Baby Steps – How to start a preparedness dialogue with your significant other
Over the last four years this modern survivalism kick has grown by leaps and bounds. As more people are realizing the fragility of our food distribution, infrastructure, and witnessing our government's failures to act, survivalism has become less of a paranoid delusion and more of a rational method of risk mitigation. Whether your own journey began as a sportsman looking for wilderness survival tools, or as a political observer understanding that we are never more than 72 hours from civil unrest, we can all see how sensitive our society has become to minor interruptions.
One of the biggest complaints I hear from men and women getting started with prepping is the reluctance of their husbands or wives to get on board with preparedness. They hear the same things from their spouses as they do from the media: "oh, you're just paranoid", "that kind of thing will never happen, this is America", and of course, "I think you're over reacting". As much as you may know their naivete is dangerous, you'll never gain their support without first demonstrating compassion and wisdom. So, hopefully we can give you some communicative tools to help open a positive and productive dialogue with your significant other, so that they may come to understand your concerns and work with you to establish a better level of readiness.
First we must attach a personal investment to the situation. For men approaching women this can usually be done by asking if she would feel better by knowing there is always enough food, water, and medicine for 30 days in the house. The inevitable answer is yes, she would feel relieved. Which will touch upon her emotional needs to be provided for and safe. However, there will be a "but". So you hear her out and then explain how it's a better situation financially because you're going to need the food anyways and you can then wait for good sales to replenish the shelves. Saving money and reducing expenses, which introduces the rational argument. Then volunteer your time to go with her to the supermarket, stating that it can be something you do together which will once again tie into her emotional need for intimacy. Though we may not be winning her over to a fully-stocked homestead in Montana, its a start.
For women approaching men it is always easiest to explain the brass-tax rational side without making him feel disrespected. By involving his instinctual nature to keep his family safe a statement like, "I know you've been looking at ways to reduce our expenses and this will make me feel better. Maybe I can get around to organizing the pantry, too", will play on many areas of great concern to a man. Another way you can get an outdoorsy-type interested is by asking if he has a survival kit in his pack, boat, or tacklebox. Then asking what's in it and why. Men love to "talk shop" and will exude confidence when engaged in conversation where he feels respected. If he doesn't have a kit, tell him you'd feel better if he had one, and you'd like him to put one together for you, too. Once again touching on his need to protect you and making him feel respected for his abilities as a man.
Secondly, survivalism is the wrong word. We first spoke about this subject in the article Defining our cause and Perspective (www.thechristiansurvivalguide.com/2010/05/28/defining-our-cause-and-perspective/). The implication is that we are trying to run off into the woods ala Red Dawn in order to fight off the Russian invasion. Because of our society's inclination to believe such Hollywood non-sense, you must address what you do not mean so that you are not taken for a wannabe Rambo. Explain to your significant other that what you want is a better quality of life brought on by less worries about the "what if's". Plan your preps around your lifestyle and trying to keep that alive for as long as possible, even when Murphy throws some curves your way.
Lastly, use common sense. There is no need to approach your significant other with an argument or hostile tone. "Because I'm the man and I said so" will only cause resentment and bitterness, and due to association, every time you reapproach the subject you will have to overcome that hurdle. Approach your spouse with the heart of a teacher, explaining gently that you have concerns, but also a plan. And that you would like their help in the process.
Your husband or wife may not catch the fever, but that's alright. You'll be started on your baby steps and as we know, every journey begins with a single step. To add, circumstances surrounding us will always be changing. We can point to current events an explain their ability to significantly interrupt your lives if it had hit just a little bit closer and maybe, over time, they will begin to understand the need for preparedness. As always, approach your spouse with love, wisdom, and compassion. If that doesn't work, bribe them with ice cream.
TV progress report – Dual Survival, three episodes in
Well guys, after that first episode I have to admit, I wasn't overly enthusiastic. With all the nonsense going on and obvious attempts of producers to create some TV worthy drama, I had some reservations as to whether this would be a train wreck or not. Now I've finished watching episodes two and three and I am happy again. It seems like the producers understand that there must be an element of bush walkers in the viewership, so they add little tidbits here and there that keep you hanging on.
For instance this past week Dave and Cody were in the jungles of Belize. It was great to see Dave speak of foraging through washed up trash once they got to the ocean. They didn't even make him get eco-preachy when he said "trash can be found anywhere on this planet". I like that they're not turning this into a platform for the green agenda. What I do not like is that every episode has two minutes of explanations as to why Cody does not wear shoes. In a show with roughly 44 minutes of actual TV time this is not necessary. We got it the first time, Discovery: Cody Lundin is a nutjob, roger that.
Cody is not all bad, though. In the second episode he explains how he catches an eel with some improvised cordage and a sock. A sock for cryin' out loud! That was impressive. You'll have to watch the episode for the explanation, I'm not gonna spoil it for you guys that haven't seen.
They are slowly building towards an eventual altercation where I'd assume Dave starts ripping into Cody for being a "bush hippie" and endangering their survival due to his ideologies on clothing and footwear. I hope that when this happens Discovery doesn't paint Dave into a box as he does at times come off as arrogant on the show. Hey, what do you expect from ex-mil guys that are as Dave puts it, "all go, no quit".
In short - Discovery Channel has reeled me back in for maybe three so-so episodes. At that point I'll report again.
Gear Review – Using the Rat/ESEE Izula to baton wood
Not a full review but the first time I have used the Izula to split wood. It's small and needs alot of adjusting due to the small "target" size, but it will take some serious abuse.
Video – Why I chop standing wood rather than baton it
I had been asked in the video using the Rat RC-4 to chop down a sapling why I chop rather than baton. The reason is because the angle of approach is odd unless the knife and desired cut is above your shoulder line, as the swing would be underhand and not a "hammer".
Gear Review – Video of the Maxpedition Sitka
This is not an in-depth review, but rather a short review due to a poster on the Zombie Squad forums asking about using the Fatboy on short hikes. I told him I preferred the Sitka, and here's why.
You see it used here as a scout pack.
Ideas for secondary income streams
Note: this coincides with a recent podcast put out by Jack Spirko. I guess we had similar ideas. Not sure what episode number it was but check out his Podcast at www.TheSurvivalPodcast.com .
When I started to think about how to write this article I got a bit too high and mighty and started ranting about executive excess and corporate greed. But we're all grown ups here and this isn't a column in the times. So I think I'll take a simpler approach and spare you mu opinions.
For those of you with generous incomes who find all the money you need for prepping in whatever area of your budget, congratulations! You can sit this one out. For the rest of us work a days, read along, you might just catch the fever, too.
When I started getting serious about modern survivalism I quickly realized that stuff aint free! And even more so, it certainly isn't cheap. I'm not just talking about guns and a homestead, I'm talking about debt elimination and buying a home. Now, I'm not the smartest guy but it doesn't take a genius to understand that spending more money than you make is bad. So I researched a few ways to make extra cash. And to let ya'll know, any one of these or a combination thereof could be used to create a "personal business services" model, effectively meaning that you work for you and are not dependent on any one thing, ever.
Secondary/Multiple income stream ideas:
Part time retail - usually pays less than $10/hr but can be flexible with hours and can nail you some sweet discounts. Some sporting goods stores offer great seasonal options and awesome discounts coupled with an awesome work environment.
Delivering pizzas - not too difficult and always hiring, some of these guys can bank over $300 on a good Saturday night but expenses involving the use of your own car can be high.
GPT (get paid to) websites - no interviews or bosses or schedules and can be done while watching TV but is tedious and pays relatively low. Usually involves filling out a survey of some kind. Some have good referral systems to make bonuses off of friends who complete forms.
Technical services/Field Inspections - these can range into a lot of different areas but is what I currently do to create a secondary income. Involves assessing the risk of a structure or business operation as it would refer to commercial insurance. You need a little construction know how and some equipment like a digital camera, computer, GPS, etc. Pay varies widely.
Property Preservation - boarding up vacant houses, turning off utilities, covering pools, changing locks, etc. Usually as part of a post-foreclosure process. You would need a truck and some tools. Some Field Inspectors do this as well but I never have, I've heard the pay can vary and time lines are usually pretty strict.
Website/Affiliate Marketing - well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how that goes! I have about 48 cents in Amazon referrals right now.
Lawn care - may take a more considerable investment on your part than these other ideas, but could be a good business nonetheless.
Pet sitting/walking/care - some people don't want to use kennels or doggy daycares when they can meet the needs of their pets. A local person whom they can trust to be dependable and kind to their animal could be a good angle and this requires no tools but you.
Mobile notary - not sure how this would work other than saying the process is cheap and I see cars with "express notary" and such quite often.
Anyways, there are probably a thousand different ways you could easily make extra cash. It will be a sacrifice of time but who knows, maybe you can piece together a working condition that eliminates your 9 to 5 and effectively uses you as a business and is never dependent on only one area of the market.
I am striving to create something of the like by the time we make our move to a homestead (three to five years). At that point I have no interest in working for anyone but myself and God and hope to spend as much time as possible at our future homestead tending to our animals, garden, and babies!
Video – Using the ESEE/Rat RC-4 to cut down a pine sapling
I am not really liking the editing software that Kodak includes with the Playsport camera. Too bad, because the camera is awesome - except for the fact that it records in .MOV and Windows Movie Maker won't accept it and the converters I have are not playing nice. Anyways, I thought before I took the camera back I'd throw a video onto the new Youtube channel.
The video is me using a Rat RC-4 (pre-ESEE) that had just been sharpened using the new Spyderco Sharpmaker and it's 40 degree setting, then a fine touch with the 30 degree setting. It's not shaving sharp as I thought it'd be, probably my own error, but it's plenty sharp for shelter making.
Note: The video seems to be playing faster than real time. I don't know why.
Some comments from forums have made me expand upon the video - this text is now in the description on Youtube-
www.TheChristianSurvivalGuide.com
Using my (ESEE) Rat RC-4 that had just been sharpened by a Spyderco Sharpmaker. 1/4 mile from road so some noise. I did have permission to be on the property and taking a sapling was not an issue.
The sapling was rougly 3.7" diameter, not that big but thick enough that it could not be bent and cut.
Yes, I know, a knife isn't the best chopping tool. But a 3-6" fixed blade is common carry in the woods, an axe or hatchet is not due to size and weight. If I carried a larger and heavier kit in the bush, it would contain a hatchet, but I don't, so I use this.
Yes, a larger knife would be better for chopping. But then again we could circle around to the axe/hatchet argument.
Hunting clothing – camo and such
What hunter would want to head out in jeans and a Dale Jr t-shirt? Well all of 'em, of course. But it's not the most effective thing to do, though believe me, it has been done plenty of times.
There is somewhat of a misconception when it comes to what clothing set is absolutely necessary and how much should be spent. The answer will always truly be: What you are comfortable with and believe will be effective. That's it, you don't need a $300 Bone Collector model jacket, you just don't. Would it be nice? Yup. Would it be more effective than 'x'? Maybe. Look, plenty of freezers have been stocked by hunters wearing basic tiger stripe BDU's you can get at any surplus store for $20. Would they have been more successful with newer high-tech gear? Possibly, but I do know that there are plenty of people who head out into the woods with $1k worth of high tech camo gear and come back empty handed.
I chose to hit up a few message boards and listen to the people that have hunted that area for clothing advice. I recommend you do the same, as your chosen hunting grounds may be much different than mine and thus, an entirely different clothing set may be needed. Always seek out seasoned guys for advice and watch for fanboys. The ones you want to listen to usually have short but concise answers as to why they use 'x'. If anybody gets into a heated discussion about say, mossy oak vs realtree, stop listening. As I already said, plenty of game is taken in bargain bin surplus gear, it just doesn't matter that much. Get the pattern you think best matches your environment. I personally think real tree apg is pretty versatile for the South, so that's what I get.
As I asked around about the SC environment I heard pretty much the same thing as Florida - thick bush with small open lanes separating hardwood thickets, mud Mud MUD, hot and humid in summer/fall, mosquitoes, and potentially torrential downpours. This means that for fall hunting I'd need something light with ventilation but serious water resistance. I'd also need long sleeves for no see-um and mosquito protection. I was told it can get cooler at dusk/dawn and can get cold during "winter", so it was a good idea to get something that could cover up cold-weather layers.
Of course I wanted to get the best bang for the buck so I sought out extremely versatile options and this is what I came up with:
Jacket - Bass Pro Shops Red Head Squaltex Rain Jacket Highly reviewed and fairly inexpensive at around $80. The hood is large enough to wear a hat under. I'm thinking of sewing in an elastic strap to fit under the bill of my hat. That way the hood won't flap around in the wind on when on the move in the rain. Make sure you could put it on over a few layers in case it gets cold.
Pants - BPS Squaltex Rain Pants Just as highly reviwed and durable as the jacket and around $70. Its small and light enough to be packable. That way you can wear jeans and put these on when it starts raining.
Shirt - For real warm weather and another layer I found a BPS LS shirt made out of breathable mesh. It is extremely light and does a good job of venting. It was on sale for under $20. Not sure if its on the BPS website but shirts like these are in every big box hunting section. This shirt will be great for hog and small game hunting in Florida.
Boots - (Gander Mountain Fanatic side zip) I had been using regular ol' duty boots for quite a while. They're fine for most trail work, though a bit heavier than necessary. However, they're horrible in mud. It was said many times over that I'd be best getting a good insulated rubber boot. I ended up getting some gift cards to Gander Mtn so I listened to my father who had used the fanatic side zip boots and loved them. At $139 they were middle of the road priced but promised to be a great value and long lasting. My local store had nothing that fit me so I ordered a pair online. When they finally came they felt a bit narrow and pinched. I usually expect this in normal sizes because my feet are pretty wide and usually I can be comfortable after some break in time. Problem, these boots are so sturdy that it's not going to happen. Its a shame because they really seem to be solid. They will go up for trade/sale soon and I will start a boot search only buying something that I can try on first.
*I now recommend you actually try on boots before buying. Your size is not enough to go by considering field boots may not be forgiving.*
Layers - The best layers I have ever found have been Under Armor, period. Whether for warm or cold weather they are always slim and light and non-restrictive. Being moisture wicking helps regulate body temps. They can be pricey but are well worth it. I bought a set of Coldweather pants and a turtle neck. If I need another layer I'll put on a fleece set from walmart I can pick up for $20.
Extras - I like to wear buffs around my neck in the woods, that's about $20. I have a real tree patterned hat, a safety orange vest, and a balaclava as well. They were about $10 a piece.
My total investment is about $410. Given that the boots will possibly be replaced by something more expensive that may go to $450. The important part is that the system is usable in hot, mild, or moderately cold weather and will keep me dry in the rain. Most of the gear is great quality and will be used until passed down to my younger brothers. So I will definitely get my money's worth.
Like I said earlier, none of this is truly necessary. You can do plenty good with surplus stuff or have an epic failure with top of the line scentblocker gear. The point is to find what you will be comfortable with and can expect to work in the brush.
Licensing and Safety Course for hunting
Now, I got this all done back in March, so I'm a little hazy on the details. Each state will have it's own set of laws regarding education and licensing, I urge you to check out www.huntinfo.org/ for state-specific requirements.
Here in Florida, I was required to attend a hunters safety course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC for short. Their website referred me to register for either a two-day class or an online educational portion with exam, and then a short class and range qualification on one day. I chose the online option.
Note on costs: In Florida a lot of the training is done at hunt clubs, outdoors stores, and ranges that may require a usage fee. I think I paid $15, though the online exam was free. Licenses vary by length of term and if you want extra permits for specific management areas, tags for waterfowl/turkey, etc. Prices range from approx. $17/year for just hunting to $100 for a combined hunting/fishing license with all permits included. Florida also has a lifetime license program for around $1000.
The online portion was a breeze, taking about four hours total. I did it in 15-30 minute increments as I had time over a week or so. I printed the exam results (pass) and waited until my class/range time.
The class was decent with about 25 of us outside at Volusia Gun and Hunt Club (awesome new place) but a bit boring as it covered a lot of Florida law regarding legal methods of taking game and the archaic legalese it's all written in. Lucky for us this March day was kind of cool, no insane heat waves early this year. We listened to the lecturers and took a final test which was just plain common sense, then hit the range.
We had three stations to complete by showing we could safely operate different weapons types: A small bolt action .22lr rifle, a very light pull compound bow, and a 20 gauge shotgun. Everybody was respectful of first-timers and we gave them a good amount of time to get comfortable.
After it was all said and done we were told our Hunter Safety numbers would be sent out the following week. Well, I guess they were wrong about mine because it took nearly a month until I had it in my hands.
Easy enough. Now for the South Carolina non-residential I need to present my valid Florida hunting license and pay between $40 and $125 depending on if I want a 3 day, 10 day, or annual license. As I will probably be going up three or four weekends late this year I'm going to pick up an annual license in July. An additional State land permit is required to hunt WMA's, but we will be on a private lease, so it won't be necessary.
My first deer – a story in progress
I'm new to a lot of forms of hunting. If you can believe it, I've never hunted from a stand and up until this year, had not hunted legally (I recommend you get your safety course and licenses done now, during the off season). Sure I've been big into fishing, some basic trapping/snaring, and I'm a decent recreational shooter, but I've never gotten serious about harvesting meat until now.
My father and uncles have wanted me to come up to their lease in South Carolina for a while, where they tree stand hunt for whitetail. Well sure enough this year I am going to pull the trigger and get involved with "normal" hunting. Maybe even put some meat in the non-existent freezer, I suppose we'll have to do another write up when the time comes to buy one.
So saddle up because I'm going to detail step by step my process of getting started in tree stand hunting for whitetail from licensing process to gear selection to my first official deer. Please recognize that this article will be a work in progress until I come back with my first whitetail.
1. Safety Course and Licensing
2. Hunting Clothing - camo and such
3. A good rifle and Scope (Just bought a Savage 110 package - article coming soon)
4. Prep day - work weekend and scouting
5. The first hunt (later this fall)
6. My first deer (only God knows when)