Letter Re: A Review of Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro

Jim,
I recently bought an Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro satellite telephone. I had set some requirements for a satellite phone (“satphone”) , including true worldwide operation, good reliability, and reasonable price, and the IsatPhone Pro (introduced in 2010) was not just the best deal, but the only phone that met all my my requirements. I shopped around for a few months and eventually bought the IsatPhone Pro Emergency Kit from GMPCS, a Florida-based retailer.

This kit is priced at $821. It includes the phone (normally around $600 from online sellers), one year of “Emergency” service priced at $150/year with 60 minutes of airtime, an extra battery, AC and DC chargers, a Pelican flashlight, and an orange Pelican 1200 case. (I swapped out the Pelican flashlight for a smaller and much brighter Fenix light instead.)

This represents a good price for the phone and accessories, but the service is actually the best part of the deal since there are few if any other ways to get satellite phone service for such a low annual price. Globalstar’s minimum plan is $360/year and Iridium starts at $225/year; both of these rates include no airtime.

Additional airtime for all satphone services usually runs around a dollar a minute. It costs less if you have a high-priced plan and more for the cheaper plans ($1.39 for extra minutes on Inmarsat’s emergency plan, for example). That’s just for the airtime; customers pay separately for outbound calls, and callers pay hefty long-distance fees for calls to the satphone. If you think you may end up using a satphone regularly (for example, if you expect to use it from a retreat home where cell phone service isn’t available), you’d better make sure you can afford it.

(By comparison, though, the cost for the kit plus a second year of service is about $600 less than the minimum cost of an iPhone 4 with a two-year AT&T service contract, so it isn’t totally outrageous.)

Physically, the IsatPhone Pro is much larger than any current cell phone, about 6.7″ long by 2.1″ wide and 1.5″ thick. Even so, it’s smaller than many older satphones. This size is due in part to the large antenna, which pivots out from the side of the phone and must be aimed roughly at the satellite.

This brings us to the other big difference between Inmarsat and the other two satphone services available in the US (Iridium and Globalstar). Inmarsat’s satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, their positions fixed for any location on the ground. Generally speaking, if you can see the sky, you can communicate. Only three satellites are required for global coverage, at least roughly between the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. Those living in Alaska, Greenland, and extreme northern Russia should review the coverage maps.

The Iridium and Globalstar networks have many more satellites, but they’re in low Earth orbit. Those networks can be unavailable from time to time because the satellites are out of view, and even if you’re able to establish a call, it may be cut off because each satellite is only visible for 10-15 minutes at a time.

The IsatPhone Pro requires a GPS fix in order to operate, but the GPS receiver seems to be reasonably sensitive; whenever the phone could see the Inmarsat satellite, it could see the GPS satellites too. The phone has a convenient “send GPS location” feature that creates a text or e-mail message with your coordinates.

I have spent a lot of time fiddling with my IsatPhone Pro, but not a lot of time making calls. I have found that it always gets a reliable signal from here in California, which is what I expected given that the northern portion of the satellite’s coverage area is pretty much centered on North America.

Although Inmarsat states quite clearly that the IsatPhone Pro will not work indoors, I actually found that my phone can get a usable signal right through the roof of my timber-framed, asphalt-shingled house, though some places in the house seem to work much better than others for no obvious reason. This suggests that it may sometimes work even under tree cover, but it definitely won’t work through the metal roof of a car.

Outdoors, I’ve had no trouble making or receiving calls to land line and cellular phones, and call quality is very good. Because the phone has a speakerphone capability built in as well as Bluetooth headset support, it’s easy to leave the phone in a fixed position (ideally, resting on its side with the folding antenna aimed at the satellite) during the call.

The e-mail service built into the phone, though limited, also works well. Messages go through quickly, but the key limitation is that e-mails sent directly to the phone (87077xxxxxxx@message.inmarsat.com) are limited to 160 characters. e-mails sent from the phone can be up to 1,600 characters.

Interestingly, text (SMS) messages can be 1,600 characters both ways, but Inmarsat does not have SMS service agreements in place with all US cell phone carriers. The result is a confusing patchwork of interoperability. The IsatPhone Pro can send text messages to AT&T cell phones, but an AT&T cell phone can’t send texts to the IsatPhone Pro. T-Mobile phones work normally in both directions. I haven’t tested a Sprint PCS phone.

These limits on e-mail and text operation are weird, but not a problem for the way I intend to use the phone, which will be limited to those hopefully nonexistent emergency situations when my cell phone isn’t working and I can’t raise anyone on my amateur radio. I figure it’ll be enough to place a call to a friend or relative as needed, perhaps augmented by a text or e-mail message with my coordinates. Emergency services are another option; Inmarsat says it supports calls to 911 and 112 (the European equivalent of 911), though I don’t know exactly where such calls go.

The final feature worth noting here is that the IsatPhone Pro can be connected to a computer via USB and act as a data modem to access Internet services. The speed is very low (2,400 bits per second uncompressed, up to 20 kbps compressed) and data transfers cost $6.50 per megabyte (after compression, if any), but this option allows normal e-mail and Web access when necessary. Windows, Mac, and Linux systems are supported.

All in all, I’m very satisfied with this purchase. The up-front, annual, and per-call costs are significant, but the IsatPhone Pro provides a capability that can’t be matched by any other communication method. I recommend it for those who have the rest of their preps in order.

Economics and Investing:

Ponder the implications: Iceland voters reject plan to repay bank debt. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.)

Loyal content contributor C.D.V. sent this: IMF Cuts U.S. Growth Forecast on Oil, ‘Lackluster’ Jobs Pace

Over at Fierce Finance: MERS stokes local controversies.

Some interesting observation on global currency moves, over at Malthus University: Update from INET. Reading back through the thread of of posts makes it clear that The Powers That Be (led by George Soros) may have plans for a new global currency. Meanwhile, over at The Daily Bell, we read: IMF Plots Role as World’s Central Bank?

Items from The Economatrix:

Drivers Start to Cut Back on Gas as Prices Rise

Paul Drockton:  Sell SILV Stock and Buy Physical Silver NOW!

Pre-Market Summary:  Inflationary Hysteria

Gold and Oil Will Soar When the Saudi Monarchy Falls

Near-term Economic Outlook for a Troubled World

Odds ‘n Sods:

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) accurately predicted this recent Doublethink news from England in his first novel: Extinguishers banned as a fire safety hazard.

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Speaking of Michael Z. Williamson’s novels, Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore is starting the advance order for “Rogue.”  Please note that Mike’s novels contain adult situations, language and violence, so they are not suitable for juveniles. “Rogue ” is a sequel to “The Weapon“, but can be read as a stand-alone work. This is the first hardcover edition, and comes with a tipped in (glued) sheet printed by Baen, and autographed by Mike.  These will be cover price of $24, plus any shipping.  Mike will donate $1 to the Memsahib Memorial Fund for the first 250 orders placed if you mention that you are a “SurvivalBlog reader” in the order instructions. (Benefiting the Anchor of Hope mission school in rural Zambia.)

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After several frantic weeks of filling orders, the folks at Camping Survival (one of our loyal advertisers), now has the following back in stock: Medical Corps brand Potassium Iodate – 60 Count, Medical Corps brand Potassium Iodate – 90 Count, Iosat brand Potassium Iodide-14 Count, and Nukalert personal radiation monitors. 

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Yummy escargot! Preparing & Cooking Garden Snails. (Thanks to reader Jason R. for sending this piece from the California Prepper’s Network.)

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Mike the M.D. send a link to the latest edition of the journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. It has a couple of interesting articles on radiation injuries following nuclear detonations. This is useful information, and also provides a needed sense of scale regarding the miniscule amounts of radiation that have made it all the way across the wide Pacific Ocean since the 11-3-11 disasters.

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Mike H. mentioned a “maplet” web app from Carlos Labs that shows the extent of damage from various atomic weapons if they’d been dropped on places we know.

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Ham: US May Consider Sending Troops to Libya. (A beret tip to John B. for the link,)

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 34 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

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 $795, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and E.) An M17 medical kit from JRH Enterprises (a $179.95 value).

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol. It is a $439 value courtesy of Next Level Training. B.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, C.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and D.) two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.) , and B.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value.

Round 34 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Preventing Grain Spoilage by Insects, by Jim in New Hampshire

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I’m big on food storage and my hobby is finding and photographing beetles. These two interests converge when grain beetles start reproducing in my stored grain products.   I had bought some 50-lb. bags of corn and oats at the Tractor Supply Company store, intending to treat them for insects and put them up in 5-gallon buckets. I never got around to it and eventually noticed tiny grain weevils showing up around the house. The grain had not only become infested with Rice Weevils but their droppings had produced a lot of ammonia that turned the oak flooring dark beneath the most infested bag. I dumped 200 pounds of grain out on the compost pile, a free feed for birds, mice, and squirrels. Rice weevils are hardly the only grain beetle to worry about.

Here are some of the others, belonging to eight additional beetle families, with links courtesy of the Bug Guide web site:  

In addition there are moths, flies, and small wasps that lay their eggs in grain products, all of which can ruin your stored food supply if precautions aren’t taken.   Here are three common alternatives for killing off any grain pests that happen to arrive in bulk grains:  

1. Purge the oxygen with another gas. Buy some dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) or a tank of CO2. Put a few ounces of dry ice in a container of grain. Cover with lid but wait several hours before sealing. The CO2 is a heavy gas and will slowly fill the airspace from the bottom up, pushing out the ambient air containing oxygen. A faster method is to slowly fill the bucket by inserting a hose from a CO2 tank into the bottom of a filled container and cracking open the valve. Then the container can be sealed right away.  

2. Absorb all the oxygen with O2 absorber packets. (You can also use hand-warmer packets [, although they are much more expensive].) This method is best used with a Mylar liner inside the storage container ([food grade HDPE] plastic bucket, etc.). Once the O2 absorber packet is added, heat-seal the Mylar bag with a clothes iron against a broomstick or other straight stick or rod, then seal the container.  

3. Add a safe-to-eat physical insecticide, food-grade diatomaceous earth, mixing thoroughly with the grain. I use one cup per 100 pounds of grain. This substance is composed largely of the silaceous exoskeletons of diatoms, tiny unicellular aquatic organisms that died over eons and accumulated in deep deposits of ancient lakes and sea beds long since exposed on dry land. Their exoskeletons have sharp edges that scrape off the protective waxy coating on the exoskeleton of grain pests that permits them to survive in dry conditions. They lose moisture too rapidly to replace and they perish, never being able to multiply. A side benefit to this method is that it abrades the protective coating of intestinal roundworms as well — good survival medicine.

JWR Adds: All three of those methods have proven efficacy. Needless to say, do not be tempted to use any chemical insecticides, since they can be toxic to humans and would also horribly taint the taste of foods. Also, don’t think that by merely sealing newly-bought grains or legumes in airtight containers that you will will protect them from infestation. The chances are quite high that they already have insect eggs larvae present.

Some Investment Options for the Prepper, by K.P.

My wife and I have been preparing for any probable event for the past five years.  I will start by stating the investments that we started with followed by an overview of various investment vehicles and their pros and cons.

Five years ago my wife and I were your average middle class couple with two kids, a decent paying job, and a lot to look forward to.  We owned a car with no loan and we had an SUV with a loan.  We bought into the 2006 housing bubble not knowing how deep the corruption was.

We discovered SurvivalBlog.com only months after buying into a new and expensive home.  That was when we hit the brick wall and came to the realization that we have been living in a fantasy world.  We were unable to rewind the mortgage because of early payment penalties and ended up getting stuck with it, for a while.

After we were able to balance our checkbooks and other accounts properly we started to concentrate on preparations.  We first started by purchasing extra food like rice and cans that we consumed often.  We bought a Berkey water filter and started filtering our water rather than paying for bottled water.  This resulted in massive savings every month with a rather small $200 up-front investment.

After squaring away the food and water problem we then looked into protection and self-defense.  At this time we were living in one of the People’s Republic states and had to take training courses and wait a week before we could ever bring home a firearm.  The firearm addiction soon turned into a burden until we put the brakes on it and only kept to the necessities (a couple of pistols, a riot shotgun, and a few different kinds of rifles).

Having squared away our food, water, and self-defensive items we then started to use our extra [Medical] Flexible Spending Account money to stock up on first-aid equipment.  After getting a few hundred dollars in first-aid supplies we worked on getting our emergency reserve fund back in order.  Most personal finance advisors recommend 3-6 months of reserve funds in a money market or savings type account.  This is useful in case you lose your job or you become temporarily impaired.

I would call all of the investments above “insurance”.  This is insurance against many of the foreseeable or probable dangers that anyone or any family may face.  Now let us look at investments…

Orthodox Investment Methods for Preppers
There are tons of investments out there, some orthodox, most not.  Let us first consider the orthodox ones before we tackle into the infinite realm of unorthodox investments.

Cash – “Cash is King” or so the saying goes, but I would ask someone from Zimbabwe if cash was still king.  While we use cash in everyday transactions, it does depreciate overtime due to deficit spending of the government.  Inflation is yet another form of taxation, albeit “hidden” taxation.  You could and should invest in cash and leave one month’s supply in your bolted-down safe or somewhere close at hand.  You never know when the banks may go on a little holiday and you will not have instant access to cash.

Savings Accounts – Low-yielding but they are FDIC insured which is the same as saying that they will never lose face value unless something with the government goes terribly wrong.  The yields are generally lower than inflation and I would only recommend this investment vehicle for your emergency reserve fund in case you lose your job or become ill.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) – Low-yielding but also FDIC insured.  These are very similar to savings accounts except that you cannot withdraw money from them without paying penalties.  This would be good for the last three months or so of your emergency fund but I wouldn’t put them in anything longer than one year CDs.  If you really need the money you can always pay the penalty.  Inflation will eat this investment up as well.

Money Market – Similar to Savings Accounts but they are generally not FDIC insured and some places require a minimum balance of $10,000.  I would also recommend these for the emergency fund.

Stock Market – The stock market is a place where people buy and sell ownership certificates in various companies.  It is a place where people smarter than you convince you to spend your money with them.  Most people believe that they are in fact buying stocks but it is really the brokerage houses that buy the stocks and then put them in your name.  Be sure that your brokerage firm is well-insured and of good quality.  For the small time investors a site like sharebuilder.com is great because there really is no minimum quantity of stock that you must buy.  Most shares are traded in lots of 100, so if MSFT (Microsoft) is selling for $32.25 per share you would have to pay $3,225 plus transaction costs.  The best way to invest in the stock market is to buy good companies when they go on sale.  If you would like to purchase MSFT then think of it as a 2-liter bottle of soda or chicken breasts or whatever at the store.  If the chicken breasts doubled in price compared to last year would it be a good time to buy it now?  How about if the chicken breasts were selling for $0.50 per pound?  Buying stock is like buying chicken breasts at the store, do not overpay for them.  Be smart when it comes to buying stock and those smarter people will not necessarily be able to take advantage of you.  Note that the stock market has been a loser for the past 10 years when adjusted for inflation.  This will probably be the case for the next 5-10 years.  If you need the income then dividend paying stocks are great or you may want to utilize the bond market.

Bond Market – Bonds are nothing more than debt instruments.  They signify a set amount of money that must be paid when the bond comes due.  Attached to the bond is an interest rate and the bond holder will receive that rate until the bond expires at which time the bond holder will receive the full value of the bond.  The market is heavily dictated by the current interest rate.  When rates go up, bonds prices go down.  When rates go down, bond prices go up.  This happens so that the payment closely reflects the prevalent market interest rate.  With current interest rates at all time lows, the bond market is at an all-time high and it would be best to get out of this market unless you really need the monthly income (but don’t discount good paying dividend stocks, you could replace your bonds with stocks that pay decent dividends to their shareholders).

Mutual Funds – Mutual funds and exchange traded funds are where unsophisticated investors flock to.  This is the investment for most retirement accounts and people who want to diversify for the sake of diversifying.  If you are unable to monitor your investments then this may be the place for you, but keep in mind that mutual funds, on average, perform worse than the markets themselves.  Mutual funds also tend to cost you more in fees and taxes.  Read the prospectus or you may regret ever buying one.

Precious Metals – Gold and silver used to be real money, today they are nothing more than a commodity.  Gold is predominantly used in jewelry and silver is mostly used in electronics, antibiotics, jewelry, and photography.  They do not generate cash flow and they cost money to store and protect.  They are, however, a good hedge against inflation.  With interest rates so low and the Federal Reserve printing money to fund the government with no end in site, gold and silver seem to be the investments of choice at this particular moment.  In a societal collapse they would be used in barter.  Keep in mind the price of chicken breasts, once they reach a level that you feel is too high then it would be time to bail out and to move your money into a different asset class.  I feel the next investment class after gold and silver will be the unorthodox methods.

Unorthodox Investment Methods for Preppers
Here are a few unorthodox or unconventional ones that most people do not think about:

Real Estate Rentals – Buying real estate now?  Are you crazy?  No, not at all.  You make your money when you buy not when you sell.  If you buy real estate now you will be looking at the potential for the property to generate cash flow and huge tax write-offs.  People always need a place to sleep and as long as society doesn’t completely collapse (which it generally does not) then real estate rentals are a good investment option.  If the currency devalues then you can raise rents or you can modify the contract and demand payment in specie (gold or silver).

Home-Based Business – Your home-based business could be anything from mowing lawns, making and delivering food, or preparing books for businesses (record keeping / accounting if you are an accountant).  Whatever your idea is, there is generally room for it in nearly any economy.  For the prepper you would be best off engaging in a business that you could continue in a soft societal collapse.  Everyone should have a side business, it gives you the potential for great rewards and tax write-offs.

Buy by the Acre, Sell by the Square Foot – While this generally applies to real estate it applies to anything that one can buy in bulk and resell in smaller quantities at generally much higher prices.  In real estate many developers will buy hundreds of acres and will then divide them into lots, run utilities up to each lot, and then piece out each lot while making about 10 times as much money as they paid.  You could also buy materials / items in bulk online and then sell them locally for a bit more, but you need to determine the need in your area and whether or not you have enough buyers.  I generally do not buy stuff in bulk unless I have buyers willing to pay me more than what I paid.

Sell Information – Whether coming over the Internet, through television, over the radio, or through print, information is bought and sold more than most other commodities.  Think of survivalblog.com, James provides information for free while collecting money to pay for the bills from the advertisers and donations.  Magazines subsidize most of their costs from advertisers as well (trust me, I have seen the price sheets from agents to see their profits and they are huge, some pay nothing on a subscription but yet charge you $11.95 per year).  There is also the option of writing a book and publishing it yourself; places like amazon.com help to support this model.  This extra revenue would also fall under the home-based business section.

Look Through Junk to Find Gems –

Another way of finding gems is to go to your local bank and request that they order you boxes of nickels, dimes, or halves. Spend some time with the kids going through the boxes looking for silver. You can expect about two 35% silver War Nickels per box. They [generally] appear darker than regular nickel and are dated from 1942-1945 with a big mint mark above the Monticello. You can expect about two silver dimes per box (they appear bright or highlighted from the edge of the coin and are dated 1964 or before). You can expect about 1-2 silver half dollars per box. They also appear brighter on the edge. Those that are dated 1964 or earlier are 90% silver, and those date 1965-1969 are 40% silver. Most people overlook the circulating 40% half dollars [, not recognizing their value]. Do not waste your time looking for silver quarters, since nearly all of them have already been removed from circulation. (I have looked through about $800 worth of quarters and have yet to find a single silver quarter). [JWR Adds: I recommend keeping all of the nickels you acquire. Eventually sorting out any silver War Nickels is simply a bonus. This is explained in my article: Mass Inflation Ahead — Save Your Nickels!]

There are many things that a prepper must do and these things I labeled as “insurance”: food, water, protection, first-aid, and an emergency fund.  There are many things that preppers can do and these are labeled as “investments”: cash, bank accounts, market accounts, metals, real-estate, businesses, information, and finding gems in junk. 

In case you are wondering, we have left the People’s Republic and now live in a state for free thinking people.  We have had personal experience with nearly every investment stated above.

Letter Re: Observations During a Group Nature Hike

Hello James,
I wanted to pass along an observation from this weekend that I thought everyone could appreciate. This gave me some good insight into what it would be like to travel by foot with a large diverse group of people.

Our local nature center had a nature walk through a historic woodland valley down to the river. The total walk was 3 miles down and back. The beginning of the walk was through pastureland and the second half followed an old road grade through the woods. There were five naturalists assisting on the hike and about 30 guests. The ages of the group ranged from 10 to 80. There were about 10 children with their parents in the group.

My first observation was the way many of them were dressed for the hike. It was a damp weekend and we had rain the day before. Several of the folks only had on sneakers and others had muck boots. Most of the others had more appropriate hiking shoes with trail worthy treads and ankle support.  My only mistake was not wearing a windbreaker or layered clothing. The walk through the pasture was windy and cool, but the walk through the woods was damp and chilly.

As we started out I noticed how the group would string out and we had to wait at certain points for the stragglers to catch up. This made for slow progress and we going about 1 mile an hour. I was amused to think of this group as a herd where the younger “calves” were running around with the energy of youth and the older members would hold everyone back. We also came across several choke points on the walk that everyone struggled to get through. For the most part it was orderly but several times they rushed to get through or took longer than necessary. Often branches or briars would whip back on the person behind if they were not watching. My wife and I have been on many hikes and have learned to watch where we step to avoid slipping or kicking up branches along the trail. On this walk we had to keep our spacing such that we had to let the ones in front tear up the trail before it was safe to follow.

This was a nature walk so there was plenty of discussion about the flora and fauna but also many discussions that made it difficult to enjoy the day. The volume of group chased away any chance of observing wildlife. In a SHTF scenario we would have been discovered with ease. Another observation was how poorly the parents would watch their children. There were many dangerous creek banks and stone ruins that could have been catastrophic if someone would fall over the edge. Those running the group would often warn the children and parents to stay back. But in many cases the adults were just as bad. One child in particular was in need of serious attention. The worst was when he threw a rock at a metal culvert. The bang echoed through the valley and startled everyone. It also kicked up a herd of deer. We did see them but off in the distance with no hope of taking any if we needed to hunt.

Even though we had naturalist who had been in this area before, we did get off the trail once. I had noticed the road grade off to our left and was able to get back on track without too much difficulty. Many of the others had to scramble up a hillside. Even experts can get off track.

The trip back up the valley took about the same time. We didn’t stop to look at every plant and fungus as before but we did have to wait for the slower members of the group. I did notice that our walk down had left a lot of impact on the trail and a blind man could have tracked us in the dark. The leaves were disturbed and branches were broken.

During this hike I was wishing our group was smaller. I was looking for defendable positions, access to water and food or places to set up campsite. I was also playing out scenarios in my mind. What if someone got hurt, we were approached but MZBs, or we got lost. Most importantly I was evaluating our group. I wanted to gauge who could be relied upon to support in an emergency.

It was an interesting experiment in social interaction in a natural environment. I know I would not want to be in a SHTF situation with many of those folks. A smaller, physically-fit, and prepared group is more desirable than a large diverse group of varied abilities. It also drove home the point that that [in a worst-case situation] not everyone will survive. Thanks, – John G.

Economics and Investing:

The “D” (Default) word: Reader Wade C. wrote to mention that both the Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal have started talking a about a U.S. Treasury default on debt obligations.

Scott M. mentioned: PIMCO goes short US government debt, raises cash holdings

David R. mentioned this press release: Suburban Family Files Constitutional Challenge to City’s Ban on Front-Yard Cookie Stands

Gas Prices Climbing Toward $5 Per Gallon.

Items from The Economatrix:

Sales of Wholesale Goods Slip in February

Paul Drockton, M.A. on Silver

Perfect Storm for Gold and Silver

Silver’s Performance to Treble that of Gold Over 3-5 Years

Odds ‘n Sods:

“T.” wrote to mention a useful article at Lifehacker: Make a Map Book Using Google Maps

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Reader F.G. sent a news article about the new British Army issue: ‘Stunglasses’ that can resist a shotgun blast from 16ft to be issued to 92,000 UK troops

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Bob Mc.C. recommended this thread over at M4Carbine.net: Some thoughts about defending your retreat. (Six myths of retreat security.)

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C.D.V. spotted this: Stranded Japanese farmer, 75, found alone in Minami Soma, city rocked by tsunami, earthquake

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News from Nanny State Illinois: Chicago school bans some lunches brought from home.

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." – George Washington

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

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 $795, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and E.) An M17 medical kit from JRH Enterprises (a $179.95 value).

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol. It is a $439 value courtesy of Next Level Training. B.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, C.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and D.) two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.) , and B.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value.

Round 34 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

The Married, But Solo Prepper – A Woman’s Perspective, by M.G.

The Married, But Solo Prepper  – A Woman’s Perspective, by M.G.

Waking up to the realization that my safe, comfortable world as I have always known it to be was not the result of watching any “end of the world” movies or documentaries, or from reading something about it or from a friend convincing me.  I feel it was a gift, a freebie wake-up call from the heavenly powers that be.   I can’t help but think that I am supposed to be a survivor…..at least long enough to keep my children alive and healthy until they are grown and can then survive without my assistance.  My husband on the other hand, has been given no such gift.  He is in denial of anything going askew with the easy way of life he’s always known.  I have tried in vain to convince him of a very dire economic future.  Having information from very reputable sources placed in front of him does no good as he ignores it or explains it’s all wrong.  I feel though, that on some level he is aware but is afraid to acknowledge the reality of it.  I guess a highly unpredictable future can be too much for some people to stomach – but it’s a future, I feel in my bones is to be encountered.  Nonetheless, it’s a difficult situation for a marriage to be in whether the one who has awakened is the husband or the wife.  But I would bet my home-made rain barrels that it’s definitely tougher to be the wife, or female significant other who is the newly enlightened one.  Men for centuries have usually had the final “say-so” in most situations and our society still predominantly leans that way.  As strong and independent a person as I think I am, I still find it hard to go against his wishes.  When he comes home from work and finds I’ve bought another case of TVP, or made another run to the Thrift Store and scored more wool sweaters for the girls, I also feel pain when he winces or shakes his head in an “I give up!” manner.    Our marriage is still a good one, but because of my prepping it has a few dings, dents and rust spots that I wish were not there. 

My ”awakening” just happened, out of the blue.  One day I was blissfully unaware of any potential economic, political, environmental or other such trouble, just happily skipping through life and the very next day I was aware.  Boom!  Just like that.  My day of “catastrophic awakening” was in early December, 2009.  Sixteen months later I feel I am far better prepared than most in my middle class neighborhood, but still not where I need to be to feel really good about it.  It’s been quite an adventure, and a process from which I never get any rest.  If I’m not actively doing some sort of prepping activity I’m thinking about prepping.  I closely watch the economy to see if I need to hurry my prepping up or can I wait until the credit card flips before using it again.  I can’t help but miss the days of blissful ignorance sometimes, but still treat my gift as if it were made of fragile hand-blown glass.  I must continually read, study, buy, make, plan, think, save, and use my  imagination in anticipation of various disastrous scenarios  and prepare for them for all of us, alone.  My husband’s only contribution is paying for most of it.  He complains frequently and loudly and I ache frequently and strongly.  Buying food and all the hundreds of necessary items on a tight budget is a work of art in itself.  I think only a woman can truly understand the logistics of it all.  If it were just he and I, I might not even try to prep.  But I have kids, and that changes everything.

Another heavenly gift I was given was the desire to never become pregnant.  That didn’t mean I didn’t want children, I most certainly did.  I simply never felt the need to have my genetic code replicate itself in the form of human that was half me, and half somebody else.  Even back when I could still get pregnant I felt an inkling of a looming, foreboding future. My environmental courses while attending university didn’t help me culture a positive attitude about our world.  Why should I bring more people into an already “overly-burdened with humans and their endless problems” planet?  Adoption was the answer for me.  I won’t bring any more people in but I will be more than happy to raise those already here.  So after completing grueling reams of paperwork, background checks, intrusive home studies, and a “wait and hold-your-breath” for acceptance from a certified adoption agency, these two recovering alcoholics were finally off to Asia to adopt the most precious two girls in the world!  I am now determined that these two kids will not only survive life, but have the best chance at the best life that I can, and one the “heavenly-gifter” is willing, to provide.   I’m sure I share this deep, primitive instinctual drive with many mothers across the globe to protect their offspring even to the point of death.   Fathers, I’m sure are also deeply driven to protect their children but I’m experiencing it from a mother’s perspective.  I can only feel what I feel and only assume that fathers also feel it.  

So here’s our family situation.  The four of us, plus our foreign foreign exchange student, are stuck out here in suburbia in a big ol’ two story brick house with an unfinished basement.  And it’s the basement that may be our sanctuary.  It’s dimly lit, cold, cluttered, and just plain dirty but I love being there.  It’s where I feel my prepping call the strongest.  When I’m in my basement and seeing the fruits of my prepping labor, I feel closer to my Higher Power.  I receive more encouragement from being there than anyplace else.  And I need that encouragement since I find it nowhere else except on my favorite survival web sites and blogs from my fellow internet preppers and friends.  It would be best if I could get encouragement face to face but I’ve stopped hoping for that.  My husband certainly isn’t going to encourage me any in this life or death endeavor. 

I look around the basement and notice the windows and French doors and see all the work I still have to do to make them as secure as possible from break-ins.  I study various ways of protection but all are more than I can afford.  So, I must think, ponder, mull over and dream about effective ways of very inexpensive home security.  I feel that sometimes I’ve been guided to the right places at the right times.  I was at Lowe’s when they were selling “imperfect” lumber at 90% off and loaded my husband’s pick-up truck with it, and unloaded it alone when I got it home.  It took me two trips to get it all.   So now I have plenty of lumber of various lengths and sizes.  I bought four (4), metal zinc 6 and 3/8” bar holder brackets and have bolted them to the wall studs, two on each side of the French doors and rammed two (2), 2×4’s through them directly across the doors.  I realize that all one needs to do to easily enter the basement via the French doors is to break the one of the many glass panes, slide the board out of the brackets and proceed to kick the door in or bump the dead bolt.  To prevent this I have screwed two (2), 2-½” screws deeply into the exposed stud next to the end of each 2×4 board.  I can pull outwards on the end of the boards to release them over the heads of the screws to slide them out of the brackets, but I can only do this if I’m already in the basement.  Someone on the outside would have a hard time trying to dislodge the boards unless they had a saw, which could be very likely. I can’t keep them out but I sure can slow them down some. (Hopefully long enough for me to grab my shotgun!)

All sorts of projects are in the works and a few have been completed.  My rain barrel project was at first very intimidating but I persevered and now have three (3) of the plastic blue 55 gallon water barrels daisy-chained together and collecting off of one downspout.  And they are nicely hidden behind the huge cedar tree I took as a seedling from my grandmother’s yard several years ago.  I had read many different plans by many different people on how to make rain barrels but none of them really made clear sense to me.  So I ended up taking a little from this plan, and a little from that plan and created my own plan along the way.  The jigsaw I bought my husband for his birthday several years ago finally got used to saw the tops off of each barrel.  And I had to make a lot of trips to the hardware store and think and ponder as I stood in the PVC section playing with all the different parts and connections trying to figure out something that would work.  (The guys working at the hardware store got used to seeing me drop by nearly every day and are still interested in all of my various projects.) Then I had to decide on the best hose to use (radiator hose) to connect my barrels together, and solve a dozen or more other small but very important details.  I had some minor leaks of course at first.  After taking the barrels  apart and trying rubber versus metal washers, and with some more swearing they finally held water-tight and have been for almost a year now.  They even survived a hard freeze with thick ice on the top.  Water is so extremely important.  It’s the most important thing to have I think after shelter.  I should build more rain barrels, and I will, but only after some other things are done first.   I must admit that I’m very proud of myself for building these all by myself.  It was kind of a hard chore but a necessary one.  Hubby was surprised I did it but I wasn’t!  When I’m in the basement I also see the many 2 liter water bottles that I’ve spent hours washing and filling up with tap water just in case of a water shortage.  I used some of the lumber I got at Lowe’s to make separate shelves for my canned food and home-bottled water.  I have to keep as much on the cheap as possible so I bought 24 masonry concrete blocks for a little over one dollar each and slapped my boards on top.  Each shelf has a total of three concrete blocks on end supporting it.  Two blocks on the ends of each shelf and one in the middle.  Each set of shelves is three levels high.  I’m tall, 5’10”, and the top shelf is at head level.  Canned food and bottled water weigh a lot so these shelves have to be strong.   They are great to see what I have in order to keep them off the floor and to rotate in and out.  Again, no help from anyone. 

Still, so many other skills needed to be mastered. It still seems overwhelming at times.   I often find myself thinking back to the days when I was a young girl and staying with my grandmother out in the country.   She was a real country woman who could have taught me a lot of self-survival skills.  I watched her work in her huge garden, then canning the vegetables she grew.  She even made her own soap from wood ash and lard out in the yard.  I just took it all for granted, but at least I still have the memories.   My grandmother would be proud of me now.  I’ve learned to pressure can, garden, dehydrate veggies and fruit, sew, (build rain barrels!), make soap (but not yet out of wood ash and lard) and am still working my way up the learning curve.  I need to learn how to quilt, make pottery, hunt (dread that but will if I have too), fish for real – not pleasure fishing, and a ton of other skills.  I also think about skills I need to have in case we need to find a new community to live in.  I want to be found useful enough for us to be allowed into a safe situation.  I’m a music teacher by trade.  I’m always trying to improve myself to become more useful by way of skills.    Women are naturally useful in many ways but those who only have training in artificial human-made vocations such as law and economics may be in for an extra hard time if they don’t get practical training in everyday life skills.   Same of course, goes for men.

Though I speak of possible future community acceptance, right now bugging out is not a viable option for us.   Being a woman, I see things perhaps, somewhat differently from most men.  Instead of focusing on BOLs, BOVs, guns, ammo to a great extent, I prepare for life right here, where we are in our suburban neighborhood.  All of our lives are here, everyone we know and love are nearby.  To “bugout” is not realistic for us, at least at this point in time, so I am preparing for life right here.   I’ve read many pros and cons about bugging out, and feel leaving would definitely not be in our best interest.  If we had a place to go to maybe we would bug out.  But for us to hit the road when all hell breaks loose with nowhere to go would do us no particular good.  My plan is, as a woman doing this without any input or advice from a man, is to stay put for as long as we can.  Danger lurks greater out there for women and children than for men.  I think about situations that probably few men think about.  Most of them aren’t worried about getting raped.  I especially fear something bad happening to my girls such as getting raped, or murdered or both.  Women have deep fears rarely expressed, even to each other.   By far most of our fears relate to our children’s welfare and all the dangers involved.  And all of these fears can happen right at home too.  But I feel my ability to protect is far superior from behind walls with a loaded shotgun than walking out in the open with my kids at my side and all I can carry on my back.  Such exposure I cannot tolerate.  Also, I have to have faith in something greater than myself that we will be alright.  If I do the footwork (prepping) I can leave the results of my prepping to God. 

I didn’t wake up suddenly with a desire to prep for no good reason.  Nor did anyone else who is preparing for disaster whether it be small, great, or somewhere in between.  Those of us who have awoken have done so for reasons that may exist far beyond themselves.  Who knows what the Universe has in store for them.  Hopefully very wonderful things!  If they are fortunate to be living with others of like mind, then their jobs are much easier and much more enjoyable. However, not all of us live in such a good situation and have to carefully balance prepping duties and marriage duties ever so carefully.  Some of us face outright hostility, and others like myself endure mostly silent scorn.  And this hostility, whether it be overt or covert, can cause some irrational feelings to be felt.  I have found myself actually wishing the economy would suddenly crash, or that CME would race towards earth causing destruction of our electrical grid, or even a pandemic to occur just to prove myself not crazy to him.  But that kind of thinking is crazy!  At least I realize it when it happens and see it for what it’s worth.  I’m only human. We’re all only human and so I don’t berate myself about having such thoughts.  I guess if God, or whatever our personal Higher Powers are, wanted us to have help from our spouses or significant others, then we would have their help.  

Prepping is now a way of life for me.  It’s something that I have come to enjoy for the most part, despite having to do a lot of it in secret.  It’s futile to discuss world economic or political situations, or anything that might lead to reasons why I prep.   He and I just aren’t on the same page and attempts to discuss differing points of view always lead to bad feelings in the both of us.  Also, I can’t share even little things like my great news about all the wonderful clothes I bought for next to nothing at my favorite thrift store, in larger and larger sizes for the girls as they grow. Or about the nearly brand new Timberland boots I scored for only $4 at Goodwill!  I bring home my items in secret and store them away in secret without telling anyone.  I check all my favorite web sites everyday for bargains on the things I feel are necessary.  The headlamps, two for the price of one, the large spools of dirt cheap sewing thread, the solar battery chargers and rechargeable batteries, the manual floor sweepers, the survival books, the oil lamps, ceramic water filters, the heirloom vegetable seeds and more – all ordered off the internet in secret.  The other thousand items such as soap, OTC medicines, antibiotics, toothpaste, toothbrushes, boxes of salt, lamp oil, wicks, propane tanks, candles galore, ammo, slingshots and replacement bands, bicycle tires and tubes, toilet paper, tools, etc…. are secretly stashed away in the bowels of the basement.  Sometimes he finds a hidden stash and gives me grief, but I no longer try to explain. He’s finally gotten used to seeing the four shiny galvanized steel garbage cans (though there are five now) packed with dried beans, rice and the tons of food I’ve dehydrated and vacuumed sealed.  I guess prepping is better than many possible alternative addictions.  I could be drinking again!  It’s hard to hide canning jars though so I just leave those out in the open for him to see every day when he walks through the kitchen. 

For women–especially those who are having a difficult time doing what they know is the right thing to do, while keeping the waters calm at home is in the very least, a challenge for which a gold medal should be awarded.  Ending a relationship that otherwise is very good, is a terrible loss.  I refuse to end our relationship over my prepping but wonder would I really if it came down to that? Sometimes I want to, but I can’t help but feel that God put him in my life for a reason, and that someday he will shine as a protector and warrior, as that will be his heavenly gift.  

Pat’s Product Reviews: Cold Steel Knives

I’ve carried a pocket knife of some type, ever since I was about six years old. Growing-up in Chicago, meant you were either going to take care of yourself, or become a meal for the next predator on the mean streets. There was a time, when I was a kid, that it seemed like everyone carried a pocket knife. I can remember going to elementary school, and most of the guys I went to school with carried pocket knives – in school! The police weren’t called, and you weren’t expelled from school, for carrying a “weapon.” It was just part of growing-up when I was a kid, unlike today, where a child is automatically expelled for a year from school, and the police are usually called, and a kid gets arrested for carrying a “weapon.” Knives are first and foremost, tools!   The world isn’t want it used to be – any more, kids get expelled from school for drawing a picture of a knife or a gun, or for that matter, pointing your finger in the shape of a gun. I don’t understand the logic, if there is any, behind this nonsense these days. My wife grew-up in rural southern Oregon on a farm. And, it was common to see high school kids with a rifle or shotgun in the back window of their pick-up truck – in case a kid wanted to get in some hunting before or after school. No one gave it a second thought, and the police weren’t called, and no one was expelled from school. We also didn’t have mass murders in our schools back then. I still remember, when I took a .22 rifle to school for show ‘n tell, the teacher didn’t get into a panic. And, everyone went home safe and sound at the end of the day.  

My friend, Lynn Thompson, who operates Cold Steel Knives,  isn’t just a knife designer, or simply runs a knife company. Nope, Lynn lives and breathes knives – it’s a part of his everyday life. Lynn doesn’t just make a living selling knives – he’s also heavily involved in the martial arts, and needless to say, knife fighting skills are a big part of his martial arts. I still remember when I first read about the original Cold Steel Tanto – and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. No knife could be “that” sharp or “that” tough. I had to get one for myself to prove all the hype. Sad to say, I was proven wrong! The original Cold Steel Tanto was exactly what it claimed to be, and then some.  

I’ve often said, in my of my magazine articles, that I believe Lynn Thompson put the “sharp” in factory knives. Oh sure, many years ago, you could find a halfway sharp knife, out-of-the-box. However, in most cases, you had to work on putting a hair-popping edge on most store-bought knives, and you still couldn’t get the knife as sharp as a Cold Steel knife is, right out of the box. I believe Lynn Thompson set the gold standard for sharpness, and everyone else had to follow suit or get out of the way.   There has been rumors going around for years, that Lynn Thompson, will refuse entire shipments of knives, if they aren’t up to his expectations. The rumors are true! Many of Cold Steel’s knives are made in Japan or China, and Thompson demands only the best when they reach his office in California. I’ve seen some of the “seconds” that Cold Steel sells once in a while. That’s not to say, that Thompson is lowering his standards, far from it. Usually, a Cold Steel “second” is a knife that will have a tiny cosmetic imperfection. And, you have to have a really good eye to spot these cosmetic blemishes.  

Under review here are two folding knife from Cold Steel, the Recon 1 and the Spartan. I can carry just about any kind of folding knife I want, and in the course of doing test and evaluation articles about knives, I actually do carry and use the knives I’m writing about. My main carry knife, if my right front pocket is the Cold Steel Recon 1 – and I do carry more than one folding knife. I usually have a small folder in the bottom of my right front pocket, and another folder clipped inside my left front pocket – that one gets used a lot. the Recon 1 is reserved for serious “social” occasions.   The Recon 1 comes in a Clip or Tanto pointed blade, I prefer and carry the Tanto version, with a plain edge – they are also offered in a partially serrated blade as well. The blade material is AUS 8A, one of my favorite blade steels for all around edge-holding and cutting. The handle scales are black G-10 laminate, which is super-tough stuff. The blade is 4″ in length and has dual thumb studs for ambidextrous opening. The pocket clip is reversible for left-hand (pocket) carry, too. The black coating on the blade is Teflon for a non-reflective finish and it helps protect the blade from rust, too. For a big folder, the Recon 1 only weighs 5.3 oz, and it feels lighter than that for some reason.   Like all Cold Steel knives, the Recon 1 is super-sharp. I don’t know how Cold Steel gets their knives so sharp, but I’m not complaining in the least. A sharp knife is easier to work with than a dull one, no doubt about it. The Recon 1 has the patented “Tri Ad” lock – it looks, from the outside, like a typical mid-frame rocker-lock, but don’t be fooled by looks. The Tri Ad locking system is extremely strong and I don’t worry about the blade getting unlocked and cutting my fingers when using the Recon 1.  As I said before, I can carry just about any kind of knife I want, and I often do carry some expensive factory or custom knives – some of those knives costing several hundred of dollars. My regular carry folder, in my right front pocket is the Cold Steel Recon 1, and it retails for only $104.99 – a real bargain in my book.  

Lynn Thompson also sent me the Cold Steel “Spartan” folding knife. And, this is one mean-looking son-of-a-gun, too. The blade is shaped like the classic “Kopis” and many mistake it for a Kukri-style blade. Like the Recon 1, the Spartan has a blade made out of AUS 8A stainless steel, and the handle scales are made out of black “Grivory” a super-tough synthetic material. Blade length on the Spartan is 4-1/2″ and it looks a lot longer than that, perhaps because of the curve of the blade. The Tri Ad lock is also used on the Spartan. Weighing in at 7.5 oz, the Kopis is a bit heavier than the Recon 1 is. Two pocket clips come with the Kopis – one for left pocket carry, and one for right pocket carry. The clips are shaped to follow the curve on the handle and you can’t simply move the pocket clip from one side of the handle scales to the other – you have to use a different clip.   Lynn Thompson told me that, as big as the Kopis is, that it was designed for pocket carry. I didn’t believe him, and put it to the test. The Spartan comes with a thumb disk on the top of the blade, and this disk can be used to open the Spartan with either your thumb, or by hooking it on the top of your pocket as your “draw” the knife – and when you complete the draw, the blade will be open in your hand. It is very fast, and very easy to learn inside of a couple minutes of practice.  

In short order, I was carrying the Spartan in my right front pocket, and I had completely forgotten I had it there. Thompson was right – the knife, as big as it is, does easily carry clipped inside the pocket of most pants. I don’t think the Spartan would fit in my suit pants, then again, I haven’t worn my suit for more than 10 years so I’m not too worried about that.  When you hold the Spartan in your hand, it is awe-inspiring, and it will get the attention of any bad guys who might think about doing you harm, too. Best of all, the Spartan retails for only $94.99. How they can sell ’em so cheap is beyond me – you get more than your money’s worth with a Cold Steel product.  

For everyday or backwoods survival, or even TEOTWAWKI , it would be hard to pass up either a Cold Steel Spartan or Recon 1 folder. They can do the job many lesser folding knives can’t do. Lynn Thompson backs-up what he says about his knives. Check out the videos on his web site and be sure watch the tests the Spartan and Recon 1 are put through – as well as all the knives Cold Steel sells. Be prepared to spend several hours watching all the videos – it’s easy to get hooked watching the amazing tests that are done with the Cold Steel knives.   Be sure and stop by the Cold Steel web site, check out their entire line-up of folders, fixed blade knives and other tools they have to offer, and request their catalog. Tell them I told you to stop by their web site. I’m betting good money, you’ll find something that will serve your survival needs from Cold Steel.

JWR Adds: I second the motion for Cold Steel Knives. They are some of the best production knives on the market, for the money. I am particularly fond of their large folding knives with a tanto point, such as the Voyager series. If I lived somewhere where it was legal to carry a folding pocket knife but firearms were restricted from concealed carry, then I would carry a large (4″ blade) Voyager or perhaps a Voyager XL (with a 5″ blade.) These knives are sturdy and versatile, but surprisingly light for their size.

Letter Re: Predator-Proofing Your Property

Greetings Mr. Rawles;
First, allow me to thank you for your work.  I have only recently become aware of your site, having heard you on Mike Ruppert’s radio show.  In the short time since, I’ve gathered many useful facts and sources from the material on your site.  We all owe you a debt of thanks.

The post on protection from predators by John L.  is very valuable.  I have no disagreements with any of his approaches or solutions.  I would like to offer an alternative that has worked for us for the last 15 years, and may be suitable for some of your readers.

John L. is certainly correct that dogs are the worst predator problem for most people.  They can also be the solution.  I am referring to livestock guardian dogs (LGDs).  

Our property is located on the ridges running east from the Continental Divide in the Northern Rockies at 5,500 foot elevation.  We are very fortunate to own a small piece of a large private wildlife preserve.  We’ve been on this property for the last 11 years.  Although not as remote from neighbors as John L, we are on the edge of wild country with all the large predators either resident or transient on the property, including the neighbor’s sled dogs.  We keep goats, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys on the place.  We also have two Great Pyrenees  LGDs.  In the 15 years we’ve kept Pyrs we have never lost a goat to a predator.  In the 11 years we’ve been here we have not lost one chicken to a predator- either raptor or four legged.  I did lose two little chicks and a duckling to a raven – but that was my fault. 

On our place we have two and a half acres fenced off – roughly in an oval shape.  Within that perimeter are the house, outbuildings, poultry enclosures, small pond, garden beds and young permaculture orchard.  The poultry -except the geese- are pretty much free range inside the perimeter.  We keep them out of the garden beds during the growing season, but otherwise they are generally free to chase ants and grasshoppers wherever the hunt may lead.  This cuts way down on insect damage to the gardens.  The goats are housed immediately outside this fenced area because of their taste for fruit trees.  Goats will be as tough on your orchard as deer.  The goats’ main task has been brush and weed control in this fire-prone country, thus they are not penned, though they do tend to stay within sight of the dogs and the homestead.  This arrangement has made it possible to easily move the poultry – if we need some of them in a particular area – within the fenced perimeter without major interior fencing or structure.  We do this to prepare garden beds and soil by letting the animals do most of the work.  A few short step-in posts and 3 feet of 2″ poultry mesh will tend to enclose any of the birds as long as there is plenty to eat.  I’ve built movable lightweight shelters for the poultry that are easy to re-locate.  To be accurate, the turkeys can fly, so we do have to be careful they haven’t landed in the lettuce.  You can clip a turkey’s wing, but we prefer them to be able to roost in the trees at night during the warmer season.  Also this allows them the ability to leave the main enclosure and forage for food in the surrounding woods – they fly over the fence and fly to avoid predators – returning in the evening.  Sounds risky, I know, but they stay close to the perimeter and the dogs.  We haven’t lost a turkey yet.

The dogs are free to patrol within the 2 1/2 acres because they are completely trustworthy with all the other critters.  As long as the perimeter fence holds predation is simply not a problem.  We’ve installed the 8′ deer fence that is a plastic/graphite combination for the perimeter.  This fence is used by the Forest Service, BLM and various state agencies as an “exclosure” in areas where it is necessary to keep the elk, moose and deer out–protecting stands of aspen trees.   We reinforce it with either snow-fence, poultry wire (along the bottom to keep rabbits from chewing through the fence) cattle panels, or some combination of these.  The elk and deer have not challenged the fence because of our dogs.  Only one of my neighbor’s sled dogs (which he occasionally seems unable to control) was ever stupid enough to actually try and dig under the fence to get at our turkeys.  I can’t say if missing half an ear has an effect on his ability to pull.

In the last 16 months the property has been visited by the usual assortment of fox, coyotes, feral dogs and bobcats.  No sweat for our dogs.  Although we’ve had several cougar on the property they stay at least 200 yards from the homestead.  What has made the last 16 months special are the wolves and bear.  In December/January adolescent wolves will leave the main pack and strike out on their own.  We have not had a pack here but have seen several of these loners.  They don’t even stop for coffee.  About a year ago a grizzly sow and yearling cub came through the place when they first woke up.  Our lead dog (female in this breed) bit through the poultry wire and the graphite and went out after the griz which were near her goats.  The grizzlies left and raided the neighbor’s barn for horse grain.  This last fall a large old boar black bear came through the place with much the same result.

When a predator is in the area the goats will crowd up against the outside of the fence as close to the dogs as they can get.  The fun part is that the deer that come in close at night to clean up the goat’s hay get the same idea.  The dogs try to bark the deer off the goats’ hay but otherwise recognize that the elk and deer are no threat.  This time of year when both mule deer and elk can be seen in large numbers the dogs will sit quietly and watch a group of 20 head or so grazing and browsing less than a hundred yards away.

These dogs are fabulous with kids.  When my grandchildren visit they simply do not go outside the perimeter without at least one dog – that’s the rule.  The kids climb on the dogs.  I even have a photo of a chicken standing on one of the dogs.

A good livestock guardian dog is as aware of birds of prey as it is other predators.  However, we see very few raptors here because there is a raven nest close-by.  The ravens, of course, despise hawks and owls and drive them away at first sight. 

LGDs are known to locate sick or injured stock and stay with them until the shepherd arrives. 

Disadvantages?  Well, the fact is that LGDs work at night.  They bark a lot to let the predators know about their territory.  My closest neighbor is more than a quarter mile away and keeps dogs himself so this is not a problem for us.  I have gotten used to the barking and find it reassuring, sleeping through much of it.  I’ve never had a problem distinguishing between this normal patrol barking and the “Boss, you better get out here!” bark.   In those instances I take the warning seriously, and just as John L proposes, I stumble into my boots, fill my hand with a 12 gauge and go deal.

Also, the Pyrenees will tend to wander a bit if not well fenced.  They don’t run away.  They are patrolling their territory.  It is just that their idea of their territory and yours may not match up.  This is a generalization and I’ve had a female Pyr who never needed a pen or fence.  She just stayed home.

Besides the Great Pyrenees there are numerous breeds of livestock Guardian dogs including Akbash, Anatolian, Kuvaz and Komondor.  They all have much lower food requirements than most dogs of a similar size and though there are differences between the breeds they all share the great protective instincts.  They are not attack dogs.  They are guardian dogs.  If you think an LGD may work in your situation, please do your research.  If someone were considering LGDs I’d strongly recommend getting a pup from working parents.  That imprinting maximizes your chance of having a good dog.  You can occasionally find adult LGD dogs through rescue services.  We have a rescue Pyr now who is absolutely the best guardian dog you could ask for.  I’ve had another rescue Pyr who was a pleasant doofus and completely useless for watchdog work.  Of course, if you have a good dog, bringing in a pup to learn from the older dog also increase your chances of success.

By keeping LGDs in this manner we’ve cut way down on the bomb-proof building requirements that would otherwise be necessary to keep the critters and the young trees safe.  In the times to come, when keeping electronic security items charged up and running may be a challenge, LGDs offer a low-tech security option.  It’s true, I really like these dogs.  Any critter actively guarding us and willing to give its life to keep the family and homestead safe deserves my affection. Thanks again for your work. – M.F.