Homing pigeons fly directly to their cage from thousands of kilometres away.

Only theories exist about how they do it.

Some say it has something to do with the earth's magnetic field.

Science or research have never been able to work out how pigeons know their way home.

Pigeon racing arrived in Australia in the late 19th century, and, after thousands of birds were used as carriers during World War II, the sport enjoyed a strong following throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

But involvement in the sport of pigeon racing across Tasmania and the nation has been in decline.

The loss of older members has not made way for new blood in the clubs.

For ten years Les Mullan has been a member of the Launceston Pigeon Club.

He now acts as the club’s treasurer and secretary.

There are about 15 members of the club.

The strength of the club changes on a year-by-year basis. 

“It fluctuates each year,” Mr Mullan said.

“We had a few members come from interstate this year.

“I guess it’s on a decline because of the age of the members and there’s not a lot of young people coming into it.”

The Launceston Pigeon Club is a member of the Tasmanian Racing Pigeon Federation – the governing body of the state’s groups.

There are pigeon clubs in Launceston, George Town, Perth Latrobe, Devonport, Ulverstone and Burnie – plus a range of clubs in the south of the state.

While the racing of other animals such as horses or greyhounds can net owners thousands or millions of dollars, the return in pigeon racing is not quite the same.

With medication, feed costs and a bird transporter worth several thousands of dollars, people would be silly to get into the sport with money in focus.

Mr Mullan’s involvement in the Launceston Pigeon came by accident.

In the 1960s the young man raced the birds – but gave it up soon after.

It was not until 2005 when Mr Mullen came across the birds that his passion for racing was reborn.

“I found myself picking up a couple of injured pigeons and it just started again from there,” he said. 

In Mr Mullan’s Launceston stable are about 60 pigeons.

While the thought of 60 beaks and feathers in a backyard cage seems overwhelming, Mr Mullan insists his operation is one of the smaller ones at the club.

“Some people have up to 150 birds,” he declared.

Declining membership has not been the sport’s biggest challenge in the past 12 months.

On the mainland, the fatal Pigeon Rota Virus has killed thousands of racing birds. 

The virus was first detected in racing pigeons in Western Australia one year ago and has now spread to the eastern states, causing significant suffering and killing thousands of racing pigeons as well as those owned by pigeon fanciers. 

Sick birds usually die within 24 hours, with deaths continuing in infected lofts for about one week.

It was this devastating virus that forced the Tasmanian Racing Pigeon Federation to change its racing calendar for the past year. 

“A lot of us did not breed many this year because there was a virus on the mainland and consequently we’re not racing on the mainland,” Mr Mullan said.

There are no vaccines available to prevent infection, nor effective treatments that can eliminate the virus from sick birds.

The racing pigeon industry is working on developing a vaccine, which the RSPCA said is the most promising option to prevent infection and disease.

In 2011 an outbreak of avian paramyxovirus in Victoria grounded all mainland competitions – affecting the competitiveness of the Tasmanian industry. 

With the state only 300 kilometres long, owners could not race distance events.

When Tasmanian clubs do return to race on the mainland, it will be a significant logistical task to ship the birds. 

Toll Shipping provides a container space for a trailer of birds to go over and in return, the federation donates money each year to Camp Quality. 

As its members get older, Mr Mullan stressed the Launceston Pigeon Club – and all across Tasmania – would welcome any new members to the sport. 

In comparison with many other sports, the cost of owning and racing pigeons is cheap. 

Mr Mullan estimates he spends about $500 to $1000 each year on his pigeons. 

With flights across the Bass Strait in arduous conditions, Tasmania’s pigeons have long been known as the strongest and best in the nation.

Their strength to make it through strong winds and heavy rain is partly thanks to the weekly training regime.

“My birds, I usually take them down as far as Gravelly Beach during the week or even to George Town,” Mr Mullan said.

“You’ve got to have a hobby.”

For Mr Mullan, he gets a thrill from the birds’ ability to be released and find their own way back to the cage.

“I just enjoy seeing the birds come home after they’ve flown anywhere between 400 kilometres and in my case, about 720 kilometres,” he said. 

If you are interested in the sport, search for a racing club in your area.