Year: 2023

Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 22, 2023

September 22nd is the birthday of Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Reid-Daly, who founded and commanded the Rhodesian Selous Scouts. He was born 1928, and he died August 9, 2010. His history of the Selous Scouts, titled Pamwe Chete is fascinating reading, but it is a very hard-to-find book. September 22nd is the birthday of survivalist writer Joel Skousen. (Born, 1946.) Skousen authored the excellent books Strategic Relocation and The High Security Shelter – How to Implement a Multi-Purpose Safe Room in the Home. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. …


Homesteading: A Trapper’s Perspective – Part 4, by Lodge Pole

(Continued from Part 3. This concludes the article.) There are a million ways to bait and/or lure for a foothold set. I have not found one way that works better than another. Try all the methods and use what works for the environment being trapped. Coon Cuff, or the dog-proof trap. I love this trap simply for the fact that I can use it if I am only targeting raccoons. They are simple to use; set the trap, secure the trap, bait the trap. There is no need to hide it or dress it up to blend in. Conibear traps. …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the SEC’s revised 80% rule. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: Price pressure on gold, silver as Fed signals higher for longer. o  o  o As Gold Hit New Record High In Yuan, Chinese Demand Improved In August. Economy & Finance: Notice from the SEC: Statement on Updates to the …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“It is unconstitutional. My oath was to protect the Constitution and that is what I will do… This order will not do anything to curb gun violence other than punish law abiding citizens from their constitutional right to self defense… I have a fact for you: Criminals do not follow the law or a public health order, never seen it, we will never see criminals follow the law.” Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, announcing that he will not enforce New Mexico Governor’s concealed carry and open carry ban.


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 21, 2023

On September 21, 2001, the Dow Jones industrial average posted its largest weekly loss (14.3 percent) since the Great Depression. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), Two cases of Mountain …


Homesteading: A Trapper’s Perspective – Part 3, by Lodge Pole

(Continued from Part 2.) Tools and Tricks of Trapping First, I will discuss the small arsenal of tools I always take with me on a trap line. As with any hobby, marketing campaigns from supply companies can drive the unnecessary feeling to buy things you do not really need. Remember, marketing is a corporate tactic explored through scientific research and perfected to get you to feel the need to have the newest and greatest piece of equipment that is guaranteed to help you be more successful. I have tried a lot of these newer and better tools, and I still …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at Joe Biden’s Planned Executive-Level Gun Control Office. Elon Musk and OpenAI President: The Singularity is Near Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Elon Musk …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 20, 2023

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing more than $90 billion in damages and, according to government officials, nearly 3,000 deaths. — On September 20, 1995, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to drop the national 55 MPH speed limit. This allowed the states to again decide their own speed limits, without fear of losing Federal highway funding. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% …


Homesteading: A Trapper’s Perspective – Part 2, by Lodge Pole

(Continued from Part 1.) Our goal is to limit our trips to town by producing as much food as possible. There are still a few items we will need to purchase, salt, flour, etc., but those are easily procured in bulk to limit our trips. I am a student of history. I study how and what our ancestors did as they settled this country. They had to be resilient and self-reliant. They had to deal with heartache and failures. Most that pursued manifest destiny failed, but regardless, those men and women were tough. They kept on going. It is easy …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — To start, reader Tom H. wrote: “Just a quick note of interest, 2023 National Championship Air Races – Final Flag was carried live at Reno Air Racing Association’s website on YouTube. Sunday was the last day of the races after 59 years at Reno Stead Airport (RTS) where you will see everything …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 19, 2023

On September 19, 1991, in the Ötztal Alps on the Italian–Austrian border, German tourists discovered a mummified human body of a neolithic hunter (later known as Ötzi the Iceman) that was subsequently determined to date from 3300 BC. And on this date in 1796, George Washington addressed the nation in his farewell address as president. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model …


Homesteading: A Trapper’s Perspective – Part 1, by Lodge Pole

This will be an instructional/how to article, though I feel the need to set the stage first as to how I acquired the skills I write about and how I implement them regularly. Before attempting anything described in this article, check local laws and regulations. Introduction About fifteen years ago, when I was a younger man and had an answer for everything, I overheard some cowboys call their Queensland Healer dogs as “tools, not pets.” As I listened to and watched the cowboys work their dogs, I scoffed at their comments about their animals being tools. I looked at a …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the end of a troublesome bear. (See the Montana section.) Idaho Judge may rule soon on whether Idaho’s ‘abortion trafficking’ law can be enforced. o  o  o North Idaho College releases special report to accreditor. o  o  o Idaho’s unemployment rate rises …