SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2020 9
By Cindy Ponce de Leon
For a very long time Dove Hunting in Yuma, AZ has been a tradition in
many families. There are stories of Hollywood celebrities hunting there
going as far back as the early 1920s. Opening Day is always September
1. Arizona Fish and Game considers Yuma the Dove Hunting Capital of
the United States because Yuma is on the Pacific Flyway with the Colorado
River and because of its rich agricultural community.
This year I was lucky enough to be able to hunt with my husband after a
three-year hiatus. My husband Ponce has been hunting doves since 1962.
He was taught by his father at the age of 12 and on our first anniversary he
took me hunting for my first time. We took several trips to the gun range
in Lytle Creek so that I could develop my skills.
This year I was fortunate enough to get my picture taken, and I was
featured on the front page of the Yuma Sun. Over the years I've seen a few
female hunters here and there and I was always proud to be one of them!
Being married to a Vietnam Veteran and growing up watching
Gunsmoke, Daniel Boone, and Bonanza, there was always something inside
me resonating with that pioneering spirit! I have always been a strong
woman and I firmly believe that all women should know how to hunt,
cook, and fend for as well as defend themselves. I don't feel it's bad to hunt
and eat dove any more than it is to eat chicken. Doves are organic; there
are limits on how many you can hunt, and it helps out the local farmers.
This year we grilled them on our new Treager Smoker, and they were
the best ever!
Happy hunting everyone!
DOVE HUNTING SEASON
SPORTS DAY: RESIDENTS REPRESENT
