This is a tough course, and it tends to eliminate the ones that are not good enough pretty fast. Generally speaking, local training and racing losses are pretty high, regardless of bloodline. There are still 3 or 4 on this team that probably won't make it as we get much further out. That's kind of the way the cookie crumbles.
The trick will be having any left once we get over the hills. I'm down to eleven at this point and still have a ways to go to reach the training station goal.
Don't blame your birds. Especially the ones that have flown back from there numerous times. I've done that with my birds also. And surprisingly, there have been times where I get random phones calls (because I have personal ring bands on them with my number) informing me that my bird(s) have been found but not alive due to hawk attack.
The hawks are pretty bad right now. I think they're definitely a major factor and if they chase them up into some creek valleys and over the hills, they can wind up totally scrambled and be gone forever.
@@kerbyjackson88 I agree.. I’m in the twin cities in MN and we rarely see falcons around much. But from 2023 until now it’s like my actual first time seeing a peregrine chasing my birds. They’re not safe out there anymore. And here I thought coopers are so annoying. I’m now dealing with the real predator of the sky. Lol
@08densel08 If you look back in my videos, you'll see a lot of Peregrines killing Rollers wholesale. Now that I'm not flying many rollers my Peregrine seems to have moved on, but I've still got a pair of Cooper's that are major pests. I don't loft fly much now and pretty much use the road for flying. Obviously, losses are still a problem, though not to the extent I was losing rollers.
I've lost half on some tosses. Usually only work with 10 good proven birds ( proven to me, my birds) its crushing. Understood. Hopefully, a few more straggled in. They coulda got mixed in with either ferals or a flock of training birds from another club/ combine. Went too far in the wrong direction and will pi k their way home. Good luck. It's a tough deal. That's why I'm at the point where I may just send some to one loft races and give them to kids starting out and toss them for ""sh-ts and giggles "". They'll become pets. Best Regards, God bless you and safe travels.
Geez! That sucks!. The Applegate Valley did you wrong and with the help of a Cooper's possibly.. It is what it is I guess.. Hopefully you don't lose anymore from the team.. The members are getting thin at the moment.
We no longer have much in the way of accessible open fields and this is very heavily forested mountain terrain full of Birds of Prey. It's also full of magnetic anomalies and transmission lines. It's the local hand we are dealt. Some old timers consider this one of the toughest racing courses in the country and they are probably not wrong on that. Conditions improve once we hit the high desert country, but that's about 150 miles out. It's a long way to go to get to easy tossing spots.
To be honest I have to say, that is not a disaster! The birds that cant make it just lost! That means you have purified your flock!
That is the positive way of looking at it. Chances are, those that did not return would not have returned from later tosses anyway.
Dude don't give your pigeon excuse, the ones were not home are Not good enough.
This is a tough course, and it tends to eliminate the ones that are not good enough pretty fast. Generally speaking, local training and racing losses are pretty high, regardless of bloodline. There are still 3 or 4 on this team that probably won't make it as we get much further out. That's kind of the way the cookie crumbles.
You're on the right track! Its not about numbers its about quality.
The trick will be having any left once we get over the hills. I'm down to eleven at this point and still have a ways to go to reach the training station goal.
Don't blame your birds. Especially the ones that have flown back from there numerous times. I've done that with my birds also. And surprisingly, there have been times where I get random phones calls (because I have personal ring bands on them with my number) informing me that my bird(s) have been found but not alive due to hawk attack.
The hawks are pretty bad right now. I think they're definitely a major factor and if they chase them up into some creek valleys and over the hills, they can wind up totally scrambled and be gone forever.
@@kerbyjackson88 I agree.. I’m in the twin cities in MN and we rarely see falcons around much. But from 2023 until now it’s like my actual first time seeing a peregrine chasing my birds. They’re not safe out there anymore. And here I thought coopers are so annoying. I’m now dealing with the real predator of the sky. Lol
@08densel08 If you look back in my videos, you'll see a lot of Peregrines killing Rollers wholesale. Now that I'm not flying many rollers my Peregrine seems to have moved on, but I've still got a pair of Cooper's that are major pests. I don't loft fly much now and pretty much use the road for flying. Obviously, losses are still a problem, though not to the extent I was losing rollers.
Keep your chin up it's not a easy game 😊
I don't get discouraged too easily.
It’s hard to believe, too many in one toss
I suspect a falcon was involved. It doesn't take much to scatter them into the hills.
@@kerbyjackson88 yes it must be it
@@Racingpigeons316 It's definitely the most I've ever lost in a single toss.
I've lost half on some tosses. Usually only work with 10 good proven birds ( proven to me, my birds) its crushing. Understood. Hopefully, a few more straggled in. They coulda got mixed in with either ferals or a flock of training birds from another club/ combine. Went too far in the wrong direction and will pi k their way home. Good luck. It's a tough deal. That's why I'm at the point where I may just send some to one loft races and give them to kids starting out and toss them for ""sh-ts and giggles "". They'll become pets. Best Regards, God bless you and safe travels.
Geez! That sucks!. The Applegate Valley did you wrong and with the help of a Cooper's possibly.. It is what it is I guess.. Hopefully you don't lose anymore from the team.. The members are getting thin at the moment.
It is what it is. But like I was telling a local club member today, " I only need one to win".
@@kerbyjackson88.. This is true!
Best to toss in an open field. I feel scared tossing near mountains or land full of trees. Its like u are baiting hungry hawks
We no longer have much in the way of accessible open fields and this is very heavily forested mountain terrain full of Birds of Prey. It's also full of magnetic anomalies and transmission lines. It's the local hand we are dealt. Some old timers consider this one of the toughest racing courses in the country and they are probably not wrong on that. Conditions improve once we hit the high desert country, but that's about 150 miles out. It's a long way to go to get to easy tossing spots.
Too bad
I hope they return soon.😎