Reader Poll Results: Suggested SurvivalBlog Feature Topics

The results are in. Recently, I asked our readers: What topics would you like to see covered in SurvivalBlog feature articles, in the coming months? The intent was to give folks ideas for SurvivalBlog writing contest topics. None of the following listed topics are in any way reserved. Anyone can plunge in and share their experience on any of them. Update: As articles are submitted, I will mark up the following list with strikethroughs for topics that are addressed. We started with this brainstorming list: Herbs — Medicinal and Cooking Wildcrafting with plants and trees Foraging and recipes with wild …


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, news of more saber-rattling over the Ukraine War. Putin Abandons Nuclear Arms Treaty Over at WorldNetDaily: Putin abandons landmark nuclear arms treaty with U.S. after Biden visits Ukraine. …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — February 22, 2023

February 22, 1857 was the birthday of Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist who was the first to broadcast and receive radio waves and helped to invent radar technology. On this day in 1943, Sophie Scholl was executed by beheading for organizing the White Rose group–a student resistance to the Hitler regime. She had been convicted of high treason, after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich (LMU) with her brother, Hans. She was 21 years old. On this day in 1732, George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the second son from the second marriage …


A Closer Look at the Pivotal Bruen Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court’s New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. Bruen decision (issued June 23, 2022) was a pivotal ruling.  Following up on the District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and the McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) decisions, Bruen reaffirmed private gun rights, quite solidly. Up until those three decisions, the Supreme Court had conspicuously ignored taking up any Second Amendment cases, for more than 50 years. But now, the highest court has made it quite clear that the right to keep and bear arms is nigh-on absolute. I’ve mentioned the Bruen decision before in SurvivalBlog. …


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. — Reader M.B.R. in Idaho wrote via snail mail to ask: “Is there any way to maintain my privacy when buying firearms, gun accessories, and ammunition?” JWR Replies: Thankfully, Idaho is one of the 33+ states where private party gun sales are still perfectly legal. So I advise that you buy your guns …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 21, 2023

February 21st is the birthday of Group Captain Douglas Bader (born 1910, died 5 September 1982). He was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter ace during the Second World War. He lost his legs in a pre-war flying accident, but that didn’t stop him from re-entering the RAF when war broke out. He was credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable, and 11 enemy aircraft damaged. Bader was eventually shot down and became a POW in Germany.  Bader’s autobiography Reach for the Sky is a must for those studying aviation in World War II. …


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, a couple of updates on the Moscow college student murders. (See the Idaho section.) Region-Wide A video news segment from The Epoch Times: 30% of Counties Vote to Secede From Oregon. o  o  o Idaho House passed the “Greater Idaho” intrastate discussions bill. From a …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 20, 2023

Today is the birthday of novelist and screenwriter Richard Matheson (1926–2013). He wrote many sci-fi television scripts. His novella I Am Legend later was adapted into three different movies over the course of five decades, and his story Bid Time Return became the charming movie Somewhere In Time. — Today’s feature article is a review written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — A new listing that I spotted over at my #1 Son’s SurvivalRealty.com website, near Sandpoint, Idaho: Off Grid Custom Home + Cabin on 37.7 Acres With 3 Year-Round Creeks / Borders BLM Land.


Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn

The following recipe for Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn is from Mrs. Alaska. She writes: Popcorn deserves a place in long term food storage pantries. It is inexpensive, lightweight, long-lasting, filling, and a versatile, easy snack that can be enjoyed sweet or savory, pleasing almost everyone.  Archeologists have determined that the popping form of corn was domesticated 7,000 years ago! My family goes five+ winter months without resupply.  We maintain a good supply of popcorn. Benefits: • Unopened bags and containers of plain, unpopped kernels can last several years (not microwavable packages that contain oils and other flavors).  Opened packages can be …


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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at rising new car prices. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Price pressure on gold, silver on worries Fed hawkish for longer. o  o  o At Gold-Eagle.com: Andy Schectman: De-dollarization Continues Amidst High Inflation. Economy & Finance: US risks default as soon as July, will add $19T to national debt, agency estimates. …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“When Christians are under a universalizing and totalizing non-Christian regime that wields implicit powers against true religion, how is this not tyranny? Is this not an assault on the people of God, who are forced to live in a public square that wars against Christ’s kingdom and against the nature of true humanity? The natural spheres of life, each with its own God-ordained power, are ordered against God and his people. This certainly is tyranny, though there isn’t, at first glance a clear tyrant. We see a modern regime made up of politicians, bureaucrats, Hollywood, public intellectuals, academics, corporations, HR …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 19, 2023

Today is the birthday of Lee Marvin (1924–1987), who you may remember from The Professionals and The Big Red One. — Today’s feature article from The Rutherford Institute is a guest post, selected by JWR.  It is reposted with permission. — We are still seeking entries for Round 105 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 105 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for …