CRC
News and Updates
Mar-04-2024
GOOD AFTERNOON!
Good Afternoon Breeders!
 
We have another chilly and windy day here in Central Oregon.  The weather has been up and down all last week and it looks like it will continue to do the same this week.  One minute it is snowing and the next it is beautiful and sunny.  Day time temperatures have been in the low 40s with night time temperatures in the low 20s.  
 
First week of shipment I received 123 birds.  Those birds seem to be taking the cold weather in stride and are eating like champs.  I am keeping a close eye on them in quarantine.  There were a couple birds that arrived with some respiratory issues that are being addressed, so please make sure to look your youngsters over well before shipping.   
 
USPS update.  Last week there were several boxes that took more than two days to arrive here at the loft.  USPS informed me last week that express shipments will only be sent from Portland airport once a day in the AM (I used to get an AM and PM shipment).  Please make sure to ship  Mondays and Tuesdays only.  There is a high possibility of birds sitting at the airport in Portland over the weekend if shipped later in the week. 
 
Thank you to Tony Cuevas, Eric @ Benzing, and Terry Gilmore for helping me get rolling with Benzing.  The system has been easy to get set up and assign bands.  First weeks birds (white group) will be moved out of quarantine at some point this week and bands will be scanned to make sure they are correct before moving to the race loft.  I color code echip rings to the week in which birds arrive, this year's bands are color coded with my phone number in case they get lost and picked up during training.
 
Here is a link to the phone number stickers, if anyone needs any.
 
Birds are getting Primalac in the water daily, along with Kastle YB developer on the feed, and fresh Jovati Grit...plus some other free choice mineral options.  Lots of food and probiotics to start!  
 
Have a great week.
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac and Ropa B
Feb-20-2024
FEBRUARY 26TH FIRST DAY TO SHIP!

Good Morning!

Just a quick reminder that next week, February 26th is the first day to ship birds. 

This last week has been very snowy here a the loft.  Today we are suppose to get up to 52 degrees, so the melt should start in ernest.

I am looking forward to seeing some youngsters next week.  You are welcome to send me a text or message when you ship for a heads up, but not necessary.  

Have a great week.


Lucas

 
Feb-13-2024
FEBRUARY 26TH FIRST DAY TO SHIP
Good Morning!
 
Beautiful chilly morning here in Central Oregon.  We are two weeks away from seeing the first birds arrive here at the loft.  First day to ship birds will be February 26th.  
 
Quarantine loft and racing loft have been scrubbed and pressure washed. New traps for the Benzing system have been installed. Lofts will be sprayed again with Virkon before birds start arriving.  Vaccines are here and birds will receive a PMV/Rotavirus vaccine on arrival.  Please make sure to vaccinate your babies at least two weeks before shipping them.  
 
Once the birds arrive here at the loft I take a picture of birds and send a text message confirming receipt of your birds.  Please make sure to have your loft name (cell # is also helpful for me and the post office)  on the box.  Birds will be chipped upon arrival and entered into wincompanion.  
 
Please make sure to review the 2024 rules before sending birds.
 
Please do not overcrowd your shipping boxes and be sure to put some absorbent material in the bottom of your boxes.  Monday and Tuesday are the best days to ship, especially since our post office is closed on Saturday.  Please check your babies over carefully before boxing.  Do Not ship birds with Pox, Canker, or Respiratory issues!  
 
I am looking forward to the start of the season!  Please reach out with any questions.
 
Lucas
 
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac and Ropa B
Jan-14-2024
GOOD MORNING!
Good Morning!
 
Good morning breeders...2 degrees here at the loft and about a foot of snow.  Beautiful winter wonderland.  I had my first round of babies hatch over the last few days and the parents are sitting tight on these cold days.  This is always an exciting time of the year for me with new babies hatching and looking to see what races I will send them out to this year.  There are some new ones that look promising this year and of course there are several that have shown their worth through the years.  
 
Crooked River Challenge will start accepting birds for the 9th season the last week of February/first week of March.  For those that are new to the race this year or are thinking about entering this year, here is a bit more information.
 
1000 plus miles of road training before the 200 mile race.
 
Competitive Payout...average last 4 years has been $349,000.
 
Entry fees due after 150 mile activation.
 
Daily loft flight inventories
 
Competitive series through the mountains and high desert 200 miles, 250 miles, 300 miles, and 367 miles.
 
Optional Sprint Series. 
 
Live GPS on Trailer for all training and racing.  Birds are watered on the trailer during training and racing. 
 
Birds are settled to loft about 14 days of arriving.
 
I have switched to the Benzing system for th 2024 season for quicker upload speed to wincompanion.
 
 
Here is a link to the Rules page to review   RULES
 
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. 
 
Stay warm.
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac and Ropa B
Dec-25-2023
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!  I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!  

 
Dec-08-2023
2024 INFORMATION

Good Morning!

2024 will be season number nine for Crooked River Challenge.  I am excited for another season to begin and to see the next crop of youngsters arrive.  Website has been updated with 2024 information and rules, not much has changed from 2023.  I did move a little money around on payout but no major changes.  

Benzing clocking system has been purchased for 2024...I'm excited to get that installed and learn a new system.  

Perch fees will stay at 150/bird with a free backup for every 6 paid perches.

Activation race remains at 150 miles

Please look over website and rules...feel free to reach out with any question.

Thank you all for the continued support!  I could not be going into my 9th year without you all!

Lucas
Nov-04-2023
LAST CALL FOR BIRDS

Good Morning!

Last call for birds.  I will be shipping the last of the birds out on Monday for those that requested and have paid.  

All checks have been sent out, except for the 5 that I am waiting on w9 forms.

If anyone is looking for birds that have been unclaimed, please let me know.    

Thank you all for the support this year. 

I will update the website with any changes for the 2024 season this month.  If you'd like to see any changes or have suggestions, please send me an email.

 

Lucas
Oct-25-2023
SHIPPING UPDATE

Good Morning!

 
I was able to get 80 boxes of birds out this week.  Please let me know by Friday if you are wanting your birds returned or what you would like to do with them.  I will try and get the remaining birds out on Monday.  Those that were shipped should have received tracking information via email. 
 
Checks are sent out separately from the bird shipments.  I will start writing checks today and get them in the mail.  
 
Thank you all for another great season!
 
Lucas
 
 
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac and Ropa B
Oct-20-2023
CONGRATULATIONS!
Good Morning!
 
First, I want to thank all the breeders for another year of sending their best!  This year was a challenge and everyone that has birds home from the final should be proud.  This is a tough course through the desert and mountains, with extreme temperature changes.  The birds worked hard through yesterday's heat.
 
Big Congratulations to the winners!
 
55500 1 Osty Loft - CA 0115-AU23-OSTY 🦉OSTY V💖 BCWF C 0 1 14:50:02.81 1503.9725 00:00:00 Yes ✓
54500 2 Perez Family Loft - MN 0403-AU23-PFL Gotti BBWF C 0 1 14:51:37.19 1498.4914 00:01:34 Yes ✓  
20000 3 Fleet Washington - DC 2320-AU23-FLEE My Lucky Star BB H 0 1 14:53:28.20 1492.0955 00:03:25 Yes ✓  
10000 4 Y Mtn Loft - TN 26340-AU23-YMTN   BB H 0 1 14:54:04.19 1490.0330 00:04:01 Yes ✓  
5000 5 Vasquez Lofts - CA 0127-AU23-VL   BB H 0 1 14:54:53.25 1487.2320 00:04:50 Yes ✓
 
Average Speed Winners!
Country
State
1
UT
0
1121.49
21:40:44.0
1517.468
1387.573
00:00:0.0
4
   
Country
State
2
IN
0
1121.49
21:44:56.4
1512.577
1383.100
00:04:12.4
4
      
Country
State
3
UT
0
1121.49
21:45:50.8
1511.527
1382.141
00:05:6.8
4
      
Country
State
4
OR
0
1121.49
21:46:33.3
1510.709
1381.392
00:05:49.2
4
      
Country
State
5
IN
0
1121.49
21:47:39.0
1509.443
1380.235
00:06:54.9
4
  
Overall Average Speed Winners!
Country
State
1
UT
0
1478.422
28:22:14.7
1528.583
1397.737
00:00:0.0
7
   
Country
State
2
NY
0
1478.422
28:22:48.7
1528.075
1397.272
00:00:34.0
7
   
Country
State
3
NY
0
1478.422
28:25:19.2
1525.827
1395.217
00:03:4.5
7
   
Country
State
4
CA
0
1478.422
28:28:55.1
1522.614
1392.278
00:06:40.4
7
 
Birds are streaming in this morning, so I am sure I will see a bunch back today.  
 
I will start shipping birds out on Monday..please make sure your shipping address is up to date in wincompanion.  I assume most breeders want their birds returned, but please let me know either way. 
 
Shipping Fees may be deducted from winnings.
1 bird $70
2 bird $75
3 bird $85
 
Please send current w9 information for those winning over $600, I will start sending checks out separately next week.  No monies will be held over to next year.  
 
For those that have special requests on shipping or monies, please email with specifics.
 
Now is also the time to start thinking about next year.  I like constructive feedback from breeders on how this race can be improved.  Feel free to reach out via email, so I can continue to improve this race. 
 
I will be switching the Benzing clocking system for the 2024 season.  I have heard good things about this clock and am excited to learn a new system.
 
Congratulations to all the winners!
 
Thank you all for the support and another successful season of one loft racing.  I could not do it without you all!
 
Lucas
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, and Ropa B
 
Oct-18-2023
367 MILE RACE TOMORROW
Good Afternoon!
 
After careful consideration, the final race will be tomorrow from just south of Fernley Nevada.  It will be a bit warmer than I like for this time of year, but the extended forecast doesn't look great for racing.  Here is a run down on what I am seeing on windy.com for weather tomorrow.
 
Sunrise is at 7:11 so birds will go up about 7:40 into calm, clear 55 degree weather.  Birds are always watered at first light.
 
300 mile station- 60 degrees calm and sunny
250 mile station- 65 degrees 4mph south wind and sunny
200 mile station- 70 degrees 5mph south wind and sunny
150 mile station- 70 degrees 3mph south wind and sunny
100 mile station- 73 degrees calm and sunny
55 mile station- 73 6mph south wind and sunny
Loft 80 degrees 4mph north wind and sunny.
 
As long as the birds stay online of flight, good water is available at Pyramid Lake which is about 50 miles in, then around Cedarville which is about 200 miles from loft, and then again around Summer Lake which is about 125 miles from home.
 
Lunch will be served around 1 o'clock tomorrow.
 
Good Luck Everyone!
 
Lucas
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac and Ropa B
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