Prepping

[Country Pete]

I prep for several reasons which can fall under one general statement. To be able to take care of my loved ones in the event something extraordinary happens. My prep state is currently having enough food and water for my family of 5 for three months. Prepping is the primary reason I am looking into home distilling. There are two things that will be great to barter with if something does end the way our economy functions 1. Bullets - I am stocking up on .22 rounds and am starting to reload 12 gauge shotgun shells in bulk. 2. Alcohol - needs no real explanation. It can be used for everything from fuel to fun. My ultimate goal is to be able to hold out for six months. Also keep in mind becoming unemployed counts as something extraordinary. If that were to happen I would not have to purchase much food supplies for 6 months while I look for other employment. Prepping is not necessarily the exclusive area of the tinfoil hat crowd. I personally don't think there is going to be a Zombie Apocalypse but the economy really going in the dumper and being laid off is a real concern these days so having a reserve to draw upon is not really that crazy.

[Country Pete]

I currently only have 5000 rounds of .22 but it is cheap and I buy a few boxes ever paycheck or so. I have a B.O.B. but it really only contains a really good med kit, some high protein food bars and fire starting supplies. Since I have little ones bugging out is probably the last thing on my list. I don't have a bunker but do have alternative housing set up about 5 hours away that is a family hunting and fishing camp that has been in our family for fifty years deep in a forest. I like to think that people are inherently good but at the same time if food gets scarce on a mass level then people will do what they must to feed their kids. That could be a nasty situation. I would think long and hard about who I told about my preps in detail, just like distilling.

[Country Pete]

Nope a .22 alone won't cut it. I also have a .270, a couple 30.30s and a 30.06. Along with a 12 ga. a couple 20 ga. a .410 and black powder guns ranging from a double barrel shotgun to a .50 cal Hawkin rifle so I have all the arsenal I need or want. I have had most of them since I was a kid for hunting so they are nothing new. I probably was a "prepper" before the TV shows. My dad was a little kid during hard times and he always stuffed the house with food just in case so I kinda always lived the way I do now. I won't ever build a bunker, I have way to many more important things to pay for than a hole in the ground. But that's just me. I bet there are a lot of folks just like me out there who always have had a lot of stuff set aside. I am just adding a few things here and there.

[maheel]

are you like preping for the zombie attack or EOW (end of world) or something ?

are your holding breathing / air purification systems (or planing that sort of equipment)

i watched "the divide" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535616/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow the other night and made me think how ill prepared most including myself are for just about any event .....
here in Australia they pretty much took our right to own a gun away, debatable if was a good or bad thing

[HolyBear]

Ide say this "preping " is just a way of life... some folks want to sit and watch MTV and try to emulate it, or a keep their head in the stock market, etc...well, after living it my whole life ide say its just that...a way of living....we grow a big garden, do our own canning, grow chickens, pigs,& goats. We stock up on 50lb sacks of beans, rice, oats, flower, sugar, etc and store in food grade barels. I have all.I.need for self defence and offence if needbe. Another good protein getter that I have is traps, a dozen traps can be holding protein still for ya while your doing other things. Baught a big Berkey water filter for my adding to.my cuts, but could come in handy if the water system is down. Got lotsa hand tools. There are two books everyone should have 1, "the encyclopedia of country living", has about any technical info in it that you need to know bout this way of life. And 2 " The Holy Bible" if you need to know about what's coming and how to deal with it....its in there..

[Durace11]

Living in the city makes it real hard to bug out since half a million people (or more) would be trying to bug out at the same time. Here it's all about the "bug in", stay home and stay covered up. Being "Out in the open" when riots/zombie attack/whatever are going on is asking to be relieved of your goods in a hurry. Plus, trying to move all your supplies gets real tough when the freeways are jammed for 50+ miles.

Not that that is an excuse for not being prepared. Just need to use a different mindset when getting prepared. I've got my ammo, food, water, and alcohol supply stocked away. Fresh food gardening is a little harder with such a small amount of land to work with.

[Coyote]

Just my 2 cents worth

Short of stopping a grizzly bear a .22 long rifle with hollow point will stop anything up to an Elk

Just speaking from experience, Oh wait I mean theory. . . . .


Coyote

[Coyote]

True but why would you want a "poorly placed shot"

Coyote

[Kiwikeg]

prep.JPG

[Husker]

Good post Kiwi.

Preping is like fight club. You all know the first rule of fight club, don't you?

[Husker]

In this forum, yes, it probably is safer to plot and plan, and trade ideas here.

However, in RW (real world), the first rule of prepping, is not to talk, not do demonstrate, or anything else, about your prepping.

[Durace11]

With all the posters talking about having guns and ammo, I don't think I'd show up unannounced to check out anyone's prepping, or anything else for that matter. If you ring my doorbell after dark I have one hand on the doorknob and another on a mossberg 590. Plus my dogs act as a pre-doorbell 99% of the time so I'm not worried about anyone sneaking up on me.

[DAD300]

I like the first rule, being "Don't talk!" And if trapped into talking with other Prepp'rs, talk offensively.

In the 70's and 80's we were called Survivalists. When someone asked about how much food/water I had, I said, "none. I stock ammo, because with my non perishable ammo I can take all the food/water I want! Don't come to my house looking for food!"

As for ammo, I stock lots smaller rounds (.22, 9mm, 12ga, .308) and have weapons in military surplus calibers, better availability, cheaper and you can always pick them up on the battlefield.

[rubber duck]

The way I look at it prepping for yourself is not enough. As an example say the grid goes down, you might have enough food to last a year and enough ammo to hold onto it. In about a month desperate people are going to notice your not getting skinny and there's smoke coming from your chimney. Guess what you can't hold your perimeter alone, and you have to sleep sometime. You had better be prepared to share because your going to need help.

Heading for the hills isn't a good idea, that's what everyone else will be doing. You can't carry enough food to last and hunting won't work, the game will be gone or so sketched out you won't find it. Not only that your bound to run into someone that will take you out just to get rid of the competition.

It's best to be prepared for more then yourself and be prepared to make your position very unappealing.

[rad14701]

Truth be told far fewer people will leave the comfort zone of suburbia than one might initially think... They'll stay close to metropolitan areas thinking that sooner or later someone will come to the rescue... Those who thought they were prepared by paying big bucks constructing bunkers will become overly paranoid, even more so than they already are, and will virtually self-destruct within their claustrophobic confines... After some initial problems the masses will realize that the only solution will be to work together, collectively solving problems, and forming structured societal communities similar to those they are accustomed to... Once the initial radicals and loners either kill each other off or realize that they can't do it all on their own they'll return to the fold with a new found respect for orderly societal life... That's just how the human psyche of the masses is wired... Unfortunately, sometimes it takes total calamity to tear down and rebuild because it's virtually impossible to overhaul a runaway train...

This is a very brief summary of a much longer and in-depth study I am associated with as one of my many other interests... Suffice it to say that we need to have faith mankind because, realistically, we're all we have... But I digress...

[blind drunk]

Well put rad14701. I figure we'll all need each others skills etc to overcome the new challenges presented. In my neighborhood, we already have an ad hoc group that meets to discuss "what ifs." We live in one of the big earthquake areas.

No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

[Prairiepiss]

I would prep but I'm doing good to keep food on the table as it is. Things have gotten a lot better. But clawing your way out of a hole is hard work. I do have a stash of ammo and enough guns to arm my family effectively. But that's about the extent of it.

I've been looking at longterm grain storage. Got to have something to make the alcohol with. I know I will need plenty of it to deal with it. Food grade drums and dry ice looks pretty easy to me. I get the right stuff it can double as food. I plan to start in on this soon. But like many ok most of my plans they get side tracked.

I always thought it would be best to join forces with like minded trusted friends. And do it as a group. The problem with this is getting the group gathered up after the shite hits the fan. Unless you all live very close it could be a problem. In my case those friends are 2 states away. That's nearly impossible. Your group would be better off with a good diversity of knowledge.

I'm not very trusting with the general public. Where I am it would get ugly fast. I could bug out if need be. Have a good route and the equipment to make it. But you got to have somewhere to bug out to. And I know I wouldnt make it 2 states. I have about a 250 mile radius. You take in effect highways are out. Good unknown backroads can limit your radius pretty quick. Where normally you could drive 400 on a tank of gas. Backroads mite get you 200 miles? And you got to have a route planned with some good alternatives. I live in the city. But I have a route that could have me out in less then 30 min. With minimal human contact. But like I said you need somewhere to go after you get out of the city. And you can't carry all your supplies with you. So I need to work on that destination thing. I would rather take the chance and bug out of here. This place will turn into a war zone quick. But the masses would be moving the opposite direction I would. Leaving me a clear path out.

Anyway I'm just babbling now.

BD That mite hold true in your neighborhood. But I'm not going to chance it with mine. These people ain't right in the head to begin with.

[Coyote]

Rockchucker22
Sounds like you and I live in the same place
Dave is that you ? Mike, Rick,Tom?
Ok so don't tell me. . . .

[Usge]

The people who would be screwed (at least initially) would be those who've never held or shot a firearm/weapon, have never hunted/trapped, nor know how to prep and fix game. Buy all their food at the health food store. And you are right...they would stay right where they were in the city wondering why nobody has come to give them anything or take care of them.

From there, they would form large groups/hoards and seek to take things from the preppers in the interest of "fairness/sharing". They would be first in line to reform political committees, seeking to reestablish gov to go and take whatever resources that are left from those who have it....to distribute to the cities where all the "smart people" live and where there is "need".

Once there were large central distribution centers passing out all "your" food, they will then call for the confiscation of your weapons as they would no longer be needed to provide food (since they have your canned goods and they don't eat meat) and they aren't needed in the major metro areas that "they" live.

That's pretty much how we got where we are today in the first place.

[Prairiepiss]

That's pretty much how we got where we are today in the first place.

Thank you. You can say that again.

[blind drunk]

I think the reaction/response will be country specific. We are socialized animals and every country/culture socializes its animals differently. What we believe in the first place will often determine an outcome. There are no universals in this regard. Something to keep in mind.

[theholymackerel]

The whole concept of waiting till something bad happens, and then grabbing yer rifle and "bug-out-bag" is an epic fail from the start.

Once the power goes out, it's already too late. The moment the power goes out you better already be where ya need to be. If the power stays off for a year and a half, or two or three years you better already be somewhere, with the supplies ya need.

No-one is gonna be able to travel safely, even decent sized groups are gonna be stuck because travel a choice only for the desperate... those that HAVE to relocate where food (hopefully) will be.

I live in a tiny village that used to be an agricultural village. There are fields, and orchards EVERYWHERE here laying fallow. Infact, I doubt there are enough people in my village to put all the fallow fields back into production. We could easily feed everyone here and produce much more food than we need. Transporting that food would be the problem.

Folks in urban areas will be screwed when the power goes out. Millions in every city will die from either starvation or violence. Folks in small towns will be in similar situations. Everyone thinks small towns are friendly and safe, but humans are foul when we get hungry. If that small town has enough livestock (horsepower to work the fields), and enough irrigation water that doesn't require pumping (remember no power), and enough fields to grow all the food required for everyone in the town, then starvation and violence might be able to be kept to a minamum. There also HAS to be enough wild food to feed everyone in the town till the first crop is in. Most small towns aren't gonna be able to fish and hunt enough food from within a few miles of town to take care of everyone.

Where I live the elk greatly outnumber humans. As do the mule deer the white-tails, the antelope, and the salmon and trout. When the power goes out, folks here aren't gonna starve.


Don't fool yerself that yer rifle, ammo, MRE's, and bug-out-bag are gonna save ya. When the power goes out the only folks that will have truly "prepped" are the folks that are already somewhere safe with plenty of food.

[rad14701]

Carrying along on the same theme as theholymackerel suggested...

One very important thing to consider is protein from meat... Even if farmers can continue to breed livestock for meat purposes those animals won't grow as large as fast as they would if they were provided with the fortified grains they are currently fed... That's a good thing in that they will be organically grown but a bad thing in that they will increase in weight at a slower rate... And then you have to consider the attrition from stealing by the unruly who only think about themselves...

And the same goes for planted crops... The ability to till the land will be reduced substantially if it requires manual labor rather than powered machinery... And there will also be the lack of added soil nutrients because fertilizers can't be manufactured in the quantities needed nor will they be able to be transported to farms or spread in the fields... And, again, then you have to consider the attrition from stealing by the unruly who only think about themselves...

Unfortunately, those who would be the quickest to pick up and use a gun are the ones who only want to insure that THEY have what they want or need... But what happens when that category of people has depleted everything and don't know shit about how to do anything themselves...??? The real concept is to convince people that everyone needs to work together if there is to be any real chance of survival and recovery...

[WV Shine]

+1 Rad and mackerel... I'm all for being prepared, and find apocalyptic scenarios fascinating (probably my favorite genre of movie)... I also bet the prepping crowd on HD is a bit more capable than the run of the mill crazies you see on TV... But, for the most part I agree with Rad and Mackerel: long term survival will take a lot more skills than most people posses, and the only chance for survival would be a small community that is cooperating and has adequate access to resources.

Cabin out in the middle of the woods by yourself with your gun is cool and all... but shit, what's the point

[Usge]

I'm guessing that if it was really bad enough you had to stay locked in that cellar/underground bunker for years....and you couldn't come out....you probably gonna need that ammo.....for yourself once you go stir crazy. You'd probably off yourself long before you ran out of food. Point being..unless you are packing food for "others" to use once you can safely get above ground ...you don't "that" much. You'll never make it that far anyway.

[Prairiepiss]

I'm guessing that if it was really bad enough you had to stay locked in that cellar/underground bunker for years....and you couldn't come out....you probably gonna need that ammo.....for yourself once you go stir crazy. You'd probably off yourself long before you ran out of food. Point being..unless you are packing food for "others" to use once you can safely get above ground ...you don't "that" much. You'll never make it that far anyway.

I doubt I could live a week in a bunker! I need dirt,sun,trees....

There's no way I could pack away enough stuff to keep the fermenters and still going. I would have to find something else to occupy my time? What else is there?

[WV Shine]

[fullhouse]

, they will then call for the confiscation of your weapons as they would no longer be needed to provide food

Thinkin it wont be a good day for them

[HolyBear]

Hell, up er in tha mountains, em little blue hats would be good fer saterdaynight entertainment target practice.......

[RumBrewer]

I had to read the first four posts to figure out what the hell this was about!

I live on a farm. We are always prepared, and if not, we pay! We lose power in the dead of winter. We have the roads wash out in the summer and it can be a week before you get to town. It just happens.
We have issues with wild animals, crazy fucking loons off the highway, and the occasional "witness" that tries to knock on the door!
I had no idea that this was even a "Thing" that city people do. I had no idea that this was a "THING" at all.