Because I feel this is such an important subject I wanted to post this video. This is not to instill fear but to give a reality check that security is just as important as your food, water, and shelter. This is how the bad guys will think and act....... you have to be prepared.
Thank you to NewAmericaNow for making this video and the permission to share it.
Be prepared, not sorry
Friday, September 30, 2011
Silence Is Golden
Silence Is Golden.......that old adage to me has a new meaning......
In Alaska when you are fishing you carry a small wooden bat which is used as soon as you bring that fish on shore you bat them quick to prevent thrashing which is a dinner bell to bear....
One of the most interesting and entertaining things I have ever seen was when I was in Alaska during the salmon run. In Alaska there is a term called "Combat Fishing". This term means 4 deep fisherman in a river who may hook each other or become a bears new target.
This is a contact sport!!
I was sitting on the hood of my truck and watching this spectacle when a mama grizzly walked on the scene with her two cubs. You could almost read her mind as she looked at them as if to tell them to "stay, watch, and learn".
The cubs planted their butts and mama seemed to take a deep breath and charged the fisherman. The poles and catch were immediately abandoned as this huge mass of muscle and fur decided the buffet was on.
Amid the scrabbling fishermen she then took her pick of the days catch and took it back to her her cubs..What did she did teach?? The bigger....the badder...and the most resolved wins.............also she taught them "where you hear a bunch of humans making noise there will be food"
Silence
Silence is Golden.....in a WROL situation you don't want the hum of generators, the gun shot, the tractor, the sound of vehicles or lights during the night. To those that want to take what you have these are the same as 'ringing the dinner bell"
You want LIVE traps...learn how to use a bow..learn to set snares. If you have generators house them in a room or building with sound deadening material. Always be conscious of how much noise your making because there will be others listening.
Be prepared, not sorry
In Alaska when you are fishing you carry a small wooden bat which is used as soon as you bring that fish on shore you bat them quick to prevent thrashing which is a dinner bell to bear....
One of the most interesting and entertaining things I have ever seen was when I was in Alaska during the salmon run. In Alaska there is a term called "Combat Fishing". This term means 4 deep fisherman in a river who may hook each other or become a bears new target.
This is a contact sport!!
I was sitting on the hood of my truck and watching this spectacle when a mama grizzly walked on the scene with her two cubs. You could almost read her mind as she looked at them as if to tell them to "stay, watch, and learn".
The cubs planted their butts and mama seemed to take a deep breath and charged the fisherman. The poles and catch were immediately abandoned as this huge mass of muscle and fur decided the buffet was on.
Amid the scrabbling fishermen she then took her pick of the days catch and took it back to her her cubs..What did she did teach?? The bigger....the badder...and the most resolved wins.............also she taught them "where you hear a bunch of humans making noise there will be food"
Silence
Silence is Golden.....in a WROL situation you don't want the hum of generators, the gun shot, the tractor, the sound of vehicles or lights during the night. To those that want to take what you have these are the same as 'ringing the dinner bell"
You want LIVE traps...learn how to use a bow..learn to set snares. If you have generators house them in a room or building with sound deadening material. Always be conscious of how much noise your making because there will be others listening.
Be prepared, not sorry
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Guns And Goddesses
This is a subject that that most women either are intimidated to approach or they are dependant on their men and feel they will leave it up to said partner. I can't stress this enough........
You are responsible for your safety and that of your offspring...
I lived in Alaska for a couple of years and there is nothing more pure or dangerous than a grizzly protecting her cubs. Her whole existence is to protect them and with her instincts, brute force, and.......NO FEAR.. she will defend them to her death.
I was raised with a father who was the Great White Hunter/Fisherman and three older brothers. My first experience shooting a gun I was 6 years old, standing on a bucket with a 12 gauge resting on a fence post with my father next to me. When I pulled that trigger it knocked me off that bucket and on my ass. As I lie there trying to regain the wind that had been knocked out of me my father came and stood over me and said...."Always respect what a gun can do"...and I always have.
Now living on the farm with said Great White Hunter there was a family of six to feed so we hunted. We hunted rabbits, squirrel, pheasant, turkey, and deer. I learned how to field dress a rabbit before I knew my times tables. I thought everyone ate that way until high school and a friend came over after to school and raided the refrigerator and ate what she thought was chicken and was squirrel and she informed me that "squirrel was something you fed in the park and not ate"....
Over the years I have come to embrace bow hunting. In Alaska I was even on a women's league and it really does give you the sense of empowerment. Every women needs to know how to use and be accurate with a weapon/weapons when it comes to prepping and when SHTF.
Take a hunters safety course or sign up for a shooting class at a local range because you need to be that mama grizzly that will protect herself and her family no matter what. Another piece of advise my father gave me which women have a hard time with and you MUST get over is..........
"If you point a weapon at another person you MUST be ready to kill them"
If it comes to the point of you or your family being harmed or killed and you have pointed that weapon there must be no hesitation or conscious wrestling to pull the trigger.
Be prepared, not sorry
You are responsible for your safety and that of your offspring...
I lived in Alaska for a couple of years and there is nothing more pure or dangerous than a grizzly protecting her cubs. Her whole existence is to protect them and with her instincts, brute force, and.......NO FEAR.. she will defend them to her death.
I was raised with a father who was the Great White Hunter/Fisherman and three older brothers. My first experience shooting a gun I was 6 years old, standing on a bucket with a 12 gauge resting on a fence post with my father next to me. When I pulled that trigger it knocked me off that bucket and on my ass. As I lie there trying to regain the wind that had been knocked out of me my father came and stood over me and said...."Always respect what a gun can do"...and I always have.
Now living on the farm with said Great White Hunter there was a family of six to feed so we hunted. We hunted rabbits, squirrel, pheasant, turkey, and deer. I learned how to field dress a rabbit before I knew my times tables. I thought everyone ate that way until high school and a friend came over after to school and raided the refrigerator and ate what she thought was chicken and was squirrel and she informed me that "squirrel was something you fed in the park and not ate"....
Over the years I have come to embrace bow hunting. In Alaska I was even on a women's league and it really does give you the sense of empowerment. Every women needs to know how to use and be accurate with a weapon/weapons when it comes to prepping and when SHTF.
Take a hunters safety course or sign up for a shooting class at a local range because you need to be that mama grizzly that will protect herself and her family no matter what. Another piece of advise my father gave me which women have a hard time with and you MUST get over is..........
"If you point a weapon at another person you MUST be ready to kill them"
If it comes to the point of you or your family being harmed or killed and you have pointed that weapon there must be no hesitation or conscious wrestling to pull the trigger.
Be prepared, not sorry
Friday, September 16, 2011
Where Do I Bug Out To?
Craftbyrd sent me this question:
"I have a question? Where is everyone going to bug out to? I'm being sincere here. I have always had this in the back of my mind. Get in the car and go but then the thought of what do I do when the car runs out of gas and where the heck am I going to go?"
This is a question that has a million different answers by a million different preppers and I hope my readers chime in on this and give their answers also.
My answer to this question has many different aspects to it. For one there is "no perfect bug out location" every location has it's pro's and con's. Climate, growing season, water availability etc. are all factors to be considered.
The first thing I would ask you is:
What are you used to? By this I mean where is your location now? Is it in a southern state where you have lived for years and know the area? Understand the challenges of living there such as hurricanes? You know where the fresh water is located? This is something that could be your saving grace. This is a huge factor because most people say " I will bug out to the wilderness where no one is" and the problems with that are:
They are not familiar with the area
They don't understand the challenges it offers
Where or how to obtain their food and water
A good rule of thumb is find a bug out location that is within 1 tank of gas from your current location. And I urge you to do this now so you have that time to:
Find your location
Know your location, where is the fresh water? what food options do you have i.e hunting fishing? what is the population in the area?
If you have to bug out for an extended period of time (weeks/months) these are what you need to have in that location.
Water
Food
Shelter
I am looking forward to seeing additional comments and answers from my readers.
Be prepared, not sorry
"I have a question? Where is everyone going to bug out to? I'm being sincere here. I have always had this in the back of my mind. Get in the car and go but then the thought of what do I do when the car runs out of gas and where the heck am I going to go?"
This is a question that has a million different answers by a million different preppers and I hope my readers chime in on this and give their answers also.
My answer to this question has many different aspects to it. For one there is "no perfect bug out location" every location has it's pro's and con's. Climate, growing season, water availability etc. are all factors to be considered.
The first thing I would ask you is:
What are you used to? By this I mean where is your location now? Is it in a southern state where you have lived for years and know the area? Understand the challenges of living there such as hurricanes? You know where the fresh water is located? This is something that could be your saving grace. This is a huge factor because most people say " I will bug out to the wilderness where no one is" and the problems with that are:
They are not familiar with the area
They don't understand the challenges it offers
Where or how to obtain their food and water
A good rule of thumb is find a bug out location that is within 1 tank of gas from your current location. And I urge you to do this now so you have that time to:
Find your location
Know your location, where is the fresh water? what food options do you have i.e hunting fishing? what is the population in the area?
If you have to bug out for an extended period of time (weeks/months) these are what you need to have in that location.
Water
Food
Shelter
I am looking forward to seeing additional comments and answers from my readers.
Be prepared, not sorry
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Bannock Recipe
Sword_Overseer posted this in the comment section and it was such a great recipe that I wanted to make sure everyone was able to enjoy it. Thank you Sword_Overseer for sharing!
How to Make Bannock
Instructions
Step 1: Mix dry ingredients listed in one of the recipes below. This can be stored in a plastic or mylar bag until you need it.
Step 2: Add water until you reach the consistency somewhere between pancake batter and pizza dough. At this point you can also optionally add any other ingredients you see fit (ie raisins, nuts, sausage etc).
Step 3:Flatten dough onto a pan until it’s about a half an inch thick.
Step 4: Cook on a greased pan (or non-stick cast iron pan) until medium brown underneath, flip over, cook, and repeat. Each side takes about 8-10 minutes depending on the heat of the heat source.
Recipe 1 (breakfast bread) for Single Serving
1 cup flour
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/3 cup powdered egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
Mix all together and store in a plastic or mylar bag. Pack away in your bug-out bag or just take it with you when you’re camping!
Recipe 2 (dinner bread) for Single Serving
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons powdered milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
Same as other recipe; mix all together and store in a plastic or mylar bag. Add water and cook over a fire!
Another trick is to have either a pre-made snare or the supplies to make a squirrel pole. On overnight survival hikes I have scored as many as three squirrels hanging from a single pole. They provide a stew base, meat and a ration extender. Squirrel guts make great catfish bait too.
Be prepared, not sorry
How to Make Bannock
Instructions
Step 1: Mix dry ingredients listed in one of the recipes below. This can be stored in a plastic or mylar bag until you need it.
Step 2: Add water until you reach the consistency somewhere between pancake batter and pizza dough. At this point you can also optionally add any other ingredients you see fit (ie raisins, nuts, sausage etc).
Step 3:Flatten dough onto a pan until it’s about a half an inch thick.
Step 4: Cook on a greased pan (or non-stick cast iron pan) until medium brown underneath, flip over, cook, and repeat. Each side takes about 8-10 minutes depending on the heat of the heat source.
Recipe 1 (breakfast bread) for Single Serving
1 cup flour
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/3 cup powdered egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
Mix all together and store in a plastic or mylar bag. Pack away in your bug-out bag or just take it with you when you’re camping!
Recipe 2 (dinner bread) for Single Serving
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons powdered milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
Same as other recipe; mix all together and store in a plastic or mylar bag. Add water and cook over a fire!
Another trick is to have either a pre-made snare or the supplies to make a squirrel pole. On overnight survival hikes I have scored as many as three squirrels hanging from a single pole. They provide a stew base, meat and a ration extender. Squirrel guts make great catfish bait too.
Be prepared, not sorry
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Heroes And The Price Of Liberty
On this somber day of September 11th and the 10th anniversary of 9 11 and the act of evil cowardice that is forever engraved in the hearts and minds, I want to thank the men and women who's courage rings true of our founding mother's and fathers. They paid the ultimate price for our Nation
One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
That day we were not Democrat or Republican......We were Americans that came together to to cry, mourn, and stand resolved to not allow this despicable act to bring us to our knees. The words of a great president came to mind
One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
That day we were not Democrat or Republican......We were Americans that came together to to cry, mourn, and stand resolved to not allow this despicable act to bring us to our knees. The words of a great president came to mind
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Price Of Prepping
The price of prepping can not only drain you financially but emotionally. Right now the media spotlight is on shows such as "Doomsday Preppers" and "Living for the Apocalypse". We see these very prepared individuals with thousands of dollars in food stores, off the grid bug out locations, and weapons that could outfit a small army. I am in awe of these individuals and hearing their story and how they have prepped is amazing but.........sometimes I do feel like I am behind and I almost get in a full fledge panic that I'm not near ready like they are. I have seen people that are new to prepping basically throw up their hands and say "I'm so far behind what's the since of even trying" and they quit so if your feeling this way........
Take a deep breath and take a step back.
Remember the people you see on these shows have been prepping for years. Every journey starts with that first step and every step gets you that much closer. I realize with the state of the economy and trying to prep is a challenge but here are some practical ways to prep on a budget and ease that panic mode.
Coupons - I am an avid couponer and with a bit of effort you can save money and prep. For instance I had a coupon buy 1 deodorant and get the second free and the same for shampoo. Right there I was able to save and prep!
Farm Markets - Farm markets are a great place to save money and prep. Many times when you approach these farmers you can buy in bulk at a great price and can these items. For a fraction of what you would spend at the store and some effort you can do alot of prepping this way.
Make Lists - I am a compulsive list maker. I have lists for everything! The reason I make this lists is because it keeps me focused and working toward my goals. Not to mention everytime you check off something on your list you achieve that sense of accomplishment and a piece of mind that you are getting that much closer to your goal.
Network - Sometimes as preppers we get so caught up in the op sec that we isolate ourselves which can breed more anxiety. Now I'm not saying tell any and everyone about your location, stores, etc. I am saying there are plenty of survivalist boards where you can go and talk to people about canning, or what you need in a bug out bag. You can get answers to your questions from like minded people and ease that feeling of anxiety and who knows you may make a few friends along the way. A couple of great boards are http://www.survivalistboards.com/ and http://www.survivalblog.com/. There are also some great podcasts such as www.blogtalkradio.com/theprepperpodcast and www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/
Set Small Achievable Goals - Set small achievable goals for your prepping. Start out by storing 3 days of food, then, 7, then 14 etc. You will be amazed at how this will add up before you know it and remember each step gets your closer.
Learn New Skill Sets - Knowledge is power and when SHTF it's also priceless. Take a first aid course, many times these are sponsored and cost little to nothing. You Tube is amazing for gaining knowledge, this past week I just typed in "Homemade Smoker" and I got all sorts of great ideas! Many times a new skill set will cost you little or no money but could make that HUGE difference later on.
It is possible to prep on a budget without the drain on your bank account or your sanity.
Be prepared, not sorry.
Take a deep breath and take a step back.
Remember the people you see on these shows have been prepping for years. Every journey starts with that first step and every step gets you that much closer. I realize with the state of the economy and trying to prep is a challenge but here are some practical ways to prep on a budget and ease that panic mode.
Coupons - I am an avid couponer and with a bit of effort you can save money and prep. For instance I had a coupon buy 1 deodorant and get the second free and the same for shampoo. Right there I was able to save and prep!
Farm Markets - Farm markets are a great place to save money and prep. Many times when you approach these farmers you can buy in bulk at a great price and can these items. For a fraction of what you would spend at the store and some effort you can do alot of prepping this way.
Make Lists - I am a compulsive list maker. I have lists for everything! The reason I make this lists is because it keeps me focused and working toward my goals. Not to mention everytime you check off something on your list you achieve that sense of accomplishment and a piece of mind that you are getting that much closer to your goal.
Network - Sometimes as preppers we get so caught up in the op sec that we isolate ourselves which can breed more anxiety. Now I'm not saying tell any and everyone about your location, stores, etc. I am saying there are plenty of survivalist boards where you can go and talk to people about canning, or what you need in a bug out bag. You can get answers to your questions from like minded people and ease that feeling of anxiety and who knows you may make a few friends along the way. A couple of great boards are http://www.survivalistboards.com/ and http://www.survivalblog.com/. There are also some great podcasts such as www.blogtalkradio.com/theprepperpodcast and www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/
Set Small Achievable Goals - Set small achievable goals for your prepping. Start out by storing 3 days of food, then, 7, then 14 etc. You will be amazed at how this will add up before you know it and remember each step gets your closer.
Learn New Skill Sets - Knowledge is power and when SHTF it's also priceless. Take a first aid course, many times these are sponsored and cost little to nothing. You Tube is amazing for gaining knowledge, this past week I just typed in "Homemade Smoker" and I got all sorts of great ideas! Many times a new skill set will cost you little or no money but could make that HUGE difference later on.
It is possible to prep on a budget without the drain on your bank account or your sanity.
Be prepared, not sorry.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Why Your BOB May Not Save You
This past Labor Day weekend of rustic camping with my boyfriend and his sons inspired this post. Now mind you when I go camping I bring everything but the kitchen sink. Medical supplies (including supplies for toothaches) my own supply of firewood, bathing and hygiene supplies, toilet paper for the outhouse, and the list goes on. Basically the whole back of my truck was filled for a 3 day camping trip not to mention Scott's truck was also.
We had a great time and upon packing up this morning Scott uttered the words that inspired this post...
"You know if we had to bug out we wouldn't even have a tenth of this stuff"
On the way home my mind was trying to wrap around those words and all the scenarios that ran through my head. Go to any survival board, You Tube, or survival blog and you will find endless information on the best type of BOB's to have, what you should have in it, etc. But the consensus is it should have 3 days of supplies in it to get you to your bug out location.
Ok you made it to your bug out location now what?
Most people have given more thought to whats in their BOB then where they are bugging out to and what happens when they get there. Some don't even have a bug out location but they have a BOB? If you don't have supplies stashed at your bug out location how do you live past the 3 days of supplies you have in your BOB? What if you can't go home for weeks or months or perhaps not at all, is your BOB going to save you?
With the contents of your BOB could you last weeks or months?
Unless you are a hardcore survivalist your answer like mine is going to be "NO" so you need to have a plan. A bug out location that has food and supplies to sustain you for months and those supplies have to include a way to purify water, and hunting and fishing supplies. You have to have the answer to these these questions and the answer has to be for MONTHS
Shelter
Water
Food
Be prepared, not sorry.
We had a great time and upon packing up this morning Scott uttered the words that inspired this post...
"You know if we had to bug out we wouldn't even have a tenth of this stuff"
On the way home my mind was trying to wrap around those words and all the scenarios that ran through my head. Go to any survival board, You Tube, or survival blog and you will find endless information on the best type of BOB's to have, what you should have in it, etc. But the consensus is it should have 3 days of supplies in it to get you to your bug out location.
Ok you made it to your bug out location now what?
Most people have given more thought to whats in their BOB then where they are bugging out to and what happens when they get there. Some don't even have a bug out location but they have a BOB? If you don't have supplies stashed at your bug out location how do you live past the 3 days of supplies you have in your BOB? What if you can't go home for weeks or months or perhaps not at all, is your BOB going to save you?
Unless you are a hardcore survivalist your answer like mine is going to be "NO" so you need to have a plan. A bug out location that has food and supplies to sustain you for months and those supplies have to include a way to purify water, and hunting and fishing supplies. You have to have the answer to these these questions and the answer has to be for MONTHS
Shelter
Water
Food
Be prepared, not sorry.
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