Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Eric Krewson on December 17, 2015, 10:07:49 am
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I guess I am a closet prepper, no real stockpile but definitely know how to accumulate one from my little piece of land. I have all the right armament and know how to use it, bows, arrows, lots of lead, flint rifles and BP. I grow a big garden every year to can and freeze stuff and have a freezer full of wild game.
I keep a stockpile of snares and traps, just in case. I once worked with a commercial fisherman who taught me ins and outs of freshwater commercial fishing. I live about 1/3 of a mile from a huge lake and keep a 300 hook trot line that has never been in the water, complete with a jump box on the ready, again, just in case.
I think about having a 55 gal rain barrels under my downspouts. This would supply me with 550 gallons of water in a pinch. I haven't moved on this one yet but one has to have contingency plans.
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That's a question that rarely leaves my mind. I even have contingency plans in place on how to get home if it happens when I'm on the road. However, I won't be discussing any stores, stocks or strategies here. Without proper OPSEC one could find himself in a much worse defensive posture against those who didn't think it would happen. Lord knows I hope they're right! Josh
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I don't get into it that far. But, I am fully confident I can live without power or people due to my skill set. Fire starting should be number one. You cant eat, drink or stay warm without it.
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Always hope against hope that it never comes to that, ...but IF and WHEN it does, I like to think I'm ready-ish. Never can be ready enough. There is NO DOUBT that the whole current life style thing would have to be immediately shit-canned as soon as the balloon went up. ...but the most important things to have stored up are not really 'things' at all. What would likely be most critical is knowledge of skills and the mental discipline/attitude to execute the contingency plans effectively.
OneBow
BTW : +1 on the imperative of good OPSEC Josh.
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Someone clue me into what OPSEC is
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Operational Security
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I agree with OneBow, knowledge is the most powerful thing you can arm yourself with.
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Got it, thanks Jackson
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Yeah but I'm not going to elaborate, fire food and water are number one, security should be an everyday thing
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Just knowing how to make reverse twist cordage is invaluable. Us primitive weird-o's are VERY far and few between. We will become quite a popular lot when it all goes down. There isn't much most of us cant do. Shelters, weaponry of all sorts, fire, cordage, knapping, brain tan and all. We live amongst a bunch of "dummies" that are totally clueless without city water and a Bic.
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<snip>Us primitive weird-o's are VERY far and few between. We will become quite a popular lot when it all goes down. <snip>
That concept of making oneself 'popular' to others is exactly the sort of strategy that makes a person and those he cares about more survivable. Now don't laugh, but such is exactly the reason I have taught myself how to build and operate a still and cultivate tobacco seeds. :) People are eventually going to want to enjoy the new lives they have after the SHTF phase wears off.
OneBow
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I could live without electricity or running water. I usually have a garden each year and lots of critters in our woods for food if needed. We have a stream running through our property that doesn't see another person until it gets to us so lots of fresh water, although I would boil it before consumption. Lots of fire wood for heat and cooking if necessary.
If the doodoo does hit the fan big time, I want the first bomb to hit me on the head. I really don't want to see society deal with such a situation.
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I like to think I can, but only being in the thick would prove it or not. I have about 15 days worth of emergency food, and enough fishing experience and gear to get me through. I have a few bows, and arrows, and the skill to make more arrows if need be.
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If the doodoo does hit the fan big time, I want the first bomb to hit me on the head. I really don't want to see society deal with such a situation.
Civilized society.....very few realize just how fragile of a concept that truly is. It wouldn't/won't take much to shatter that notion. The short answer to Eric's question is no. I am not prepared to handle that situation. I used to think I was, but the more I learn the more I realize that I need to learn. I don't know how many times I've heard someone say," when the bubble busts, I'm coming to your house!". That's not good. With our complete reliance on technology and the "just in time" business model that nearly every business in America runs on....I'm scared to death nearly every day. Do an honest evaluation of your skill set, available logistics, dependents, health care requirements and your ability to secure all of it(especiallly if you are close to an urban area) I think you'll find you are nowhere near prepared to handle it. I've hearr r d vague unthought out plans that range from city folks fleeing to the country to plains people fleeing to the mountains. Foolhardy at best. Think about it. Josh
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What exactly is the "it" that is going to happen? That probably means I am in for it if "it" does.
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If you don't have enough food you'll starve to death(my case probably). If you do have enough food someone who doesn't will probably kill you to take it. The first few years would be hell on earth. Once 90% of the people died it would slowly turn into (close to) heaven on earth. People living as people should.
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What exactly is the "it" that is going to happen? That probably means I am in for it if "it" does.
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That is the ultimate question that no one can definitively answer. "It" is the hypothetical scenario that brings civilization to its knees. Chaos incarnate. I truly hope that no one can ever answer that question. Josh
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IT, is going to be zombies LOL, & no I'm not ready, I'll need and RC car some string tin cans to drag behind it, I'll also need a good 22 or 2 with suppresses, lots more 22 ammo, and I'll have the best varmint hunt you could imagine. LOL Ed
The noise from the Tin cans behind the RC car will bring them in, we all know zombies are attracted to noise...lol Ed
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It doesn't keep me up at night, but I have spent the last dozen years learning skills that would make that life possible. Won't be anything romantic about shooting folks who are trying to steal food from you. Or sleeping out in the cold cause you can't build a fire for fear of being seen. Or living in a stick hut cause the house is just too high profile.
But, if in this life only I had hope, I would be of all men most miserable.
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I'm by no means ready for any of that but suppose I'm as prepared as the next guy. I grow my own veggies and can more food that most. I do freeze some but most of my products are pressure canned including fruit, vegetables, pork lard, tallow (beef kidney suet), venison, pork, poultry, etc.
If the power grid goes out I'm not in a world of hurt. I already use composting toilet system and separate the urine which is then stored for fertilizer on my food plots.
I haul all of my drinking water but plan on a filtering system to utilize creek water for all my cleaning, showers etc. What comes out of the creek is fine for irrigation purposes.
I've lived without television for over 6 years, no problem. Most all of my heat is from wood although I do utilize a couple of space heaters. My utilities consist of an electric bill and phone/internet that average around $200/month combined.
My belief is that those could both be eliminated in an emergency. So yeah, I think I could handle it should it come to that. Oh, I like dandelion tea and am up to giving dandelion wine a try.
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IT, is going to be zombies LOL, & no I'm not ready, I'll need and RC car some string tin cans to drag behind it, I'll also need a good 22 or 2 with suppresses, lots more 22 ammo, and I'll have the best varmint hunt you could imagine. LOL Ed
The noise from the Tin cans behind the RC car will bring them in, we all know zombies are attracted to noise...lol Ed
No wonder .22lr is so hard to find at a reasonable price! Ed's been stocking up for a zombie safari! Lol! Josh
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IT, is going to be zombies LOL, & no I'm not ready, I'll need and RC car some string tin cans to drag behind it, I'll also need a good 22 or 2 with suppresses, lots more 22 ammo, and I'll have the best varmint hunt you could imagine. LOL Ed
The noise from the Tin cans behind the RC car will bring them in, we all know zombies are attracted to noise...lol Ed
No wonder .22lr is so hard to find at a reasonable price! Ed's been stocking up for a zombie safari! Lol! Josh
And my father in law. If I could ship it, I have a place close to my work with as much as you all would want.
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I know I alone am not entirely prepared but I have valuable skills and the historical recreation society I belong to (SCA) has many folks who have all the skills necessary. In fact the writer of the Walking Dead comics/show said he had to intentionally leave the SCA out of his world because we'd have it too easy, lol. We have all the skills to survive just fine and it's hard to get bit by zombies in full chain maille and plate armor, lol.
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I know I alone am not entirely prepared but I have valuable skills and the historical recreation society I belong to (SCA) has many folks who have all the skills necessary. In fact the writer of the Walking Dead comics/show said he had to intentionally leave the SCA out of his world because we'd have it too easy, lol. We have all the skills to survive just fine and it's hard to get bit by zombies in full chain maille and plate armor, lol.
It is also hard to run, or do most any other thing we do daily.
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I know I alone am not entirely prepared but I have valuable skills and the historical recreation society I belong to (SCA) has many folks who have all the skills necessary. In fact the writer of the Walking Dead comics/show said he had to intentionally leave the SCA out of his world because we'd have it too easy, lol. We have all the skills to survive just fine and it's hard to get bit by zombies in full chain maille and plate armor, lol.
It is also hard to run, or do most any other thing we do daily.
That's actually a myth. When I get home from work I'll find and post a video that shows this very well, it's a guy in full armor jogging, doing jumping jacks, dropping and doing push ups then jumping right back up, climbing up one side of a ladder, going over the top and back down the other side etc. etc. Our modern infantry carries more weight marching than an knight in armor.
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I know I alone am not entirely prepared but I have valuable skills and the historical recreation society I belong to (SCA) has many folks who have all the skills necessary. In fact the writer of the Walking Dead comics/show said he had to intentionally leave the SCA out of his world because we'd have it too easy, lol. We have all the skills to survive just fine and it's hard to get bit by zombies in full chain maille and plate armor, lol.
It is also hard to run, or do most any other thing we do daily.
That's actually a myth. When I get home from work I'll find and post a video that shows this very well, it's a guy in full armor jogging, doing jumping jacks, dropping and doing push ups then jumping right back up, climbing up one side of a ladder, going over the top and back down the other side etc. etc. Our modern infantry carries more weight marching than an knight in armor.
LOL, I'm sure someone in great shape could, but not all of us are in the shape of our fighting forces.
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You would be after running from zombies for a couple of weeks ;D
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If things go south, i will probably follow.
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I look at it as if I were Geranimo. You can run but you can't hide.
If they want ya they'll get ya. Best thing is to get yourself right
with your maker. I'm not saying give up by any means.
Pure survival sucks though.
Zuma
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If things go south, i will probably follow.
You're supposed to go north. Zombies freeze.
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I don't foresee what it coming as a total disaster. Personally I doubt the entire human race is going to go the way of the dinesour but all things are possible. I do see a lifestyle change coming and the masses are not going to handle it well. We have all been letting others appease and take care of us for far too long. If the dollar is devalued much and our money becomes worthless I'm going to have a tough time myself. Hopefully you are all better prepared than I.
If the government quits sending my SS check I'm as good as doomed. :embarassed:
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Only thing I have stocked so far is ammo... and I don't mean the ABO type. And like what others have said, I hope I never have a cause to use it other than on paper targets.
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I'm sure that I could handle myself, But what are you going to do with all the uninvited that are going to show up. I really enjoy learning all the primitive skills and have become pretty efficent with them but its not going to stop the 1000 to 1 odds your going to face, hope it never comes to this, they might kill me but i ain't going alone. Bob
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I'm sure that I could handle myself, But what are you going to do with all the uninvited that are going to show up. I really enjoy learning all the primitive skills and have become pretty efficent with them but its not going to stop the 1000 to 1 odds your going to face, hope it never comes to this, they might kill me but i ain't going alone. Bob
Sadly I have thought at length about this. No, I don't see it happening in my lifetime, but I do have a plan. Some of you are lucky enough to not live in a city. I don't have that luxury at this point.
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Our plan is to join up with the Wolverines.
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I found the armor videos:
https://youtu.be/Pz7naZ08Jd4
https://youtu.be/5hlIUrd7d1Q
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If things go south, i will probably follow.
Yep it's warmer down there!
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If it's not a nuke attack , I moving to the cabin and I can do just fine. It was set up and I used it for years with out running water and electric. Got plenty of 22 ammo, which is about the best all round you can have IMO and like Miss Joanie told the old hen group at church when the stock market took a dump a few years back," Mark knows how to make things and kill stuff so we will be fine" I really don't worry much about it but try to stay somewhat ready. ;) :) By the way I do have some other weapons ??? just in case others want to come and take what I have, I will be more than willing to share but don't try and come take it all. That would be a very bad move on there part. :)
Pappy
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I'm not gonna say what I do or don't have, but if the roving bands of "Citiots" come out around My part of the Country looking for hand-outs or pillaging - shame on them ! Bob
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If things go south, i will probably follow.
You're supposed to go north. Zombies freeze.
They freeze and they are scared to re-death of me. I can make a bow faster than they can walk towards me :)
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There is a book written by a man named John The Revelator, it is very interesting...
Don
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Yep. ;)
Pappy
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There is another book called "Five Seconds After", about what happens to society after an EMP attack, blunt and to the point. The author leaves out one crucial issue, what happens when all the 113 operating nuclear plants in the country go critical after loosing cooling water when the EMP attack fries all the electrical components.
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Eric, I don't think many of is can get far enough into the hills if that disaster should happen.
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IF things head south. I am afraid we are already heading that way. I am too old to see but I fear for my grandkids. This country as we knew it is gone unless things change at the top.
As far as living off the grid, NO problem here. My grandkids live in the bush, home schooled and are excellent hunters starting with the 6 year old. They have a 40' by 100' garden but that could be increased by 30 acres if need be.
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I went through this phase 30 years ago and stocked up on most everything...still waiting for it to happen.
It's nice to have a really big garden but most rely on gas powered machines to work it
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I'm in the same boat. Don't know if I'll live to see it but I live on 26 acres in a partially finished 30 x 60 metal building, have a large garden, spring fed creek water, and a very small mortgage remaining.
My kids and grandkids concern me more than myself.
My computer, motor, and remaining body parts have seen their best days. I'll gladly put up with whatever comes my way without much complaint.
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If things go south, i will probably follow.
You're supposed to go north. Zombies freeze.
Walking Dead never addresses one major thing that would stop most of that nonsense. Georgia has a bunch of them.........Flies. In a Georgia summer a Zombie wouldn't last a week. If you survive the initial surge things would slow down very quickly. The South would be the place to be. Humid and Hot. A maggots dream.
As far as prepping. I have a load of .22 ammo but thats I about it. I think I would be up a poop creek. Lets pray it don't happen.
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I would be up the creek. I can just about light a fire with flint and steel, but that's about it. I live in a small city, near much larger and more nefarious cities. I never used to really think much about this stuff, but once I got married, and now that we've got the boy on the way, I've been thinking about it a bit more. If I make it to Marshal this year, I need someone to show me some fire starting!
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I will teach you the ways of the fire spindle if you make it. Pretty simple really.
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I think the whole "can we survive?" question gnaws at us because our way of life is so utterly dependant on high technology. There is a generation of button pushing, gadget wielding, physically pitiful, brilliantly informed, know everything, lacking common sense, pampered into softness, guys who we all dread will be our protectors in our old age and weakness. The primitive archer bunch will do fine. What the future holds - who knows? For me, surviving has been something I have had to work hard and fight for since I was old enough to think straight and God knows, it has just been here lately that I could 'google' any answers. I helped a car load of young strapping collegiate athletes the other day who couldn't figure out how to CHANGE A FLAT TIRE - one of them was on his smart phone looking for a youtube video..... I shudder to think what would become of any of them if they were dumped out into a cold hard world without their technological safety nets.
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One thing I've found in my admittedly limited professional work experience:
Being willing to spend the time to figure something out will get you far.
I've worked with a lot of people who are far more knowledgable than I am about a great many things, but who just give up if their first idea doesn't work. I think it's a fear of being wrong. As everyone here knows, being wrong is how you learn- but only if you try again.
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I think the movie Blazing Saddles has the best idea.....I'm going to do a "number 6"
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Walking Dead never addresses one major thing that would stop most of that nonsense. Georgia has a bunch of them.........Flies. In a Georgia summer a Zombie wouldn't last a week. If you survive the initial surge things would slow down very quickly. The South would be the place to be. Humid and Hot. A maggots dream.
That ALWAYS bothered me, flesh rots and all sorts of things like rotting meat and make it decompose even faster. Unless being a zombie changes the body chemistry and it repels insects or something. For that matter, zombies "smelling" each other in Walking Dead is ridiculous too since their noses are rotting off as well.
I've read quite a few post apocalyptic novels, some of which were a "soft" slide where it was mostly money that was affected and that caused a social collapse,or an emp taking out modern technology and those seemed manageable especially since we have systems set up to keep electricity going like wind/solar/geothermal power as well as generators. Another book I read had EVERYTHING that died turned into a zombie, even fish and birds. That was such a depressing series I couldn't finish it, the people acted way too realistically in it.
As for me? Well I rely on vision correction to see so if I lost those I'd have a bad handicap. I know if things went belly up a few years ago, several family members would be dead since modern medicine was the only thing that saved them. (dad had a stroke where the artery behind his eye collapsed, doctors put a stent in to pop it back open via an artery in his leg and as soon as it was in he could talk and move around almost as well as before the stroke).
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I think the movie Blazing Saddles has the best idea.....I'm going to do a "number 6"
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: You got me! Best laugh I have had all day.
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Ranasp, whats the name of the book where EVERYTHING turned into a zombie, I need this in my life...lol.
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The first book is "The Rising" by Brian Keene, but like I said it's brutal. I could barely handle the first one and had to stop reading the series because it was just too much, and I've been watching horror movies since I was a kid so I've got some resistance built up. ;) I'd get it from the library and see if it's your speed.
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Have you read The Road? That one got me pretty good, just the bleak hopelessness of that world, there was no survival no matter your skills...