Okay, I know I'm not the only one here that had prepared for the SHTF. I plan to stay at the house and hold the fort but if I have to move I will. When I talk about the SHTF. I mean anything, Hurricane, Terrorism, Society Collapses, etc....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/coa-dal/Bug%20out/000_0890.jpg
MOLLE Vest with Level IIIA vest plus SAPI Plates

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First Aid Kit pouch, Radio, 100 Oz Camelpak in hump plus MREs. Gas Mask Pouch, Otis Cleaning Kit, and CPR Mask Pouch.

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All of the items held on the vest.

1x USGI Tritium Lensatic Compass
1x Otis Multi-Caliber Cleaning Kit
1x Garmin GPS Unit
1x Copy of the US Constitution
1x Nylon Balaclava
1x Pair of Hatch Kevlar Reinforced Tactical Gloves
1x GI Woodland Poncho
1x 50ft of 550 Para Cord
1x GLOCK Model 78 Field Knife
1x 3M Gas Mask
1x 3 power spotting glass
1x Beretta 92FS 9mm Parabellum
5x Spare Beretta 92FS Magazines
1x Colt M4 Carbine
16x 30rd AR-15 Magazines
1x CPR Pocket Mask
1x Safariland Tactical Tigh Rig with Surefire G2 flashlight
1x Flectar Camo Scarf
1x Scanner Radio
1x Set of Aviator BDUs w/ 5.11 undershirt
1x Kelver PASGAT Helmet w/ Goggles
1x Pair of 5.11 HRT Boots

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/coa-dal/Bug%20out/000_0895.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/coa-dal/Bug%20out/000_0896.jpg

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LC-1 Pack Frame with Medium Ruck Sack

All Items held in Ruck

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8x Sets of stripped MREs
1x M-65 Fieldcoat with liner
1x Cold Weather Helmet Liner
1x Jeep Cap
1x Watch Cap
1x Pair of Cold Weather Leather Gloves
1x Cold Weather BDU Cap
1x Woodland Boonie Cap
1x GI Mess Kit with Utensils
1x Roll of Toilet Paper
4x Commercial Smoke Bombs to single folks
1x Ontario Knife Co. GI Machete
1x GI Foam Sleeping Pad w/ Extra GI OD Poncho
1x US Marine Corps Note Book with Pencils & Pens
1x Set of German Flectar BDUs
3x Pair of extra socks and underwear
1x Set of Religious items
1x US Army Field Manuals w/ extra nylon cord for building a shelter and orange tape to single
2x 1 Quart GI Plastic Canteens
2x 2 Quart GI Plastic Canteens

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/coa-dal/truck.jpg
2002 Ford F-150 4.2 Liter 6 Cly V6 2WD with extra jerry cans for fuel and extra parts and tools on tool box.


I use the Beretta 92FS and Colt M4 due to DoD Standards. I know that most National Guard Armories and Reserve Base Armories have said firearms, parts, amgazines, and ammunition that would be usable by me. I wish DoD issued GLOCK 22s but since that is not the case I stick with what DoD issues.

Think I'll save all the funds spent on that "Minuteman" gear and buy another bottle of scotch instead. :p

Think I'll save all the funds spent on that "Minuteman" gear and buy another bottle of scotch instead. :pMaybe even an extra two kdub :D:D:D.

I'm not nearly as equipped as you gentlemen, but I do have a "Bugout" kit in my truck.

Clothing that is appropriate for the extremes of the current season are always in the truck, Winter, Summer,Spring, and Fall. In an inexpensive nylon daypack, I carry the stuff I generally carry in the woods -- 2 one-liter bottles of water; a "comfort kit" including toilet paper , soap, a few paper towels, and firestarting materials; a random selection of candy and energy bars; knife, flashlight, and compass; about 25' of parachute cord;a Maglite flashlight and extra batteries; a small but powerful first-aid kit which includes plenty of tape and a few sanitary napkins and tampons (you can staunch some amazingly bloody wounds with this combo).

A small shoulder bag, designed to tote a small video camera, contains 2 30-round and 2 20-round loaded mags for my Oly Arms Plinker carbine. In the center console rides a well-worn but solid Ruger Security Six with 4" barrel and nylon field holster, plus 2 full speedloaders.

I won't pretend I could fight WW3 with this outfit, but it would certainly take care of far more trouble than I'm likely to encounter.

Think I'll save all the funds spent on that "Minuteman" gear and buy another bottle of scotch instead. :p

Got one of those just for trade to obtain what the OP has. Never underestimate the power of a good bottle of scotch! :D

I'm with kdub on this.

Think I'll save all the funds spent on that "Minuteman" gear and buy another bottle of scotch instead. :p

What type of scotch are you guys drinking? I might be able to buy a case of McAllen for what was spent on that
"bugout" kit. :D

I'm more in the pisga camp.

While I have an M4gery & accoutrements, that gun's job is to get me TO my Bugout gear.

My 6000CUI Ruck has basic "survive in the woods, in the weather" gear and a bunch of .357 ammo for my M92 levergun & Ruger SP101.

It also has a pound of Lil'Gun, primers, a .38/.357 Lee Loader, a dipper suitable for melting wheel weights and a single cavity 158gr SWC-HP mold.

When I can no longer forage .38/357 I'll happily make my own.

If I need more Combat Gear than that, I either didn't run away fast enough or joined a well-stocked militia unit.

Oh, and I drink Talisker... ;)

I love your Baseball book! Good choice! JP

BTW If you want to bug out, you have to much crap. Arms, ammo, food!

Only books in my BoB are (1) US Declaration & Constitution, (2) Thomas Glover's Pocket Ref, (3) FMs on improvised munitions, explosives, medicine & edibles.

Glock 23C I'd say you are very prepared. I know some will see you as nuts, but I don't. Only thing I could think of that I might change is a 4WD truck or jeep. I understand you choice of the M9 and M4 for parts and such. For me personally I will probable choose a 1911 and a shotgun.

Only books in my BoB are (1) US Declaration & Constitution, (2) Thomas Glover's Pocket Ref, (3) FMs on improvised munitions, explosives, medicine & edibles.

Sorry, My response was to the writer of the thread! JP

I have one of those tiny Swiss Army knifes, the one with the scissors, fingernail file and toothpick and I always keep several of those foiled packed "wet wipes" in my console.

I would add a power inverter, charger, and rechargable batteries for flashlights and such.

No comment on having a Bug Out Kit. But you should try your kit out before you have to bet your life on it. Take a weekend with just your kit and go to the woods for two or three days. Don't take anything else. Don't eat at Roadside Burgers or stay in Cum On Inn. Eat your MREs and sleep in the bushes hid out as you would in real life. It won't be much fun but you will learn a lot about your gear. DO take a notebook and make notes. Be honest with yourself and don't load up on stuff just because it's cool. Use what works and has a place. I've been places and watched people leave hundreds of dollars worth of nice Rambo Brand gear in the sticks because it was easier than putting up with it. I'm not saying I haven't left dead weight behind, but I learned this lesson on walking camping trips when I was probably 12 years old. Then I was taught it again in a Texas sand box by a very good instructor with a LOT honest experience. Just free advice.

Sorry, My response was to the writer of the thread! JP

I know. Just pointing out what I have in mine.

Continuing the "variations on a theme" theme. ;)

So in other words, "A weekend in the turkey woods. You forgot your calls."

A lee loader for 223 and 7.63X39 and a couple barrels for the handi rifle.

Old Ironsights,
I see you are sometimes in the Michiana area. I am past president of the N.B. Rod & Gun club. Invitation open to shoot if you choose. Send me a pm.

The only thing I can think of that would cause me to "bug out" would be a nuclear fallout situation. I'm generally downwind of Chicago and/or St. Louis. If I have to leave home for a situation like that I'll have time to put together a pack before I go.

Other than nuclear fallout, I'm staying in my community to help defend it and offer assistance and aid to my neighbors and community.

I'm glad to see Glock23C say that he expects to stay home and hold the fort in most cases. I can tell you this, colonial Minutemen didn't prepare to run for their lives at a moments notice. No! They prepared to face disaster head on. I feel we should be the same way. Too much I see an attitude among men where we are only prepared to protect ourselves, our family, and our property - and to bloody heck with the rest of the world. We'll run away and abandon the community in which we live if it preserves our own safety and convenience. I think this is a shameful attitude. The right thing to do, the proper role of a man of character and strength, is to protect our own families first and then to serve and meet the needs of our neighbor's families. I think we need to prepare not only to meet our own needs in case of emergency, but also put some preparation into being able to meet the needs of others in dire circumstances.

That's how I feel about it.

A couple other random thoughts:

I'm not so sure about the Kevlar helmet and BDUs and all the military looking stuff. If forced to bug out, I think I'd rather look like a homeless vagabond than a soldier. Looking like a soldier just seems like it would draw trouble or unwanted attention of one sort or another. I'd be trying to keep a low profile rather than looking a soldier.

Also, I've never heard anyone mention cash money in their emergency gear. I keep a little cash tucked away for emergencies and I think you might as well keep some with you - whether home or away. It's likely to hold some value in all but the worst of catastrophes and it transports alot easier than a case of whiskey bottles.

BTW If you want to bug out, you have to much crap. Arms, ammo, food!

Exactly.
Clothes on your back and a warm coat are all you really need [in colder climates] to bug out. Can always wrangle clothes at a later time.
Think about Family members too. A BOB is necessary for them too.
And what are you bugging out in?
my 2003 Jeep wrangler is ours, with go anywhere capabilities.
Bags for wife/kid are limited to essentials, no more/less.
Had these bags since 9-11 and the threat of dirty bombs/ chemi attacks on NYC are so realistic.
4 miles from the bridge, [GWB] the issue is not going to be buggin' out, but getting thru the traffic TO bug out.
Weapons, well that's your choice, but I'd go with an easily accessable caliber... .223, .308, .30-30, '06...find em anywhere. Same with 9mm.

And if the traffic is too heavy, i'll go home and pour a burbon myself:D

Kart29: I live too close to Gary/Chicago and my home (condo) is indefensible.

Once I get Mine to safety, I'll either be hooking up with CD/Militia or hunkering down as the situation applies.

As far as cash goes?

I think that in almost any social breakdown situation, I'll be staying put as long as possible and defending my home and property. However, living only 1/2 mile from a major railroad line, the day may come when I have to bug out due to an incident at the tracks. It's happened before not very far from here but it did'nt effect us that time. (God only knows what those trains carry by my house all day and night). In such a case I have two boxes ready for my daughter and me. With food, water, shelter, fire starting materials, cash, first aid ect. Enough for five days for the two of us. Also firearms and ammo that she is familiar with and can use well if need be. I have the option to hit the woods and set up a camp or drive upwind and find a hotel. Either way, theres no way in **** I'm going to some highschool gym emergency shelter with a bunch of ill prepared whinners.
I'll pass no judgements on the orginal posters choice of gear. If thats what he's comfortable with then it will serve him better than nothing at all. At least he is planning to rely on "Number One" and not expecting the government to help.
As for the Scoth, Make mine Glenfiddich.....McPhail is good, if you can find it.....Later,B.

Kart29: I live too close to Gary/Chicago and my home (condo) is indefensible.

I'm afraid I don't understand. What's that got to do with anything?

I'm glad to see Glock23C say that he expects to stay home and hold the fort in most cases. I can tell you this, colonial Minutemen didn't prepare to run for their lives at a moments notice. No! They prepared to face disaster head on. I feel we should be the same way. Too much I see an attitude among men where we are only prepared to protect ourselves, our family, and our property - and to bloody heck with the rest of the world. We'll run away and abandon the community in which we live if it preserves our own safety and convenience. I think this is a shameful attitude. The right thing to do, the proper role of a man of character and strength, is to protect our own families first and then to serve and meet the needs of our neighbor's families. I think we need to prepare not only to meet our own needs in case of emergency, but also put some preparation into being able to meet the needs of others in dire circumstances.

That's how I feel about it.

Kart
I agree. I live on the very outskirts of Mpls with enough forest around to hopefully provide enough wild life to feed my family and others if the ultimate upheaval comes. The biggest fear would be that we would be overun by those escaping the city. In that case, the guns etc would only make things worse in my case. Better to hide in plain sight, keep a low profile and do your best to serve those closest to you.

I also live within 15 miles of a nuclear power plant. In an exchange of nuclear weapons, my plan is to grab some sunglasses and a drink, get a good tan as I doubt the Russians, Chinese or others have that good an aim, chances are me and mine would be toast, as would the wildlife we would target on eating. Not much left to hang around for.

In a full society break down, I am curious, may take some heat on this, but why a copy of the constitution? Chances are no one will care what your rights or anyone elses rights are. In an all out breakdown, survival at any cost may sadly be the outcome.

Some time ago I read a book called Living off the Land. It was written in the 50's so it dealt with surviving after a nuclear war, talked all about the plants and animals that you could and could not eat. Never did mention what to do if the radiation was killing everything in sight. In the end, if it all breaks loose, you really have to ask yourself if you want to be a survivor at all costs, or assist others to survive, assuming that is anything left to survive for.

Brad S
Hebrews 10:39

Yeah, survivor at all costs, or take some risk to help others survive. That's a good way of putting it.

I'm all for disaster preparation. But, so many times I catch an attitude from some that they are interested in nothing but saving their own skin and won't stick around to fight for nothin'. I wouldn't suggest that anyone waste their life in some foolish, quasi-heroic act that may not benefit anyone. But, you don't necessarily have to jump on a grenade to be somebody's hero.

Maybe as responsible gun-owners we need to stick around and help restore law and order in our communities.

Rather than barricade ourselves in our house, maybe we could share some of what we have with other good folks who are trying to survive the same disaster we are.

When the wolf is at the door, maybe our community will need us to stick around and help defend it, maybe even at great personal risk to ourselves.

Every situation is different, and even if we absolutely have to flee, maybe we can help somebody else along the way. Maybe we have an acquaintance or a friend that's not as strong as us and we could bring them along and help them get to safety, too.

As the stronger members of society, especially those of us with the foresight to plan ahead, I believe this is the roll to which we are called - to help and serve our families first and our neighbors, community, and nation second - even when it involves personal sacrifice.

That's the cowboy way!

Kart29: I live too close to Gary/Chicago and my home (condo) is indefensible.

I'm afraid I don't understand. What's that got to do with anything?

My little townhome/condo is tactically indefensible.

The city where I live is one of the first places the mass exodus from the South Side of Chicago/Hammond/Gary will hit, and there is no way the city can be defended from that short of a couple of divisions, with tanks, lined up from lake michigan to Valparaiso.

As my first responsibility will be to ensure the safety of my family, the only way to do that will be Northerly or Southerly flignt in a general eastward direction away from the large metro areas.

If I really had my way, it would be onto a boat heading straight north into Lake Michigan until I hit the UP.

Once my family is safe, then I can reassess and see where I can help. But in a real SHTF scenerio, sitting on the confluence of I94 & I80 will be a BAD place to be...

...Once my family is safe, then I can reassess and see where I can help. But in a real SHTF scenerio, sitting on the confluence of I94 & I80 will be a BAD place to be...
Samee/same, sitting at the crossroads of NYC, I-95, I-80, I-287, I-87....
Can't go north without going west first, due to the amount of traffic trying go north. Can't go west, cause EVERYONE is gonna go west on 80. South will parallel the city on 95, and east would run me into the belly of the beast.

This actually happened on a day in Sept., 2001. Regional grid lock. Lived it, trying to get a ladder truck to the bridge to stand by. 4 miles took 2 hours, with lights and sirens.

burbon's tasting better.:p

so not to hijack this thread, but say you got out of the area, in your BUG OUT S-U-V, with your family and bug out gear...
what weapons did you bring with you to defend and evade???

I personally am tossed 'bout this.
AR platform would be a good idea, as ammo can be found, and the guns are everywhere....
But so would a trusted 30-30 in lever or bolt. No mags to lose, ammo plentiful.
pistol or relolver?

Guess if anything really bad ever happened we would just stay where we are at. We are already so far back in the sticks that when we go hunting, we have to go towards town...lol. Low population, lots of clear fresh water springs, wild game is abundant, enough beef catle and poultry being raised here locally to feed an army. Moderate climate and a lot of neighbors that will help each other....No, I don't think that we could do any better than where we already are. We don't have any nuclar plants close to us. No large chemical plants. No railroad tracks and no major highways. We truely hope that no major events ever happen to this country or the people living here. But if it does, getting by for us won't be nearly as bad as it would be for many others that are not blessed the way that we are.

Oh as for the scotch, never really cared much for it.

Either a bottle of Jack Daniels Select Single Barrel Or if that is a little hard to get, there are "still" some old boys back here in the woods that can make a pretty good sipping drink that they will share with their friends.

Bug out ? Is that anything like camping. Cause that looks like camping stuff to me. Just for the record ...tequila is best for camping. Also you don't need anything bigger that a .22 to take camping. You know snakes and such. Q :D

tequila?????

isn't that just water filterd thru dirty sweat socks?????
:D

Living close to the east coast, in a neculear situation Bugin' Out might just be an oxymoron. Before one can excape the traffic turmoil; everything from Bangor, ME to Pensacola and inland to cover Washington DC, Pittsburgh & Buffalo are going to be immolated in one huge firestorm.

Throw in the rest of the steel & chemical industry, etc. makes me believe that the west bank of the Mississippi river is going to become ocean front...

The west coast won't do much better...

We only stand a chance if the terrorists can smuggle in a few dirty bombs...That may be enough to get those who are left to become more isolationist & stop trying to police the world at the expense of our own country's poor.

I keep stocked w/ ammo for my weapons. Most of my hunting gear is always packed in a duffle from the latest season but I hope not to have to run...

so not to hijack this thread, but say you got out of the area, in your BUG OUT S-U-V, with your family and bug out gear...
what weapons did you bring with you to defend and evade???

I personally am tossed 'bout this.
AR platform would be a good idea, as ammo can be found, and the guns are everywhere....
But so would a trusted 30-30 in lever or bolt. No mags to lose, ammo plentiful.
pistol or relolver?

That's why my BoB is set up for .357. I have both a pistol & rifle for that, and it's easy to cast bullets & reload for.

My M4 will serve its purpose to get me TO my BoB and for one-handed use while driving I suppose. But one I'm in the sticks &/or have used up the ammo for it, I'm either trading it for supplies or using it as part of an organized CD force that will resupply it.

tequila?????

isn't that just water filterd thru dirty sweat socks?????
:D
Yes but it kills all of your worm problems. Just look at the bottom of the bottle. Q :D

I guess there are two different cases of bugging out; there's getting home from work or wherever, and leaving home to get to some better/safer place.

If there was civil disorder, I wouldn't bother trying to maintain order in my neighborhood. My neighborhood is about a mile from a rather bad section of town. The overall ratio of elves to orcs is about 1:1, but I would speculate that only about 10-20% of the elves are willing and able to defend themselves. And due to geography and vehicular bottlenecks, if there's a need to get outta Dodge, I need to leave early.

One observation from blizzards, ice storms, hurricanes etc. That's one time where it pays to live in the state capitol. The guv'nor always makes sure his own city has plenty of plow trucks, state police, etc on hand, and the power company always makes sure the capitol city gets re-powered first.

As for Glock23C's loadout, I'd move at least one canteen to the LBV, and I'd lose about most of the AR mags. If you shoot the first two aholes I don't think you'll have any more difficulties. And If you're gonna have a rifle, I'd swap the Beretta for a Glock or lighter pistol, and maybe just 3 pistol mags. I'd lose the vertical grip, too. Just make sure you have two knives, two pair of gloves, two firestarters, etc. Try to keep your total load to 1/3 your body weight, and 1/4 would be better. Seems to me that speed & mobility are everything.

Having seen the news reports from Houston trying to evacuate one or another hurricane.... and having talked to a few people that were stuck in that mess..... I'm inclined to forget trying to flee any large urban area, save for the worst natural disasters. If I can draw breath standing where I live, it'll probably be my best option.

The roads just won't handle it. The infrastructure - gas stations, motels, sources of food - anything. I'm far enough from the middle of the city I could probably get a way out of town in a vehicle, but what happens when you run out of gas?

There won't be much to eat in the woods around here but prickly pear cactus and fire ants, and you don't have to go far for either. Think I'm better off where I have a few days of food and water, and a couple of tanks of propane to cook on.

Having seen the news reports from Houston trying to evacuate one or another hurricane.... and having talked to a few people that were stuck in that mess..... I'm inclined to forget trying to flee any large urban area, save for the worst natural disasters. If I can draw breath standing where I live, it'll probably be my best option.

The roads just won't handle it. The infrastructure - gas stations, motels, sources of food - anything. I'm far enough from the middle of the city I could probably get a way out of town in a vehicle, but what happens when you run out of gas?

There won't be much to eat in the woods around here but prickly pear cactus and fire ants, and you don't have to go far for either. Think I'm better off where I have a few days of food and water, and a couple of tanks of propane to cook on.
Got that right Mike. I didn't evacuate Houston when Rita came through. But I made sure that my local doesn't flood before I moved here. Was well stocked with food, water and .45 ACP. While multitudes sat stranded on the highways, my wife and I were in the comfort of home. In fact, finding gas in the city was a problem for several days afterward and price gouging was a problem. But then we didn't have much need to drive anywhere since not much was open.

Having seen the news reports from Houston trying to evacuate one or another hurricane.... and having talked to a few people that were stuck in that mess..... I'm inclined to forget trying to flee any large urban area, save for the worst natural disasters. If I can draw breath standing where I live, it'll probably be my best option.

The roads just won't handle it. The infrastructure - gas stations, motels, sources of food - anything. I'm far enough from the middle of the city I could probably get a way out of town in a vehicle, but what happens when you run out of gas?

There won't be much to eat in the woods around here but prickly pear cactus and fire ants, and you don't have to go far for either. Think I'm better off where I have a few days of food and water, and a couple of tanks of propane to cook on.

Since I live at the edge of hurricane country, take my word for it. If you think you maybe should go, then you need to go. Unless you drive a Yugo you can bring several days water and two week's worth of food, along with valuables etc.

But keep in mind that if you stay you're gonna lose almost everything in your fridge and freezer, and everything unless you don't mind standing in line 4 hours a day in the hot sun for a bad of ice (friends of mine who stayed thru the last one did that). As long as you have a working credit card, leave early. If you are ahead of the crowd you'll have shelter, food, water, gas, etc. If you stay behind you will have access only to what you have at your home. The power won't come on, the roads will be blocked either by downed trees, downed powerlines, or authorities. Tap water will be off. Gas stations can't pump gas, even if their tanks haven't been flooded; neither registers nor pumps work without 115 VAC.

I cannot think of a faster way to draw more unwanted attention to ones self than wearing a bunch of gear as in the initial pics of this thread.

Is the intent to scare the unknowing into thinking you are some sort of spec ops guy or is it to fool spec war guys into thinking you are one of them?

I am trying to figure out the thought process.


Being prepared and planning ahead is certainly a good game plan but I would consider a different approach personally.

There are enought guys here who all look like GI Joe that really aren't so you could blend in with them, but then, someone is going to want to tell you what to do and expect that you will follow thier orders. Im thinking of three simple words.

Under the radar.

I'm not one for attracting attention to what I have or don't have that might be attractive to someone I don't want poking into my business. I don't care if they are LEO, military, civilian or bad guy.

Tequila isn't a bad trade item either you know. Someone will want it that has something to trade. You never know.

If they like the taste of sweat sox :D

If they like the taste of sweat sox :D


I'm thinking 100 proof grain alcohol... what ya don"t drink, you can use in your lantern.

I like ribbonstone's idea of a bug out kit - he's got a footlocker and figures everything he needs to save at the next hurricane warning goes into it. If it doesn't fit in, it doesn't need to go! :D

I'm thinking 100 proof grain alcohol... what ya don"t drink, you can use in your lantern.
Think this thru.
I'm not saying that it's a bad idea to have some spirits in stock. However I surely wouldn't be using it for trade/barter.
Even friends can be trouble when the've got a skin full. How do you think you'll fare when the strangers tank up.
You really don't want to shoot anyone, if your sane. Why would you want to provide the ground works for a confrontation? Save the spirits for a victory celebration. Clear heads are the order for THAT day.
Pepe Ray
P.S Sorry RDKING, I was responding to the general view.

I think it is highly unrealistic of those who have some fantasized Ramboesque idea of "bugging out" to the woods, mountains, deserts, etc., and "living off the land." Yeah, gonna shoot a few deer, some elk, antelope, bears and rabbits and maybe a few buffler, too!! Wild game all over the place!!

Uh huh.

Boys & girls, the only reason there is any "wild game" out there today is quite simply because for many, many years the States' Game and Fish laws have been very strict in regulating seasons and take. Plus, the many years of conservation efforts of said agencies and various hunting/fishing groups who have worked assiduously to provide habitat for wild game and fish.

Without those laws, regulations, licenses, tags, seasons, etc., there would be no game or fish around.

IF, I say again, IF there were to be a SHTF/TEOTWAKI event, someone would have to put up stoplights out in the mountains/woods/deserts, just so all the "bugger outters" could pass along without bumping into each other.

Secondly, it would be no more than a few days, or a couple weeks at the most, before virtually ALL the wild game would be shot to death and virtually ALL the fish would be netted (or dynamited) by the "bugger outters." Okay, so then what??

Oh. I know. Sneak into Rancher Jones' pasture and start gunning his cows and calves for some fresh meat. Or Farmer Smith's pigs and goats and lift a few chickens and eggs while you're at it. Uh huh.

Problem with that is, maybe ol' Rancher Jones and Farmer Smith don't want you to steal their animals. Maybe they are pretty well armed, too, and long odds are, they'll know their terrain a whole lot better than you do.

Ohh, maybe they won't have that high tech AR 15 or FN FAL as do you, but you'll never know the difference when ol' Rancher Jones' 170 grains flatpoint bullet from his old thutty thutty, loafing along at about 2,100 FPS, smashes through your brain pan while you're trying to cut some fillet mignon steaks off his steer you just killed.

As for running around in the bushes, sneakin' and a'peekin' in all that glorious military camo gear, I would submit that about the very first people who would be shot on sight by "locals" would be those who look very, very threatening. I guarantee you, if I were living someplace more rural, and I saw some dude all cammied up, carrying his military ruck and a bunch of military armaments, sneakin' around my place and family, he'd be the first one to receive a copper jacketed pointed-soft-point welcome, without any questions asked.

As others said, better to be low key and non-threatening. Also you'd better have a better plan than "living off the land."

That's just my take on "bugging out." :cool:

For anyone who has romantic notions of a post apocalyptic America; living off the "fat of the land", getting even with the bad guys etc... I highly recommend reading Cormac McCarthy's novel, The Road.

Safety in #s and gathering with like minded folks with good solid values would be my choice. An abundance of wild a&* 17-25 year olds in the bunch would be a plus also.

I am glad so many are willing to take up the cause now and I sure am proud of them. God bless em.

leanwolf is right. Disaster preparation is wise. But better to plan for more likely disasters than a national collapse into total "every-man-for-himself" anarchy. Any disaster you experience is much more likely to be local or regional in nature than nationwide.

It's within the realm of possibility that our goverment could collapse. It's bound to happen one day. But there will be some other government that will take over in short order. Better to stick around and help make sure it's a good one than to abandon your community.

If you are planning for total collapse of all society (which never seems to last for long), your most important preparation might be seeds. You're probably most likely to be able to feed yourself by growing some garden vegetables. I know, farming as a way subsistance in a "post-apocalyptic world" doesn't have all the thrill of "Red Dawn", but it seems a little more realistic to me.

I think it is highly unrealistic of those who have some fantasized Ramboesque idea of "bugging out" to the woods, mountains, deserts, etc., and "living off the land." Yeah, gonna shoot a few deer, some elk, antelope, bears and rabbits and maybe a few buffler, too!! Wild game all over the place!!

Uh huh.

Boys & girls, the only reason there is any "wild game" out there today is quite simply because for many, many years the States' Game and Fish laws have been very strict in regulating seasons and take. Plus, the many years of conservation efforts of said agencies and various hunting/fishing groups who have worked assiduously to provide habitat for wild game and fish.

Without those laws, regulations, licenses, tags, seasons, etc., there would be no game or fish around.

IF, I say again, IF there were to be a SHTF/TEOTWAKI event, someone would have to put up stoplights out in the mountains/woods/deserts, just so all the "bugger outters" could pass along without bumping into each other.

Secondly, it would be no more than a few days, or a couple weeks at the most, before virtually ALL the wild game would be shot to death and virtually ALL the fish would be netted (or dynamited) by the "bugger outters." Okay, so then what??

Oh. I know. Sneak into Rancher Jones' pasture and start gunning his cows and calves for some fresh meat. Or Farmer Smith's pigs and goats and lift a few chickens and eggs while you're at it. Uh huh.

Problem with that is, maybe ol' Rancher Jones and Farmer Smith don't want you to steal their animals. Maybe they are pretty well armed, too, and long odds are, they'll know their terrain a whole lot better than you do.

Ohh, maybe they won't have that high tech AR 15 or FN FAL as do you, but you'll never know the difference when ol' Rancher Jones' 170 grains flatpoint bullet from his old thutty thutty, loafing along at about 2,100 FPS, smashes through your brain pan while you're trying to cut some fillet mignon steaks off his steer you just killed.

As for running around in the bushes, sneakin' and a'peekin' in all that glorious military camo gear, I would submit that about the very first people who would be shot on sight by "locals" would be those who look very, very threatening. I guarantee you, if I were living someplace more rural, and I saw some dude all cammied up, carrying his military ruck and a bunch of military armaments, sneakin' around my place and family, he'd be the first one to receive a copper jacketed pointed-soft-point welcome, without any questions asked.

As others said, better to be low key and non-threatening. Also you'd better have a better plan than "living off the land."

That's just my take on "bugging out." :cool:


Very well said.

Tactical wannabes who have purchased all the cool spec op ninja/demon of darkness gear usually fail to comprehend the most important survival skill set of all.

That is the ability to use good people skills. Sometimes that even involves such non cool things like the ability to deal with difficult people and gain cooperation during stressfull times or events, sometimes even at the cost of your personal pride or vanity. The ability to have people trust you and be among folks you trust is probably a bit more important than having a gas mask or a bayonet.

I think it is highly unrealistic of those who have some fantasized Ramboesque idea of "bugging out" to the woods, mountains, deserts, etc., and "living off the land." Yeah, gonna shoot a few deer, some elk, antelope, bears and rabbits and maybe a few buffler, too!! Wild game all over the place!!

Uh huh.


I have to disagree somewhat here. It just depends on where you are. I have enough wild game in my yard at night to keep my family fed for a year, lol.

Living out "Red Dawn" would be a piece of cake here in the U.P. of Michigan......... until winter that is. Then it's separate the men from the boys time. Considering we get WAYYYY more snow than Russia, I'm sure any of the "bad guys" would run home crying for momma around the end of December :)

HuntCast,
and I would think that everyone in the surrounding states would also know you have "enough" game there too.

Pepe, in the case you mention, that is something to be thoughtful of but this is where using the best tool you have comes into play and that isn't your AR. Using your head tends to be the best in any circumstance. I'm not about to wait around while someone of "questionable" nature gets loaded.

exactly!
Keeping a cool, thinking head is the way to go. And if it came down to it, your hunting skill would be your means of sustinance for your family.


Unless they enjoy the flavor of the latest ripstop nylon uber-tac gear.

:D