rollerman132
245 posts
Feb 06, 2008
9:59 PM
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Should a person new to the hobby, start competing as soon as he gets a kit together. Or should he wait a few years, and stock some birds first? I say wait a few years, what do you say?
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kopetsa
220 posts
Feb 06, 2008
10:02 PM
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I'd say wait a few years, but I'm just a beginner myself!
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luis
619 posts
Feb 06, 2008
10:16 PM
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I feel it depends on ones knowledge of the birds and what is expected of them in a comp situation.Even with limited experience(i'm 1 of these persons)one can gain much from competing on the local level(got to keep a kit up though...not so easy these days).Once you gain more experience you can move on to more difficult comps such as the WC.If you don't want to compete to soon, you can always join a club and at least make the rounds during comp day and pick up a thing or two!Just my opinion...
It's been very difficult for me to get started due to the sky sharks.As stated before last year was a bust due to the losses but i'll keep trying and i know what i want from my birds.If others can do it..so can I !!!
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Santandercol
1951 posts
Feb 06, 2008
10:24 PM
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Last year was the first time I had a kit ready for the W/C prelims,have had Rollers less than 2 years now.Didn't DQ and scored a few points(very few)but it was more to get an idea of what to look for in a flying kit and how they score.I think it was worth the try and to gain a little knowledge.
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Kel.
Rum-30 Lofts
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Shadow
49 posts
Feb 07, 2008
4:54 AM
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Get out and about,look at all kits available to you,ask questions regarding most aspects of the game,adopt only whats acceptable to your set up,check out competition,after this you know if you and birds are ready. Good Luck and Enjoy.
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rtwilliams
13 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:52 AM
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As a new guy I want to get a kit together and fly as soon as possible. I want this so judges can tell me that my birds suck, or that I am breeding in the right direction. Constructive criticism is important to teach me what to look for and how to breed. My own kit also gives me the excuse to go and see other kits to learn from them and to discuss what makes them good and what makes them poor.
I know that this might seem like a waste of time to experienced fliers and somewhat frustrating to see inexperienced kits and managers, but it is the time to teach and if done correctly will create a lifelong pigeon roller, and competitor.
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katyroller
118 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:55 AM
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Like most everyone has suggested, join a club and get out to see as many kits as you can. Compare the best kits to what you have and you should have a good idea how competitive you can be. Another good reason to do your homework and start out with the best you can get. Also look for the most successful flier in the club and ask him if he would be willing to mentor you.
Alot of clubs these days have members spread out over a considerable distance so a local fly can be become a all day event not to mention the cost of fuel. I'd hate to be the one dragging everyone across town to always watch my birds DQ for stupid reasons. Peace & Good Luck!
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nicksiders
2541 posts
Feb 07, 2008
10:41 AM
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Well, I waited 55 years. Don't wait too long. Your learning curve is shortened drastically when you compete, so I would recommend no more than three years to five years. A lot of it will depend on who you got as a mentor(s). If he/she is a competitor and is generous with his time and birds you could be up and running in a couple of years. It also depends on your employment and work schedules how much effort you can afford to give your birds. There are a lot of entangibles you will have to deal with and it will dictate how quickly you get envolved with competing.
You can't wait until you feel your birds are ready.....they are never ready; it is always a work in process. Avoid the excuss that you don't "have anything". If you have 15 or more birds you have enough. Put'em up or shut up; they may surprise you.
Competing will make you humble because you know that in any given day your so called champions can turn into a whole bunch of worthless culls. Put'em up. Learn to be humiliated with grace.
PUT THEM UP...........G__DAMB IT< IT IS FUN!!!!!!....and you will learn to deal with humiliation.
Nick Siders
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Sandy91, SA Region 3
75 posts
Feb 07, 2008
11:19 AM
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As soon as possible so when the time comes for your first big fly you dont mess up...You know what do do and you are then used to competing.
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rollerman132
246 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:07 PM
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All really good posts, thank you. Did compete for a little while, was thinking going for it again, but not sure if I want to deal with the B.S,time will tell. I really wrote this post,to help those that are considering it.
Last Edited by on Feb 07, 2008 9:08 PM
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Flipmode
106 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:10 PM
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Start competing as soon as your kit start displaying scorable breaks!
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Scott
2 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:13 PM
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As soon as you have a kit together is when, I have lost teams and put up culls just to support my fellow flyers.
Scott
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kcfirl
281 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:20 PM
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I got 4 pairs of breeders in MArch of 1999 and flew in the fall fly that October. I scored 5 points and the 25 mph wind blew my kit away.
Since then, I've flown in every local, state, national, and WC since.
If you like to compete, and have the opportunity, fly as soon as you have a kit.
Ken Firl
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7001
34 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:27 PM
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i say compete, never know what might happen. get the experince in. i say sometimes its all luck.
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Scott
4 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:28 PM
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I remeber that fly Ken, Bircher was judging.
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Just my Opinion
Scott
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George R.
130 posts
Feb 07, 2008
9:43 PM
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as soon as you got a kit enter all flys and get your feet wet.
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maxspin
352 posts
Feb 16, 2009
1:52 PM
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There is no such thing as "to soon" to compete.
Nobody will look down on you for supporting a fly. Remember that the best fliers in the region want to qualify for the finals. The more fliers the better chance of qualifying.
They may even ask you to "fly" two kits. LOL
Remember there is no better way to get the experts into your back yard talking about your birds.
Keith
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ROBERT RODRIGUEZ
48 posts
Feb 16, 2009
2:40 PM
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GO OUT AND CHECK OUT COMPETITION FLYS THEN U WILL KNOW IF YOURE READY OR NOT "SOMETIMES TRAGEDIES BECOME BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE THEY CAN BE STEPPING STONES FOR BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS TO COME"
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fhtfire
1801 posts
Feb 16, 2009
6:39 PM
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You compete the second you get the kit...you learn so much by seeing the other birds fly and you get lots of input from the breeders to watch your birds...I flew the second I had a team together and I think I scored like 15 points.....but guess what...every competition I learned more and more and tried what I was hearing....4 years later....the scores are up just a little bit...lol...so compete as soon as you can...you get your feet wet...learn alot...and support your region and club...as long as you go in not expecting to kick the crap out of everybody and go in as a Pad Wan learner....(student)...then you will be just fine...
rock and ROLL
paul
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donnie james
244 posts
Feb 16, 2009
8:26 PM
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i have to say if he or she feels that they can that win the fly go for it and if they don't feel like they don't feel like they can win don't fly...........donny james
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bman
642 posts
Feb 17, 2009
7:47 AM
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Ken,Paul, I guess I don't feel so bad. Last years fall fly was my first. 30-35mph gusts and the kit got blown half a county away.lol Managed 15 pts and got them all back.No DQ & no losses was a good day.
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Ron
Borderline lofts
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Joe Dan
142 posts
Feb 17, 2009
8:29 AM
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When you decide that you are going to compete. Some people understand and support the competition side of this hobby... and some people are not envolved in the competition aspect. If you are going to compete... compete. Competition is not all about winning. Get started and try to improve... give it your best and most of all, have fun. If you do not have fun... don't compete anymore. Simple really. If everyone of us waited until the planets lined up correctly we would not have near as much fun as just jumping in. JMO
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Joe Dan Parson
Full Turn Lofts
North Texas
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spinningdemon
358 posts
Feb 17, 2009
8:54 AM
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I joined a club and have been going to flies I have learned a lot. I have not flown my birds in a comp yet I plan to fly in FF
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David Curneal
www.freewebs.com/dcurneal
www.saltcreekcustomstone.com
In the air since 1973
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Joe Dan
143 posts
Feb 17, 2009
11:27 AM
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Thats great David. We (the hobby as a whole)need you. I have been around pigeons most of my life. I never really knew anything about the organized/professional competitions. When I decided to get back into rollers in 06 I networked within the homer community to find who had the best rollers around. It was no coincidence that the best rollers were owned by the guys that competed. I know that there are guys out there that have good rollers that don't compete but the odds are in favor of the guys who compete... as a whole. As a club (speaking of the NBRC) it is through the competitions that you have the ability to network and have a field of other flyers to compare or establish what it is your wanting to achieve. Traveling around and visiting other lofts... and watching other birds fly in competitions are priceless. In the short time I have been involved in competitions I have learned more than I ever would have without competing... and I truely have friends and memories that I will have the rest of my life. If you are a pigeon nutt like me... its really a lot of fun! Go to the conventions and travel around within your regions during the competitions as much as your schdule will allow... especially the guys with commendable reputations as competition flyers. JMO... Best of luck guy!
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Joe Dan Parson
Full Turn Lofts
North Texas
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wishiwon2
149 posts
Feb 18, 2009
9:20 PM
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You should enter as soon as you have 156 that fly together and 5 that will roll. By entering a competition you will learn so much about your own birds and how you can manage them. Dont enter only to win, enter to enjoy the hobby with fellow flyers and to learn. Make yourself a part of the fly. Go and watch , ask questions when you see things that interest you. Keep it real, and plan on having fun at it. Sure we all want to do our best, but dont make that the entire purpose of entering, otherwise unless you win,it will always be a failure to you.
RT has a great pespective about flying in a competition.
..."Constructive criticism is important to teach me what to look for and how to breed. My own kit also gives me the excuse to go and see other kits to learn from them and to discuss what makes them good and what makes them poor." ...
A lesson taught to me from Scott C.; Dont sacrifice your stock future for the sake of entering a kit. A worthy breeder is far more valuable in moving your program forward than a points scorer. Keep your focus on the long term. Unless you're a top level competitor making a national or global title shot, take care of your stock pen first.
Dont expect your birds to be perfect. Fly what you have, work to make them better. If you wait to enter til you have the just right team, you'll be disapointed and miss alot of great times.
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Jon
"had fun, wish i won 2"
If it were easy, everybody would do it ...
Last Edited by on Feb 18, 2009 9:28 PM
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