Hello again Gimpielover,

There is a thread that you might really enjoy but it is quite long. It is titled, "Your handle and how you got it" and many members have posted their stories there. If I have got this right you can find it here at:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=12437&highlight=handle

I think actually that I was the last person to post there. You might want to get in on the thread too though. It is fascinating really to read about the stories behind the stories and to get connected with some of the regular contributors.

Cameron

 

Hi Gimpielover,

I just went back and re-read "Your handle and how you got it" and noticed that you posted there already. Sorry that I could'nt be more helpful to you. You have already read that string. Still, the stories are terrific. It is worth a second read.

Cameron

 

Thanks Cameron,

Great detective work here on behalf of Gimpielover, I would have suggested the same thing. Of course we can all start again in this thread about ourselves so that Gimpielover get's to "know" us all more

 

Hello Gimpielover, I know Burbank, Ca. very well. I started with my 1st pigeons in The San Fernando Valley in 1953. I lived in North Hollywood right next to Burbank just So. of Riverside & Whitsett, & also by Roscoe & Coldwater in later yrs.. Had many friends in Burbank, as a matter of fact there used to be many Racing Clubs in the East Valley called Burbank RPC, East Valley RPC, Lankershim RPC (that I was a member of in younger yrs.). Roy Rogers Raced in the Lankershim RPC for many yrs.! Then Some other old time names that come to mind are Jim Ridge lived around Valley St. & Magnolia. He was Racing there in the 1930's till his death around the 1970's. John Gookin on Screenland, Tom Moynahan, John Sengers That lived by Burbank Airport, Paul Bothner. Many more, I could say, but the East Valley area is not a good Racing Aireline being off course of where the birds come through from the N.W.. Now most Racing Folks live in the Sepulveda, Ca. area, Course now it is called North Hills. All of those clubs above are gone now.. My father & I also had Rollers. We had many Pigeon Shows at George Neuenburg's house On Chandler & Whitsett. One of the founding fathers of so many breeds, clubs etc. of all So. Calif. Pigeons......I was a Mailman in North Hollywood for 30yrs.. My route was at Whitsett & Oxnard for 27 of those yrs..

 

Well where to start. At a younger age I some how became very intersted in pigeons. My fist birds were 2 pair of barn pigeons that my dad brought me home. After saying for awhile I want some pigeons. That was 1958. I made a make shift type pigeon pen that held the birds for a short time. Soon they found away to get out and they were gone. turned out a person just a few blocks away had several types of pigeons. And the cost was a nickel to 25 cents a bird. I could afford that. And from there I picked up a few new birds. Then later I went to just raceing homers. There was not a raceing club here BUT a very strong all breed club. So I flew my birds around thhe home and short tosses. And showed at there shows. My forst trophy was for best raceing homer. I was excited over that. Then I added mookies and a few modenas to my loft. BUT I guess someone else decided they were going to get all my birds. I went out one morning to take care of the birds. Every pigeon had been stolen. About 200 birds all gone. I never found who done it or saw any of them agin. A short time later I was able to get some more birds. I slowed down when Girls became an interest point. But kept a few birds also. just not as many. Later married and enlarged my loft agin. Helped start a raceing club local Was able to race the birds. And from there became intersted in the old fantail. Tried my program in raiseing them Had much fun doing that. Still kept on and off some racers. Then phased them out . Stayed with the fantails. raised 3 children Have 5 grandchildren. None ever seemed to want pigeons. But thats there life. I Spent over 33 years training in different martial arts. Which is part of my life also. But then about a year and a half ago. I went down hill on the health. And a few months ago had to give the birds up . At first that was ok. But You have bird most your life then there gone. Well you start wanting them agin. So I go visit the local lofts from time to time. That way I get to handle a bird now and agin. And visit this site often. I can say I have met many people over the years Who have raised pigeons. Have learned have had fun. And have seen many thousands of pigeons. It was a good hobby And made good friends.The pigeon hobby is changeing And less are coming around to carry it forward. So I would think it would be a good idea to work with any new comers to keep the hobby around for years to come

 

Tracy's Story...

Hello GimpieLover, My name is Tracy. I live in Canada, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Ive been raising pigeons since I was 11 years old and in grade 5. My dad started me up with the sport by taking me down to the bridge and I found and injured feral so we cleaned this big sore on her back. Its took quit awile but she lived and I called her Rosey which is also how I got my username on this web site. Then my dad bought me home another little baby named Little Guy. He learned very well on how to eat on his own. Little Guy was also a feral bird that had dropped from his nest on top of a building. Then, my mom and I were out at Tim Hortains and there was another youngster. My mom picked him up and we brought him home. I named this one Tulip. We had three feral pigeons now. One check (Rosey), and two blue bars (Little Guy, Tulip). Then Tulip and Little Guy flew off and we only had Rosey once again. Then when we were out in Yorkton for a funeral my dad called up a man that raises Helemts, German Owls, and Fan Tails, and Trumpeters. We bought a pair of Black crested Helmets from him. They lived inside the house along with Rosey. I named the Hen Daisy and the cock Luke. Then after this my dad wanted to get some rollers so we have a man here that raises Bald Heads and German Owls, and a couple other breeds. We bough 3 pairs off of him. One pair I named Oreo and Roxan, then a second one Half Face and Cookie, then third ones Rachel and Henry. We bought these last year in mid January then let them fly in the spring. Henry and Rachel had laid an egg a couple weeks after we bought them and now had a little baby. After 2 weeks we took the little baby away fromt he parents to take inside to keep from freezing since we had a very bad winter. I named him Martain. From all these pairs we now have about 24 birds. We had a hawk come around and tag off alot of my birds plus chase a few off. My dad lost his favorite bird in which he hand raised from an egg from having some troubles with keeping the Helmets babies alive. This babys name was Chance. He was a Blue crested Helmet. We had also lost 3 other helmets from the hawks not counting Lukes mate Daisy had gotten taken by a hawk. I had lost two Red Helmets named Morgan, and Jenny. We now have two males left named Sam and Toby. Martain also flyed off. A man had recently called saying he had found one of my birds, He had said that this bird was white and we all had thought this was Chance. It turned out it wasnt Chance but one of my rollers. I was disapointed this bird hadnt been Chance but I was happy I had oen of my rollers back. I named this one G.
We are now planing to buy a couple more hens for the 3 males I have left.

This is probubly is a very confusing story to try to follow but thats what my story is.

 

Hi Rosey

It sure is great to hear from another person from Saskatoon. If only everyone knew what a great town this is. We do have a lot of hawks and other birds of prey here though. My wild flock is constantly being threatened, especially in the winter when food is scarce. They come to get a meal where the little birds are eating at the feeders and just trying to survive. But this is a warm year for sure. Global warming I hear may be the problem. Great story by the way, and you have had so many birds!

Cameron.