Whether and When to Bug Out — Hurricanes!, by TJD in Houston

Having read the daily entries on SurvivalBlog for a few months now, and reading the novel Patriots it seems to me that an often visited topic is whether and when to “Bug Out.”  As a resident of Houston, Texas, I will try to provide insight from the perspective of a person who has been through the evacuation drill twice…and never evacuated.  So there you have it, I will go ahead and show my cards up front; I am in the “hunker down” camp.  Although I will explain my reasons, I will not try to convince others it is the right option; that is a personal choice.  Additionally, it would be foolish and short-sided for me to suggest that hunkering down is appropriate in all circumstances; it is not.  As with all best-practices, the decision of whether and when to leave your home requires a common sense judgment call on the part of each individual. However, one thing is certain: if you have prepared for most contingencies in your geographic locale, you will be able to choose whether to Bug Out or Hunker Down.  If you have not prepared, you have effectively robbed yourself of the freedom to choose, and will become a banner waving member of “the Golden Horde.”

First, a little history is in order.  I grew up in a small town South of Houston, Texas and was educated in a small religious private school.  I spent as much time as possible neglecting my studies so that I could dedicate my time to the more important pursuits of bike riding, playing guns, building forts, swimming, and exploring the trails at the back of our neighborhood.  By age 15, I had tied enough knots, built enough fires, shot enough arrows, and pitched enough tents to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.  While I would not consider myself expert, I know the outdoors…and being “prepared” continues to be a part of my being.  My wife and I consider Big Bend National Park one of our favorite places, are avid backpackers, and as such have accumulated enough camping gear to open a small shop. 

In September of 2005 I was living in an apartment five minutes from downtown Houston.  Hurricane Katrina had just devastated New Orleans and now Hurricane Rita was heading to Houston and was twice as big and ten times as bad! While many packed up their vehicles to G.O.O.D., I drove South on I-45 to Friendswood to help my mother and her husband board up their windows with plywood and PLYLOX. By the time we had finished securing the house, I was too late.  I-45 Northbound back to Houston was at a virtual standstill.  Having dealt with Houston traffic my whole life, I had the foresight to get online and find a different route back to my downtown apartment.  Unfortunately, the route I had chosen required me to drive for quite some distance on a toll road.  After sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour, and driving less than a mile, I called my mother from my cell phone and asked that she get online and navigate me back to downtown from the very next exit via farm to market and county roads. 

Lesson: Carry a map detailed enough to show all roads.  Highway maps are not good enough. Here in Texas we have a company called Keymaps that makes books with detailed maps broken into an easy to read grid system that is searchable by street name.  I highly recommend if available in your area.

I would have been in a bad situation had the power been out or had the cell phones been down. For those unfamiliar, I was lucky in that the Houston road system is not only a series of circles connecting freeways that run North, South, East and West; but also a vast maze of connected city streets and county roads.  Literally you cannot get out of your vehicle and walk for more than a quarter mile in this part of City without crossing a road.  Needless to say, I made it back to my apartment safe without too much inconvenience.  I would later learn that many of those motorists I shared that mile-long stretch of toll road with were in the infancy of what would become one of the most harrowing 72 hour ordeals they had ever faced. 

The following day, my mother and her husband joined me (with their five cats) in my 715 square food apartment for a 48 hour ride-out of the storm.  It was tight but we had enough food and water to sustain us for an extended period.  They navigated the same route we had discovered the night before (minus the freeway portion) traveling approximately 40 miles in less than an hour; not bad considering the parking lot formed by thousands of cars stretching North on I-45 from between Houston and Galveston and then on to every major city to the North and West of Houston.

As we sat in my small apartment something occurred to me that I will never forget: Downtown Houston was as quiet as the open range of West Texas.  Anyone who has lived in a big city can attest; it is never quiet.  Day and night you hear horns, engines, sirens, and every other conceivable combination of background noise.  In the hours leading up to the hurricane’s approach Houston was at peace; a stark contrast to the nightmare that was unfolding on our city’s highways and freeways.  90% of the City had bugged out. 

Every person I spoke with in the aftermath of Rita told the same story: “We were just going over to a relative’s house in Hempstead or a friends house in the Woodlands (both within 45 minutes of downtown Houston) so we got in the car, stopped and filled up the gas tank, grabbed a bag of chips and a soda, and got on the road to “get out of Dodge.”  48 hours later, when Rita made landfall, most had traveled less than 20 Miles from where they started (in 48 hours).  I don’t think anyone facing a storm of constant bearing decreasing range would argue that they are safer in their vehicle, not to mention the more serious danger they faced: desperate strangers. During the 48 hours leading up to landfall and the approximately 24 hours it took them after landfall to get to a final destination, they witnessed the worst of humanity. 

Folks, keep in mind this was September in Houston; it was about 100 degrees and 100% humidity; people are easily agitated.  Your sweat doesn’t evaporate, you can’t get cool, tempers run high and patience is a commodity in short supply.  Cars broke down, ran out of gas, or overheated, turning the freeways into parking lots. People were thirsty, babies were hungry-crying-not enough diapers, nowhere to go to the restroom; people, young, old, rich, and poor, defecated in broad daylight next to their vehicles.  The situation was unsafe, unstable, and unsanitary.  People got into fights, businesses on the interstate were stripped bare of anything to eat or drink, the young-old-sick were in real trouble and some did not make it through the awful ordeal.  A bus of elderly evacuees from a retirement home caught fire, burning to death those who were bound to wheel chairs or oxygen tanks.  The sad part is the vast majority of sheeple sat helpless in their cars waiting for help from the federal government and local authorities. 

The federal government and local authorities were not able to provide much assistance because they too were stuck in traffic without fuel.  The irony is these people suffered and died not from the natural disaster but from bad information and an overall lack of preparedness.  Yes, the storm came and Houston took a hit, but the media-fueled hysteria proved to be far more dangerous.  Unless you lived on the Gulf Coast, you probably didn’t hear these dirty facts because it would have necessarily highlighted the borderline criminal negligence of the major networks for their ratings-driven “news” coverage. 

Fast forward three years to September of 2008.  I was now married and living in my current home just North of Houston in an unincorporated part of Harris County.  Hurricane Ike is barreling toward Houston; once again the “media” seems to be taking language straight from the King James Version of the Book of Revelation.  Because my wife works in the safety department of MD Anderson Cancer Center, she was a “first responder” and had been stationed for the day at the Office of Emergency Management helping to evacuate the elderly from hospitals and retirement communities in the evacuation zone.  My wife is was of those whose mission included heading into the Texas Medical Center while the traffic was heading the other way.  On the way home following her shift her car had a blowout and hit the concrete wall of the freeway.  This was September 11th, approximately 24 hours from when Ike would make landfall.  Once again, sheeple were scuttling about Houston like rats on a sinking ship looking for flashlights and batteries.  We were headed to the ER.  Thankfully my wife was examined and released; we went home to “hunker down.”  Once again my mother and her husband joined us. The extra hands were helpful as my wife was confined to the bedroom on pain medication.  Lesson: When one of your team members is down, can you handle making ready your fortifications?  Unlike Hurricane Rita, Ike devastated Houston.  Much of the City was without water/power for weeks.  The effort mobilized by the City of Houston was epic and the relief effort was inspiring.  Volunteers poured in from all over the U.S.  It was the opposite of New Orleans.   However, had the disaster not been so localized, who knows how long it would have taken to get the grid back on line?  Would it have become New Orleans eventually? 

During the ordeal I had a huge “duh” moment.  With my wife’s car out of commission, we were left with one vehicle.  Due to my own procrastination at having a leak fixed, I had been adding air to one of my truck’s tires for about a week. Guess what happened when I wasn’t able to air it up for the 24 hours we rode out the storm?  The problem gets worse; it wasn’t until I went to put on the spare I discovered that my lock lug was missing.  Apparently the dealership had failed to put it back the last time they had rotated my tires.  In two days we had gone from 2 operating vehicles to 0 operating vehicles. 

Lesson: much like Dental work, keep up with routine vehicle maintenance!  There is ample discussion on this board related to preparedness and somewhere I read the recommendation to have a practice weekend.  I agree.  Practice would have revealed the most glaring omission from my fortifications: power.  Luckily we were at Ace Hardware when they began taking orders for generators that were in route from somewhere out of state.  While I waited something like half a day, other members of our party scavenged for gas canisters and gas to fill them.  

Lesson: get a generator and storage containers and fill them ahead of time!  I cannot tell you the piece of mind it provides given the hot humid summers here in Houston, especially now that I have an infant at home.  Ultimately Houstonians kept a calmer head than during the mass exodus of Hurricane Rita and were all the better for it.  Minus property damage and the few fatalities attributable to people who absolutely would not evacuate Bolivar Peninsula, we all came out okay.

My point in telling these two stories is this: even if you are absolutely prepared to “Bug Out” when the Schumer hits the fan, are you confident you would be ahead of the Golden Horde when your car’s rubber meets the road?

First, let’s considers the source of our information today.  The “media” cannot be trusted to provide unbiased information- even in the face of an emergency.  Unfortunately, all media outlets are in business to make money-sensationalism sells.  However, I will mention that from my experience the local media and local authorities were a pretty good bet.  After all, they are in the same boat as you.  The question remains: How will you really know it is time to bug out?  Face it; you are probably rolling the dice on a gut feeling that is at least partially influenced by fear.  Fear-based decisions are rarely sound and will likely lead you into a situation you cannot control.  This leads to an even more dangerous place: Panic. 

I would argue that unless you live in a locale that cannot be made safe (on the beach, for instance) you face far fewer unknown and dangerous variables in your own home than you will encounter out on the “open” road.  Again, let me be clear here, in some cases the smart decision is to Bug Out no matter what.  However, in those cases I would argue maybe you are better off bugging out long before the Schumer hits the fan and find a safer place to live.

I realize that for many, moving is simply not an option for many reasons; but most often it is more the case that people are just too set in their ways.  Ultimately my advice is: in the face of an emergency, don’t follow the crowd of fear motivated sheeple.   Exercise common sense and Be Prepared!

Using Your Smart Phone as a Survival Phone, by Kelly H.

When preparing for any large-scale emergency or disaster scenario our initial tendency is to seek out the most basic necessities for survival: food, water, shelter. Those serious about survival expand these necessities to include protection, first-aid, mobility, etc. I believe one of the most important tools to include in any survival plan is a smart phone capable of offline card storage.  

In my profession, I am attached to my smart phone. I depend upon it to work as much as my Leatherman while backpacking. I also know that during a large-scale emergency or a TEOTWAWKI scenario, a cell phone for the purpose of calling might be completely ineffective. Cell towers, satellites, and the Internet require huge amounts of manpower and infrastructure to maintain. However, if these go down your phone can still be used as a wealth of knowledge that can literally save your life.

The items I recommend are based purely on my own experiences, purchased with my own resources. I have field-tested my gear in several environments, most challenging a six-month stint in Glacier National Park. There are hundreds of different configurations to make this work within scope of your budget and technical knowledge.

Items Required:

1) A smart phone capable of SD or similar card storage. This means a phone in which you can store data offline and access at any point, regardless of cellular coverage. I purchased an HTC EVO about six months ago, but there are several similar phones at any price range. My cell phone carrier limited my options but you do not need a carrier to make this effective.

2) A mobile battery charger and battery pack. I use the Tekkeon TekCharge Mobile Power and Battery Charger. It’s inexpensive, easy to use and easy to store. Again, there are several comparable brands out there. I like Tekkeon because it includes an LED charge display.

3) Rechargeable batteries. I’ve had the best performance using Sanyo Eneloop AA batteries. These low self-discharge NiMH cells are advertised as holding 85% of the charge with no ‘memory effect’ when recharging. In my experience this is accurate.

4) Solar panel charger, with USB port. Here is where doing your research is most effective. There are several brands on the market that advertise as capable of powering cell-phones. While solar panels aren’t created equally, you are generally looking for ones that have the most surface area, mobility, and durability. I have tested several models, but a company called Goal Zero has given me the best results. I was able to purchase the Nomad 7 solar panel for less than $80.

All of these items are for the intended purpose of keeping your phone running when the power no longer flows. I find that charging batteries rather than charging a cell-phone directly is more effective and offers more versatility. The Tekkeon TekCharge allows you to charge your phone with AA batteries.

Applications:
The real survival information comes by way of Apps, or applications. Almost all are free on an Android phone, and can be transferred from a PC at home to your phone. This allows you to download Apps without having a cell-phone carrier. There are literally thousands of Apps that could be useful in an emergency situation. These are ones I have personally used:

Apps usually download to your phone’s internal memory by default. Because of this, the first app you should download is called “App 2 SD” or an equivalent. What this does is transfer any downloaded App to your SD card for permanent storage. SD Cards can be interchanged and offer much more space than the phones built in memory. You can load up several SD cards worth of information and put them into your phone when needed, or keep them as backups.

Useful Apps
So what kinds of survival apps are out there? The answer is almost infinite to your situation. I will break them down into what I think are key areas for survival.

The “All-in-One’s”
An Application I draw on time and time again is called “U.S. Army Survival Guide” and it is exactly what it sounds like. This App contains the entire Army survival guide. It includes illustrations and diagrams and is broken up into 23 chapters including a full glossary and appendix. It offers basic to mid-level survival tips, ranging from Shelter construction and trapping, to starting a fire and how to stay hidden. It’s always better to know this information off-hand but as a reference, this is the app you want.

Another infinite possibility app is “Google Books”. This allows you to purchase and store an e-book on almost any subject you can think off. A quick search for survival books netted me hundreds of results. What this offers is the ability to download almost any book that you might already own and to draw on it when needed, or even just to learn more techniques when the time comes. Lugging around half a dozen books can be taxing on both space and energy, especially if survival requires being mobile. Beyond survival purposes this is a great way to keep your mind off any situation you might be in.  E-Books are a great way to utilize multiple SD Cards. With the almost infinite library of information at your fingertips, you can store thousands of books and guides.

An e-book might be too much information to quickly draw upon. For this reason I also use an app called “WikiPock” that can download specific Wikipedia entries that can be viewed at a later time. You can be as specific or generic with this information as you want to be. I have several entries ranging from hot wiring a vehicle to greenhouse gardening. As phone storage improves I wouldn’t be surprised if you could soon download the entire English language Wikipedia to your phone. An uncompressed ‘wiki dump’ is about 27 gigs – compressed comes in at about 6 gigs.

Navigation
There are about a dozen or so free and proven off-line map applications. What this offers is the ability to store and view maps from anywhere in the world without data coverage. The basic principal is that with a little common knowledge of navigation you can find your way. I use an app called “MapDroyd”. I was able to download a vector map of the entire United States at any detail – there are maps for almost any country. A physical map is still going to be your most efficient way to find where you are. But, with these Apps you aren’t limited by size and scope.

Keep in mind this isn’t a topography map. There is an app called “BackCountry Navigator” for topography but costs about $10. Also, without GPS or cell-tower connection you won’t be able to automatically pinpoint your location – this is why basic navigating skills are just as important.

Some offline maps offer tools such as address searching or point A to point B directions. Feel free to experiment with different apps to find the right fit.

First-Aid
Like the other apps, this area of survival has a lot of options to choose from. The Army Survival Guide App also has an entire section devoted to first aid and medicinal plants. For my purposes I use an app called “iTriage”. It has a number of tools to choose from, but is most effectively used as a way to diagnose symptoms. A good guide or reference book is still your best bet for getting detailed information and instructions – both of which can be found with Google Books.

Tools & Miscellaneous
KnotsGuide  – A knot tying reference App with color photos, step-by-step instructions, and recommended usage for each knot. Can’t live without this.

ElectroDroid – Especially useful for TEOTWAWKI scenarios, this App is a great way to learn how electricity and circuitry works, and how to get it working.

Scanner Radio – This App requires a data connection, but allows you to listen to the dispatch radio of almost any city in the country. Get direct information before hearing about it on the news.

Flashlight – By no means a replacement for a sturdy flashlight, but this App is a good backup or tent light. It utilizes the ‘camera flash’ led on most phones when taking pictures.

Google Translate – Need to speak to someone in a different language, or read the warning label on a foreign-made package? This app allows you to type or speak almost any language and translates it to text or speech, especially useful if traveling.

Camera or Video – Your phone’s basic camera or video function is incredibly versatile. It is a way to remember where you started a trail, or to reference a certain plant or building. The ability to keep photographic record is invaluable.

Games – Surviving is not just about keeping your wits, it’s also about maintaining your spirits and fighting boredom. Games are an easy way to take a break from the situation you might be in. It’s not going to get you out of it physically, but mentally it might make a difference.

The Survival Phone in Use:
Last year I spent six months in Glacier National Park. It’s one of the most beautiful parks in the country and is abundant with natural resources during the summer months. Because I knew I would be there for some time I had downloaded dozens of local trail maps and guides to the SD card.

When I got to the park and needed to recharge my first set of AAs I realized I want to be moving during the daylight, even stopping for a few hours can severely hamper any momentum you might have. Because of this, I rigged up a few ways to best power my survival phone:

The Goal Zero solar panel I purchased comes with some standard tips for getting the most juice out of it. But you don’t always have the time to stay in one place and wait for the sun. The pouch that the panels sit in can be contoured around the top of my backpack. I used a bit of bungee cord to secure it in place. I then ran the USB charging cable through a spare hole in my pack that was originally intended for water bladder tubing. This cable continually charged my AAs with the Tekkeon pack as I moved. When resting I just angled the pack toward the sun for the most direct sunlight. I now had a way to charge AA batteries while on the move.

The phone didn’t always make an appearance while hiking. I usually referred to the physical map folded in my pocket for getting a quick bearing. However, once setup in camp I was able to pour through all of the books and information stored on the SD card and relate it practically to my surroundings. I sought out to find edible berries and plants, comparing them directly to the color photo on my phone. I readjusted which trails I would be taking based on the detail I could see on my phone that I could never get with a physical map. If emergency had struck or I needed to diagnose some symptoms I would be able to. I was also able to read some excellent novels for pure entertainment sake.

A common myth is that any electronic device is useless or too fragile in these types of environments. I kept my phone in a waterproof bag zipped inside of an interior pouch. I own an aftermarket hard shell case, which completely protected the device. I have since picked up a couple Pelican cases that are nearly indestructible for both your phone and SD cards.

I would have been fine without my phone, but I have gone backpacking for many years. If it was a survival scenario that I didn’t have time to prepare for, then my phone would be incredibly valuable.

Conclusion:
Most people keep their phone on or near them at all times, so you don’t have to waste valuable time getting it together. Unless you have the funds, it is unreasonable to keep a backup phone, but backup SD cards, batteries, and solar panels are fairly inexpensive. Keep your batteries and solar charger in your grab bag and you’ll be set if the time comes.

It’s important to note that a survival phone should just be used in conjunction with basic survival tools and supplies.  It will never take the place of common knowledge and practice. But, if you are unsure of what you should do or how you should do something – it might end up saving your life. The Apps and products I listed are a drop in the bucket compared to what is out there, and every week technology is improving.

Letter Re: RC Aircraft Possibilities

James Wesley:
I fly radio-controlled (RC) aircraft, and the Switchblade is a definite possibility.

As you can tell from the video, there is a lot of computer generated “help” going on there, but the concept is solid, the technology to do this is already readily available and has been for some time. It’s just a matter of time until somebody completes the package.

The problem is, for an aircraft that small, the maximum payload I could see might be around a pound, maybe slightly less. But a pound of C-4 could put a distinct “dent” in your day!

Lately, the FAA has been coming down hard on the RC modeling hobby. With things like the above going on, and jet RC aircraft approaching the 400 MPH mark, they have concerns. They are now starting to call our models “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAVs). They tell us that around June of this year, they will make public a new set of rules that we must comply with regarding our hobby. – Pat S.

JWR Replies: As a bit of background, I started writing about potential terrorist use of RC aircraft and other technologies more than 20 years ago. (See my two-part feature article “High Technology Terrorism” in Defense Electronics magazine, January 1990, p.74.) I further outlined UAVs and the threat posed by their misuse by terrorists, back in 2006. Specifically, I was concerned with the threat of UAV-borne Improvised Explosive Devices. (FWIW, I coined the acronym UAVIED in December, 2006.)

This innovation represents a serious terrorist threat, folks. The technology is available off the shelf. In another few years it may make outdoor public venues quite unpopular with politicians. I must add that it is sad to see RC modeling enthusiasts pay some sort of regulatory price for what are just potential misdeeds.

Closing throught: The threat of UAVIEDs is just one more reason not to live in a big city!

Letter Re: Cattle Raising Basics

Jim:
Just a few things to be added on cattle raising.

One can often buy older cow-calf pairs in the spring, let the cow raise the calf over the summer, sell the cow as a slaughter animal at auction in late summer or butcher for yourself and have the calf left over at very little cost. You can then sell the calf or wean and raise to a yearling for either sale or fattening for your own butcher beef. These old mommas know how to raise a calf, that’s why they got to be old in the first place. Prices for these pairs are basically the value of the cow for slaughter and the price of a baby calf, you generally are paying no premium at all and often they can be bought for at or less than what a cow without calf at side brings. 

Know how to figure the value of the cow for slaughter by the pound and the value of the calf and you’ll know what they are worth. Focus on the slaughter value of the cow because that is really the source of most of the worth and what you are paying for.

Older cows don’t have much tooth length left so don’t run them on desert range but if you have some good grazing pasture they will do fine.

If you stick with older cows you don’t need a bull either since your purpose is not to keep them as breeding animals but rather to raise the calf and then use them for their slaughter value. And when you go to sell the slaughter cow and the calf (ready to wean) you often have enough money to then buy back a younger cow that is already bred. Regards, – Aaron R.

Economics and Investing:

Some new commentary on the US Dollar Index by Toby Connor: Bernanke Bottom or Crash!

Should You Buy A Home In 2011? Check Out These 29 Absolutely Crazy Statistics About The Housing Crisis

J. in Galt’s Gulch recommended this over at Seeking Alpha: The Economic Collapse Cycle – Where We Are Now and How to Invest Accordingly

Items from The Economatrix:

Adventures in Silver and Gold, Part 1

Ampex Starts Reverse Inquiry:  Seeks to Buy “Any Quantity” of Silver From Clients at $3 Over Spot

Oil Slips as Dollar Gains, Gasoline Up For 34th Straight Day

Is Gold Rising Because America is Broke

Paul Drockton Economic Predictions

Odds ‘n Sods:

Here is a house design with some retreat potential: The First Zombie-Proof House. (A hat tip to Dane for the link.)

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If you’ve ever wanted to make some parachute cord bracelets, but don’t have the skill, the patience, or the time, then I recommend this maker in Georgia: SportBraceletStore.com. Yes, they are American made! An explanation from their site: “The cord can be gutted to use the seven inner strands for fishing line or thread to repair torn clothing. For a medical emergency, the cord can be used to create a sling for an injured arm or even a tourniquet for a life threatening wound.”

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Craig W. suggested this editorial by John Stossel: Gun Owners Have a Right to Privacy

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Not survival related, but this is so cool I just had to link to it: Avalanche Cliff Jump with Matthias Giraud

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The folks in the paths of the recent tornados and hailstorms are in our prayers! Every family in that region ought to have a good storm shelter.

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.

Cattle Raising Basics, by Rick S.

Someone recently asked for suggestions on raising livestock.  I won’t claim to be an expert, but I’ve had cattle for more than thirty years so I’ll offer some observations.

Think it through before you begin.  Don’t get cattle because you think it’s something you should be doing, or because you think they will be a cheap source of meat.  Do you have the resources—time, land, money—needed?  Are cattle the best use of those resources?  Cattle are selling at historic highs right now.  Getting started is not going to be cheap. 

There’s also a lot of investment in infrastructure before you get your first cow.  Fencing, water supply and distribution of winter feed, and perhaps shelter.  You’re also going to need some way to handle and doctor the cattle.  This means corrals and/or traps, head gates, squeeze chutes, loading areas, etc.  Or you could work them with horses and head and heel them if you have those skills.  We work our cows horseback, but drive them to the chutes when they need doctoring.  We either work the calves (ear tag and castrate) when they’re a day or two old (at that point, you can just walk up to them and catch them) or head and heel them when they’re older.

Keep in mind that if you’re going to work with large animals you are going to get hurt.  It’s not a question of if.  It’s a question of when and how bad.  You’re working with animals that weigh in excess of half a ton.  They can hurt you with very little effort and no intent.  The better your working facilities the safer you are.  One trip to the emergency room will pay for some pretty good facilities and equipment.  Where would you rather spend the money?

If you’re going to raise cattle select them for temperament.   Gentleness is genetic, and a gentle cow also is a more efficient converter of feed to meat.  One wild cow can contaminate an entire herd.   If you get a wild one either sell it or put it in the freezer.  Be aware that the gentle ones can be even more dangerous than the wild ones.  You’re careful around the wild ones because you don’t trust them.  You tend to let your guard down and get careless around the gentle ones.  Don’t make that mistake.  I’ve pulled calves from cows that were dog gentle, brought the calf around to the cow’s head, and had the cow go after me.  Be careful.

The way you handle your cattle will also affect their behavior.  Learn and use low stress cattle handling methods.  You can ruin a gentle cow with poor handling.  Keep in mind that cattle are livestock, not pets.  I don’t want my cows to run when they see me, but I also don’t want them to come into my space.  That keeps me safe.  I want them calm enough to be able to approach them, and respectful enough to move off when I ask them to do so. 

You’re going to need a bull, but you really only need him for 60 days a year.  Do you want to own and feed him for the other 305 days?  Can you lend him out, or lease him out, for some of that time?  What kind of condition will he be in when you get him back.  Can you lease a bull for your breeding season?  Do you want to learn how to artificially inseminate your cows and get the equipment and supplies need for that.  The bull is half your herd and plays a very important role in determining the quality of your calves.  You need a bull with good genetic characteristics or you’re wasting your time and money.   

Having said all that raising cattle is not rocket science.  They need feed, water, and a mineral supplement.  What keeps them inside the fence is the feed (grass or hay) inside the fence, not the fence.  If you don’t feed them they will find a way out of just about any enclosure.  The acreage you need for a cow/calf pair depends on where you are.  It may be 100 acres in New Mexico and one acre elsewhere.  Don’t overgraze.  Worm your cows periodically. 

Herd health problems are going to have to be dealt with as they come up.  Whatever you’ve prepared for won’t be the problem you’re faced with.  Cows are hardy creatures and will get over most things on their own.  But if you’re going to raise cattle you’re going to loose some to accidents (I once had a tree fall on a cow), calving problems, or something completely unforeseen. 

This winter I had a cow that couldn’t get up.  The vet diagnosed her with grass tetany, which is a magnesium deficiency.  That was strange since she had access to a high magnesium mineral supplement.  We gave her minerals IV to correct the problem.  I was told she should be on her feet within 72 hours, and that there was no point in lifting her to get her up.  Five days later she still could not get to her feet.  That’s five days of hauling feed and water to her inside an improvised enclosure that kept the other cows away.  At that point I lifted her to her feet using a hip bone lifter and a front end loader.  Once on her feet she just walked off.

Next time she lay down she could not rise.  The vet and I decided it was a nerve issue and three days of IM steroid injections followed.  During that time I was lifting her at least once a day.  After four days she started getting up on her own.  That continued for awhile and then she relapsed and was unable to rise.  I went back to lifting her.  After about a week I decided it was a lost cause and decided to shoot her.  My wife suggested I give her another few days.  The next day she got up and has been fine since.

The point of this story is that no one, not even a well trained and very competent vet, knows everything.  Sometime you’re going to be guessing and making mistakes.  Accept it. 

If you have cattle you will eventually have calving problems.  You’ll need a set of obstetrical chains and will have to learn to use them.  Your best resources for learning what you need to know are neighbors who have cattle.  There’s also a lot of information on YouTube.

A lot of calving problems can be avoided by selecting a bull that produces low birth weight calves.  This makes for easier deliveries.  Even so there will be problems.  If you need to do a C-section and no professional help is available you’re going to loose the cow.  If the uterus prolapses (comes out with the calf) your chances of replacing it without access to either professional help, or drugs and the knowledge to use them, is slim to none. 

You have to decide whether to vaccinate and if so for what.  I vaccinate mine only for rabies, and that’s for my protection more than theirs.  On rare occasions you may have to use antibiotics to deal with a health issue.   If you want to avoid antibiotics be sure any feed you buy is not medicated.  This is most common in milk replacer, or calf feeds.

Slaughter.  If you can slaughter and dress a rabbit or squirrel you can do the same with a cow.  It’s the same process, just a bigger, more difficult job.  If you have a choice take it to a slaughter house and pay the fee.  You won’t regret it.

 If you’re going to slaughter do it humanely.  Cows have a big head, but a small brain.  Imagine a line extending from each ear to the opposite eye.  The brain is behind the spot where the lines intersect. A shot anywhere else will not be effective.

If you do it yourself you’ll need a way to cool the carcass before butchering it (cold meat is easier to cut than warm meat) and before putting it in a refrigerator or freezer.  The amount of warm meat in even a small cow carcass will overwhelm home refrigeration equipment.  Instead of cooling the meat you’ll warm everything else.  Slaughter when the weather is cool enough for you to be able to hang the meat outside.

If you’re looking for a reliable source of antibiotic free meat you may be better off talking to a neighbor who already raises cattle and making arrangements to buy whatever you want.  Will that guarantee a meat supply in an emergency?  Probably not.  But could you protect your cattle in an emergency?  Probably not.  If you need to buy feed for your cattle could you get it in an emergency?  Probably not.  But you probably could protect and provide for your chickens or rabbits. 

Does that mean I’m getting rid of my cattle, or that you shouldn’t raise your own?  No.  Just  be aware of what you’re getting into, and that there will be a learning curve.

 Are there other things you need to know?  Of course.  The last thing you learn is always the first thing you needed to know.  There’s no way around it.

Pat’s Product Review: Smith & Wesson SD9

The first revolver I ever owned was a S&W Model 36, .38 Special 5-shot snub-nose. I remember getting it while visiting some relatives down in Kentucky – this was before the Gun Control Act of 1968, which made it impossible to purchase handguns in a state other than the one you reside in. You can now purchase handguns from a state other than the one you live, however, the transfer must go through a licensed FFL dealer in your own state, these days.  

As I recall, I wasn’t a very good shot with that little S&W Model 36 snubby – I found the small grips didn’t fit my hand properly, and promptly replaced them with a more hand-filling set of grips. However, I did use that little .38 Special during a home invasion once, back in Chicago. So, I guess I can’t complain too much. Make no mistake, I’m a big fan of Smith & Wesson products – all of ’em, too. Over the years, I’ve probably owned more S&W handguns than any other brand, bar none.   I still remember purchasing a S&W Sigma in .40 S&W, that I used as a duty weapon when I was a police officer in a very rural Native Alaskan Village. The first Sigmas had suboptimal trigger pulls – long and very heavy. I quickly changed duty guns and was carrying a good ol’ 1911 in .45 ACP. Still, the S&W Sigma showed promise.  

Over the years, S&W has made some upgrades to the original Sigma line-up. And, with each upgrade, the guns got a little bit better than the last ones. The newst “Sigma” is called the SD9, and in my humble opinion, this is what S&W should have come out with in the first place. Of course, there are usually some birthing pains associated with many newly designed guns. The SD9 stands for “Self-Defense 9mm” and I’m not about to take-up the age old debate about which caliber is better. In all my years writing about guns, I’ve managed to shy away from the debate of which is better, the 9mm or the .45 ACP or the .40 S&W. To be honest, no matter what caliber you decide to choose, it still comes down to shot placement. It doesn’t matter what handgun or caliber you’re carrying, if you fail to hit the target in a vital area, you won’t stop the threat. So, please save your e-mails asking me which caliber is “best” – I don’t think there is a best, simple as that. I have my preferences, just as many of you do. However, my preference doesn’t mean my handgun or caliber is the final word.  

The SD9 (which is also available as the SD40 in .40 S&W) is a double-action only handgun – meaning, each pull of the trigger is the same for all shots. As with the Sigmas, I found that the SD9 sample I had, really smoothed up the trigger pull and removed a lot of the grittiness after firing several hundred rounds though my sample. If you are going to carry any handgun for self-defense, I always recommend to my students that they test their guns by firing at least 100-200 rounds of the ammo they prefer to carry, just to make sure the gun will function with that particular load. I’m not the world’s biggest fan of DAO pistols, but I do carry ’em on many occasions – it’s a training thing – and no matter what type of handgun you plan on carrying, you should train with it, until you are proficient enough to hit your target.   With 16+1 rounds of 9mm on-hand, the SD9 should be able to take care of most social problems you might encounter. And, the SD9 comes with a spare magazine – and you should always carry at least one spare magazine if you’re packing a semi-auto handgun. Of course, for self-defense, you should load your handgun with JHP ammo. It makes for better stopping power, and it might avoid a lawsuit later on. (FMJ bullets tend to over-penetrate, and you don’t want to have a bullet pass through and hit an innocent bystander.) So, by all means, stoke your carry piece with JHP, and reserve the FMJ for target practice.  

A 4″ bbl, topped with a Tritium night sight on the front end of the slide is a nice touch. The rear sight on the SD9 is a combat type, with white dots – that are not Tritium loaded. I feel this set-up is really fast to pick-up in low-light conditions, too. The frame on the SD is textured polymer material, with a grip frame angle at an ergonomic 18-degrees – just about perfect if you ask me. The gun feels good in the hand – real good! There is also a Picatinny rail on the frame for mounting lights and/or lasers.

The SD9 weighs in at 25-oz according to my postal scale, so you can pack this gun all day long, without feeling loaded down with excess weight.   I found on the Sigma line-up, as well as the new SD9, that it is a real pain getting the last round or two loaded into brand-new magazines. However, after the mags have been fully loaded, and left that way for a couple of days, they were easier to get all the rounds into the mags. If you own a magazine loader, then use it.  

I fired a variety of 9mm ammo through the SD, to include Black Hills Ammunition, Winchester, and Buffalo Bore Ammunition and had zero malfunctions of any sort. When carrying a 9mm for self-defense, I feel comforted by +P loads. The Winchester white box 9mm ammo I tested was the 115 gr. FMJ loads – great for target practice and breaking-in a new gun. I tested several loads from Black Hills, including their 115 gr JHP, 124 gr JHP as well as +P loads in those calibers. Buffalo Bore Ammunition provided me with some of their +P+ 9mm fodder – and it really screams out of a 9mm handgun. However, the Buffalo Bore load is not for all types of 9mm pistols. I believe the BB load is safe in the SD9 for self-defense purposes – but I wouldn’t recommend a steady diet of this +P+ load in any handgun – it’s meant for self-defense and small game hunting – not for target practice. Once you know your 9mm handgun can handle this load, then stoke your mags with it, and you’re good to go.

I like the Black Hills 124-gr JHP +P 9mm load, as I feel it gives a little extra deeper penetration. And, if the load you’re carrying doesn’t penetrate deep enough and expand, it’s not gonna give you the stopping power you need for a self-defense situation. Winchester also provided me with a limited amount of their Supreme Elite Bonded PDX1 9mm 124-gr JHP Bonded load – which is specifically designed for self-defense.  

As I mentioned, I had zero malfunctions with any of the ammo tested, it all performed as advertised. And, I did some limited testing, shooting into water-filled plastic milk jugs – all the JHP loads penetrated through more than two jugs and usually stopped in the third jug, and expansion was great, too. It’s not scientific testing, but still a good test of expansion and penetration just the same. I can’t possible duplicate the testing these ammo companies do – so I trust their word on what they say the performance is from their loads.   One complaint I have with most new handgun designs is that, it’s difficult to find a holster to properly fit the new guns. And, many mainstream holster companies won’t jump on the bandwagon and make holsters specifically for new handguns, until they know the guns have caught on and are popular. With that said, I had to carry my SD9 in a ballistic nylon holster from Blackhawk Products. To be honest, there’s nothing wrong with these generic-type holsters that fit a lot of different sized handguns. My only advice is to make sure when reholstering, is that, you don’t get the carry strap caught between the trigger and the holster – if you do, you’ll have an accidental discharge. So, please be careful when using ballistic Nylon holster from any maker. I’m sure, in the not too distant future, Blackhawk Products will have one of their Serpa molded holsters for the SD9.  

I’m always a sucker for a good deal on a gun, and in the case of the SD9 (or SD40) they are selling in for $450 to $500 if you shop around. That’s a good deal in my book on a top-notch S&W handgun, with all the bells you need and none of the whistles you don’t need. Besides, it’s a Smith & Wesson. If you’re on a budget, like me and so many others, you have to carefully watch where you spend your dollars on firearms. You don’t want to buy junk – you want quality firearms you can depend on for survival. The SD9 won’t let you down.  – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio

Watch The US Dollar Index — A Dollar Panic May Be Ahead

I’m often asked about my mentions of the US Dollar Index in SurvivalBlog, and about the Dollar Index ticker link at my Investing Recommendations page. This foreign exchange (FOREX) market index is often mentioned by its shorthand names (“USDX”, “DX”, or less commonly, “USDI”). It measures the value of the U.S. Dollar (USD) relative to several of our country’s major trading partners. Although the mix has changed over the years, presently the index gauges the value of the U.S. Dollar versus six currencies: the Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and the Swiss Franc. The USDX was started in 1973 with a base value of 100, and has been calculated versus this base ever since. So a value of 110 would mean that the U.S. Dollar experienced a 10% relative value increase, over the life of the Index.

When I last checked, the USDX was down to 73.896, and that is a troubling number. You see, the high water mark for the USDX was 164.7 in February of 1985 and the all-time low was 70.7 in March, 2008, during the worst of the global credit crisis. It is noteworthy that the value of the Dollar probably would have fallen even lower in 2008, were not for the fact that the Euro was having serious problems of its own. Most of the lows in 2008 were around 72, and that is the number to watch for. A break below 72 would signal a major loss in confidence in the US Dollar, and possibly precipitate a full-blown Dollar Panic. Unlike 2008, we can expect no “Dollar Rally” if the USDX again drops below 72. This time there won’t be a “bounce” because there is no longer much of a floor beneath the U.S. Dollar. Currency traders now perceive the U.S. Dollar for what is truly is: kindling. Unless monetization of the Dollar (“Quantitative Easing”) ends soon, there is a strong likelihood of mass inflation in the U.S. and a rout of the Dollar in the FOREX markets.

Don’t under-estimate the influence of the FOREX markets. They are the world’s most traded markets, with more than $3.2 trillion in currencies traded each day. Clearly, the FOREX markets are seeing some tidal shifts in currency pair trading. For example, just a few years ago the Australian Dollar was jokingly nicknamed “The Australian Peso”, but just recently (April 25th), it hit a 29 year intra-day high of USD $1.0777. Meanwhile, the Swiss Franc has advanced to USD 0.88576 and the Canadian Dollar is relatively strong, at USD 1.04873. You can track daily currency exchange rate moves at Oanda.com.

An aside: Some journalists refer to FOREX as a singular: “The FOREX market”. But since they are actually multiple markets that are being traded 24 hours a day, five days a week, in multiple venues, rather than at one central clearing house. So, properly, the FOREX should properly be described as plural, namely “The FOREX markets”.

Regardless of your interest in stocks, bonds, the credit market, or the precious metals market, you should watch US Dollar Index. It is not just something of interest to travelers or to currency speculators. Rather, it is an important barometer for the U.S. Dollar. As I’ve mentioned before, it is likely that the U.S. Dollar will lose its reserve currency status soon. And when it does, be ready for substantially higher interest rates, a huge loss in the Dollar’s buying power abroad, and mass inflation, at home.

I once again urge SurvivalBlog readers to get out of US Dollars and into precious metals and other useful tangibles. Presently, silver and common caliber ammunition are my two favorite tangibles.

Letter Re: Inexpensive Mailorder Eyeglasses

JWR,
On a note to the mailorder glasses thread, for all of SurvivalBlog readers that are active duty military, reserve military, federal and local law enforcement, fire, EMS and those holding military retiree credentials, there is a couple other sites that I strongly recommend for buying very high quality eye wear for very discounted prices. The first site is USStandardIssue.com. They are the official site for Oakley military and government sales. They have a spin-off site: ESSeyepro.com. Both of these sites do make prescription sunglasses and Oakley makes regular prescription sunglasses. The ESS site also makes goggles (said to stop a shotgun blast from 35 ft). For you to become a member you do have to fax or e-mail a copy of your credentials which for some of you may not be acceptable due to your personal OPSEC precautions. I encourage eligible members to at least look at the site because this eyewear may someday save your eyesight. God Bless and keep up the prepping. – Steven B.

Four Letters Re: Survival Preparation in Small Spaces

Mr. Rawles:
I really enjoyed L.N.’s small spaces article and her suggestion to get a mason jar vacuum sealer is right on the money.  Another suggestion your readers may want to consider is a non-power way to vacuum seal.  The Actron CP7830 Hand Vacuum Pump can also be used to create the vacuum using the FoodSaver Wide-Mouth Jar Sealer.  Total purchase for both items is less than half of the powered food sealers.  When the grid goes down, you will still be able to seal your jars and get a arm workout at the same time

Thanks, – Jen G.

Mr. Rawles:  
I found the article by L.N. in Texas quite interesting and would like to add my two cents.  I live in a small house with my wife and two kids, so storage for longer-term preparations can be a challenge.  However, I have found two spaces to be of great value that most homeowners may overlook.  For one, my house sits on top of a stem wall foundation that has a small crawlspace underneath.  This crawlspace was only available from an outside hatch, and therefore was less than desirable as a TEOTWAWKI storage due to its visibility and location.  Gaining access to it from the inside of my house was as easy as installing a simple trapdoor for the cost of two hinges and some time with a Skilsaw.  I simply pulled back the carpet in my closet and located the nails that indicated where the studs ran.  I pulled the nails from two adjacent joists along a two foot strip.  Then I set my Skilsaw blade to the approximate depth of my subfloor and cut out a square.  Making a trapdoor was as simple as cutting the removed piece of subfloor down slightly more so it didn’t catch, screwing down some hinges on the backside, then placing the carpet back over it.  Obviously, make sure before doing any of this to make sure the trap door leads to an open area, not a pipe or electrical line.  Below this trapdoor I have about 3-to-4 feet of vertical storage space.  I made a pallet to one side on which I store about six months of freeze-dried food and several gallons of water in 5 gallon jugs. 

Nobody has seen me haul the stuff in, nor will they see me hauling it out when the time comes.  I have used none of my living space and the air below the house is considerably cooler and drier than my usual storage spaces, such as shed or garage.   The second spot to consider is the intake registers for your HVAC system.  Most HVAC systems blow out the cool or hot air out of floor registers, then take the air back to the heater/cooler through registers near the ceiling.  The air running through there, as a result, is room temperature.  While I wouldn’t recommend storing anything heavy, bulky, or edible up there, removing a vent cover exposes a nice bit of unused space for storage of cash and guns when I leave for the weekend.  – Andy in Arizona

James,
One challenge I have encountered in my survival preparations is the lack of concealed storage space in my 800 square foot house. I recently purchased a king size mattress, being on a tight budget (spending most of my disposable cash on survival preps) I couldn’t afford a king size bed [frame and box springs]. In order to fill both needs of more storage space and a place to put my new mattress I decided to use 5 gallon buckets and 3/4in  plywood to construct a simple platform for my mattress. I purchased two sheets of plywood at the lumber yard, and thirty of food grade 5 gallon buckets with lids.

I had them cut both sheets of plywood to 38×80 inches (one half of the size of a king size bed). I placed the buckets 6 across and 5 wide where I wanted my bed. In order to remember where they are, I drew a diagram and labeled each bucket with the contents. I used sheets from my old smaller mattress as skirts to cover the buckets. With the mattress, plywood, and buckets the bed is taller than normal but my wife and are both tall and I feel it is justified in the amount of storage that is gained. The size and number of buckets can be adapted to any size bed. Good luck to all in your preparations and I hope my experience will help with your storage needs. Sincerely, – Northeast BoomTruck

Mr. Rawles,
I completely agree with L.N. about survival prep in small spaces. I increased the storage space under my bed by raising it [and additional] six inches off the floor. I used commercial available bed risers that cost under $20.00 for a set of four. A riser is placed under each of the four bed posts. Just search on “bed riser” or visit local home store. – Larry D.

Letter Re: 33 Ways to Encourage Atlas to Shrug

Mr. Rawles,
Thank you sir for “33 Ways to Encourage Atlas to Shrug” article. I, too, was born in 1960. It’s nice to know that you’re a young man.

I moved to “the Redoubt” nine and a half years ago, and have no regrets, other than the fact that my state’s Workman’s Compensation rates are some of the highest in the nation. As a building contractor, I have had to pay upwards of  65% for the privilege of wearing out my knees and back, working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. At the end of the year my wife and I would look at each other and say, “what are we doing”? I employed six men two years ago, but now employ none. I do what I can on my own, simply because I don’t want the majority of the fruits of my labor going to the state government.

The lifestyle and freedoms we’ve enjoyed otherwise do out-weigh the negatives. I’m just “shrugging” and preparing for what comes ahead. – Anthony in Montana

 

Letter Re: Underscoring the Absurdity of Gun Control Laws

James,  
I read your recent “Quote of the Day” by Sam Cohen, and it got me thinking. The quote was:

“The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90 MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20.” – Sam Cohen, inventor of the Neutron Bomb

Cohen has the basics down, but he failed to capture just how far into the realm of the ridiculous the regulators have gone. A more complete analogy would be as follows:

The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90 MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20, outlaw any vehicle that has a round hood ornament or that can carry more than 10 gallons of fuel, require sensitivity training and mandatory annual testing for all licensed drivers, require all vehicle purchases to be documented at a dealership (with a 10-day waiting period), and specify the locks on the garage where the vehicles are stored (with their wheels removed and stored in a locked container on the other side of the home).  Meanwhile the most dangerous intersections are changed from stoplights to yield signs, and residential and school zone regulations are tightened with ‘no-stop’ rules so strict that even police cannot stop to set up a speed trap, thus giving the speeders free reign in the very areas they are likely to do the most damage.

Regards, – Tony B.