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Helmet – Page 20 – Purebred PIGEON
Breed of the Issue - Helmet
My Experiencewith
HelmetsOver the Years
By Dave Gazaway
I
t took me a minute to even figure
out how to start this article, as
my start with Helmets was also
my start in the awesome world of
PIGEONS!!
When I was 13, my 5th grade
buddy Mark Larsen told me he had
Roller pigeons that he would let out
to fly and they would come back. I
was intrigued and shortly after, I went
to Marks house after school. I held,
and later watched, his birds fly. At
that second, I was hooked! Although
I couldn’t find any Rollers for myself
to purchase but I quickly converted
a rabbit hutch my folks had and found
a few pigeons locally for $3 dollars each. These were mixed
breeds but I didn’t care. It was just to get my feet wet (so to
speak) in raising and caring for pigeons.
After a few months, my Dad ran into a guy in our local
community that raised Helmet pigeons. His name was Frank
Manning. I had no idea what Helmets even looked like but I
needed to know! I went to the local library and borrowed the
book
The Pigeon
by Wendell Levi. I looked up Helmets and saw
their pics in black and white. That was enough for me! Game
on! So I had my Dad take me to Frank’s and I ended up getting
four random, young Helmets. Frank was a great guy and I would
call and bug him all the time with
my questions. I look back now and
think, ”Man –he was very patient
guy!” Haha!
Shortly after this, I joined the
American Helmet Association. This
was back in 1989. I would get a
monthly bulletin sent in the mail!
The excitement of just being able
to receive that and flip through it
was over the top as a kid! I quick-
ly realized that the club had a few
more members in Utah (District 8).
We had James Jensen and Steve
Mitchell. At this point, this is where
Helmets had an even bigger impact on
me knowing that these two guys were unbeatable and had the
best birds in the country! In fact, James had just received his
master breeder award and had a picture of him receiving it in the
bulletin. (pictured).
I ended up calling James Jensen who was very welcom-
ing and was quick to invite me to an upcoming lawn show at
his place. I, once again, begged my Dad and he HAPPILY (or
maybe just willingly) took me on the 45-minute drive to the
show where I met a bunch of great pigeon guys and got to chat
pigeons. Once again, it sealed the deal and Helmets made an
even bigger impression on me.
Gazaway’s childhood loft
and exhibitions due to their striking appearance. Judges look for
well-defined crests, clear and consistent markings, and overall health
and condition. Preparing a Helmet pigeon for show involves meticulous
grooming and conditioning to highlight its best features.
In conclusion, Helmet pigeons are a unique and elegant breed that com-
bines beauty, intelligence, and a friendly nature. Whether kept as pets,
for breeding, or for show, they bring a touch of charm and sophistica-
tion to any pigeon loft. Their distinctive Helmet crest and striking color-
ation make them a favorite among pigeon enthusiasts and a joy to own.
This breed deserves more attention than any other fancy pigeon
breed. When you visit a show, please stop by the Helmet show area – I
am sure you will stunned by the beauty of this breed.
L
ink
The author has many videos on YouTube. Search for his name,
Baskar Anjappan •