BUBBA WILSON'S TALE

as shown on KNWA Northwest Arkansas News (video)

"It's thoroughbreds of the is what it is," Wilson says. "Basically, race your birds from a release point to your loft and whoever can fly it the fastest wins."

Bubba has been racing pigeons for over a decade.  These birds can find their way home from hundreds of miles away.  They use magnetic fields, photographic memories and an incredible sense of smell.

But, Bubba doesn't just race his birds, he raises them from the time they hatch. He says these birds have helped him deal with post traumatic stress disorder from fighting for this country.

"It keeps me occupied so flashbacks don't come," Wilson says.  "I can truthfully say that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my birds."

Bubba loves his birds and his birds definitely love him back.

THE TRANQUILITY OF PIGEON KEEPING

With the debut of the new Animal Planet show featuring the calming effect of pigeons, we at the American Racing Pigeon Union are reaffirmed in our belief that we have been sharing for many years – that the people who keep pigeons experience a calming respite when they go to their lofts to care for their pigeons.

The effect has proven beneficial to physically challenged and learning challenged youth.  That translates well to the calming effect on individuals who suffer from the post trauma effect of military combat.

One of the most exciting rewards in racing Homing Pigeons is that of “crossing the finish line first,” but the underlying gratification of pigeon keeping is the calming, settling connection with nature. 

To find out if the hobby suits you, the American Racing Pigeon Union has a helpful information packet that is free.  

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