 per calendar year. Call Bob Avila at 928-919-0622.
• The Yuma Young Guns with the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP): The program, open to ages 9-25 still in school, will continue this fall with a team of Arizona Game and Fish Department certified instructors assisting. Call head coach H. McNutt at 928-580-4838 or John Gross at 580-1836 for answers to questions.
• 4-H Shooting Sports: The Yuma County 4-H shooting sports is open to any 4-H youth ages 9-19 with an end of the year competition in March. Call the Yuma 4-H office at 726-3904 or Stan Gourley at 3440740 with questions or if you have a youngster who might want to join a 4-H club in time for fall training in September.
• Renegade Archers of Yuma: Archers are welcome to shoot with the club. If you’d enjoy shooting the 3D trail shoots (adult fee is $3, kids always free), let me hear from you. Call 726-0953 and we’ll be glad to set up the trail for your shooting enjoyment and much-needed practice. We are happy to assist anyone in their learning as well with free archery instructions. The practice range area is open (use is free) daylight hours all week. It is best to bring your own target for your shooting practice.
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Get in on the open black powder matches at the Adair Park range, 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Call Roger Bickel at 726-7453 with questions or to ask about .22 matches.
• Cholla Gun Club: Club NRA approved matches (NRA membership not required) will resume in November at Adair Park. Call Rick Kelley 928-502-0736. The range will remain open to the public for safe shooting practice through the summer.
• High Power Rifle and Pistol Club of Yuma: All shooters are welcome to shoot with the club. Call Joseph Murek at 928-627-4556 with questions. Shooting activities are also available for club junior “Whipper Snipers” for all ages as well. Check club matches along with other club news listed on the club website at hprifleyuma.net.
• Yuma Matchmasters: A variety of matches are offered each month at the range, all open to shooters at 7 a.m. with the steel challenge the 1st Saturday, multi-gun matches the 1st Sunday, IPSC combat matches the 2nd Sunday with the cowboy fast draw the 3rd Saturday. SASS cowboy fast draw matches have moved from Saturday to the 4th Sunday. Call Ronnie Gissendaner at 726-0022 to check summer and fall matches. Interested in cowboy action shooting? Call Irene Snyder at 920-613-4598 or Bob Wiles at 920-2158.
• Southwest Bowhunters Archery Club: Archery is offered Sundays with the practice range open all week at Adair Park. Call Keith Parsels at 782-1086.
Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@gmail.com or call 247-4450.