This weeks discussion of the week is…
What do you think the current state of pigeon racing is?
For example do you think pigeon racing is growing or dying and why, express your views and share with others your opinions on the current state of pigeon racing by placing your vote in the poll below then posting a comment in the comment section below this post.
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Our club has 40 members flying from 31 lofts and currently the BIGGEST club in the country, however
Do believe we need some ongoing innovation to maintain and build interest.
All the bureaucracy created by Brexit and the ongoing Raptor problems are real concerns to the future development of the sport.
Not convinced that the growth in OLR is helping the Grass roots pigeon sport.
This sport/hobby is on a downhill slide and picking up speed, myself, I think to many use excuses instead of confronting the problem, I believe the problem starts with us pigeon people, look at any sport/hobby that is blossoming, reason why, they advertise in every possible way to attract members, when is the last time you seen something about pigeons being advertised as a sport/hobby
Clubs should be putting on small shows and inviting the public, anything to get the word of racing pigeons to the public, ask strangers if they know about racing pigeons, most will say they never heard of the sport, hell, most don’t even know that pigeons played a big part in both world wars
As for costs, most of us live in aa age where, “want over takes cost”, to expensive, hell, ever priced out these electronic the kids use now a days, so I don’t think cost is that much of a factor as it is not promoting our sport
The racing pigeon sport is slowly fading away we started a new club and currently have 9 members
Most younger just starting and older members are finding it hard to get started because of the cost to start with clocking systems and cost to get good birds.
Most New flyers never heard of the sport and are enthusiastic to keep going.
They are also educating other people of the sport and getting their interest to learn more
We are hoping to grow into a larger club and trying to recruit more people to get interested
Education on anything is the only way to keep the sport alive
Pigeon racing is a niche sport. Not many people know much about it. It would be helpful to introduce 4-H kids to it, and get them started. Without young people learning and enjoying the birds, racing will gradually die out.
Getting local media involved is another option, as long as the animal rights people can be avoided or educated. Showing how well the birds are cared for, and being responsible about culls goes a long way towards endearing folks to the sport.
I dont know that it is dying but it is changing. OLR’s are growing but the club racing seems to be diminishing.
I would like to see the return of club racing vigor, since it is at this level that the sport appeals to the working man who cant spend so much on perch fee’s activation fees let alone spend the cash needed to have the blood to compete. Every OLR racer should be sure to support the local club.
I would think that the racing pigeon sport in general is on the decline. It’s a very costly sport to be competitive in. And there’s no guarantee that the birds you’re keeping will ever be worthy of becoming a race winner or producing a race winner. So as people get discouraged, they drop out, and move on to something else. Sad but true.
Pigeon racing is a great sport and can only grow when it’s a sport that’s running in the family and I today’s life the sport is getting very expensive and it’s hard to keep up with the big guys that has money and besides that everything regarding the sport is expensive I’m talking about myself my father just past on last year September and I’m not even flying this year and already just keeping the pigeons healthy is costing me big bucks so yes if the sports gne die because it’s getting very expensive the guys need to assist those that cannot afford to buy good racing pigeons and give the new guys in the game good and usefull advice because I came across alot of shelfish fanciers
I think the sport is dying. One reason is the current events in the world today. That influences my next statement. The cost of the sport has become a major problem for new entries into the sport. The cost of a loft, feed, medications etc. is just prohibitive for a beginner. Then there is the cost of the birds, $500 for a decent genetic pool bird.
Its good and bad the first instance there being no channel race this year because of the EU and the second reason as to sparrowhawks and peregrines eating your birds the good aspect of the racing this year is the inland racing points i e weymouth and yeovil ect
Hello ive just been in pigeon racing for 4 season’s now and are club is only 12 members and just this past year weve gotten 4 new members so its slowly growing for us i hope it keeps growing for everyone else also, keep flying and do your best thanks