Welcome Morb

Misty I agree. I have won from 100 to 600 in very heavy competitions. 600 was over two hours ahead of next bird. Other races ahead by 10 minutes or more, 200 miles, hour at 350 miles etc,. Heck not bragging. Have lost many more than I have won. Never flew widowhood. It is the best bird on the day. Most motivated. Eggs nest whatever. I really do not care how many any person ships or the wind and drag in a Fed or club race. First young bird race last year I won in the club. The Fed had fliers shipping a 100 for some members. To me it does not matter if a 1000 birds are shipped. Best bird on the day will win.

Could not agree more, some of the most prestigious races have been won by one entry.

I usually sent 10 or twelve, depending on the state of play, knowing, through observation and past knowledge, when particular pigeons would perform at their best.

If the top two on my entry were not in the first two back I was disappointed but not heartbroken.

You have maybe half the year involved in actual racing and if you do not get pleasure 365 days a year from being involved then I feel sorry for those involved.

Of course winning is nice but much of the backbone of the sport is held together by fanciers who win very little but put a lot into it.

Regards.

And back biters who win nothing and put very little into the sort but have a perpetual habit of running others down, the sport could be better off without.

Regards.

by what ive seen, most clubs have there share of back biters, and members who do nothing....sadly that's what most pigeon men seem to be like.

I imagine it will always be that way. I congratulate the winners. Commiserate with the losers. One younger fellow had sick birds 2 years ago. Treated them and they recovered nicely. So well in fact he figured he needed advantage. So joined a large club 40 miles North. Usually West winds here and we fly from the East. So on paper, backed up by Fed results, he should have a good advantage as to his location.
He is 45 miles shorter than me, same line of flight. However, did not happen. Beat him Fed wise a few times. Perhaps it takes more than four years for his young off expensive imports to adjust to the climate here?

A big welcome from me Morb.

I trust you will enjoy the banter and have something to give from time to time.

Phil

Thanks for the welcome bluesky, I’ll try my best