Yuma - Dove

[sdfreed]

I was thinking about heading out to Yuma the first weekend of September for the opener. The last time I went out there was '96, is it still just as crowded?

I went out there with someone that knew what they were doing, but I don't have a clue about where to go. Is it still just go find a field and stay 1/4 mile away from homes and highway? I only know that one because of the ticket I got in '96...

Any help is appreciated.

[YANK N CRANK #2]

Honestly... We've hunted in a field by ourselves in past years... If you get down there early and do some scouting it really pays off... I would say it's not quite as crowded... One thing, if you're somewhere off the beaten path that requires a 4x4 vehicle to access, you've got a leg up on most of the competition.... Another thing, I started hunting down there in 95 and it has changed a lot... Much of the citrus groves in the vicinity of Yuma are gone and replaced by date palms or other crops... So much of the roost area you would remember is gone... Also, I haven't hunted outside of Yuma itself in probably 5 years... Drive a little farther and avoid the crowds... If you want more specific info, please send me a pm...

[Eddy]

Hell I live here and won't even hunt here. Grew up in Yuma and so much of the areas I know to hunt are now city limits, there are maps that show what areas of the city limits are ok to hunt in but I don't even try. Probably not as many people come here as there were many years ago but still a large influx of hunters, it kinda depends on when season opens, whether it's on a weekday or weekend, I haven't even checked to see.
There are lots of good places to hunt away from the crowds but it does require some scouting to find them, usually if I hunt I go east towards Wellton, usually less people there, I have been known to go all the way to Dateland just to get away too, good hunting there but it's another 80 miles east. If you're really intent on hunting here probably some of the best areas are south and s/east of Yuma from Somerton to the Foothills anywhere along the mesa where you can find some citrus, right now the doves seem to be flying north early into the Gila valley, then back south in the evening, not that it matters since you can't hunt after noon, but the Gila valley is good too. Anyway, enough of that. Also, make hotel reservations early if you need them.

[Lou Kohn]

Last year the only gates by the canal that were open were on reservation land. You had to park and hike several miles to a decent spot and worry someone would rip you off while you were away from the truck