We  had to wait longer than expected to release birds today, the low clouds rolled in and we had to wait.  First group was released at 10:40.  Released in groups of @150 ea.  Will be going again tomorrow.

We forgot to start the clock today for the 12 mile toss.  The birds went 12 miles today and did good, no problem.  We will be going again tomorrow.  

We made a mistake and didn't turn clock on until we got home from toss.  First group was released at 12:00.

The fog and overcast was really bad this morning, we finally were able to release birds after 12:00.  Again we released them in groups.

Once again we had to wait til 10:30 to release birds in groups because of morning fog.  Some of the groups got together, the sky was sunny but very hazy.  We can't wait too long because then it starts getting hot.  Hopefully we start getting better mornings.

We had to wait to turn birds out due to very heavy fog this morning.  Released in groups.  New training box worked great.

We have delayed training due to getting a new training container mounted on our truck.  We will be getting it tomorrrow and will commence training on Wednesday.  This is a few day later than we anticipated however we're confident we will have the birds well trained.  They are flying really good around the loft and are definitely ready to be trained.  We have had some very hot days recently so maybe it is a blessing we had to wait this long to start.  We are looking forward to another great year, good luck to all our breeders.  Any questions contact Steve Miner, 619-933-8188 or sminervangruen@aol.com.

We plan on starting training this week provided our new training box is ready.  We are putting a new training container on our flatbed truck.  I will make loading birds much easier and will have 3 levels rather than the crates.  Birds are ranging really good and are ready for training.  Sometimes groups will be gone for 45 minutes when ranging.  Will have first training toss on Wincompanion hopefully this week.  Any questions or concerns conatact Steve Miner, 619-933-8188. Good Luck!!

Today we let birds out for exercise for the first time since pulling 9th and 10th flights.  They got a bath and seemed to really enjoy being out of the loft.  The younger group will go out this afternoon so the inventory will not be complete until later in the day.  We have lost a couple of the young ones to Mr. Hawk, unfortunately part of the process.  We will be doing trapping inventories every few days for the next month.  Training will start @ 3rd week of September.  Good luck to all.

Birds are doing great, still waiting for 9th and 10th to grow out.  Health is excellent, just waiting to start letting them out for exercise.  We are planning to start training @ middle of September.  We want the birds to be out and ranging before we start training.  We will have basically daily trapping inventory once we start flying them around the loft.

Hotel information:  Room prices are the same (very surprising) $109/night or $99/night if you stay 5 nights or more.  No charge for parking as well.  Our hotel is the Courtyard Marrtiott Liberty Station which is very close to the airport.  When reserving your room(s) say you are part of the Pigeon Races during Thanksgiving Week.  Contact info is on our website.  Any problems or questions contact Steve Miner, 619-933-8188 or sminervangruen@aol.com.  Good luck and let's have another great year!!!