The sounds of opportunity at Robbins Butte
By Phil Smith, Robbins Butte Wildlife Area manager,
Arizona Game and Fish Department

Desert sounds are heard here. Coyotes howl just before there is any evidence that dawn is breaking. Cicadas buzz, crickets chirp, and screech owls, barn owls and great horned owls all add their two cents’ worth to the quail calls, all signaling the start of a new day.

The doves begin waking and calling, and in a short time they are drowning out the other sounds of the wild. The eastern horizon turns lighter, as gray shadows begin taking the shape of the mesquite, palo verde, ironwoods and the thick salt cedar. It’s almost time for the morning flight to begin and the skies to become busy with the little rockets we call mourning and white-winged doves.

Places like this are treasures because there are fewer of them than there used to be near our urban areas. Housing projects have gobbled up feeding and roosting habitat for many species of wildlife, and changes in the cattle and farming industries have led to fewer grain fields. The changing landscapes make us appreciate even more the special areas such as Robbins Butte, about 40 miles west of Phoenix along the Gila River.

A special place

The Robbins Butte Wildlife Area is owned by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and managed by the Game and Fish Department. The area has mesquite bosques, desert areas and agricultural lands to grow food crops in, providing ideal habitat for wildlife, and opportunities for hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts. Dove hunting is very popular for hunters of all ages here, and many young hunters through 17 years of age will enjoy the annual juniors-only dove hunt held each September. While enjoying the fast-paced action, some hunters may not fully appreciate the unique place they are visiting.

A great deal of work goes into the area. Field work begins in the fall to provide the next year’s crops of grains and standing cover for doves, quail and rabbits, to name a few of the small game species available for hunting. Ponds are maintained and filled through the furnace-like heat of summer, keeping the small game, songbirds, raptors, deer, javelina, reptiles and other wildlife thriving. Volunteers come out to help with many different projects, such as drinkers, mapping, trails, tree planting and nest boxes. The birds nest all spring in the Gila River bottom. Doves fly out each morning to the nearby deserts and grain fields to feed and then drink from the many ponds located throughout the 1500-acre area, before heading back into the trees for afternoon or night roosting. Crops are mowed and the grain is knocked down for easy feeding.

Juniors-only hunt

One of the highlights of the season at Robbins Butte is the juniors-only dove hunt, this year held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2 and 3. This is truly a unique opportunity to take a kid hunting and serve as a mentor. Much of the Robbins Butte area is closed to hunting during the early dove season except for this event.

The juniors hunt is open to anyone 17 years of age and younger. No advance reservations are required, but young hunters and their mentors need to be at Robbins Butte by 4 a.m., which is when shooting stations will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteer hunter education instructors will be on hand to assist. Youths from ages 14-17 must have a valid hunting license, and those age 16 and older must also purchase an Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp.

Stations are marked and cleared to help ensure safer shooting, and hayrides to and from these stations are provided. The Chandler Rod and Gun Club will serve a hot, wholesome breakfast of pancakes, sausage and juice, and some of the kids will enjoy more fun this weekend than they’ll have the rest of the year.

The young hunters wage friendly contests, the girls revel in outshooting the boys, and everyone can smile about it. The moms, dads, grandparents, uncles or friends who provide transportation, moral support and, hopefully, some retrieving, feel like kids again, knowing they are providing a great opportunity and passing on our hunting tradition to young people.

For these two days, the sound of laughter, the buzz of excitement, and the whoops and hollers from the kids who make great shots all overwhelm the usual desert sounds. I find these to be good things, and for these two days I don’t miss the desert sounds.

As the excitement slows just a little, kids and adults will share stories, watch many types of wildlife, and hopefully realize there are many more opportunities to be enjoyed in the upcoming months at the Robbins Butte Wildlife Area.

Other opportunities

Outside of the juniors hunt, there is a portion of Robbins Butte that is open to general hunting during the early dove season. Please read the 2006-2007 dove hunting regulations for more information about the boundaries. Following the early dove season, the majority of the area is open to hunting for all and provides great times for people of all ages to enjoy. Many families come out regularly to enjoy the rabbit, dove and quail hunting, wildlife watching, or photography opportunities.

As the wildlife area manager at Robbins Butte, I enjoy meeting and seeing the young hunters and families that make the Robbins Butte Wildlife Area a part of their lives. Many get involved as volunteers through the department’s volunteer program and help make more opportunities available. I look forward to seeing you out here.

The Robbins Butte Wildlife Area is located southwest of Buckeye, about 40 miles west of Phoenix. Take I-10 to Highway 85, drive south on Highway 85 about eight miles, and follow the signs to the west for Robbins Butte. For more information on the juniors hunt or the Robbins Butte Wildlife Area, contact Phil Smith at (602) 290-2237.