Anybody else do this? of course i prefer wild birds but that isnt always possible and this method seems more realistic than using a launcher or planting sleeping birds. .i throw the carded bird, watch them fly out into the field, wait a few minutes and take the dog in cross wind. The pigeons weren't flying though. anybody have this problem and a solution to it?

Need to lighten the weight of the card or tether. I've used 6 in sections of rubber hose just fine, but it depends on how strong a flyer the bird is too. Other problem is birds acclimated to people and don't have as strong of a fight or flight reflex.

the birds were flying well .they just wouldnt flush

Suggest you partially sleep (rock or spin) the pigeons and place them by hand while wearing gloves. If you throw them already carded they may expend too much energy on the first flight or be frightened by the restriction.

I use a semi heavy rubber band over both wings and around the body which hobbles their flight. They don't see a card flapping in the breeze and don't feel as much restriction.

Carded pigeons are hard to control for training. Some pigeons are bigger and stronger flyers. Some are fresh caught or homing pigeons that are strong flyers vs birds that are cooped up in a cage to long. All of this makes a difference to how much weight is good for the bird. On top of that the string gets caught on brush when the bird lands. Homing pigeons and launchers is a much better idea