When we find ourselves in an actual SHTF situation, one of the first things that many of us will do is to either bug out to a secure and safe location or make our way back home.
Either way, it is possible that you could find yourself having to travel over a couple of days. This means that you will have to hunker down for the night.
The question is, where are the safest places to sleep when SHTF?
Things To Consider When Choosing A Sleeping Location
When you need to put your head down for a few hours of sleep, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration.
- Protection From The Elements – Protecting yourself from the weather is your first consideration regardless of what situation you are seeking shelter in. Your bugout bag should have a shelter kit that will make sheltering from the elements straightforward.
- Concealment – You are vulnerable to attack or theft as you sleep. When selecting a site to sleep, choose somewhere separate from those passing by and shielded from view.
- Overwatch – Wherever you decide to sleep, you should be able to spot anyone approaching before they get too close. Also, if you have the available resources, setting up a few early warning devices is a good idea.
- Escape Routes – If despite all your efforts, people are about to stumble across your stealth camp, you need to have at least one, but preferably two, escape routes that you can use to slip away unnoticed.
- Noise, Light, And Scent Discipline – Finding a concealed location is only part of the equation. The most important aspect is to stay quiet, avoid the use of light, and be mindful of any smells. The smell of cooking food is a dead giveaway that someone is nearby and will attract unwanted attention to your camp. As will any talking or use of artificial light.
- Wildlife – Watch for signs of wildlife that may have already claimed the area or use the space as a part of their travel routes. In urban areas, watch out for droppings that may indicate the presence of vermin with whom you will be sharing the space.
- Leave No Trace – Police your trash and do everything you can to leave no evidence that you slept in that location after you’ve left.
Suppose you travel to a bugout location and use the backroads and wilderness to conceal your movements. In that case, selecting clandestine campsites is as easy as setting up off the beaten track and in terrain or brush, that most travelers would avoid.
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Regarding urban environments, there are many options for taking refuge for a night while on the move.
Industrial Areas
If you are in the middle of an urban SHTF scenario, it is best to avoid people at all costs.
One good way to do this is to move through industrial areas, which will be sparsely travelled as the businesses shut down in the face of whichever crisis is being presented.
Many industrial areas have yards full of material and equipment that provide cover from view and potentially cover from the elements. Many buildings have alcoves, walkways, roof access, and other areas that you could use to set up a hasty but concealed camp.
Overpasses/Bridges
Generally speaking, overpasses and bridges will attract many people to use them as shelter.
Related: Emergency Shelters When You Are On The Move
That being said, you may be able to find one that is off the beaten path enough to where you could use it as a shelter location with relative safety and security.
Abandoned Buildings
Any city will have many abandoned buildings you could take refuge in while bugging out.
The problem with sheltering in abandoned buildings is that many other people will have the same idea and, you could find that the places you want to shelter in are already occupied.
It is important to note that just because a building is abandoned, it does not mean that it is not still private property. Even in an SHTF scenario, we all need to be respectful and practice leaving no trace regardless of where we camp.
Green Belts and Parks
Many cities have creeks or rivers running through them which have green belts surrounding them. These areas will also be popular areas to camp during SHTF, but if you have a keen eye and a creative mind, you can find spots that others will ignore.
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Some parks are quite large and have significant forested areas that you could take refuge in. These will also be popular areas for post-SHTF camps but could offer areas that others would not choose to camp in.
Rooftops
If you can access a rooftop, it could provide an excellent spot to camp and give a decent amount of safety and security for you as well. Since you are elevated above those who walk by, your camp will be invisible. One downside I see is that rooftops will usually not provide a lot of options for escape.
Another downside is that in an urban environment, there will undoubtedly be taller buildings around you which provide a good vantage point to see your camp.
Parking Structures
Parking structures often have a surprising number of places to hide. As a teenager, we would make a game of evading security guards at the local mall parking structure. Most parking garages have many mechanical and electrical rooms, storage areas, and other areas that can be surprisingly easy to gain access to.
When we find ourselves in an SHTF situation, covert camping will become an essential skill that will keep us safe and secure as we either try to get home or bug out to a safer location.
When there is a fundamental breakdown of society and law and order, sleeping is going to be a dangerous proposition but finding somewhere to sleep where we don’t have to worry about our safety is essential.
I’m confused why you’d be seeking to camp out in an urban carpark?! I guess it might make sense if you are transiting through on foot while bugging out, but aside from that … none of these places are suitable for very long at all! (And I personally might head for empty school buildings where areas under like under the stage are good concealment places, although schools are often co-opted into emergency management centres. Community halls, local government offices and arts centres are likely abandoned too.)
I’d be more optimistic about industrial areas, but also aware that the looters are likely to arrive there for whatever tools, fuel, food and water they think might be in the areas. Most are easy enough to get to, and the people aren’t likely to be friendly/rule followers.
If you are moving through an urban area in a bug out I personally feel you’d find more safety in numbers with family groups who are doing similar – walk a few days with them if you need to, do the whole grey man act (if you don’t have a family invent one you are walking to meet) and don’t show what you have of course, but be quietly useful at a time when families are struggling. Then you can share the night watch. Sleep in the middle of the group, ready to move. Don’t ‘unpack’ but sleep literally in your clothes on the floor, with your pack as a pillow. Act prepping poor. Use this knowledge and ideas to help the group make choices but don’t lead the group, don’t do more than hrm and ahh about the risks of one site over another.
And when you can separate from the group on your way thank them nicely, join another going your new direction, and carry on. Carry this on until you are really at the point you have to head off on your own, and there’s very little chance you’ll run into other people.
Until you can step out one day for a leak (toilet stop) and keep walking away on your own, but now you’ve used the group/s to get through the urban area and out to the safer remote areas.
the most important thing to do first is pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in every situation.
I guess stay out of the big cities.
Personally if your going alone. You need to find a place to be alone. Otherwise your never going to wake up and someone is going to use your corpse as his new sexy doll.
Some military advice is to wrap the sling around your arm or leg. At least it won’t be easy to steal. Granted I’d just Stab you in the throat and let you bleed out.
Over watch means you take up a posting away from your buddy.
Sleeping is something I wouldn’t recommend the human body can go without sleep for 7 days and yeah it sucks. However taking quick naps would help out.
Chevy the US Army happens to disagree with you. Just 24 hours without sleep is bad. That’s why they have enforced sleep regimens.
Snip: What happens to your brain when you Don’t Sleep for 24 hours?
At 24 Hours: Impaired Coordination, Memory, and Judgment. The consequences of sleep deprivation at 24 hours is comparable to the cognitive impairment of someone with a blood alcohol content of 0.10 percent, according to a study published in the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health.
And it gets worse from there, rapid loss of coordination and judgement.
Quick naps help for a day or so after that you’re likely to sleep through that neck slicing episode you spoke of.
A wonderful combination with extra stress (which exhausts you even more), lack of hygiene when your immune system starts malfunctioning day 3, AND threat analysis and loaded weapons.
Buddy system to allow each other to sleep is required in dangerous situations. Lack of sleep makes you AND your buddy a danger to each other.
And in a human note homeless folks often rob, beat and rape each other. Normies and Police often treat homeless people pretty badly. Thugs LOVE to abuse them. So, looking like a homeless person isn’t always the best option.
Don’t be a homeless person or a refugee (almost the same thing). Have a plan to be escaping that situation TO an friends place.
Well mission first my friend
Gotta do what you need to do to win.
Minimum needed for sleep rotation is 3 people.
Two plus a spare in case someone gets hurt or sick.
Best to have 5-7 in a group, more if there is trust.
Bigger the group the more attention you will attract though. And more supplies/water you will need.
AVOID anyone with kids, toddlers, infants. Avoid women too (they tend to run their mouths constantly.
Women will be a two edged sword though.
Fun fact: When American Indian tribes long ago were under threat of another tribe coming to rape and pillage, murder, the women would smother their own babies.
A baby will make noise and that risks the lives of everyone.
Chevy exhaustion has been named a factor in many US Military “Friendly Fire” investigations.
Well you need people but lack of people puts you in danger. So I guess why are you running around town alone
Hey Michael,
Saw ya posted yo me a couple days ago.
I am still hanging around. Grandboys are keeping me hopping. Spent a little over a month in MT. First part planned. My oldest Grandboy was old enough to go on the MAN camping trip.
All male children age 13 and older go on a 10 day pack horse camping trip. Boy , did he have a great time. My son was going and he took him this first time. Stayed a few extra days at the ranch with family until I could get there. Great Uncle told me, in front of other family members, that he did a man’s work around the ranch and Uncle would hire him again. This os HUGE praise for said Uncle. Took a few days for Grandboys head to fit through the door. Lol
Then had to stay a couple weeks more for a death in the family.
Lost about a months time, but what are ya gonna do? Garden was a total bust this year. Lost all potatoes due to weather. Tried replanting and maybe got 3 pounds. No fruit from the trees. I think it was too wet and cold for the bees to pollinate.
Very worried lately.
Anony Mee was talking to OH, and He is buying up all he can AND going to grocery stores to buy extra. This is quite unusual!
Keep stacking and packing!
Hit LDS store last week. Apples all gone until next year. Costco has a limit on rice today. 1 20 pound bag per card. Sugar is hit or miss. Luckily I am pretty good on all of those. Wheat and flour prices have jumped so much.
Scary times!!
Hope you and yours are well. How is your FIL? As well as can be expected, I hope.
Shalom my Friend
MadFab
Hello MadFab a few changes since we last chatted. Good to hear your enjoying life.
Never let the Bastards grind you down, eh? NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
FIL passed and was buried some time ago. I am happy he’s with his beloved wife of many decades and old friends he lost years and decades ago. My beloved has mostly gotten over the loss. Somedays I have to remind her he is happy and not in pain, probably cheating at Canasta :-).
My sweet potatoes fed the voles, the winter planted Irish potatoes did pretty well, actually beating the potato flea beetles. Spring planted potatoes did not prosper. Beans, Onions, garlic and cabbages did well.
As my 2-year storage foods included the parents I have a little extra now. Still buying extra every trip. It’s looking really BAD in too many areas with folks don’t really realize we are eating LAST Year’s crops and this year’s crops is looking bad. OH knows this well.
Peace and wisdom to you my friend
Your sleep requirements are directly related to your age. An 18 yr old can pull off an ” all nighter ” for finals. 5 yrs later in grad school they are totally wasted the next day if they do. At least it applies to me.
Crazy Squirrel, the only time women killed their own kids was when slavers and scalpers were coming. Mexico used to pay 100 pesos (gold, and pre-socialism, the peso was worth $1.86 USD and gold selling for $28.00 USD/oz), 50 for a woman, and 25 for a kid’s. France did that, as well as other nations; ask a Texan about it because they suffered it a lot. If an American Indian raped a woman, his own mother would kill him for it. Water Monster, Speaker for the Aztec, raped a young woman and that ended the war right then. His soldiers died rather than be part of his curse. His mother spit in his face and said he was dead to her. Next battle they got in, his soldiers walked away and let him die. Blue Duck was an American Indian but raised white. He ran off and went back to his people, but when he raised a woman, the Indian Wars took a sabbatical till he was killed. Woman is life; man but to die, but die well for her. niio
One good idea is to have a well-trained dog with you. A Belgian Tervuren would be just the ticket! But even a Chihuahua could save your life with a little growl to wake you up.
Can be, though my experiences with Chihuahuas and other yippy dogs is that unless they’re well trained only to bark on command, they’re much more likely to give you away to everyone within a quarter mile than provide actual warning. My current terrier mix would need some bark training before I’d trust him not to give us away, and I had a beagle who would bay at the least unfamiliar scent, even when we were driving 70mph down the highway. I’m not familiar with the Belgian Tervuren, but I’ve had other dogs who would be great with the lack of barking and that low growl.
I would recommend the Belgian Malenois rather than the Tervuren. They tend to be extremely confident, fearless and assertive. They make excellent protection dogs, as well as military and police service dogs.
They are highly athletic, and may not be the best choice for someone with limited training experience. Temperament is key, and they should embody all of the features that I listed above.
Any well trained quiet dog that knows when to shush and when to make a noise is helpful! A smaller one needs less food, a bigger one can look more threatening. Something in between is probably easiest for day to day?
I’m retired, don’t live in even a small town. Do live in an tiny ( under 200) unincorporated community where most are related and watch out for each other.
I do have dogs, cats, rabbits, and a few hens. I have both a garden and a wild weed patch that is actually medicinal and edible. Things grown for seeds that chickens eat amd greens for rabbits.
A 2nd well on my property is capped but I have a manual winch to set up there that can make water available. Food is scattered about on the property. I hope to bug in. If by chance I’m shopping or at a Dr when SHTF I should be 20 miles or less from home. Trying to finish up dental care, and a possible serious surgery quite quickly. Seldon going far from home these days. Even seeing specialists that come to my nearest small town. Church is under 20 miles. Just hanging closer to home all the time if possible. Only trips further away have been with a son and grown grandson to go camping and fishing 150 miles away. Rolling hills and rough areas with scattered water sources across the desert. I’d hate to cross that on foot but I could do it by cutting across country and knowing the native plants and animals. Just one stretch of 30 miles id be near the road because of avoiding an old lava flow. Another stretch id follow the railroad rather than the highway. Less people and plenty of hiding spots with easier walking. And those trips there are three of us with camping supplies and food. The easiest meals are already packed in a backpack for convenience. We could easily eat from mylar packs of chili beans and stew. No heat necessary. No can openers. Just our hunting knives. Food could warm some on a rock in the sun. We’d need the smaller tent, one pot to boil water, 3 sleeping bags, a tarp, container to carry water between sources, a trowel for digging in sandy washes down to moisture. Extra socks and shirts, and baking soda for odor. Actually traveling with lite packs except for who carries the food and water. Either switch off or split it up. A bottle of alcohol, gauze and tape for firstaid. My bow and a quiver of arrows. Three of us could do fine if not pushing too hard or fast -.travel in early morning and later afternoon. In remote areas a tiny light and night travel with day sleep is possible. Other wise we are all within 20 to 30 miles of our homes. Desert country is a special kind of place to get through.
We are teaching others to live with knowledge and forethought as well.
I would to spend time with and take some lessons from you.
Clergy Lady, have you thought about investing in and carrying a folding or other bicycle for those trips to town? They could help make a return trip home faster. My wife carried one in the trunk of her work car for years and thankfully never needed it.
ClergyLady,
Great to see ya posting.
Always enjoy and glean something from your comments.
Peace,
MadFab
Amen. We’re blessed you’re here. Get that inground greenhouse done! niio
Interesting suggestions, and along with the comments can show how different each of our individual locations are.
For me, if I can go north or west, I can get away from heavily populated suburbia relatively quickly, especially if I can use a vehicle. South or east will put me deeper into suburbia and possibly into more urban locales, which I’d prefer to avoid. The potentially good part of heading in those directions is that there are quite a few Amazon (and other) warehouses where one might be able to scrounge extra necessities if those places become abandoned.
As with everything, so much depends on the exact SHTF scenario and why bugging-in is no longer viable. The suggestions here are something to consider if you are in urban or suburban locations.
Roof sleeping during a SHTF scenario –
Drones can easily spot you, especially since many are equipped with night vision/infrared.
I’m screwed either way. I snore like a freight train so unless someone mistook me for an actual freight train, I’m gonna be discovered.
lol, Good humor anyway!
I used to snore and had sore rib’s to prove it, by getting elbowed nightly, lol
There’s way’s to avoid it and they’d be worth a try. If you don’t want to do the breathing method, the over the counter nose strips actually do work for some people.
Otherwise, the breathing trick is to breath in deeply through your nose, then release through your mouth and do this untill you fall asleep. There’s a better than 75% chance you won’t snore. You’ve trained your mind/body to breathe in through your nose. We snore because our dang pie holes are open and we breathe with our mouths
I sleep on my side, and that cuts snoring. niio
crazysquarrel—
You sound like you are all about your male self and only like women for your own means. I happen to be female and I grew up learning how to be quiet and un-noticed. I am still like that. In fact, I’m so good I can do it in plane sight !!! Not all women run their mouths and so on. Seems only those that rely on others or modern convinces are not able to “be quiet” and survive. As for SHTF in an urban area, the first thing I’d do is leave ASAP. I prefer the open country. But I know how to survive in either. I’ve actually practiced it for months. I was never noticed.
Thank you. I am a woman and a good hunter and fisherman. I can take care of myself if needed and know how to set up anything I need. Raised on farm and used to working hard daily.
Crazy Squirrel-Because your low-lying intellect level can even shame a child. All women are
not as you described. I am glad I know men who are intelligent and respect women.
Your gene pool could use a little more chlorine. Obviously, god has sent you as the underestimated one, you are already in the lowest low.
Thanks for your post! TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU.
I’m also a woman , and I used to teach teenage girls how to survive off the land in emergencies, including shelters and water sources. I know for a fact that if and when SHTF, people from all walks of life will be heading my way for help, men included. Not all men are equipped with the knowledge or type A personalities like crazysquarrel above. I’d personally rather be on my own than stuck with that hot head in an emergency.
You will need a good strong and smart woman.
LOL His lady probably beat on him. LOL
You lady’s ROCK.
stay sharp
Well, I sure wish my Dad would’ve thought that his daughters should be taught this stuff. Only, get married and have babies, lol I didn’t do well on either. Never heard of all these things now a days, I’m 67 want to say young but issues are coming out. No husband or boyfriend oh daughter thinks I’ve lost my mind,her son thinks the same. As soon as I get cataract surgery, I’m going to go camping,which I haven’t going in my late teens.I live in Florida not a bug person either but I need to learn some things on my own.
Hear, hear!!!! ?????
I’ve been a prepper for over 25 year’s. I’ve horded food, then let it go, horded again, plus bought a lifted Jeep, then let it go, ever changing, ever learning.
That’s why I live where I do now. Finally ended up in a state where I can be up in the North wood’s. I like a small county with small town’s. The population of my town is just over 200 and just about everyone knows one another.
We may not get along, but in an emergency, just about everyone pulls together.
Since I started prepping I always told my friend’s to buy bullets, not gold, not silver and don’t buy into those commercial “months worth of food” gimmics.
For one, you can’t eat gold. You can barter with bullet’s, hunt and defend yourself.
For two, you can make your own bug out food bag’s or storage.
Then too, like another commenter said, learn your plants so you can eat “and” use them medically, from injuries, stomach and tooth aches to fever’s and food poisoning. But, I’ve also stocked up on tinctures made from these plants as well as dried plants and herbs that are vacuumed sealed. They’re very lightweight to move along, if you have to.
Even “I” still have much to learn, we’re always learning, “always”!
Oh and the fella that said he wouldn’t want women or children around, you’d be one lucky guy to have a survivor, well educated on plants, herbs, trained in all facets of building and can shoot like Calamity Jane, lol Then again, maybe they wouldn’t travel with someone who’s kinda misogynistic, lol
What would Steve Wallis do…
I’m going to be so deep in the woods a Blood Hound couldn’t find me. 😉
Dream on. If they want to find you they will.
They won’t find me City Chick, I’m gonna be wearing Camo so they’ll never see me….?
Very good point about the snoring. My ex GF told me i snored sometimes. I had no idea. There’s NO good way to completely stop that. You can sleep sitting up somewhat, for a short time, to alleviate that. Being drone observed is always gonna be a POSSIBLE issue, but not an issue that you can prep for. If the drone operator is savvy/trained they can keep tabs on and be a step ahead of you w/o you having a clue. Many people will be unaware of the basics of foot travel for extended distances. If SHTF, i plan to bug in, not out. Let’s be realistic, bugging out falls into 2 categories, #1 Headed to a secure place to do what? STAY. That’s the definition of bugging in. #2 Headed out into areas that you don’t know well, foraging through houses, etc for the next scrap of food for you and your family, because unless a have a train of pack mules/children/family/others AND are able to secure a good quantity of non or semi perishable food and water on a fairly regular basis, your new life is now defined as Nomadic. If i was of the bloodthirsty, immoral type, i’d just set up a cheesy roadblock on a major highway and let the food and supplies come to me. On any sort of kinda major roadway there will be a regular stream of supplies driving by. One sniper rifle and a tad of practice in a well concealed hide will keep you in regular supplies for quite sometime. Sadly, most of those caught will be those “Bugging Out”, or trying to. If massive EMP hits after i send this text, i have a mostly all backroads way home to go. 26 miles. Seriously considering keeping a folding bike in the back of my daily driver. They’re very fast compared to walking, and very quiet. Do it FAST! People will still be confused why there cell phone and tv aren’t working for a day or so at most. Then panic will set in and ANY travel of any type will be at extreme high risk for at least the next 3 months. It will never in your lifetime, likely, go back to pre-EMP levels of travel and safety. I’ve been in the automotive parts and repair game my whole life and virtually ALL current vehicles will be down, depending on the EMP type, severity, etc. The well prepped guy with an older running vehicle will stick out like a sore thumb. The drivers door will be used to determine the # of recent previous owners. Assuming a one shot kill each time, just count the bullet holes. Contrary to Hollywood, cars are not bullet resistant AT ALL. Think of yourself sitting in a golf cart and that,s how much protection you have. Seems kinda grim, doesn’t it. If SHTF, have a plan and route in mind, I CAN walk that far, and know many, many, people along the way. If they weren’t too hungry yet and i wasn’t carrying much of anything, i have a very good chance of making it home on foot in one piece. But you hafta act quickly and stay away from big grocery stores. They’ll very likely be the location of much strife and bloodshed. And to Heavy-duty Chevy and Michael, you are both correct about the sleep facts. One of my ex-military friends semi-regularly goes w/o sleep for 3-6 days and performs complex tasks while doing so. Have another friend that a 2 day nonstop run is pretty much an every week occurrance. Does very complex stuff that requires exact attention to every detail. He’s been doing that for a couple decades now….Hydration and mental training are key to achieving the objective and that’s all i’m gonna say about that. Hope this info helps some, as the mind is the most formidable tool in your arsenal.
Well you can but it requires a bit of knowledge
I sleep on my side and that helps stop snoring. Also breathing thru the mouth helps. niio
Bring a hammock so you’re off the ground
Off the ground by whatever means is very good advice! In my rural area sleeping on the ground puts you at risk from the following critters. Occasional black bear may root through your stuff or become interested in smells. They’re not common, but are around, foxes are pretty wary, but can do the snatch and grab, coons, truly wild ones aren’t afraid of you and are nocturnal by nature and will pack off stuff. Mice and to a lesser extent rats are around too. Possums are not dangerous, are nocturnal and will root for any leavings you may have. Recluse and black widow spiders, disease carrying ticks and mosquitos would definitely be an issue on the ground. Chiggers, oh those lil buggers can turn one nap on the ground into a bad deal, lol. There are cats, both of the house/woods feral type, bobcats, cougars and pumas too. They generally avoid people as there is ample water and game here, but are still about mostly at night. Deer are very curious and very quiet and may startle you, mostly nocturnal also. There’s a large variety of snakes here, and most are harmless except for copperheads. Reptiles like warmth. In some areas bats will swoop down to see what you are especially if you have a cloud of mosquitos around you. Rabbits and squirrels are mostly daytime roamers, but are some chewing machines if you leave out stuff they can get to. Nasty armadillos are nocturnal and noisy, they’ll scram if they figure out you’re there. They’re nearly blind though and are grubbing for insects and worms in the ground. There are some other critters in my area, but those are the most common you’d encounter out in the woods in my area. So off the ground is really good, and UP off the ground is even better.
Possums kill chickens so they die
Not quite certain what kind of women Crazy Squirrel has been seeing BUT my wife can shoot the gonads of a gnat at 100 yards; kill, gut and skin any creature up to and including an Elk; fish around the clock; and camp on hard ground with just tree/bush branches for cover. Oh yeah, she can do all the above and not say a word while engaged in a hiking, hunting, or fishing activity. She knows the outdoors better than 75% of the outdoors men I hike, hunt, fish, and camp with. She can survive in rain, snow, desert heat, high mountains (the Rockies), and any swamp location throughout the Southeast US. I know this because she has hunted, fished, camped, and hiked with me throughout the US AND the time spent in the field was more than two weeks at a time for each endeavor. No bitchin’, no weeping & wailing, no moaning & groaning, 100% invested in enjoying the time and getting things done. Oh yeah….she is also HOT!
The person who can clone your wife would be a billionaire inside of a year. Just Sayin! lol You are blessed, my friend. As they say a good woman is worth a million dollars and a bad one will cost you a million dollars.
I too am proud of my wife. She doesn’t hunt with me, but she’s right there when we’re cutting and wrapping venison. She was always by my side when we built one of our homes, reading transit, setting forms, driving nails, etc. the whole bit until we moved in. Plus she’s an RN (BS and MA). We work our little nine acre “spread” together from gardening to processing veggies and fruit. We dry/dehydrate pears and apples, make jelly from the blackberries and muscadine grapes that grow on the place. There’s a reason why indigenous peoples were a matriarchal society, ladies earn the right to be valued.
Para: Yep! American Indian women owned the house, the fields, hunting and fishing rights, the kids. Anything that came in Mom’s house was hers. But, when outside, Dad ruled. Man was made to stand between Woman and danger. when he would come home drunk and act mean, she would tall him, “What does a woman tell a man with 2 bullet wound? Nothing, she already told him twice.” She could have been meaner and told Nana, her mother, or Grampa, her father-in-law. nana would have told Grampa and Grampa. Grampa would have broken his cane on Dad. Dad finally figured it out, when Mom was in a bad mood he would take his garand (liberated in WWII and sent home in pieces via army Air) and go out and kill something, usually a deer. Mom hated deer meat but would fix it and are it LOL. niio, walk in beauty
Blessed you are
The prepper mindset has been so well established and is so effectively marketed now (depending on the state you live in). Being able to be isolated will be unlikely. And people who think they will be able to hunt and live off the land will soon realize that market hunting and just stupid people out to kill everything they see will decimate most game populations. Posting your abilities and your supply stocks on these sites though intended to help others only servers to educate predators like crazysquirrel to resources they can harvest from the herd (as they call it). Pay attention to people in your area who brag and boast about their skills and especially those who make comments of self preservation over anyone else. Those are the ones you will need to avoid and probably shoot on sight if they discover your location. “IF” things ever go that far south it is going to be hell on earth and most will not survive the first year. But everyone will do their best for as long as they can. You fight like you train. If you prepare and train, then you have increased your survivability some. My advice is don’t overlook the simple things. If you are on medication for life look for alternatives if possible or even better try to learn to live without it. That will be one of the first hits the population will take if things crash. If you need glasses to see, stock up! Test yourself and see if you could function or survive without glasses. Feminine needs for younger women. I am constantly surprised by how many men overlook the needs of their wives and daughters. Female hygiene is not to be overlooked. No one is expendable (man, woman, child) but those who cannot pull their own weight will put everyone at risk. If things go south you will be forced to live in high readiness combat conditions. That is when you see your training come into play. If you have trained properly you will act without having to think about every move you make. And DO NOT depend on 3 gun shoots for training! That by itself is going to get a lot of good men and women killed in their first confrontation. No one is bullet proof! Believe the Gospel of grace (Jesus is the son of God, He was crucified, dead and buried, the third day He rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of The Father). Then you will be baptized into His body and escape the wrath to come. Those who believe anything other than that for their salvation will endure those things we all hope to avoid. Study Acts and all of Paul’s letters. He is the teacher of the gentiles and that would be us. Don’t depend on luck! Be prepared and keep your trust in the Lord. God Bless you in your service to Him.
We are the lost tribes of Israel grafted in
50 beowolf is the key to success
I’m Aussie, and one of the things that strikes me often reading people from overseas talking about living off the land is just how many of them plan to do it, and don’t realise that if they are all going to do it, then the land’s resources will swiftly disappear.
One of the reasons First Nations/Aboriginal Australians were often nomadic was this exact issue – the country here doesn’t support any sizeable group living on it month on month, instead having to move constantly with the food. This had a profound affect on Aboriginal life style and culture, and is something that is worth pondering if you are thinking you too can live off the land for any period of time. And remember, it’s not just you out there, there’s going to be LOADS of others.
I’ll ride it out in my mansion until FEMA and the epa announces it’s ok to breathe the air again, ala Christie Todd Whitman. I will then take the required 12 jabs needed at their camp and be happy for the gruel i am served twice daily. I’m in region 4 i believe, I hear the camp is much better than 3 or 5. Yes, I will obey and take my required anti Trump classes while at camp too. See you fellow deplorables soon I guess.
All you folks headed out our way when SHTF… We know that you’re coming. We know our woods and hills. If you don’t bring usefulness then you can’t stay. What skills will you have to trade for your squatting? Train yourselves.
The majority of people that is out and about during a shft are not scout trained meaning they do not know what to look for. Scouts are trained and know what to look for that indicates the presence of a camp.
For me I am going to stay where I am or at least in this area for two reasons. First I know most of the people around (have a good idea of what they will do) and secondly I know the area. It is much easier to survive in an area you know than one you don’t.
Yes concealment, shelter and scent control is needed but is that enough? No it is not. The reason is if you think a place will be a good site others will too. Look for places that are bad.
Now there is no sure way of knowing you will not be found, so do not over exert yourself during travel, shorten your distance and learn to sleep light so you will awaken at the slightest sound. If your tired you will sleep hard and not awaken easy.
I beleive people put to much trust in what others say. Learn to hide in plain sight.
If you’ve never done it, do it. Pick a pretty day, grab your get home kit, and walk home from work. You can get the lay of the land a lot better walking, and test your fitness level. Then do it in bad weather. Use some vacation and walk into the woods. Camp in rain, snow, heat, and the very underrated high wind. Lot of the commenters here have done some amazing things, if you haven’t been out in the world collect their advice and go out and try it. Then people will really think you’re crazy.
If you bug out to the woods, cook and eat your evening meal then move at least another 1/4 mile and make a cold camp well off the trail.
Hiding will be useless, as someone already pointed out. ESPECIALLY from the un-military, they have everything they need to find you, from miles away. I hate to say it, but the only safe bet is staying mobile. A drone would help with keeping you going in the safest direction. 85% of us are screwed, deal with it. I’d say get with as many 85%-ers, bunker up and rain down on the enemy when they arrive. Give the rest of us a better chance to survive.
I’m bugging in. I live in a good town, under 3,000 pop, and half of use are preppers. It’s impossible to get to use from the south, Tucson, because the canyon trail is considered deadly even for hikers. The main drag runs west, but Ts in with another state route and there are several bridges and small towns on that one. People in Arizona tend to be gun-happy, especially Mexican Americans from kali.
Thanks to brandon and Ears Obama, people are learning to survive again. Canning is popular but farm markets no less expensive than the store. The monsoons are about over, and the garden booming. But, with no rain lately, remember to fill a shallow tub with water to attract quail and keep rattlers in the garden only at night where they’ll hunt for things that like your crops like ground squirrels and so on. I was sick and didn’t get the tub filled yesterday and nearly had a run-in with Mouser, a rattler. That naughty little girl actually buzzed me! niio
I grew up gardening and camping, as well as swimming in leach infested swamps and rivers. Ice fished, hunted for yes everything. Still new to the prepping world but learning all I can. I like to read all of the things yall write here. I learn a lot about myself as well as new things I may have missed in my thinking.