Category: Contest

March 2023 Snow Storm & Power Outage, by Rocky Hill

The following is an after-action report. Situation We are a couple in our mid-sixties living in our retirement (retreat) home in the south central U. S. We retired and moved from a very “blue” northern state with an eye toward living more safely in uncertain times. As a result, our house was built with some features that could help us when living gets “interesting. “ We live in a rural area, on a dead-end road with about nine neighbors. We have occasionally experienced power outages but to this point they have only been short term, one to four hours in …


The Dynamic of Older Church Security Team Members, by R.E.D.

Several weeks several weeks ago, I was asked to evaluate a proposed self-defense program that was to be used by a number of local church security teams. I was asked to do this because in my previous business career I often helped develop or evaluated training programs. The program that they were considering focused on both striking and grappling (judo, Brazilian jujitsu, etc.). The group also wanted to discuss training with collapsible batons as part of the proposed program. I told the individuals that I strongly recommended against the program. Initially, they were shocked and felt that perhaps I didn’t …


Some Storage Food Challenges, by S.F. in Oregon

In this brief article, I will discuss some issues with stored food. Pests Insects – There are many sources of information on how to store grains and beans using dry ice, nitrogen or oxygen absorbers so I will not duplicate that here. I will add that if you use mylar bags, get 12 mil or thicker. Lower mil thicknesses are problematic. I know this from personal experience. Thinner ones tear, puncture, and seal poorly. Rodents – Get two barn cats. Botulism Canned food – Botulism from canned food is also addressed elsewhere, but I will remind the reader of the …


Get Started With Scratch Cooking – Part 2, by SaraSue

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Batch Cooking This is what I’ve heard over and over from young moms, working moms, professional working parents, older adults, and all kinds of people: We have no time to cook from scratch. We’re barely keeping our heads above water on the daily. I can’t keep up with the dishes! Groceries have gotten so expensive!! Here is my advice: start small and involve the whole family. Meal plan together. Hey, it’s fun! You can talk about it over a meal – pick one when you’re all together. In another chunk of time, …


Get Started With Scratch Cooking – Part 1, by SaraSue

A question that came up recently in conversation with friends and family, is how in the world can a person provide food for their families without relying on processed foods? – every day of the year, 3x or more a day? It’s actually a really good question. And in doing so, how can one afford it? Where does this food preparation time come from? These are practical questions that modern families face daily. I honestly would much rather solve a problem I can solve than worry about all the big problems in the world. Are we going into a civil …


Pest Control for Keeping a Bug-Free Home – Part 2, by G.F.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Flies of all types spread disease, something that will be very problematic if medical care is difficult to come by. Most store-bought solutions are inadequate. Zappers offer only partial control and explode the fly, spreading any disease it may have. Sticky traps offer little help, except in confined spaces (like a closet). Sanitation and exclusion are everything. The best value pesticide for controlling flies is the classic fly swatter. Fly swatters are very cheap. Keep one around for each room. Hand them out to your kids. There is no better way to …


Pest Control for Keeping a Bug-Free Home – Part 1, by G.F.

I have, at various times, held different agricultural pest control licenses in California, including a Private Applicator Certificate, Qualified Applicator License, and Pest Control Business License. I do all my own pest control on my little homestead, for both my home and farm. This article focuses on how to provide the most protection against arthropod pests for your home on a modest budget and in a way you can keep up after TEOTWAWKI. Before going into detail, let’s talk safety, gear and sourcing of materials. Whenever dealing with pesticides, you must take safety seriously. In this article, I will recommend …


Our Experience in Raising Meat Rabbits, by K.B.

For the past 8 years, we have been raising rabbits as a source of meat and have had an “interesting” learning curve that we would like to share with you so that you might have an easier time of it and learn from some of our mistakes. Why raise meat rabbits? They are quiet, can be raised in compact surroundings, and provide a secret source of untainted protein as inflation worsens. People in the city of Paris even raised them during WWII. Do you have a garage? If so, then you can raise rabbits. Do you have a small hobby …


A Family Health Emergency, by Hollyberry

I live in Maine and my mom lives in New Jersey. We talk several times a week and she has generally been blessed with good health until taking a certain vaccine (which I won’t get into). After experiencing some falls due to “dehydration” and Bell’s Palsy, she casually mentioned she needed a new aortic valve. This caused me to sit up and pay attention. The echocardiogram showed (in less than 2 years) a change from mild stenosis to severe. The next phone conversation was that the doctor would reassess her in six months and she should go on with her …


Building a Dedicated .22 Small Game Rifle – Part 2, by Steve A.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) The stock: I chose a gray Magpul Hunter X-22 stock because it is a full-sized stock and I have used one before. I did not want a folding stock. The stock has an adjustable length of pull, a nice butt pad, and an optional higher cheek riser. The grip is somewhat vertical which works very well to position the trigger finger properly on the trigger, which helps practical accuracy. This stock is fairly sleek, with not much to snag on. The bottom of the fore-end is flat to better stabilize the rifle …


Building a Dedicated .22 Small Game Rifle – Part 1, by Steve A.

I have been looking for a dedicated .22 Long Rifle (LR) small game rifle built along the lines of a target rifle. If I ever have to feed myself using a .22 rifle I want one that is heavier than normal for stability, is significantly more accurate than most factory rifles, has good optics and a good trigger, is easier to clean and maintain, can be cleaned from the chamber end of the barrel, fits my adult size well, takes a detachable magazine, has a conventional stock, and will always work. It must have practical accuracy as well as mechanical …


Women Preppers: Learn To Hunt – Part 2, by D.K.R.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) Cabin Camping Because our basecamp was a cabin, albeit primitive, we could bring more of the comforts of home, including a cooler with fresh foods. The cabin is also stocked with oil lanterns, a kerosene heater and fuel, a wood burning stove, firewood, and camp-kitchen supplies. If camping outdoors, then you’ll need more planning and additional gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad) that is suitable for the weather, camp kitchen items, waterproof matches, a lighter, and fire-starters. Learn how to use a magnesium firestarter. Wood is free (and useful if it is dry, …


Women Preppers: Learn To Hunt – Part 1, by D.K.R.

A couple of years ago, I decided to add hunting to my survival skills, and I would like to share my experience as a new hunter, particularly with women who may be intimidated by the idea. Please note that the suggestions in this article are not strictly post-TEOTWAWKI methods and gear — but are intended to help now in the learning and preparation process. Family and friends, including my husband, thought I had gone off the deep end, deciding to start hunting as a woman “of a certain age”, but I was not deterred. In addition to fishing and foraging, …


Government Decline: The Next Big Thing, by Michael X.

The civilized world is in decline. The decline is definitely affecting the once-great United States. Most people know we are in trouble. Many do not like the current course of our government. Unfortunately, many of those people still believe we can make some adjustments (vote ‘em out!!) and “get back to normal”. This belief keeps them from making the changes and the preparations that may help them in the future. It is time for a realistic review of the situation and the beginning of an effort to decide what is wrong, what if anything can be done to fix it, …


Commo for Family, Group, or Community – Part 5, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.) There is a serious weakness in the Baofeng UV-5R and several other similar radios, since there is no off-the-shelf charger made to charge these radios from a standard 12vdc source. Fortunately, we can make our own 12vdc step-down charger power supply by putting together the parts that I list below. It can charge up to four Baofeng UV5R radios, or any brand handheld radios, and even some Kenwood and Midland radios (transceivers), or any radio that requires 9vdc  to 10vdc at its charger base. It can charge more than 4 handhelds at …