Are trees by the loft really that bad?

[ecogen]

I am thinking about adopting a few white pigeons (fan tails) and some racing homers as garden flyers. The problem is that my only loft spot would be right at the edge of our woods. I read in this board that if they get into trees it is hard to call them back into the loft. If I only feed them upon arrival into the loft, will this be a problem? In other words, can the tree situation be overcome with good training? If so, what is that training? Thanks.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

As you can see, I have the same problem

Makes this place a Coopers/Sharp-shin hawk haven many times throughout the year.
But yes, you can avoid problems with good training. Mine do like to land in a particular tree, but when I call them to eat, they usually come very quickly. I think landing in this tree came from the fact the hawks attack them while they sit on top of the loft. Plus, being up higher, they can see more.
As long as you have them trap trained well (they know how to push through trap doors), they know that a certain call means food (I whistle, others shake a tin can with seed in it), and they are hungry when let out, then all should go over smoothly.