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 …


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 …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“At this moment I pulled trigger, as I knew not what else to do and hardly knew that I did this, but it accidentally happened that my rifle was pointed towards the bear when I pulled and the ball piercing his heart, he gave one bound from me, uttered a deathly howl and fell dead, but I trembled as if I had an ague fit for half an hour after. We butchered him, as he was very fat, packed the meat and skin on our horses and returned to the fort with the trophies of our bravery, but I secretly …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 18, 2023

On September 18, 1812: Great Fire of Moscow burns out after 5 days, 75% of the city was destroyed and 12,000 people were killed. On September 18, 1811, the British East India Company force led by Baron Minto conquers Java, part of the Dutch East Indies, Stamford Raffles appointed lieutenant governor. And on September 18, 1931:  To create a pretext for the invasion of Manchuria, China, a railway explosion is faked by the Japanese. — Today’s feature article is a review by Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.


Recipe of the Week: Pam’s Pumpkin Soup

The following recipe for Pam’s Pumpkin Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader Pam C. Ingredients 2 small sweet pumpkins — 2 pumpkins yield about 2 1/4 cups of pumpkin puree 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 medium shallots, diced — 2 shallots yield ~1/4 cup) 3 cloves garlic, minced — 3 cloves yield ~1 1/2 Tbsp) 2 cups vegetable broth (home-made or store-bought) 1 cup canned light coconut milk 2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp black pepper Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking …


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 inflation and recession fears. (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: Alasdair Macleod: A brief history of the gold standard. o  o  o At Gold-Eagle.com: Transitory 2.0 Is Coming for Gold. Economy & Finance: Average American household now has $10,170 credit card debt. o  o  o Reader H.L. sent us this: Hedge …