Please don't plan on "bugging out to the country"...

[Servant68]

We're full...

Back when Y2K was looming, my mostly redneck extended family and I had discussions about the actual survivability of "heading to the hills" in case of a power grid failure.

We are all either ex-military, law enforcement, hunters, fishers, farmers, or all of the above in various combinations.

We lived in smaller towns of 20k or less and there was a family cabin near a lake about an hour away. That was our bug out location. It had well water, generator, wood heat, generous small and large game, and a lake full of fish. The nearest neighbor was an off the grid Vietnam vet who raised beef, grew crops, and was a fellow Believer. He agreed to assist if worse came to worse.

Even with generous food stocks, unlimited water and heat, and plentiful wild game, we didn't think we could make it more than a year.

And that was without the added pressure of tens of thousands of other people fleeing the cities to "live off the land".

I wonder how many people with that plan have actually ever hunted? Do they know the estimated number of deer or other game in their areas?

Mostly rural Idaho has an estimated deer population of around 500,000. There are 1.65 million people. Of course we also have elk, bear, and moose.

Iowa is a typical Midwestern state with 3.12 million people and only 400,000 deer. Hunters in 2012 in only a month killed 120k deer. How long do you think it will take 3 million people panicking and looking for food to eradicate 400k deer?

No, those that can survive in the woods are already doing it and it has taken years of planning and trying and failing and trying again.

I know a husband and wife who live on 96 acres in Idaho. They are off the grid and raise chickens, goats, cattle, horses, pigs, and rabbits. They have a 2-acre garden and 5 acres of grain fields. They have solar power and a generator and a well. They have been living that way for ten years and still they tell me they couldn't make it without monthly trips to town for essential items like medication, sugar and salt, yeast, personal hygiene items, etc.

I think the best scenario is a small town, with good neighbors, and smart and resourceful people.

Heading to the mountains is suicide...

 

[JackRT]

In the event of a total collapse of civilization most people have no idea just how difficult life would become. I suspect we would lose half the population in the first year alone. It would not be pretty. After ten years it would probably stabilize at maybe 10% of the present level. The Amish would do just fine. Oh yes, so would the filthy rich.

 

[Tull]

There will be no place to run to,i hope I'm dead before it happens or very shortly after

 

[section9+1]

I have never lived entirely off the grid. That would be really hard. But I have lived fairly near the edge of it for over half of my life. For years we had a rule about meat that if I didn't kill it myself we wouldn't eat it. You can get enough food off the land if you know what you are doing, and in an emergency, it's doable, BUT you would have to forget everything about legality, compassion, sensitivity, etc. You could get by but it would involve excessive animal cruelty. I never let myself get to that point, but there's ways to live if you have to. Until then, stay in your small town. It's what I'm doing.

 

[*LILAC]

Living off the grid really is not that difficult. Being raised in the country and small farm life has been a real advantage. If people were to come to me for help, I would, as would my Amish neighbours.

 

[Tull]

The fear of death will drive people to do anything to others,themselves.....anything to just live another minute,this is not the attitude a Christian should have in my humble opinion,be ready to die and accept it when it comes.

 

[chaz491]

We're full...

Back when Y2K was looming, my mostly redneck extended family and I had discussions about the actual survivability of "heading to the hills" in case of a power grid failure.

We are all either ex-military, law enforcement, hunters, fishers, farmers, or all of the above in various combinations.

We lived in smaller towns of 20k or less and there was a family cabin near a lake about an hour away. That was our bug out location. It had well water, generator, wood heat, generous small and large game, and a lake full of fish. The nearest neighbor was an off the grid Vietnam vet who raised beef, grew crops, and was a fellow Believer. He agreed to assist if worse came to worse.

Even with generous food stocks, unlimited water and heat, and plentiful wild game, we didn't think we could make it more than a year.

And that was without the added pressure of tens of thousands of other people fleeing the cities to "live off the land".

I wonder how many people with that plan have actually ever hunted? Do they know the estimated number of deer or other game in their areas?

Mostly rural Idaho has an estimated deer population of around 500,000. There are 1.65 million people. Of course we also have elk, bear, and moose.

Iowa is a typical Midwestern state with 3.12 million people and only 400,000 deer. Hunters in 2012 in only a month killed 120k deer. How long do you think it will take 3 million people panicking and looking for food to eradicate 400k deer?

No, those that can survive in the woods are already doing it and it has taken years of planning and trying and failing and trying again.

I know a husband and wife who live on 96 acres in Idaho. They are off the grid and raise chickens, goats, cattle, horses, pigs, and rabbits. They have a 2-acre garden and 5 acres of grain fields. They have solar power and a generator and a well. They have been living that way for ten years and still they tell me they couldn't make it without monthly trips to town for essential items like medication, sugar and salt, yeast, personal hygiene items, etc.

I think the best scenario is a small town, with good neighbors, and smart and resourceful people.

Heading to the mountains is suicide...

I agree.

Its nonsense to think you will live completely independent of other people.

I bought 5 acres last year in a small town in Ohio. I think I made a mistake doing this though. I don't think there will be an economic collapse anytime soon. Sure there are people who have some credentials that say its coming, but those people make money from it. They sell gold or books or services or food supplies etc. Try to find a legitimate economist that does not make some profit from preaching about a collapse. It is very difficult to find someone like this.

But I guess I have found what I will do to keep me busy during retirement - grow and sell fruits and vegetables and live as independently as possible.

 

[Tull]

Americans have been watching too much television,thinking America will just go back to Little House on the Praire or The Waltons if there is an economic collapse,a collapse will be followed by political collapse war and possible tyranny....it won't be Ma,Pa,Jim Bob and John Boy, neither the,government, population or culture is the same as the ones that existed during those times.

 

[Gaz54au]

I don't want to through a Cat Amongst The Pigeons, but among all the reason to prep for me was to prepare for the end times. I get verbally bashed by people talking about pre or mid tribulation taking of the saints but I keep saying well if you get raptured all good but what about your family and friends that if there is a rapture how will they survive if you have not prepare...selfish christians...lol
I don't fully know what is going to happen, but I know I need to be prepared and prepare for others who will not take the mark, christian or not! I believe that is what God want's us to do at the least!
As Christians we need to be the Watchmen and like the "Wise Virgins" make sure we have enough oil till Christs return...and off cause beans, rice and wheat wont hurt to stock pile as well...

Bless ya guys...
Gaz

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Preaching to the choir brother. The wife and I are in our 60s. We ain't going nowhere unless it is in our Santa Fee. Elsewise, we are bugging in. Our plan it to work it up and try our best to become self-sufficient. The plan it to do this within 3 years (3 -6 growing seasons).

We're full...

Back when Y2K was looming, my mostly redneck extended family and I had discussions about the actual survivability of "heading to the hills" in case of a power grid failure.

We are all either ex-military, law enforcement, hunters, fishers, farmers, or all of the above in various combinations.

We lived in smaller towns of 20k or less and there was a family cabin near a lake about an hour away. That was our bug out location. It had well water, generator, wood heat, generous small and large game, and a lake full of fish. The nearest neighbor was an off the grid Vietnam vet who raised beef, grew crops, and was a fellow Believer. He agreed to assist if worse came to worse.

Even with generous food stocks, unlimited water and heat, and plentiful wild game, we didn't think we could make it more than a year.

And that was without the added pressure of tens of thousands of other people fleeing the cities to "live off the land".

I wonder how many people with that plan have actually ever hunted? Do they know the estimated number of deer or other game in their areas?

Mostly rural Idaho has an estimated deer population of around 500,000. There are 1.65 million people. Of course we also have elk, bear, and moose.

Iowa is a typical Midwestern state with 3.12 million people and only 400,000 deer. Hunters in 2012 in only a month killed 120k deer. How long do you think it will take 3 million people panicking and looking for food to eradicate 400k deer?

No, those that can survive in the woods are already doing it and it has taken years of planning and trying and failing and trying again.

I know a husband and wife who live on 96 acres in Idaho. They are off the grid and raise chickens, goats, cattle, horses, pigs, and rabbits. They have a 2-acre garden and 5 acres of grain fields. They have solar power and a generator and a well. They have been living that way for ten years and still they tell me they couldn't make it without monthly trips to town for essential items like medication, sugar and salt, yeast, personal hygiene items, etc.

I think the best scenario is a small town, with good neighbors, and smart and resourceful people.

Heading to the mountains is suicide...

 

[SavedByGrace3]

In the event of a total collapse of civilization most people have no idea just how difficult life would become. I suspect we would lose half the population in the first year alone. It would not be pretty. After ten years it would probably stabilize at maybe 10% of the present level. The Amish would do just fine. Oh yes, so would the filthy rich.

Tragic. I think you're conservative with the survivors my friend. 10% is a best of circumstances estimate. Lots of mean people are going to be set loose on day one. I think the loss of life in the cities will be catastrophic. Our civilization is a three-legged stool, and all three legs are about to break. Believe me, if you have read my books you will know that I am a faith person. But a time of judgment is upon us. The land is about to spew the people out because of the abominations being committed. Lord be with you all.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Living off the grid really is not that difficult. Being raised in the country and small farm life has been a real advantage. If people were to come to me for help, I would, as would my Amish neighbours.

For most of Americans, like 98%, it will be the end. They have neither the strength of character nor the skills needed to survive the first 3 months. I think half the population will be gone within 90 days. Tops.

 

[Fabric lover]

We're full...
Back when Y2K was looming, my mostly redneck extended family and I had discussions about the actual survivability of "heading to the hills" in case of a power grid failure.

Hi, I'm new here and I'm so glad I found this forum. I currently live in a very small town of 8,000 people in a geologically stable (for now) area. It's a closed community. Outsiders not welcome. Coming from earthquake country and living through a major quake has given me invaluable insights. If you're prepping and have never experienced a disaster, doing a dry run is critical, but who bothers?
A preparedness exercise in California featured 3 different households pretending that there had been a grid failure. I think the exercise lasted just 3 days. There was a family with children, a childless couple and a disabled woman in a wheelchair who lived alone. All of them were shocked to discover how difficult it was and how fast all their supplies dwindled. What was most disturbing was the disabled woman with her piles of beans and rice. She was planning to cook for her neighbors.
After an event, I already know I'm not interested in cooking. I want a Valium, coffee, chocolate and a big blanket to hide under!

 

[EdyChristian28]

yea, to think people don't understand of working together to withstand an event like this.

but I'll be reading in my room. Since there really won't be anywhere to go.

Even if you attempted to do anything. the dumbest or supposed smartest of people will be ready to take you out for what you have.

Not to mention military orders towards the civilian.

 

[Andrew4jesus]

My own personal plan is to become like a wild animal, a green man if you like. I know my territory and I shall survive like a badger or a dear. just saying

 

[JackRT]

My own personal plan is to become like a wild animal, a green man if you like. I know my territory and I shall survive like a badger or a dear. just saying

I like "dears" too --- I have a few in my life. But badger?? Can you dig yourself out of sight in a minute?

 

[Andrew4jesus]

I like "dears" too --- I have a few in my life. But badger?? Can you dig yourself out of sight in a minute?

No digging I will live above ground. I will make little runs through all the hawthorn bushes and other deep scrub and put traps in them and make my self hard to follow. I will run through my own made trails and also use rope to hide up trees. imagine the legend of the green man or a woodsman woodchildren etc hiding in the thickets hard to spot and deadly to follow.