Category: Retreat Locales

News From The American Redoubt:

America’s lands sharks: Wolves kill 31 sheep on south-central Idaho ranch.    o o o Folks in north Idaho or Eastern Washington with an interest in learning how to do metal casting or looking for casting supplies should visit Lost and Foundry, in Spokane, Washington. Foundry molds (“flasks”) and petrobond casting sand are heavy to ship, so look for sources like Lost and Foundry, where you can pick then up yourself. (A similar company is Budget Casting Supply, in Sonora, California.)    o o o Some nice vintage fallout shelter models found in Montana. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.) …


News From The American Redoubt:

The historic flying legacy of Ontario [Oregon]’s Merle Maine. What an amazing collection! (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)    o o o Jim W. sent: Wolves vs Lion Hounds: Attacks Rising in Montana and Idaho    o o o Governor Otter invites firearms, ammunition makers to Idaho. (A hat tip to Rich B. for the link.)    o o o Jim W. sent us yet another good reason for the partition of eastern Washington: Attention Florida CWPs: Washington State is no longer reciprocal.    o o o A workshop in Wilsall, Montana will address “drought-proofing” farms and ranches and …


Surviving TEOTWAWKI in Hawaii, by M. in Honolulu

Hawaii is in a special situation in a potential emergency.  The island chain has seven inhabited islands (of eight major islands) that support a total state population of 1,392,313, a land area of 6,422 square miles, with an overall average density of 217 persons per square mile (11th highest in the U.S., just above Virginia, Ohio and Indiana).  Most of the population (70% or 976,372) is concentrated on Oahu with an area of 597 square miles, an average density of 1,635 per square mile.  The urban core of Honolulu has an estimated population of 340,000 (ranked 55th by population, just …


News From The American Redoubt:

New Wyoming Lithium Deposit could Meet all U.S. Demand. JWR’s Comment: Wow! That is a relief. The Powers That Be were about to announce on the P.A. system: “Lithium is no longer available on credit.” (Pardon the inside joke for Blue Blazers.)    o o o Significant population change in Idaho impacting jobs. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)    o o o An Idaho news headline: Judge rules extended traffic stop violated rights    o o o George S. sent this from a Wyoming newspaper: Famed Yellowstone bull elk dies    o o o H.L. sent: Oregon Teachers Traumatized …


News From The American Redoubt:

Now it’s Oregon Senate’s turn to vote on gun laws. If the ban on private party gun sales is enacted, it may prove to be “The last straw” and trigger a partition of the conservative counties east of the Cascades.    o o o Errant gunshot’s shrapnel wounds two men at Idaho gun show.    o o o Ban Idaho! (Thanks to Ben H. for the link.)    o o o There are still several pro-gun pieces of legislation pending in Montana, including permitless concealed carry. Montanans should contract their representatives, to encourage the passage of these bills. The Wyoming/Arizona/Alaska/Vermont-style …


Letter Re: A Dual Ring Village

Dear Sir: I am taking this time to write, because you express an interest in solutions that provide enhanced security and prosperity for people. I, too, like the idea of a fortified village, instead of isolationism. One possible solution, the dual ring village (DRV), is based on a simple idea. Imagine a line of mixed use buildings – something like the 1890s in New York City. Stores on the street level, with apartments above. Take that line and wrap into a circle. Take another line of buildings, and wrap that into a circle, placed within the first circle. The result …


Letter Re: Demographic Shifts in The American Redoubt

Hello Mr. Rawles: I noticed in your answer about demographic changes in the “American Redoubt,” you only dealt with political notions. The question, as I read it, asked about immigration and the American Redoubt and the demographic changes as a result of that. Can you talk about some other issues? Thanks for your blog. – A Virginia RN JWR Replies: I’ll be happy to address the demographics in more broad terms. My apologies for only addressing political aspects in my initial reply. Religion: The religious demographics of the American Redoubt generally parallel the rest of the nation (with an overall …


News From The American Redoubt:

Despite the recent buying frenzy, Freedom Arms (in Freedom, Wyoming) has been able to keep pace. They make some big stainless steel revolvers that are capable bear stoppers.    o o o Idaho’s growth slows, but the shift from rural to urban areas continues. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)    o o o Mountain States Ammo (in Missoula, Montana) has been logging huge sales, but has managed to keep some ammo in stock.    o o o After a huge run of sales that depleted their inventory, Lone Wolf (in Priest River, Idaho) now has many Glock magazines and …


Letter Re: Demographic Shifts in The American Redoubt

Mr. Rawles, In the aftermath of the apparent hostile takeover of Colorado by immigrants from California, I have been wondering about the status of the States that comprise the American Redoubt. Is there any information available about demographic shifts within the Redoubt as a result of immigration? I’ve heard a little here and there, particularly about some of the resort type areas of Idaho and the coastal regions of Washington and Oregon, but nothing about significant shifts within the states as a whole. Thanks, – Thetonedeafbard JWR Replies: The American Redoubt region is conservative, and gradually getting more conservative, year …


Getting Back to My Roots — Why I am a Prepper, by Chad T.

I was born into a family of preppers.  My grandparents were all farmers and lived through the Great Depression in the Midwest.   My parents both grew up on farms and came from large families.  While my folks would not label themselves today as preppers, they would consider themselves as independent and self-reliable.  In order to understand my journey as a prepper, you have to go back a few years.  Early into my parents’ marriage, my dad just got out of the navy and worked in various cities and towns, from Texas to Minnesota.  The largest town we lived in was …


News From The American Redoubt:

Heracles Research, well-known for their Bed Bunker gun vaults had added Truck Bunkers to their product line. The company is located in Spokane, Washington.    o o o Some Idaho headlines, courtesy of Joe M. and R.B.S., and Bret F.: EPA issues new permit for suction dredge miners. – Idaho wealth concentrated in just a few areas.– Idaho restricts drone use by police agencies amid privacy concerns – Frugal Idaho among states in the black, with $60 million surplus    o o o More Federal meddling: Montana Management Plan Would Close Public Land to Target Shooting.    o o o …


News From The American Redoubt:

Spokane Grandmother of 10 Holds Burglar at Gunpoint at Her Home    o o o The latest from Montana legislator Krayton Kerns: The Naked Gun    o o o Here is an article that quotes SurvivalBlog. The included map is instructive: America’s Death Zones: Where NOT To Be When It Hits the Fan. (Note the map’s inverse correlation to the American Redoubt.)    o o o Even the Redoubt isn’t immune from some crimes: $28,000 worth of copper wire stolen in Kootenai County. (Thanks to Russell in Idaho for the link.)    o o o Damon and H.L. both sent …


Connecticut Gun Owners Betrayed by Their State Legislature

Connecticut is known as a progenitor of American Liberty. There were some small War of Independence battles fought at Stonington (1775), Danbury (1777), New Haven (1779), and New London (1781.) But sadly, legislators in Connecticut just dutifully lined up for their Kool-Aid cups and voted for a ban so-called “assault” weapons, a ban on private party sales of used guns, creates a new “ammunition eligibility certificate,” and mandates a ban on the manufacture or sale and a registry for high capacity magazines. Do these buffoons have any concept of how many millions of magazines larger that 10 round capacity exist, …


News From The American Redoubt:

Reader H.L. sent: Montana Governor Vetoes State Nullification of Federal Gun Grab. Sounds like Montana needs a new Governor. Oh well, at least there are a lot of Sheriffs there with some backbone.    o o o Some folks have jumped on the band wagon and now tout Tennessee as “The Redoubt of the East.” But violent crime statistics suggest that the American Redoubt is a much safer place to live. And the difference in the relative risk of being robbed at gunpoint is even more pronounced. (Granted, the state’s crime problem is concentrated in its three largest cities: Memphis, …


Job Available Ranch/FarmTeam (Eastern Oregon Retreat)

[Editor’s Note: I’m posting this as a favor for one of my old consulting clients. I have visited this ranch, and I can attest that it is an amazing fully-equipped off-grid ranch with large acreage. This would be a great opportunity for an energetic couple that wants to live in the boonies but that cannot afford a retreat of their own.] Seeking two-person team for hard labor job running a remote ranch, dealing with cattle, grain farming, large garden, and ranch maintenance. Personal requirements: Stable relationship, no children at home, no smoking, drug use, drinking, or criminal history. We will …