Year: 2024

The War On Human Life – Part 2, by J.B.H.

(Continued from Part 1.) Drug Addiction and Homelessness To this point, I have talked about the attack on babies to prevent their existence or to terminate them after they come into existence. How about adults? In many major US cities there is an epidemic of drug addiction and resulting homelessness. The news frequently covers the resulting tent cities, crime, filth, etc. But the toll on the addicts themselves is enormous. I recently heard that at the height of the 1960s drug culture, there were approximately 6,000-8,000 drug overdose deaths a year. It is estimated that 100,000+ people died of drug …


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, an examination of the rising number of feral pigs. The Wild Hog Invasion Over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Wild Hog Invasion: Threats, Fatalities, and Control Measures in …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 12, 2024

June 12, 1859: The Comstock Silver Lode in Nevada was discovered. This was the first major silver discovery in the US. — On June 12, 1987, during a visit to the divided German city of Berlin, President Ronald Reagan publicly challenged Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.” — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 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 …


The War On Human Life – Part 1, by J.B.H.

This essay expresses some thoughts that rattle around in my head pretty much every day, lately. There is likely little in it that SurvivalBlog readers are not familiar with in a certain way. However, I would like to express what I feel and perhaps fear is a central theme in virtually all the topics we discuss and the events we witness in today’s world. As a warning upfront, it is entirely possible that I am taking disjointed, some might say random trends of our time and desperately attempting to make sense of the nonsense by packaging them in one neat …


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. — We’ll start off with a video showing some Old School toolmaking craftsmanship by Timothy Dyck, in Canada: Why I bought this train rail. o  o  o Giant, Venomous, Flying Spiders Coming to U.S. Northeast. (Thanks to reader C.B., for the link.) o  o  o Reader S.H. wrote: “The recent article about the …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 11, 2024

On June 11, 1488, in the Battle of Sauchieburn, in a rebellion against the Scottish crown, King James III was killed. — On June 11, 1742, Benjamin Franklin invents his now famous Franklin stove. — June 11, 1864: The Battle of Trevilian Station, the bloodiest and largest all-cavalry battle of the American Civil War, begins in Louisa County, Virginia. — John Wayne, the iconic American film actor, died on June 11th, 1979. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …


Designing a 7.62×39 Handload, by Tunnel Rabbit

At this moment I am anticipating the arrival of an antique Mauser rifle that has been fitted with a new barrel chambered in 7.62×39. By the grace of God, I was able to obtain an antique custom rifle in the ubiquitous 7.62×39 from Elk Creek Company. This will be a scoped rifle that might use the same ammunition that I already stock for my semi-automatic rifles that use 7.62×39 ammunition with bullet diameters of .310 inches. An Expectant Father Waits for the Arrival As I wait for it to arrive via UPS, I am writing this article and thinking ahead …


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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, news of a wayward bull at a central Oregon rodeo. (See the Central & Eastern Oregon section.) Idaho Idaho farmers say water curtailment order will dry up land, push them out of business. o  o  o Idaho Bar Explodes In Popularity For Celebrating ‘Straight Pride …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 10, 2024

Some sad news: Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, who captured ‘Earthrise,’ killed in plane crash. — On June 10, 1898, US Marines landed in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. Roosevelt’s Rough Riders (The 1st  US Volunteer Cavalry) landed later in June.  The famed Battle Of San Juan Hill was not until July 1st. — On June 10, 1967, the Six-Day War ended as Israel and Syria agreed to observe a United Nations-mediated cease-fire. — Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.  


Travel Berkey Water Filter, by Thomas Christianson

Most SurvivalBlog readers are probably familiar with the rule of threes: You can survive 3 minutes without breathable air or in icy water before losing consciousness. You can survive 3 hours without adequate shelter/clothing in conditions of extreme heat and (especially) cold. You can survive 3 days without water. Drinking unpotable water may extend your survival somewhat, but you may ultimately succumb to illness due to waterborne pathogens or toxins. You can survive 3 weeks without food. This rule outlines your priorities in a survival situation. If you fall through the ice into a frozen lake, obtaining an adequate supply …


Recipe of the Week: Cookie Sheet Baked Feta and Vegetables

The following recipe for Cookie Sheet Baked Feta and Vegetables is from SurvivalBlog reader  Liz D.  This is intended to be baked on a cookie sheet with a full perimeter lip. It seems that Liz is a fan of the Terminator movies. She writes: “There is no feta but what we bake for ourselves.” Ingredients 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1 sprig of fresh rosemary plus 2 tablespoons of rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon honey Kernels from 4 ears of sweet corn 8 mini bell peppers, stemmed, halved and seeded 1 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch chunks 6 scallions, …


SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic shows the recognition of the right to openly carry a firearm, by state. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) Update: Reader V.T. wrote to mention some possible errors in the graphic: “Oklahoma has open carry with no permit required (although one is available).  I believe Missouri passed the same.” The thumbnail image below is click-expandable.       — Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.