"I was always in love with birds". Any birds. I was the little kid that constantly
begged my parents for pigeons until they relented and purchased some rollers
for me when I was six years old. Fast forward....... I recently retired from my
professorship at a regional university in the state of Washington. With some extra
time on my hands, I decided to make a serious attempt at the one loft races. When
you are not necessarily good, then just be lucky. I was really, really lucky. However,
great birds from John Karnofel, Carl Cardarelli and Mike Ganus helped me out alot.
I am extremely competitive as a person as evidenced by setting over 100 national
shooting records and several Canadian and U.S. National Shooting Championships.
I look forward to the numerous one loft races in the country in the future and can
only hope to be lucky again.
Dennis Martinen, Yakima, Wa.
begged my parents for pigeons until they relented and purchased some rollers
for me when I was six years old. Fast forward....... I recently retired from my
professorship at a regional university in the state of Washington. With some extra
time on my hands, I decided to make a serious attempt at the one loft races. When
you are not necessarily good, then just be lucky. I was really, really lucky. However,
great birds from John Karnofel, Carl Cardarelli and Mike Ganus helped me out alot.
I am extremely competitive as a person as evidenced by setting over 100 national
shooting records and several Canadian and U.S. National Shooting Championships.
I look forward to the numerous one loft races in the country in the future and can
only hope to be lucky again.
Dennis Martinen, Yakima, Wa.
| 2nd place Breeders Champion FRED STEPHENS |
I first became interested in Pigeons when I was 9 years old sitting under the
Pawnee street bridge in Wichita, Kansas. I met a pigeon man and soon was
hooked. I kept my birds until I joined the US Army and eventually had pigeons
while stationed in Germany. On a family tour of Paris, I found a young pigeon
that had fallen from the nest and had my children pose while holding it for a
photo. Pigeons soon found our balcony in military housing for food. Later on,
I met Bert Oostlander who directed me to Mr. William Cowart of Savannah, Ga.
Respectfully, Mr. Coward drilled me on why I wanted pigeons and to know the
responsibilities of caring for racers. He handed me my first Racing pigeon
Bulletin and said when I understand it, to return it to him.
While at Fort Stewart, I was given the job of eliminating the wild pigeons on
base. That was in 1987. I wanted to know more about racing pigeons in
particular, after catching a CBS bird. I drove all over Georgia trying to join a
club. I later returned to Germany for 3 yrs. until 1990. Finally back at Fort
Sill, I found a dead MTS banded bird on the side of the road. After getting hold
of the AU, I met with the Muirhead brothers of the Red Oak Texas club. They
raised some birds for me and introduced me to legends of the sport in that
area. Leon Rawdon, Warren Glover, Sonny Scott, Bill Murray and Charlie
Murphy. I owe special thanks to Jerry Phillips of Walters, Ok for my foundation
white Bandit/Meuleman hen he gifted me.
Pigeons help me cope with life and give me joy. I make alot of mistakes but
each year fewer and fewer........always learning new things...
The Sire to my 2nd place Grizzle is from David Clausing. The Dam is down from
my white Bandit blood. Thanks again Everyone....
Fred Stevens
Lawton, Oklahoma
Pawnee street bridge in Wichita, Kansas. I met a pigeon man and soon was
hooked. I kept my birds until I joined the US Army and eventually had pigeons
while stationed in Germany. On a family tour of Paris, I found a young pigeon
that had fallen from the nest and had my children pose while holding it for a
photo. Pigeons soon found our balcony in military housing for food. Later on,
I met Bert Oostlander who directed me to Mr. William Cowart of Savannah, Ga.
Respectfully, Mr. Coward drilled me on why I wanted pigeons and to know the
responsibilities of caring for racers. He handed me my first Racing pigeon
Bulletin and said when I understand it, to return it to him.
While at Fort Stewart, I was given the job of eliminating the wild pigeons on
base. That was in 1987. I wanted to know more about racing pigeons in
particular, after catching a CBS bird. I drove all over Georgia trying to join a
club. I later returned to Germany for 3 yrs. until 1990. Finally back at Fort
Sill, I found a dead MTS banded bird on the side of the road. After getting hold
of the AU, I met with the Muirhead brothers of the Red Oak Texas club. They
raised some birds for me and introduced me to legends of the sport in that
area. Leon Rawdon, Warren Glover, Sonny Scott, Bill Murray and Charlie
Murphy. I owe special thanks to Jerry Phillips of Walters, Ok for my foundation
white Bandit/Meuleman hen he gifted me.
Pigeons help me cope with life and give me joy. I make alot of mistakes but
each year fewer and fewer........always learning new things...
The Sire to my 2nd place Grizzle is from David Clausing. The Dam is down from
my white Bandit blood. Thanks again Everyone....
Fred Stevens
Lawton, Oklahoma
39 of Americas best bred began the quest for the
prize after training. 100 200 300 miles in 7 days. In
the end "Blue Wisteria" and "Tremor" emerged from
the tough series to take the top honors and the green.
prize after training. 100 200 300 miles in 7 days. In
the end "Blue Wisteria" and "Tremor" emerged from
the tough series to take the top honors and the green.
