Yuma Sun e-Edition

Hunting is major theme inside the Nash household

BY JACKSON RAMER @JACKSONYUMASUN

Bobby, the father, has a rich history with the sport. He started dove hunting around the age of 8 and has since ingrained the tradition into his own family.

Tanya, the mother, didn’t hunt before she married her husband.

Their two kids, Brooke, 15, and Dillon, 14, quickly developed interest in the sport when they were finally at an age where they could properly handle the guns and equipment.

Sept. 1 kicks off the first two weeks of dove hunting. It’s also an opportunity for the family members to hone their keen eyesight and steady hands as they prepare themselves for the approaching deer and elk season.

The family is gearing up for the beginning of the 2020 dove hunting season. This time of year brings a competition that the Nash family can’t wait to dive into.

A deeply rooted competition brings out the best in all the Nashes, but especially between the children.

“It’s definitely the competition,” Brooke said regarding her favorite part of dove hunting season.

One may wonder who has the best shot between Brooke and Dillon. The results vary depending on whom you ask.

“I win (the competition each year),” Brooke quickly replied while Dillon shook his head.

“It’s a heavy rivalry between the two of them,” Tanya added. “We talked about this Thursday. Sometimes she outdoes him and he outdoes her. It’s the same during javelina season.”

The family knows Bobby is the best shot between the four of them, but for dad, it’s not about out-performing his wife or kids.

“For me, it’s watching them go out there and hunt,” he said. “It’s passing this tradition on to them and seeing them enjoy the hunts.”

However, there was a time when dad was dethroned – but only for one day and because of the lack of ammunition.

“The best year was when I beat my dad,” Dillon said, who patiently waited to tell the story.

Dillon describes his dad running out of ammunition and having to cover a halfmile of ground (to retrieve more ammo and retreat back to his spot in the field) before he could return to shooting.

Dillon certainly didn’t waste any time during his father’s absence from the field.

“(The doves) kept flying over, but (my dad) was unable to do anything about it, so I kept firing away,” he quipped.

Unfortunately, for Dillon, that was the only year that he beat his dad.

“I think the only thing he beats me at (consistently) is wasting more ammo,” Bobby quickly said.

Lately, the family has been positioning themselves in a field near White Wing

Ranch to execute their dove hunting.

It’s a bit of a drive for the Yuma residents, but they make the most of their time together by hauling their trailer and camping.

“We always make camping trips out of hunting trips,” Tanya added.

With temperatures still well above 100, the Nash family hits the opening part of dove season several times, but takes full advantage of the second season when the weather is far more tolerable.

At the end of their trip, the Nash family usually takes their doves to the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club. There, the hunters gather together after a long and hot day in the fields, and deliver dove appetizers using a variety of different recipes to please the hungry crowd.

Unfortunately, Bobby doesn’t give out his secret recipes.

Jackson Ramer can be reached at jramer@yumasun.com.

Dove Hunting Guide

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2020-08-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2020-08-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://yumasun.pressreader.com/article/281556588224730

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