Hugh Usry always remembered the pigeons that roosted around the old Laura Jones Elementary School.
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Hugh Usry releases his birds in the parking lot of The McDuffie Mirror.
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Now, he's trying to keep those memories alive in McDuffie County.
"When I was in first grade, I was fascinated with the pigeons on the roof, I used to catch the babies when they fell out of the nests," Mr. Usry said. "My fascination grew, so 20 years ago, I began racing pigeons, and have been doing it ever since."
Mr. Usry is trying to charter a pigeon racing club in the McDuffie area, along with his friend, Tim Ferrell. They need three more interested persons for eligibility to charter a club with the American Racing Pigeon Union.
Two racing seasons are conducted every year, in the late summer and fall, and in spring and early summer. Birds are released from a central location, then timed to their arrival at their loft. The average pigeon race is 100 miles.
The first bird home is not the winner. It is the bird with the fastest yards-per-minute that wins, because each pigeon has a different distance to travel.
Mr. Usry and Mr. Ferrell keep the pigeons in lofts at their homes. They will provide the pigeons for people who want to race. Anyone interested in participating in the club may call Mr. Usry at 595-9310.
