Grub and Gear–Lessons Learned from an Alaskan Trapper, by Old Dog

James, I enjoy your blog. I’m praying the Lord’s peace during your mourning. I greatly enjoyed the recent letter on Lessons-Learned from Alaska. I’d like to add: One way to deal with condensation on a rifle, or other piece of equipment, in cold climates is to bag it in plastic [such as a trash bag) outside, before entering a warm area. Once inside, the condensation will build up on the exterior of the bag. Once the rifle, or other equipment, comes up to the indoor temperature it may be removed from the plastic cover [and checked for condensation]. Lord Bless …


Economics and Investing:

FG and Adam W. both flagged this: Homeowners who ‘strategically default’ on loans a growing problem. The article begins: “Who is more likely to walk away from a house and a mortgage — a person with super-prime credit scores or someone with lower scores? Research using a massive sample of 24 million individual credit files has found that homeowners with high scores when they apply for a loan are 50% more likely to “strategically default” — abruptly and intentionally pull the plug and abandon the mortgage — compared with lower-scoring borrowers.” El Jefe Jeff E. recommended this piece by famed …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Regular content contributor FG was first of a dozen readers to send us this news article link: America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded. JWR’s comment: The US ammo shortage is likely to abate early next year, as demand is satiated, and supplies increase.    o o o Reader John G. mentioned that James Talmage Stevens has just released the 11th edition of his heretofore hard-to-find book Making the Best of Basics – Family Preparedness Handbook. In the new updated and expanded edition, the page count has nearly doubled. I consider this book a “must have” for every well-prepared family’s …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The more subsidized it is, the less free it is. What is known as "free education" is the least free of all, for it is a state-owned institution; it is socialized education – just like socialized medicine or the socialized post office – and cannot possibly be separated from political control." – Frank Chodorov (1887-1966), Why Free Schools Are Not Free


Notes from JWR:

I was recently quoted briefly in a Dallas newspaper article about Radius Engineering: Explosive ingenuity; Walton McCarthy designs modern-day underground shelters to protect clients from long-term effects of disasters. Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready …


Tactical River Crossings–An Emergency Alternative to Bridges, by Jacob R.

Many of you could be faced with the unique challenge of crossing a river during any number of “The End Of The World As We Know It” (TEOTWAWKI) scenarios. I have pre-positioned a respectable stock of supplies at my primary “Get Out Of Dodge” (G.O.O.D.) retreat site, however have multiple caches at various locations to ensure my family has a fighting chance at survival.  While I hope and pray to be able to evacuate my family safely via vehicle just prior to any TEOTWAWKI scenario.  Murphy’s Law reminds us that, “What can go wrong, will go wrong.”  Hence any prudent …


Letter Re: Range Report from Another Distaff Appleseed Shooter

James Wesley,| My hubby and I attended an Appleseed Project shoot last weekend at a local range. Our reward for all our planning to finally make one. Wow! What an openly honest and insightful man Fred is about his Appleseed project mission. I chatted with him throughout the weekend. He is truly a passionate visionary and an active proponent of legislative action. He can readily account accurate attestation on any Revolutionary War topic concerning the acts of examples of Freedom and LIberty and the Preservation of Civilian Rights to bear Arms, by our Forefathers. With that vision and mission, he …



Economics and Investing:

From Karen H.: Trailing Indicators: Out of a Job, Some Decide to Take a Hike Don’t Trip in Your Search for Higher Bond Yields Blaine sent this: Ten Big Companies Veering Towards Bankruptcy DD flagged a news item: FDIC considers borrowing cash from banks; Insurance fund that protects depositors is quickly running out of money Jim Jubak asks: Will US repeat mistakes of 1937? Items from The Economatrix: Reversal: FDIC May Need Bailout from Banks Ten Big Companies that are Veering Toward Bankruptcy Rebound In Commodities Carry Stocks Higher Oil Rebounds as Dollar Weakens Landmark Decision Promises Massive Relief for …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Marko liked this piece on Mexican desert living that he found on Treehugger: Young Couple Says NO to a Mortgaged Life    o o o From my old Defense Electronics magazine compadre Ken Timmerman: U.S. May Face 9/11-Scale Threat from Venezuela    o o o Slack: the unused portion of economy’s productive capacity, U.S. economy is swimming in spare capacity    o o o I heard that to pay off some large legal bills stemming from BATFE harassment (no Federal charges were ever filed), KT Ordnance is running a half-price special on all of their 80% complete receivers (except the …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The great body of our citizens shoot less as times goes on. We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys, and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world. The first step – in the direction of preparation to avert war if possible, and to be fit for war if it should come – is to teach men to shoot!” – Theodore Roosevelt


Note from JWR:

My #1 Son has created a static memorial page for my late wife, Linda (“The Memsahib“). This new page includes a link to the newly-established Linda Rawles Memorial Fund for her favorite charity, Anchor of Hope Charities. They are the main sponsor of the Anchor Institute, a Christian school and orphanage in rural Zambia. It is a very deserving charity, with hardly any overhead expenses. You can make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or by check. My thanks to the more than 100 SurvivalBlog readers that have already sent contributions totaling nearly $4,825 to this worthy charity! May God Bless …


Letter Re: Think of Preparedness as Insurance

Jim, We preppers get labeled all sorts of things from mildly eccentric to paranoid, and so I ask, is it so imbalanced to want insurance? Clearly most people have health insurance (if they can afford it) car insurance (mandatory), home insurance and life insurance so why stop there? When friends ask about my lifestyle, this is my argument. 1) Why do you have firearms? Police insurance. If the police can’t come in time, (can they ever?) or are overwhelmed (Los Angeles riots anyone?) or just go home (Hurricane Katrina?) then you may need need firearms. 2) Why do you have …


Letter Re: Chronic Troubles with PT/MMC Pistol Night Sights

Jim, As people are typically trying to find advice on tritium sights and what brand to get, I figure I’d share my bad experience with one supplier so as to keep others from repeating my mistake. A few years back I had my Springfield Trophy Match sights fitted with tritium inserts by PT Night Sights (a part of MMC Night Sights). At first I was disappointed. I had them install the 3-bar system on the rear sight, which I generally like. The front sight however was noticeably dimmer than the rear though, which is not how it’s supposed to be. …


Three Letters Re: Will Junk Silver Be Accepted for Barter, Post-Collapse?

Jim: I am not surprised that ordinary people in Dallas, Texas (or anywhere else in the US) are not aware that pre-1965 US quarters and dimes are 90% silver. After 40 years of continual dumbing down the average high school graduate today probably couldn’t tell you what the word “sterling” means either. I just checked Dex Online for coin dealers in Dallas, Texas. Dex brought up 18 coin dealers. Dex also brought up 18 antiques and collectibles dealers (who always know the value of old coins.) I don’t think there would be a problem converting pre-1965 “junk” silver coins into …