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ABisbee
member (36)member
  
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!
 
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03/26/2018 08:03PM  
Really??? I think I would stick with the satellite phone.....
 
Guest Paddler
  
03/26/2018 08:21PM  
This is awesome and I hope I get to the point where I consider portaging a pigeon someday.
 
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.
 
sylvesterii
distinguished member (164)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/26/2018 11:57PM  
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?
 
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.
 
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?
 
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 06:27AM  
thanks for the laugh.
 
nooneuno
distinguished member(633)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/27/2018 06:39AM  
If I were you I wouldn't risk going up there at all, with all the red squirrels and chipmunks you are a lot safer staying home because quite clearly you are nuts.
 
jdmccurry
member (45)member
  
03/27/2018 04:08PM  
As another low tech option you could consider two cans and a lot of string.
 
03/27/2018 06:51PM  
Smoke signals.



Just sayin'. It's worth a try.
 
tombo131
distinguished member (132)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/27/2018 06:56PM  
I think this forum needs a hall of infamy.
 
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!
 
03/27/2018 07:35PM  
I'd be willing to take them along, but they'd have to carry their own gear, like my dog.
 
campnfish
distinguished member (487)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/27/2018 07:58PM  
I think your the first person that can honestly say you searched the site and couldn't find the answer, so thats at least refreshing.
 
03/27/2018 08:00PM  
This is probably one of those threads that needs a sticky according to some guy...
 
03/27/2018 08:12PM  
What happened to your pig roast?
 
03/27/2018 08:25PM  
brux: "What happened to your pig roast? "



It ran "afowl"......
 
ABisbee
member (36)member
  
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.
 
1JimD
distinguished member(587)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/27/2018 09:12PM  
Homing Pigeons ?
It would be a one way conversation ! Right ?
I mean, would they bring back a reply ?
Don't think it would work !

Jim
 
nooneuno
distinguished member(633)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/27/2018 09:14PM  
I believe ABisbee has a great deal of experience with one way conversations.
 
03/27/2018 09:31PM  
I heard of a group bringing in a goat & several chickens in order to have fresh meat.
 
03/28/2018 12:50AM  
Bannock: "I heard of a group bringing in a goat & several chickens in order to have fresh meat.
"




Wasn't the goat for fresh milk? They too decided to freeze dry the milk. Until mountain Smith can perfect a goat pack.
 
BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
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.
 
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
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?
 
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.
 
jdmccurry
member (45)member
  
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 10:37AM  
I thought it was a silly post by the topic so I just ignored it. But after 25 responses I had to see what it was about.
Should of just kept ignoring it.
 
firemedic5586
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/28/2018 12:20PM  
Are you by change going to be on this body of water?? It would only be fitting...
 
murphylakejim
distinguished member(552)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/28/2018 01:29PM  
I will be bringing my pet hawk along to intercept any homing pigeons carrying fishing hot spot information. I wouldn't plan on being up there between may 14th and may 19th. He is a very well trained hawk.
 
Flashback
distinguished member (156)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
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
 
03/28/2018 07:04PM  
These cuties hatched on Thursday/Friday and we put bands on them tonight. Faces only a mother could love? They should be ready for BWCA trips this summer. Maybe I should rent them out like outfitters rent out sat phones.

Sam and Ella

 
Campcraft
distinguished member (157)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/28/2018 07:17PM  
This thread makes me want to watch “The Lost Battalion” again.
 
Wick
distinguished member (287)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
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. :)
 
mastertangler
distinguished member(4432)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/29/2018 06:24AM  
Wick: "Aww,, take the birds! One of those birds can’t weigh more then 3 or 4 ice cubes. :)"


Well done Wick ;-)
 
zski
distinguished member (331)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/29/2018 11:13AM  
 
03/29/2018 02:19PM  
What a great flick!!
it reminds of a summer i spent on a farm near Hawley, MN one week back in '71...
 
BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/30/2018 08:11PM  
Wick: "I swear there isn't a single adventuring bone in some of you"


No. Some of us are more intelligent than others.
 
Wick
distinguished member (287)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/30/2018 08:27PM  
BnD: "


No. Some of us are more intelligent than others."


Oh, i did not know that!

Please do not let YOUR list of gear we should all take with us get out! !! ,,there would be no more use for this gear forum!


 
BnD
distinguished member(810)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
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.
 
firemedic5586
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
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..
 
Wick
distinguished member (287)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/31/2018 05:32PM  
firemedic5586:



Dibs on hauling the ice out.."


Lol, great! I will release the pigeons! BnD gets to carry the pig!
 
04/01/2018 07:15AM  
There was an episode on Gilligan's Island about homeing pigeons. Unfortunately it didnt work out for them.
 
04/01/2018 11:18AM  
"Pull!!"
 
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