Day: January 21, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge …


Returning to My Retreat After a Three Year Absence: Lessons Learned, by C.J. in Montana

My wife and I own  a 50 acre place in Northern Maine that was originally intended to be a home-building site.  It is remote, quiet  and off-grid.  Along with an outbuilding/bathhouse I constructed,  there is also a 40 foot shipping container I set up as a  secure storage building/shelter.    The land  has  plenty of water nearby  and the entire property is wooded in White Cedar (weatherproof/rot-proof) Balsam Fir , Birch and Spruce.  Unfortunately over the years the location has became less ideal for us.  The  political climate (until very recently) is unfavorable ( taxes, government regulation, overall policies).   The economic …


My Path To Preparedness, by C.R.H.

Many people feel the need to be prepared for TEOTWAWKI or SHTF situations, and I am one of those people. I do not know what leads other people down the path to preparedness and preparation but the answer for me would just be a simple case of awareness because of the close to home disasters that have happened in my lifetime. My father (a Vietnam veteran) taught me to always be reasonably prepared for any situation because you never know what can go wrong, and he led by example by keeping food stores, first aid and medical supplies, and emergency …


Letter Re: Advice on Raising Meat Chickens

Mr. Rawles: I’m planning to raise up a big batch of chickens this Spring and Summer, just for meat. (I’m traveling next Fall, so I won’t be wintering over any laying hens.) I plan to butcher the whole flock in September. Is there anywhere I can get just roosters, for a reasonable price? Thx, – Pat B. in Arkansas JWR Replies: Yes, I recommend Murray McMurray hatchery. They sell reasonably-priced chicks via mail order. They have umpteen breeds and ordering options available. You can select all roosters, and all heavy breeds, for example. We’ve been Murray McMurray customers since the …


Letter Re: Archery Equipment for Those Living in Gun-Deprived Locales

Hi Jim,  I’d like to make a short response to the blog regarding “Archery Equipment for Those Living in Gun-Deprived Locales”. As a lifelong archer and hunter myself, there are a couple of things I think should be pointed out in so far as archery relates to survival.  One of the biggest advantages an archer brings to the table in a confrontation or survival situation is stealth and camouflage.  By necessity, we have to be closer, better camouflaged, and more stealthy than when hunting with a firearm as we are now pitting our skills against an animal with physical senses …


Economics and Investing:

Mark T. suggested: No Surrender on Debt Ceiling. Here is a key quote: “…as one senior Chinese banking official recently noted, in some ways the U.S. financial position is more perilous than Europe’s. ‘We should be clear in our minds that the fiscal situation in the United States is much worse than in Europe,’ he recently told reporters. ‘In one or two years, when the European debt situation stabilizes, [the] attention of financial markets will definitely shift to the United States. At that time, U.S. Treasury bonds and the dollar will experience considerable declines.’” Frequent content contributor Sue C. sent …


Inflation Watch:

‘Explosive’ Food Prices the Biggest Risk: Analyst Gallery: Your favorite products – now 20% smaller Reader Nick L. wrote: “My wife noticed something the last time we were shopping at Superstore (A chain of grocery stores in Canada). 40 lbs. Rooster Brand AAA Scented Rice was “on sale” at $25.98 with regular price listed as $28.97.” Inflation Growing in Emerging Markets Oil to exceed $150 a barrel, ‘probably go over’ $200 warns investor Global food price index surged 25% in 2010 Gas Prices Up for Nearly All; 70% Expect $4-A-Gallon Gas by July. This might be a good time to …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy’s magazine ban bill (H.R. 308) is getting a fairly chilly reception in the House of Representatives. As of January 20th there were just 53 co-sponsors who are predictably nearly all Democrats. (Bills with “popular support” often get more than 200 co-sponsors.) Meanwhile, in America’s heartland the demand for full capacity magazines is greatly outstripping supply. (Just try to find a dealer with any Glock or Springfield XD magazines on the shelf!) The gun shows this weekend are going to be packed with buyers. Mrs. McCarthy will learn that “308” has a much different meaning to American gun …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Three-fifths to two-thirds of the federal budget consists of taking property from one American and giving it to another. Were a private person to do the same thing, we’d call it theft. When government does it, we euphemistically call it income redistribution, but that’s exactly what thieves do — redistribute income. Income redistribution not only betrays the founders’ vision, it’s a sin in the eyes of God.” – Dr. Walter E. Williams