The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-09
PIGEONS FOR TRAP SHOOTING.
where the Birds Come From That
supply the New York Clubs

From the Country Gentleman
To some the idea of raising pigeons for
trap-shootng seems a little cruel, and
some investigation of the subject has been
made BY those interested in the protcc-
ton Of animals and birds; but the fact
is there is nothing in the business 10 snocK
The most sensitive any more than raising
poultry for the market. The pigeons that
are shot a the traps are simply plockeo
Immediately afterward and sold on the
market. This instead OF injurlng the
trade OF those who make business oil
raising pigeons for a living, really heips
IT, No one attempts to raise pigeons for
market directly. The proft comes cniehY
in the SQUADS. and the old pigeons ore
merely disposed Of finally when they get
rather too old for breeding purposes
These pigeons put on the market ~onlu
bring very little, because they are old
and tough and the meat they furnish Is
hardly good eating. Nevertheless, they
make excellent birds for the traps. They
are strong OF wind and their flight Is Oft
entmes more powerful and rapid tAan
thot of younger birds. There is conee-
quently a demand for such birds from
trep-shooting clubs.
A word or two about the needs and de-
mands OF these clubs should be of in
Jerest to those engaged in raising pig
cons and squads for market. for their
consumption is SO large to-day that they
form one Of the leading factors in the
market. The trep-shooting season begins
in early fall and extends well through
the entire winter, and during nearly all
the winter holidays thousands OF pig
cons are shot from the traps. In and
around New York all the way from 20
600 to 5000 pigeons are shot In traps
every season. On extra occasions when
large matches are arranged, 5000 birds
will be needed In one week. The question
OF obtaining this number OF birds at one
time is often a difficult one to solve. For
merry it was impossible to do ii. but to-
day marketmen and special breeders have
come 20 the city from different parts of
the country. and hold them for the trap-
shooting clubs. Some marketmen carry
large conSignments along for weeks, just
TO supply such sudden demand. They
nave the dates OF the different Journeys,
and they keep in direct touch with the
clubs. But this system hardly works sat
isfactorily. and special breeders of trap
pigeons have gone into the business. On
Long Island there are several farmers
who make a speciality of this They
raise thousands of pigeons for the trap
shooters and they are ready at any mo-
ment TO supply a clubs demand for one
two, three or 10000 birds. Immense wire
enclosures keep these pigeons within re-
stricted areas. They have to be fed suf
ficienty to make them strong and able
flyers. The trap-shooting clubs dema nd
above all things else fast end active
birds. Sluggish and slow flyers are not
wanted. In the great cages where they
are raised for the clubs, the birds are ex-
ercised every day by man entering the
enclosure and swapping a huge whip. The
crack of this frghtens the birds SO that
they fly around in great focks. This
morning and evening exercise is consider
ed necessary for the proper development
Of wing power.
AS rule, young pigeons are in demand,