What have you done?

[jimLE]

i just did a google on water storage and here's a good one i like..im also thinkig upgrade that type of setup where all 3 are connected so the water can drain from top to to bottom.and maybe connect some sort of electric or hand pump to the bottom one and top one so you can surcalate the water...the basement can prove to be a great shelter..it's just a matter of going about it correctly..for supplys and family alike

 

[Gazrok]

I can't hear sound where I'm at, but that is a nice set up.
Mine is more two barrels stacked on top of each other, with the lower barrel about 18" off the ground (this allows a standard barn bucket to go under it).
(this stacking was dictated by the small space where they are, so wouldn't fit the other way the video has them).
I can hook up a standard hose to either barrel. (or just use the faucet on each)

Eventually, I'll add the same setup out in one of the stables (though there, may stack them the way the video did and use 3 barrels). This will provide emergency water for the horses, if we can't access the well for whatever reason.

By the garden, I'm putting in a couple of rain barrels, and will just use a hose directly from those for the garden. Same thing for the outside of the house, and use that to water the plants around the house (mostly roses and such).

 

[Brent S]

At the risk of sounding ignorant, what is an ffl? I picked a tiny community in n ga to move to about 7 yrs ago, with one traffic light. I left the edge of Orlando fla., Knowing that if/when the shtf I did not want to be around any large group of hungry, desperate people. My best advice for anyone living near gang areas, move now, unless you have a large group of armed friends that can work together. The gangs have already worked out there leadership and cohesion as a group, and you know they are armed and ruthless. I don't think the police, especially when they aren't being paid anymore, will be able to stop gangs in inner cities, so unless you have a good group that can work together, now is a good time to think about finding a more defendable space. I hear people talk about bugging out a lot, I think it's wiser to get somewhere you can start building a sustainable life now, than to wait until resources will be really hard to come by. I've been working the bugs out of a lot of things, like raising chickens and rabbits, and gardening, etc. So far I've learned a lot the hard way, but at least I don't have to rely on these skills to survive yet. I really want to be better at it before it's all I have to depend on. It wasn't easy changing my whole lifestyle, but was the best decision I've made.

 

[Trapper]

FFL - Federal firearms license

 

[Brent S]

FFL - Federal firearms license

Thanks, figured it'd be obvious. Luckily I don't live in California, here in ga. most 10 yr olds get a shotgun for there birthday! So far guns are still easy to get here, ammo is still another story.

 

[ARMY127]

As Trapper stated its a Federal Firearm License which is needed for a gun shop to sell guns and buy guns wholesale (from distributors). You also need one to manufacture firearms. You can also get one to sell guns out of your home depending on your towns rules.

 

[Myrrph]

Thanks, figured it'd be obvious. Luckily I don't live in California, here in ga. most 10 yr olds get a shotgun for there birthday! So far guns are still easy to get here, ammo is still another story.

Guns aren't even legal where I'm at. I'm working on building my own bows/crossbows or modifying from kids toys. might not be as effective as real crossbows, but better than none!

 

[artbylorraine]

If guns become illegal in our state my husband and I will be criminals because we are not turning them in.

 

[Brent S]

If guns become illegal in our state my husband and I will be criminals because we are not turning them in.

ill be dammed if ill ever let the crinimals be the only ones with a gun!

 

[Ally Oakley]

I am open for any ideas you have for spreading the word of this site.

Are you able to travel to any of the expos around the country? Teaming up with vendors and asking if you can put a stack of flyers on their tables might be good. I'd make up some cheap flyers and/or cards and pass them out at every opportunity. I'd also go to places like gun stores, shooting ranges, camping stores, farm supply/feed stores and ask if you can post a flyer or leave a stack for their customers. You can also go to businesses like these or others that you think preppers or want to be preppers might frequent and put flyers on their cars. Challenge people on this sight to invite a friend to join. Good luck!

 

[Ally Oakley]

I have an alternative news source computer network that gives me outside of the mainstream media news. Our great Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton is really pushing for UN arms treaty. We might not have to wait for the SHTF that all the weapons are gone from Americans with that kind of action. I think the knife, wasp spray and fire extinguishers are still looking like good prepper devices. I don't have a gun, nor can I shoot one, but I sure can manage a knife, wasp spray or fire extinguisher if someone came to my door to rob me or worse. I think the prepper actions might be unique for a person like me, so I have had to think outside the box.

If you can handle a fire extinguisher, you could handle a 22. Promise. Go to a range and ask for an instructor to help you with a 22. You will be blown away with what you can do.

 

[Ally Oakley]

I live in a very small rural village in southern Michigan, surrounded by woodlands, farmlands, swamps, and marshes. Really, my biggest concern is hardening my home. I reload, and have a nice cache of .38 Super Auto, .45ACP, and .308 Win on hand-as well as about a hundred bolts for my crossbow. Like I said, I live in a very rural area, so I count on my dogs for my early warning system for any home invaders. I've been a state corrections officer for a decade now, so I have always had contingencies planned for the event that an excon might try to 'look me up'. I don't worry about food so much, I've always been a hunter-and there's food everywhere if you know what to look for. As far as 'bugging out', I'm of the opinion that 'less is more', and my weapons, minimal survival gear, and bric a brac will carry me for when I can't find something on the move.

The doomsday scenario that I think most likely-economic collapse, followed by harsh martial law, is best avoided by hiding out, I think-and striking at whatever force that our little emperor has policing us from the cover of night.

Everyone will be out there with their weapons searching for the same "food". Getting large game back to a bug in or out location might be difficult if not impossible. Going out everyday looking for small game or a fish or two is going to get old, especially if the situation lasts for months or years. Hunting during the Michigan winters is not always going to be fruitful either. Storing some food and water is a smart thing to do. There will be times when you just need to hunker down inside your home and having everything that you need there will be vital.

 

[Brent S]

Are you able to travel to any of the expos around the country? Teaming up with vendors and asking if you can put a stack of flyers on their tables might be good. I'd make up some cheap flyers and/or cards and pass them out at every opportunity. I'd also go to places like gun stores, shooting ranges, camping stores, farm supply/feed stores and ask if you can post a flyer or leave a stack for their customers. You can also go to businesses like these or others that you think preppers or want to be preppers might frequent and put flyers on their cars. Challenge people on this sight to invite a friend to join. Good luck!

Most vendors may want money as they have to pay to set up at shows. I really like the gunstore, ranges, and camping store ideas. I'm sure at least the ones you purchase from will be glad to keep a flyer on the counter.

 

[Ally Oakley]

Most vendors may want money as they have to pay to set up at shows. I really like the gunstore, ranges, and camping store ideas. I'm sure at least the ones you purchase from will be glad to keep a flyer on the counter.

I think it would be cool to play more events to get the website out there.

 

[Ally Oakley]

Most vendors may want money as they have to pay to set up at shows. I really like the gunstore, ranges, and camping store ideas. I'm sure at least the ones you purchase from will be glad to keep a flyer on the counter.

Plan. Sorry

 

[Brent S]

Here is a pole to what people have done or are doing to prepare for the worst.

Who on this site voted not a thing!?

 

[DrHenley]

Everyone will be out there with their weapons searching for the same "food". Getting large game back to a bug in or out location might be difficult if not impossible. Going out everyday looking for small game or a fish or two is going to get old, especially if the situation lasts for months or years.

Unless you can hunt from the front porch of your BOL

 

[jimLE]

i can sit in my yard n hunt in any of 4 locations.back yard is best seeing how thats where i see most wild life.

3 ppl not a thing? must be new comers...lol

 

[Krime]

lol it will get old having to go out and look for food........much like working at the moment for most people gets old year after year, but we do what we must so that WE can get old too ;-)

 

[Brent S]

I love when I hear people tell me they are financing something like a dishwasher, to save all that effort of washing dishes and will make their lives so much easier. Then they work for two years to pay the damned thing off! Sorry, a little off topic but just came to mind. (Yes I'm ADD!). Yeah your right krime, I could do a lot of foraging in 8 hrs each day.

 

[alabaster]

Brent S, I agree that's a lot of time to forage, hunt, trap, fish, and so on.... The issue is with bugging out. Most folks will have the supplies they have ON THEM and will be limited food-wise, but will also be limited in terms of warmth, water, shelter and other necessities. Once the priorities are handles it's easier to focus on food. This is one main reason I like trapping. You can set traps and check 'em later. Even for fish.

 

[Brent S]

Brent S, I agree that's a lot of time to forage, hunt, trap, fish, and so on.... The issue is with bugging out. Most folks will have the supplies they have ON THEM and will be limited food-wise, but will also be limited in terms of warmth, water, shelter and other necessities. Once the priorities are handles it's easier to focus on food. This is one main reason I like trapping. You can set traps and check 'em later. Even for fish.

I you tubed some snare designs recently, and haven't tried any yet, but the knowledge is good to have. I have some cage traps allready, but when I have the squirrels fighting me for the plumbs this year I may try out one.

 

[alabaster]

Nice! I have used primitive traps exclusively thus far but I really like the idea of cages traps. I would imagine they are far superior to the ones I've been using. Snares I used 550 cord or the innards of 550 and I've made some dead falls and figure 4 traps. I've only been successful with a dead falls and on squirrel. I don't know how true it is, but there are folks who claim to take deer with spring loaded snares and regular snares. I suppose it's worth a try, but I'd d**n sure want to be there in case it didn't drop right away so I could shoot it.Brent S, are you happy with the cage traps you've been using? They look sturdy enough to hold up over time, but you can't always go off of looks alone.

BTW, this poll has NOT gotten the results I would have expected.

 

[jimLE]

i bought a a pair of cage traps 1st part of last summer at tractor supply..mainly for the raccoons in my area.but i've only caught opossums and 1 armadillo with them so far.i got lucky some how with the armadillo..

 

[realisticdude]

i bought a a pair of cage traps 1st part of last summer at tractor supply..mainly for the raccoons in my area.but i've only caught opossums and 1 armadillo with them so far.i got lucky some how with the armadillo..

use cinder blocks to GUIDE the armidillos to the trap ( poor eyesite )............. at Tractor Supply yesterday , buy a large trap get a small trap free............... coon-dog , flashlight , 6 pack , girlfriend and a .22 lr ( fun date night ) just have to find the right girl.

 

[jimLE]

im thinking a pair of 6 to 8 foot 1x6's coming out from each side of trap door.and held in place with 1x2 staks..i've heard that works pretty good

 

[realisticdude]

im thinking a pair of 6 to 8 foot 1x6's coming out from each side of trap door.and held in place with 1x2 staks..i've heard that works pretty good

that will work , I just have a large pile of blocks that I accquired ... the Fred G Sanford way !

 

[jimLE]

lol..i always have lumber on hand..only draw back.is most times its scrap lumber.but i have a long peice in one cornner of garage.and i think its a 8 footer.it can be cut in half for the cage trap

 

[realisticdude]

Fred G. salvaging old lumber / chain link / cinder blocks etc. is a good way to prep on the cheap.........................My wife puts the seat back so no one can see her if I pull over for trash salvage. funny stuff. hey just last week i salvaged 75 / 100 foot of chain link and shored up a field wire fence that some deer tore up. You should have seen me wrestle that fence roll into the back of the truck... there was nothing quiet about it.

 

[jimLE]

lmao..i would of been out there with a lawn chair and a drink watching...lol