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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Homing Pigeons |
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03/26/2018 07:38PM (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
This year we will be setting out on our longest BWCA trip yet. We have a full group and a lot of gear. All of us have kids back home and some of us with jobs with profit lines that depend on decisions we make. The idea is to get away from all the stress for a week and a half and just relax. But we know that at any given moment we may be called upon in an emergency, to make an important decision or worse, to have to cut our trip short. In the past we have enjoyed listening to the radio station for personal and emergency messages and have never had to respond to anything crucial. To say we’ve been lucky is an understatement. We have considered satellite phones in the past, but the idea is to move away from technology and take in the naturalness of our surroundings. We are a very creative bunch with more talents than any group should be blessed with. One of us raises and competes in homing pigeon races. And during a discussion the thought hit four of us like a ton of bricks! We all thought it at the same time and that “mad scientist” laugh came in chorus.
So...
Has anybody else here successfully carried homing pigeons into the BWCA and successfully released them with messages? Our biggest concern is predatory birds taking one out in flight. Another is the legality of releasing “domesticated” animals in the BWCA...
Any information and insight is helpful.
Thanks!
So...
Has anybody else here successfully carried homing pigeons into the BWCA and successfully released them with messages? Our biggest concern is predatory birds taking one out in flight. Another is the legality of releasing “domesticated” animals in the BWCA...
Any information and insight is helpful.
Thanks!
03/26/2018 08:40PM
My husband and I raise them as well. Though we are novices. There's no reason they wouldn't make it home other than the typical hazards the pigeons face. I do believe they are not fond of flying over open water. I doubt if smaller bodies of water are an issue. But some of the larger lakes may give them pause. But the Mississippi River doesn't seem to stop them.
All of that being said, I have no idea how the forest service feels about it. But it's not like they're going to be taking up residence in the BW. They're headed straight home.
Getting them out there might be a pain in the butt. But not as much of a pain as a live pig. Or ice water.
All of that being said, I have no idea how the forest service feels about it. But it's not like they're going to be taking up residence in the BW. They're headed straight home.
Getting them out there might be a pain in the butt. But not as much of a pain as a live pig. Or ice water.
03/27/2018 05:08AM
My question is, what type of business is so urgent that it can not be put off for a couple of days or delegated to someone else? If you can risk waiting for a pigeon to (possibly) deliver a message, the message must not be that urgent. Then again, what do I know? I am just a wage slave in the cogs of a small business...and really rather content.
03/27/2018 05:57AM
sylvesterii: "I hope so much that this is a real question. I really do, but my question in reply is are they African or European Homing Pigeons?"
Carrying all those coconuts is gonna be a bear.
In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. Aristotle
03/27/2018 06:07AM
Has anyone successfully carried them in? Yes, they taste like chicken and a good supplement after the pig you bring in runs out.
Seriously, how long does it take for them to go that far?
Goldenbadger, is there something you don't do?
Seriously, how long does it take for them to go that far?
Goldenbadger, is there something you don't do?
Nctry
03/27/2018 06:16AM
nctry: "Has anyone successfully carried them in? Yes, they taste like chicken and a good supplement after the pig you bring in runs out.
Seriously, how long does it take for them to go that far?
Goldenbadger, is there something you don't do?"
Lol. There are lots of things I don't do that I wish I did. And some that I have done that I wish I hadn't.
The furthest we have taken them has been about 25 miles so far. I'm not sure how long it took them since I wasn't home when they got home and hubby was sleeping. But if I had to guess, I'd say 30 minutes to an hour. We've never done an actual race yet with ours. Like I said, we're novices.
It would be fun to take them up there and maybe bust them loose from Ely. I wouldn't want to portage them in.
03/27/2018 07:10PM
sylvesterii: "I hope so much that this is a real question. I really do, but my question in reply is are they African or European Homing Pigeons?"
Well...I don't know that....
Ahhhhhrgg!
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
03/27/2018 08:35PM
After much consideration and discussions with many BWCA goers we have decided that the pig roast would potentially endanger other campers as it would draw predatory animals to the area. Although, we have considered the pre-butchered option as posted by many as a suggestion. Just not too keen on the weight to portage. Thank you for inquiring! We WILL do something that has never been done or tried before. And you will not be disappointed with my trip report. Glad so many remember, must be a close knit group here. We did solve the beer issue and will be bringing “trail beer”. One tenth the weight to portage and just as good. After we solve the communication issue we will be developing super ultra-light camp pads. Aiming for 6 ounce pads with R12 rating; half pound comfy chairs, and water powered generators. Also developing other interesting gadgets. After all make it through prototyping we should have single portaged gear luxury that many will envy.
03/28/2018 01:45AM
Gentlemen, I think your being played, however, I enjoy the sarcasm that’s well deserved. Next bizarre topic.....wait for it. “ Me and my infinitely astute, intelligent, influential friends are planning to circumnavigate the BWCA with beer, pigs, pigeons, ice, ........ what do you think ? This is where ya’ll respond and laughter begins.
03/28/2018 06:50AM
I think its sort of neat. You can send one with a note that, "all is well". After all, you raise the things, why not bring one along (how hard can it be?) and send it off into the wild blue yonder just to see what happens.
I wouldn't rely on one for emergency purposes however.........just for fun.
African or European?
I wouldn't rely on one for emergency purposes however.........just for fun.
African or European?
Lets Go!
03/28/2018 09:33AM
BnD: "Gentlemen, I think your being played, however, I enjoy the sarcasm that’s well deserved. Next bizarre topic.....wait for it. “ Me and my infinitely astute, intelligent, influential friends are planning to circumnavigate the BWCA with beer, pigs, pigeons, ice, ........ what do you think ? This is where ya’ll respond and laughter begins."
I've tried some things differently and they've worked out well. For instance, my camel makes things a lot easier on the portages.
03/28/2018 09:43AM
BnD: "Gentlemen, I think your being played, however, I enjoy the sarcasm that’s well deserved. Next bizarre topic.....wait for it. “ Me and my infinitely astute, intelligent, influential friends are planning to circumnavigate the BWCA with beer, pigs, pigeons, ice, ........ what do you think ? This is where ya’ll respond and laughter begins."
I think ABisbee might also be Dos Equis's "most interesting man in the world"
03/28/2018 06:31PM
Oh yeah! I'd carry 2 or 3 homing pigeons along; but only IF they taste like dove.
I can eat a big serving of dove & dumplings, and a wilted lettuce salad with some onion & bacon thrown into the hot grease. Top it off with 2 good sized, Big Boy tomatos.
I'd be good to go.........
BOB
I can eat a big serving of dove & dumplings, and a wilted lettuce salad with some onion & bacon thrown into the hot grease. Top it off with 2 good sized, Big Boy tomatos.
I'd be good to go.........
BOB
03/29/2018 05:29AM
Aww,, take the birds! I swear there isn't a single adventuring bone in some of you!
I would make some small cages from dried sticks so you can burn them in the fire after release of the bird. You will not have to carry the cage the rest of the trip.
If this was my hobby,,you could not stop me from taking a bird to release with me every vacation i went on! One of those birds can’t weigh more then 3 or 4 ice cubes. :)
I would make some small cages from dried sticks so you can burn them in the fire after release of the bird. You will not have to carry the cage the rest of the trip.
If this was my hobby,,you could not stop me from taking a bird to release with me every vacation i went on! One of those birds can’t weigh more then 3 or 4 ice cubes. :)
03/31/2018 09:23AM
How bout actually taking an extended back country trip with pigs, pigeons, packs of ice, etc..... and get back with us on how that worked for ya. We'll look a little brighter about the 8th or 9th portage. Just dont leave it behind for one of us to haul out.
03/31/2018 12:56PM
BnD: "How bout actually taking an extended back country trip with pigs, pigeons, packs of ice, etc..... and get back with us on how that worked for ya. We'll look a little brighter about the 8th or 9th portage. Just dont leave it behind for one of us to haul out."
Dibs on hauling the ice out..
A Møøse once bit my sister.
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