AR-15 Setup and Maintenance – Part 1, by John Smith

The AR-15 family of guns has become “America’s Rifle” over the period of almost 60 years. Over time, the rifle has seen many changes and refinements. Now that there are so many choices, prospective buyers and users could use some determining what choices are best for them. This article has four sections covering: rifle configurations/parts selection, ammunition, rifle accessories, and rifle cleaning/maintenance. Hopefully, you will find some of the information below helpful.

Rifle configurations and Parts selection

The first thing to decide is whether you want to build or buy a rifle. If you are on a strict budget, definitely buy your rifle. Similarly, if you plan on only having one or two AR-15 rifles, buy your rifles. It will not be worth the cost to invest in the tools that are needed to build a couple AR-15 rifles. One of the biggest reasons to build your own AR-15 is that you are able to pick the exact parts and configuration that you want for your rifle. Then, you won’t have to waste money on parts that you will change out later.

The next choice to make is whether you want an M4 style rifle or free floated barrel style rifle. The designation “M4” is a more modern variant of the AR-15 family. The M4 style rifle is usually cheaper if you are on a budget. This rifle style has a pinned front sight gas block. The front handguard is held between the gas block and the delta ring on the front of the upper receiver. The handguard can put pressure on the barrel all the way out to the front sight gas block. Therefore, the barrel is not free floated. A Free Floated style rifle has a tubular handguard that attaches rigidly to the front of the upper receiver and does not touch the barrel or gas block. The barrel only has contact where the barrel meets the inside of the upper receiver. Continue reading“AR-15 Setup and Maintenance – Part 1, by John Smith”

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, a further examination of the developing global banking crisis. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Spot silver is looking quite bullish, up more than 5% for the week to $26.29 per Troy ounce, as of Thursday afternoon.

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An interview with Jeffrey Tucker: The Fed is Trapped: This Recession Will Be Massive.

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At Gold-Eagle.com: Ongoing U.S. Mint Failures Bring Discredit to America, Raise Costs.

Economy & Finance:

At Zero Hedge: JPM CEO Says “System Is Very, Very Sound” After Second Largest US Bank Failure In History. JWR’s Comments: Nay, the system is not sound. The sustainability of fractional reserve banking is always tenuous, at best. And presently, with yield curves inverted after an extended period of artificially-low rates, there are huge risks. Do not believe the soothsaying banksters. This is not the end of the banking crisis. In fact, I don’t believe that it is even the end of the beginning of the banking crisis…

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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: NBC: First Republic Bank is taken over by FDIC and sold to JPMorgan in third major bank failure of the year.

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Reported on May 3rd, by Business Today: First Republic’s Collapse Sends Regional Bank Shares Reeling.

JWR’s Observations: Several more regional banks appear to be in stock sell-off spirals, with stock trading temporarily halted for some of these bank stocks. Here is a tally of the bloodbath that took place primarily on Tuesday and Wednesday:

The regional bank index is down 29% so far, in 2023.

I must reiterate my advice: Diversify your bank deposits to several banks and at least one credit union.

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The banking crisis is having a slow-burn impact on the economy. (CNBC)

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Charlie Munger Sounds The Alarm on Issue That Could Bring Down the U.S. Economy.

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US Studies How To Guarantee All $18 Trillion In US Bank Deposits.

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WSJ: The Blue State Exodus Accelerates; New IRS data for 2021 shows voters fleeing Illinois.

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Lyft, Gap, First Republic join Disney, Amazon in layoffs.

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More socialist scheming:  Financially ‘Low-Risk’ Borrowers Will Now Pay Higher Mortgage Fees In The Name Of ‘Equity’.

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CNBC: A recession may be coming — here’s how long it could last, according to economists.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“While boasting of our noble deeds, we are careful to conceal the ugly fact that by an iniquitous money system we have nationalized a system of oppression which, though more refined, is not less cruel than the old system of chattel slavery.” – Horace Greeley

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 4, 2023

May 4th is informally known as “Star Wars Day”, because of a silly play on words: “May The Fourth Be With You.”

May 4th 1943: A patent for helicopter controls was obtained by Igor Sikorsky. Sikorsky invented fixed-winged and multi-engined aircraft, transoceanic flying boats and helicopters.

On May 4, 1415, reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance. The death of Hus inspired the later Hussite revolution in Bohemia.

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I just read that Ready Made Resources — an advertiser that has been with us since SurvivalBlog’s launch —  is running a special sale on Ready Wise brand long-term storage foods. They are also running a $200-off sale on Harvestright home freeze dryers, just for the month of May. Take a look!

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 106 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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.
  2. 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),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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 $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. EBL is providing an EBL Voyager 500-Watt Power Station with deep cycle lithium batteries, providing reliable 120 Volt AC and DC (12 Volt and USB) power for emergencies or outdoor use. (A $399 value.)
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $800,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 106 ends on May 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 survival have an advantage in the judging.

Gifts for Sojourners, by K.R.

As I reflected on the results of the SurvivalBlog poll that suggested topics for essays, one suggestion stood out: “Preparing give-away bags for wanderers.” (Good job, whoever made this suggestion.) I bring no special qualifications except for years of fine-tuning my go-bag and bartering inventory–and some time for reflection. After all, a barter list, a go-bag list, and give-away bag inventory would likely have some overlap in contents. Addressing this topic is a reminder that overstocking certain supplies is a good idea for all of us, regardless of which of these three reasons for which these items end up being used. So, let’s begin with my version of the give-away bag for a needy wanderer.

First, I would begin with a #10 can with a home-fashioned wire handle to hold everything, to carry water, and to cook with. Those who buy food in bulk probably have these in abundance. Whether you purchase baked beans from Sam’s Club, or bulk wheat, beans, rice, oats, and sugar from the nearest LDS pantry, you will likely have a large number of #10 cans. Stop throwing these cans away, poke a couple holes in the top to make a handle with some wire, and use this “pot” as the foundation of your assembly line. This sounds rustic, but this is what our ill-equipped Boy Scout troop used on our hikes….a very long time ago. Inexpensive, useful in multiple ways, simple, durable, and effective.Continue reading“Gifts for Sojourners, by K.R.”

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 Switzerland’s extensive bunker infrastructure.

Why Switzerland Has 374,142 Bunkers

A fascinating half-hour YouTube video: Why Switzerland Has 374,142 Bunkers (and likely more). Full Disclosure: NordVPN is also one of SurvivalBlog’s affiliate partners.

How to Create a Food Forest in Your Backyard

A Piece by J.G. Martinez, from The Organic Prepper, by way of ActivistPost: How to Create a Food Forest in Your Backyard.

MG Vallely Leads Group Urging Ceasefire In Ukraine War

Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Major General Vallely Leads Effort Of International NATO Patriots To Bring Ceasefire To War In Ukraine. JWR’s Comments:  I agree that US involvement in the war in Ukraine should end. It is a war between quasi-communists and quasi-fascists, and we have no business taking sides in it. By doing so, we risk provoking conflagration into a regional war or perhaps a world war. Paul Vallely is a true patriot, and quite pro-gun. (Now retired from the Army, he is the president of NEMO Arms — an AR manufacturing company headquartered in Kalispell, Montana.) I first met him in the late 1980s when I was in the Army Reserve. At the time, he was commander of a USAR Psychological Operations Group. That Group’s Headquarters was a tenant in the same USAR Center in Mountain View, California as my unit, the 519th ASA Company.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“At times like the present, when the evils of unsound finance threaten us, the speculator may anticipate a harvest gathered from the misfortune of others, the capitalist may protect himself by hoarding or may even find profit from the fluctuations of values, but the wage earner – the first to be injured by a depreciated currency – is practically defenseless.” – President Grover Cleveland

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 3, 2023

May 3rd, 1952 was the birthday of Pastor Chuck Baldwin. He has done yeoman service in promoting the American Redoubt movement.

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I just heard that Canada’s troubadour Gordon Lightfoot has passed away at the age of 84.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 106 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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.
  2. 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),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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 $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. EBL is providing an EBL Voyager 500-Watt Power Station with deep cycle lithium batteries, providing reliable 120 Volt AC and DC (12 Volt and USB) power for emergencies or outdoor use. (A $399 value.)
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $800,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 106 ends on May 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 survival have an advantage in the judging.

 

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 duration.

The house is equipped with a dual-fuel generator that could power the entire house. It is regularly maintained and I have oil, filters and spark plugs stocked for long term use. A 350 gallon propane tank is dedicated for use with the generator. When the electricity stops, the generator runs two refrigerators and a large freezer, a heat pump, the well pump, and some lights.

Coming from a more northern location, we were used to getting “snowed in.” Our preparations include stored food and water. A gas fire place can adequately heat our living room and other rooms can be closed off to conserve heat. We invested in a rechargeable, battery-powered blanket can warm the bed before we sleep. We had a couple of battery lanterns, flashlights, candles and Cyalume light sticks for lighting. Five different cooking sources are available to us without electricity.

The Storm

Early March brought a snowstorm of unusual intensity for this part of the country. The heavy, wet snow followed by cold temperatures bowed trees, closed roads and snapped power lines resulting in a widespread power outage. This time, when the power went out, it stayed out for 36 hours. Not a devastatingly long time without electricity but as it turned out it was a good practical test of our preparations.
Roads were unplowed and remained closed but our four-wheel drive truck or even our UTV could get us to help if we needed it. Both vehicle’s gasoline tanks were parked on full and I keep several additional gallons of treated gasoline stored.

When the weather forecast indicated a large winter storm, our phones and other devices were fully charged. Chainsaws and other equipment were checked and readied.Continue reading“March 2023 Snow Storm & Power Outage, by Rocky Hill”

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.

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Video with some good advice from Austin-based building contractor Matt Risinger: Three Generator Pro Tips (from a mini-Prepper).

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Reader Ron M. suggested a brief, informative video describing NIJ body armor levels.

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T.M. forwarded this news link: General Mills Announces Recalls For Bleached, Unbleached Gold Medal Flour.

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Reader H.L. spotted this: See a Wolf Pack Emerge From Nowhere To Fight a Huge Grizzly.

JWR’s Comment: It goes without saying that if a pack of wolves can take on a 500+ pound grizzly bear, they can certainly make short work of a 200-pound adult human. Whenever you leave your home, always carry at least a large-bore pistol or revolver, and at least one reload — a spare loaded magazine or speedloader. Predators also come in a two-legged variety.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“By far the most numerous and most flagrant violations of personal liberty and individual rights are performed by governments … The major crimes throughout history, the ones executed on the largest scale, have been committed not by individuals or bands of individuals but by governments, as a deliberate policy of those governments — that is, by the official representatives of governments, acting in their official capacity.” – John Hospers (the first Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. President.)

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 2, 2023

On May 2nd, 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton announced that high-accuarcy GPS would be made available to the public; the satellite signals had previously been degraded for nonmilitary use.

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And on On May 2nd, 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France at a cost of four cents per acre for 828,000 square miles (2,144,520 square km), which soon proved to be a tremendous bargain.

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Seed for Security, LLC — one of our long-time sponsors — has announced a special sale. Their Colossal Security Pack is now 15% off. This pack is a total of over 5 pounds of fresh vegetable, grain, and herb seeds. All are non-GMO and are open-pollinated. Included are three of their popular collections: Super Survival, 4-Grain, and Heirloom Herb. Each Colossal Pack comes with a four-page seed-saving guide. This offer is for a limited time.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 106 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. 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.
  2. 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),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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 $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. EBL is providing an EBL Voyager 500-Watt Power Station with deep cycle lithium batteries, providing reliable 120 Volt AC and DC (12 Volt and USB) power for emergencies or outdoor use. (A $399 value.)
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $800,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 106 ends on May 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 survival have an advantage in the judging.

 

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 understand the content of the program, and the value the training would provide to their team members.

They also suggested that perhaps I didn’t understand the value of martial arts training in general and how it could help their security team members. I made them aware that I had been co-captain of my college karate team (we took the state championship). I also took a smattering of both judo and jujitsu. And, I certainly agree that self-defense training can be valuable for individuals and for church security team members.
At this point, they inquired how I could possibly feel that the training was inappropriate.

My explanation was something they had totally overlooked. I reminded them that they chose most of their security team members from senior members of their church congregations (often church leaders, deacons, etc.). At that time, I did not have the exact information, but I told them that I would guess that their average church security team member was in his 70s.Continue reading“The Dynamic of Older Church Security Team Members, by R.E.D.”

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 growing wolf pack numbers. (See the Region-Wide and Washington sections.)

Region-Wide

Oregon, Idaho law enforcement and community honor fallen Nyssa officer.

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Melting snow to fill up rivers around the Inland Northwest.

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Wolf numbers increasing in Yellowstone, and throughout the Northern Rockies. An excerpt:

“Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains have met the FWS’s criteria for a recovered wolf population since 2002. As of December 2015, the US Fish & Wildlife Service estimated about 1,704 wolves and 95 breeding pairs in the Northern Rocky Mountain Distinct Population Segment.

The gray wolf was removed from the endangered species list in 2011 in Idaho and Montana. They were delisted in Wyoming in 2016, and that decision was held up on appeal in April 2017. Wolves are hunted in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana under state hunting regulations.”

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Yes, there is a way that Oregon counties could become part of Idaho.

Idaho

Cd’A School District declares financial emergency.

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Video: A group of over 2,500 sheep were herded towards the Table Rock region in Eagle, Idaho.

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Over at Redoubt News: No Confidence in Idaho State Rep. Mark Sauter.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”