Is Pigeon Racing Dying

[Walter swanston]

I have been in this game a few years now and have lost count of the number of times that experienced men have assured me in doleful tones that the pigeon game is finished.This morning on the third race of the current season our federation transporter is filled almost to capacity.So my question is does the Birdage jibe with the prophecies of doom?

[Novice]

Maybe not dying but certainly changing. Our federation registers as many rings as it did years ago but they are divided between fewer fanciers.

[Guest TAMMY_1]

there are definitely a lot less fanciers but some seem to have a lot more birds,we ourselves have actually kept and raced a lot less birds than I ever did in Lanarkshire

[john cumming]

I wouldn't say its finished but defo ben in decline, raptor problems and the ever increasing costs associated with pigeon racing and of course general politics within this hobby/sport has taken its toll I would say

 

 

 

john

 

 

 

[THE FIFER]

I think its changing, and in my opinion its the small time back garden fanciers we are losing, now its big lofts filled with birds, and its getting too expensive for the small fancier who only wants to fly a few birds and races, and for someone to start up, normally with a small loft and few birds its very hard now to compete and they get down hearted, and its too expensive, long ago you started with a few birds no clock as you ran to your nearest member to clock in, now its lofts lots of birds and expensive clocks, I remember away back when I started it was a small home made hut and about 6 birds and we didnt compete with the top fanciers, we had a boy's club birds went with the local club to race points, and we ran to a place with our rings, now new or youngsters coming into the sport have to compete against the best, its not easy now to get new fanciers into the sport,and yes I know we have to change with the times,

[DJL]

The problem is the majority of fanciers are over 50 and in some clubs most are 60+. There will be big changes in the next 10-15 years with small clubs and feds folding due to lack of members and the remaining members having to join neighbouring clubs

[Walter swanston]

The last contributor is decidedly correct I his remarks on the average of fanciers and I plead guilty to being over 81 years of age,it is also correct to say that over time (very soon) the whole format of racing in Scotland will have to change with the amalgamation of clubs and federations. All change should be welcomed after examination of the pros and cons because only in in this way can our sport survive and evolve.

[Guest karen87]

I'm 26 and joining soon. In the process of building a loft. My dad and I will be doing this together and we are mega excited

[dal2]

I'm 26 and joining soon. In the process of building a loft. My dad and I will be doing this together and we are mega excited

Best of luck. After a few wayward years in my early 20s i got the bug back and have enjoyed it

[PIGEONPACKMAN]

Good look karen im only 28 and love my birds there are still young people interested just theres more bad publicity thn good .and localaauthority's dont make it easy and so called fanciers who sell substandard birds for allot of money to the gullable dont helpveither.

[Guest karen87]

Thankfully my neighbour has been keeping us right or I'm sure we would be completely lost. Unless you know someone who has pigeons you wouldn't really think of it as a hobby. My dad is involving his next door neighbours son who seems quite keen. Its proving expensive to start up aswell which may put people off.

[THE FIFER]

well done Karen and all the best,

[BIGPETE]

I started keeping birds recently. I have found it very dififcult to find a club to race in even after 2 months of trying. I have spoken with some 5-6 people including the RPRA, Fed secretaries, press officers and pretty much everyone.

 

I have found it very hard (impossible) to get into a club to race with. A lot of the secretaries couldn't even tell me where their boundaries lay.

 

Some said I was outside the radius, but then when they confirmed the exact radius distances and I proved I am inside, they said the club still wouldn't let me in.

 

Another club said they would let me in, but I would be the most westerly flyer by some 25-30 miles so wouldn't have much chance flying against the drag.

 

For me all of this is pretty frustrating. You would have thought in this day and age (technology wise) there would be a website or similar where you pop your postcode into and it lists for you the Clubs/Feds you would be able to fly in. Also contact numbers, emails for the people you need to speak to. I have found a lot of people don't pick up calls or return messages. Some return emails after a week or so and another I spoke to on a Saturday said she hasn't got her computer on and wouldn't be turning it on for a few days so would reply to me at a later point. If we want the sport to grow it needs to be accessible and not so hard for people (even those who are really keen) to get involved.

 

I wanted to order some rings and had to pay by postal order or cheque. Stuff like this just isn't up to date and in todays world people want things to be easy and straight forward. Seems to be like the people in charge aren't doing a good job to me. :emoticon-0179-headbang:

 

I can order an item to be shipped from China to my house without leaving my armchair in minutes. It would reach me in a few days, this is the modern day world. Yet I am bang in the middle of the country and can't get into a club to race with. If the sport is dying it's not cos of all the good men flying the birds, it's because of the lack of organisation by the people who pull the strings. Jeez this sounds like a political rant now haha. Sorry guys but for me I am finding it a real ballache to get into the sport, so to read about the sport dying because of lack of new younger member beggars belief.

[philg50]

If,Bigpete a club has offered to let you in regardless of the drag as they say being against you ,a good wind working in your direction can be a big help ,so go with that club IMO and give yourself a chance to look around ,and it will get you started ,goodluck

[We man]

I started keeping birds recently. I have found it very dififcult to find a club to race in even after 2 months of trying. I have spoken with some 5-6 people including the RPRA, Fed secretaries, press officers and pretty much everyone.

 

I have found it very hard (impossible) to get into a club to race with. A lot of the secretaries couldn't even tell me where their boundaries lay.

 

Some said I was outside the radius, but then when they confirmed the exact radius distances and I proved I am inside, they said the club still wouldn't let me in.

 

Another club said they would let me in, but I would be the most westerly flyer by some 25-30 miles so wouldn't have much chance flying against the drag.

 

For me all of this is pretty frustrating. You would have thought in this day and age (technology wise) there would be a website or similar where you pop your postcode into and it lists for you the Clubs/Feds you would be able to fly in. Also contact numbers, emails for the people you need to speak to. I have found a lot of people don't pick up calls or return messages. Some return emails after a week or so and another I spoke to on a Saturday said she hasn't got her computer on and wouldn't be turning it on for a few days so would reply to me at a later point. If we want the sport to grow it needs to be accessible and not so hard for people (even those who are really keen) to get involved.

 

I wanted to order some rings and had to pay by postal order or cheque. Stuff like this just isn't up to date and in todays world people want things to be easy and straight forward. Seems to be like the people in charge aren't doing a good job to me. :emoticon-0179-headbang:

 

I can order an item to be shipped from China to my house without leaving my armchair in minutes. It would reach me in a few days, this is the modern day world. Yet I am bang in the middle of the country and can't get into a club to race with. If the sport is dying it's not cos of all the good men flying the birds, it's because of the lack of organisation by the people who pull the strings. Jeez this sounds like a political rant now haha. Sorry guys but for me I am finding it a real ballache to get into the sport, so to read about the sport dying because of lack of new younger member beggars belief.

Sums it up mate and all we hear is how to get young people involved,name and shame these people but don't give up and keep us all informed how you get on,good luck.

[andy Burgess]

I started keeping birds recently. I have found it very dififcult to find a club to race in even after 2 months of trying. I have spoken with some 5-6 people including the RPRA, Fed secretaries, press officers and pretty much everyone.

 

I have found it very hard (impossible) to get into a club to race with. A lot of the secretaries couldn't even tell me where their boundaries lay.

 

Some said I was outside the radius, but then when they confirmed the exact radius distances and I proved I am inside, they said the club still wouldn't let me in.

 

Another club said they would let me in, but I would be the most westerly flyer by some 25-30 miles so wouldn't have much chance flying against the drag.

 

For me all of this is pretty frustrating. You would have thought in this day and age (technology wise) there would be a website or similar where you pop your postcode into and it lists for you the Clubs/Feds you would be able to fly in. Also contact numbers, emails for the people you need to speak to. I have found a lot of people don't pick up calls or return messages. Some return emails after a week or so and another I spoke to on a Saturday said she hasn't got her computer on and wouldn't be turning it on for a few days so would reply to me at a later point. If we want the sport to grow it needs to be accessible and not so hard for people (even those who are really keen) to get involved.

 

I wanted to order some rings and had to pay by postal order or cheque. Stuff like this just isn't up to date and in todays world people want things to be easy and straight forward. Seems to be like the people in charge aren't doing a good job to me. :emoticon-0179-headbang:

 

I can order an item to be shipped from China to my house without leaving my armchair in minutes. It would reach me in a few days, this is the modern day world. Yet I am bang in the middle of the country and can't get into a club to race with. If the sport is dying it's not cos of all the good men flying the birds, it's because of the lack of organisation by the people who pull the strings. Jeez this sounds like a political rant now haha. Sorry guys but for me I am finding it a real ballache to get into the sport, so to read about the sport dying because of lack of new younger member beggars belief.

straight from the horses mouth (so to speak) good luck Pete , your going to need it

[We man]

If,Bigpete a club has offered to let you in regardless of the drag as they say being against you ,a good wind working in your direction can be a big help ,so go with that club IMO and give yourself a chance to look around ,and it will get you started ,goodluck

Yes Bigpete,thats good advice and when your up there on the result its even sweeter.

[walterboswell59]

not the doo game thats dying its the doo men and to many jelous stubborn old farts running things thats whats killing our sport everyones looking for an edge and not interested in helping anyone but them selves

[We man]

not the doo game thats dying its the doo men and to many jelous stubborn old farts running things thats whats killing our sport everyones looking for an edge and not interested in helping anyone but them selves

Well said Walter,and most of that kind could not fly a kite.

[Guest GAV]

not the doo game thats dying its the doo men and to many jelous stubborn old farts running things thats whats killing our sport everyones looking for an edge and not interested in helping anyone but them selves

Thank god someone agrees with me, cheers walter :emoticon-0137-clapping:

[Walter swanston]

not the doo game thats dying its the doo men and to many jelous stubborn old farts running things thats whats killing our sport everyones looking for an edge and not interested in helping anyone but them selves

[Walter swanston]

I freely admit I ain't much at racing pigeons Walter, but I really enjoy the whole scene and I have spent a good few years closely involved in the administration of pigeon organisations and I have to tell you that in many instances the most obdurate and twisted opponents of change and progress are surprisingly often not really that old.

[kingziemckay]

The sport is dying,no one wants newblood coming in to the sport,

Or joining there club,there is rotten people in this sport

 

There is few genuine people that are willing to help,but few and far between,

 

There is more people packing in,than newblood coming threw,but that's

What people want so they can keep getting there tickets every week,

And think there a champion,,,

 

This is pigeon racing for you,,,

[Walter swanston]

Absolute total rubbish .pigeon Fanciers are the salt of the earth.

[Guest bigda]

any new member should be given help, even if they don't ask as communication with pigeon men and club can be selective, new starts in most jobs, get shown the ropes

and there, where plenty guys happy to be shown what to do . so new pigeon guys need help.