Year: 2011

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


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 …


Bee Colony Collapse Disorder and Adapting Gardens for Surviving TEOTWAWKI, by Craig D.

At any retreat or home base a garden is vital to help supplement your stored food supply with fresh fruits and vegetables. In the past decade a disorder has been rapidly occurring in the bee pollinator populations that can put the viability of your garden in jeopardy.  Unless you adapt to prepare for this phenomenon and its possible affects upon bee populations, your garden can have serious short comings come harvest time. Pollination is the process in which a pollen grain (produced by male portion of a flower) is deposited upon the stigma (female portion of flower), the pollen grain …


The Two Dogs You Don’t Want Barking, by T. Tony

A lot of time and effort is placed into most preppers’ survival plans, or at least the ones who intend to survive: bug out bags, radio communication, firearms, food storage and, a personal favorite, etcetera. However, many of us forget two of our most important assets to survival; our feet. Foot care isn’t just something for your podiatrist to worry about. Perhaps, it’s so mundane and simplistic that many of us don’t even think about those two guys down under doing all the stepping so they may find this surprising; your feet will make or break your entire survival plan. …


Letter Re: Ireland as a Retreat Locale

Ireland as a retreat environment   We’ve all heard about the economic disaster that has recently befallen Ireland. The banking crisis has hit hard the country that less than five years ago was the third-richest nation per capita in the world. Unemployment is rising fast – almost 25% of under-25 year olds are out of work. And the economy is now effectively controlled by the terms of the recent IMF and EU bailout. So why consider Ireland for your survival retreat?   1. It’s conservative. The Irish Constitution begins by invoking “the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom …


Letter Re: Buying Prep Gear at Auctions

There is a website that I just found out about that lists all of the auctions in your area.  I am not affiliated with them at all, but I will be looking into it more.  It is called www.auctionzip.com.  Plug in your zip code and mile radius and it will come up with a monthly calendar of upcoming auctions in your area.  I have attended an auction house in my area a couple of times that receives truck-loads of surplus, camping, hunting, tools and outdoor gear; and that auction house was listed.  The website showed their auction schedule and examples …


Economics and Investing:

Long-time content contributor P.D. forwarded this link: Austerity In America: 22 Signs That It Is Already Here And That It Is Going To Be Very Painful Analysis: What is Plan B if China dumps its U.S. debt? (Thanks to Sue C. for the link.) From SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate George Gordon comes a link to a piece by Tyler Durden: US Mint Reports January Silver Sales Hit 26 Year High Ballmer, Blankfein Invited by Obama to Hu Discussion on Business in China Items from The Economatrix: Obama Push For China Currency Changes Could Cost US Consumers   Housing Market’s Plunge Passes …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Steve C. sent this: Camden, New Jersey Lays Off Half of It’s Police Force. Steve’s comment: “The second most dangerous city in the United States just laid off half its police force and nearly a third of their fire department. This is in a state where honest folks can barely own a gun without breaking the law and getting sent to prison. Anyone still in that city, if not the whole state, with any sense should vote with their feet, now!“    o o o Alex M. forwarded this: First burials as Australian flood crisis deepens    o o …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Despite the miracles of capitalism, it doesn’t do well in popularity polls. One of the reasons is that capitalism is always evaluated against the non-existent, non-realizable utopias of socialism or communism. Any earthly system, when compared to a Utopia will pale in comparison. But for the ordinary person, capitalism, with all of its warts, is superior to any system yet devised to deal with our everyday needs and desires.” – Dr. Walter E. Williams