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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, we focus on an unintended consequence of Montana’s real estate boom. (See the Montana section.)

Region-Wide

Montana Versus Idaho Cost of Living in 2024.

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A video essay: 13th Oregon County Approves ‘Greater Idaho’ Movement – Secession Gains Momentum.

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Confidence soaring for Inland Northwest aerospace industry.

Idaho

Idaho Saloon Under Fire For Celebrating ‘Heterosexual Pride Month’.

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The Military / Industrial Complex Comes to Idaho.

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We all saw this news coming: Chad Daybell sentenced to death in triple murder by Idaho jury.

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Why There’s a Pacific Ocean Port in Idaho. (Thanks to blog reader A.K. for the link.)

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Reader C.B sent us this: Idaho Fly Fisherman Lands State-Record Cutthroat Trout, Kicks It Back into Clark Fork River.

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 3, 2024

On June 3rd, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto claimed Florida for Spain. And one year later, June 3, 1540, he crossed the Appalachian Mountains. He was the first European to do so.

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On June 3, 1781, Jack Jouett rode to warn Thomas Jefferson of British attack.

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June 3rd can also be considered the “birthday” of the U.S. Army. (It was established by Congress on June 3rd, 1784.)

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Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

Minuteman “K” Rocket Stove, by Thomas Christianson

The Minuteman “K” Rocket Stove is an outstanding biomass-fueled stove for grid-down situations or for recreational use. The stove is easy to light and easy to feed. It is easy to remove excess ash from the stove while it is in active use. And the stove provides highly effective heat output that is suitable for use with full-sized cookware.

The stove cost $289.95 at the time of this writing at Minutemanstove.com, including 2 one-pound bags of Maya Stick fatwood fire starter tinder.

If you live in an area that is rich in sticks, twigs, and similar biomass, the “K” stove may provide an excellent grid-down cooking solution.Continue reading“Minuteman “K” Rocket Stove, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Bayou Nut Trail Mix

The following recipe for Bayou Nut Trail Mix is from SurvivalBlog reader Paul in Louisiana.

Ingredients
  • 1⁄2 cup pecan halves
  • 1⁄2 cup whole raw almonds
  • 1⁄2 cup walnut halves
  • 1⁄4 cup unsalted shelled sunflower seeds
  • 1⁄4 cup unsalted shelled pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tbsp. canola oil
  • 1⁄4 tsp. salt
  • 1⁄4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1⁄4 tsp. chili powder (or less, depending on your taste)
  • 1⁄4 tsp. cumin
  • 1⁄4 tsp. cayenne pepper (or less, depending on your taste)
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Line a lipped cookie sheet with baking parchment.
  3. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir to coat.
  4. Spread the nuts in a single layer on baking sheet
  5. Bake, stirring once every 4 or 5 minutes, until toasted and aromatic.  This usually takes about 12 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven to cool, and re-stir.
STORAGE

Store in an airtight container.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic shows the highest recorded temperature for each state.

(Graphic courtesy of Reddit, using NOAA data.)

The thumbnail image below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

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Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Every subject has a right to be secure from all unreasonable searches, and seizures, of his person, his houses, his papers, and all his possessions. All warrants, therefore, are contrary to this right, if the cause or foundation of them be not previously supported by oath or affirmation; and if the order in the warrant to a civil officer, to make search in suspected places, or to arrest one or more suspected persons, or to seize their property, be not accompanied with a special designation of the persons or objects of search, arrest, or seizure: and no warrant ought to be issued but in cases, and with the formalities prescribed by the laws.” – John Adams, Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, Article 14, 1780

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 2, 2024

June 2, 1857, James Gibbs of Virginia patented the chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine.

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On June 2, 1774, Parliament renewed the Quartering Act, allowing British military to stay in private homes if necessary, completing the Coercive Acts. The Quartering Act, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Boston Port Act, were known as the Coercive Acts. These Acts were Parliament’s way of asserting their control over the colonists after the Boston Tea Party and were one of the main motivations for the 3rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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Today’s feature article is too short to qualify for the judging in the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. We are seeking entries for Round 113 of the writing contest. More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 113 ends on July 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.

Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced: Round 112

We’ve completed the judging for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  Round 112 began on April 1, 2024, and ended on May 31, 2024. (The contest runs in rounds that each last two months.) The prize-winning writers for Round 112 are:

First Prize

First Prize goes to R.B., for Tree Planting and Care, posted on May 21, 2024. He will receive the following prizes:

  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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
SECOND Prize

Second Prize goes to Dr. Joseph, for Dark Age 2.0: Melee Weapons – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4, posted on April 4-7, 2024. See: He will receive the following prizes:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  5. 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

Third Prize goes to Tunnel Rabbit for Reconsidering Rule .308 – Part 1 and Part 2, posted on May 14-15, 2024. He will receive the following prizes:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 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.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.
Honorable Mention

Each Honorable Mention Prize winner has been awarded a transferable and accruable $100 FRN purchase credit toward the purchase of any antique or percussion replica gun from Elk Creek Company.

Honorable Mention Prizes go to the writers of these 10 articles:

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More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 113 is now underway and will end on July 31, 2024.

Please 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.

On Police and Faith Based Safety Teams, by Robert E. Downing 

Editor’s Introductory Note:  This guest article was selected by JWR.  It was first published at the Sheepdog Church Security website. It is reposted with permission.

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Let me start this article by saying that “I like the police”. No, that’s not strong enough – “I love the police”. On a couple of occasions, I worked as a consultant to help one of our local police departments and sheriffs’ departments work more efficiently together. I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the officers on these projects. And, contrary to what the news would have you believe, these officers showed a high level of compassion for individuals in the community.

The Limitations of Police Response in Active Shooter Events

However, faith-based safety teams and houses of worship cannot depend on their local police department if there is an active shooter event. Police officers can’t be everywhere, all the time, immediately when you might need them. The issue is “time” – typically the police are not on-site when an active shooting event occurs.

I write this article after reviewing yet another set of proposed practices that houses of worship could use when faced with an active shooting event. In this specific case, the recommendations were based on the “Tree of Life Synagogue” attack. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the recommendations were incomplete and perhaps naive. The author of the article presented information following the typical run, hide, fight model. However, the author really wasn’t being proactive about the fight portion – fighting for your life and the lives of people you love.Continue reading“On Police and Faith Based Safety Teams, by Robert E. Downing “

JWR’s Meme Of The Week: 

A meme created by JWR, in 2023:

Meme Text:

First, It Was Pride Day
Then, It Was Pride Week
Now, It Is Pride Month

First, They Demanded Tolerance
Then, They Demanded Acceptance
Now, They Demand Participation

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.

 

The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” – Ephesians 5:15-33 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 1, 2024

On June 1, 1831, the British naval officer and explorer James Clark Ross discovered the locale of the North Magnetic Pole. This is the varying location between Canada and Siberia where the Earth’s magnetic field points directly downwards.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present the first entry for Round 113 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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  5. 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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 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.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 113 ends on July 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.

How to Install a Woodstove in an RV or Small Cabin, by Tunnel Rabbit

As the collapse occurs, slowly or suddenly, friends and family will need to be provided housing at a retreat location. Most retreats are not large enough to adequately house all the family and close friends that you’ll want to help with security and food production. They can park their recreational vehicle (RV) on your property, or perhaps locate a large storage shed that is converted into a small cabin. In either case, in all but the southeastern United States, these shelters will need a wood stove installed.

This discussion focuses on installing a wood stove in an RV as that is the most challenging. The same techniques can be used in a small cabin. In an off-grid setting, wood stoves are essential and most of our lives will revolve around it as a means to heat, to cook, and to preserve food. I have decades of experience with wood stoves of many kinds and have built my own. I am by no means an expert, but a jack of all trades who has built homes and just about everything else. Even if the instructions are incomplete, the principles needed for a successful installation are provided.Continue reading“How to Install a Woodstove in an RV or Small Cabin, by Tunnel Rabbit”

May 2024 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran & Everett Millman

Editor’s Introductory Note: Steven Cochran is transitioning to a new job, writing for an investment company. Starting next month, this column will be authored entirely by Everett Millman, who is also employed by Gainesville Coins.

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Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and examine the factors that affected gold prices.

WHAT DID GOLD DO IN MAY?

The gold price opened the month hovering around the $2,300 level, taking a breather after notching record-high prices in mid-April.

Beginning in earnest on May 8th, both gold and silver resumed the blistering rally the two precious metals have been on in 2024. Prices rose almost continuously over the next two weeks. Gold jumped $35 per ounce on May 15th and surged another $38.50 higher on the 17th.

May 20th saw spot gold hit a new all-time high of $2,425 per troy oz. Meanwhile silver breached the $32 per oz level for the first time in 11 years.

A combination of profit-taking and normal market correction pushed the gold price back down almost 4% lower, trading back below $2,350/oz in the final week of May. Over the same period, silver saw a deeper pullback of about 6% to the psychologically important $30 support line before rebounding to close the month above $31/oz.Continue reading“May 2024 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran & Everett Millman”