Poor Man Survival
Self Reliance tools for
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A Digest of Urban
Survival Resources
Supreme self-sufficiency starts here
In a recent YouGov poll, most Americans consider it likely in
the next decade that the U.S. will cease to be a global superpower (50 percent
said this), and that will be followed by a total collapse of the U.S. economy
(47 percent felt this way). Each of the 15 dire scenarios presented by the
pollsters was considered somewhat or very likely in the next decade by at least
20 percent of Americans.
In the coming years, self-sufficiency will become a most important
concept in our daily lives. Tech futurists would like you to think that AI
(artificial intelligence) will solve all the world's problems, but it looks
like at least half of all Americans agree with me that we could be facing quite
a lack of tech, and worsening electrical capacity, not to mention a lower
capacity for growing and delivering food and water.
The words survival and self-sufficiency are surely interchangeable
and synonymous.
The idea of self-sufficiency and survival are either hard and
harsh concepts to Americans who are in every way dependent on the system, or
the idea is only something you can do if you're one of the country folk Hank
Williams Jr. sang about years ago.
I fear that most may one day be very hungry and forced to resort
to stealing their food. I have often remarked that an honest man will steal if
he and his family are hungry. And if desperate enough, he may plunder or may
even kill.
The only exception to this is indeed many of those country folks
who still barter, build, hunt, and can live off the land. Another exception
would be the age group that was born in the 1930s, but they are a small group
at this point. They could easily revert to the land without having a nervous
breakdown.
But while Williams Jr. was right in that "A Country Boy Can
Survive," it is also true that anyone can, with the right tools, supplies,
and knowledge.
Not just in songs, or the movies
If you have ever watched the movie, Gone With the Wind, you
remember the desperate conditions people endured just after the Civil War.
Prior to the war, Scarlet O'Hara had the finest things that life in the Old
South could give, but the war and devastation reduced her to poverty.
When the war was over O'Hara still had the land. But with
everything gone except the land, Scarlet was reduced to living on turnips and
whatever she could grow literally with her hands.
That scene happened for real in Germany during World War I.
Turnips became survival.
No one I know wants to eat turnips for every meal. Luckily this
doesn't have to happen to you if you take small but determined action while
there is yet time.
Yes, store food and water, as I mentioned to you a few days ago.
But before long, even higher food inflation will make the limited food
available only at very high prices. Most people of even moderate income are
having trouble getting affordable food now.
It is at this point you must turn back to the land. To prepare for
a long-term situation in which your emergency stores are going to run out, you
need to know how to hunt, gather and forage in your area.
I have written to you before about foraging and growing a
"victory garden," but you will also find the need to hunt if you want
meat.
And, who knows what guns will be banned in the near future, so
let's talk turkey (hunting).
Bullets n' tackle
You should have a .22-caliber rifle for shooting small game; a
shotgun; and a large caliber rifle like a .308 or a .30-06.
Ideal ammunition for the .22 would be both .22 longs and .22
shorts. The shorts are sufficient for killing small game like squirrels and
small rodents, and they make a soft report when fired. This often gives you the
opportunity to take multiple shots, if you miss, before the prey is frightened
off. The .22 longs would be better suited for shooting larger game like
opossums and raccoons.
The shotgun can be loaded with bird shot for shooting birds,
larger shot like #4 for squirrels or rabbits or buck shot for shooting deer or,
if necessary, to ward off predators. The large rifle will also kill deer, and
it can be used for protection as well.
Squirrels, rabbits and deer readily come to mind when considering
what to bag for edible game. But the truth is, almost any mammal, bird or
reptile is nutritional; and any qualms about eating things like opossum,
raccoons, snakes, frogs and turtles — or even cats, dogs or horses — can be
overcome when the belly is empty and the need is great. Here's a word of
caution, however: Avoid box turtles and toads, as they can contain toxins that
can make you sick.
Trout and other kinds of inland fish are always an excellent
source of protein and can be easily caught with the right equipment. Again,
preparation is the key. Using time now to buy a rod and reel with a supply of
lures, hooks, lead weights and floats will allow you to fish on a moment's
notice, and make your fishing more productive.
You can also set up trot lines, which will probably be a more
productive use of your time. Trot lines can consist of nothing more than a long
cord that runs across a stream, river or slough in a lake. The line can contain
a number of hooks on separate lines dangling from the main cord. Just bait each
hook, leave it for several hours and return. You will catch a lot of catfish,
some turtles and a few other species of fish, depending on your location.
Jug fishing is another great way to catch catfish in large bodies
of water. Simply tie a line to a jug (a plastic milk jug is ideal) with a
weight at the other end. Attach a small line with a hook about a foot above the
weight and another line with a hook one to two feet above that. Bait the hooks
and drop the jugs in the water.
If you set out several with different line lengths and different
baits, you can determine which combination produces the best results and
increase your catch.
And, of course, use this time when we are not desperate to learn
how to clean animals for eating. You will regret it if you have not prepared
your knowledge base along with your supplies!
Yours for the truth,
Bob Livingston
Editor, The Bob Livingston Letter®
SIDEBAR
11 Ways to Communicate After the Grid Goes Down
The recent pandemic taught us a lot of things, and one of them
is to be prepared for global disasters. Now, the world is facing a food crisis,
supply chain problems, and even the possibility of nuclear war.
If a sudden disaster like an EMP or cyberattack, parts of the
power grid (or maybe even all of it) could go down. If that happened, one of
the first things you'll want to do is get in touch with your loved ones. But
without the power grid, how would you? Even if your phone still works, cell
phone towers could be down or completely jammed.
Communication will be vital after the grid goes down so we can
find out what is happening in our community. You won’t be able to turn on the
TV for the news, check your phone, or go online to see what is happening...
11 Ways to Communicate After the Grid Goes Down
How to Teach Kids to Hunt
Why won’t
kids listen?
Especially
when the topic is as fun and important as hunting...
That won’t
just save your life...
But will
also teach values. Like determination, self-reliance, patience, and respect.
Click Here to Discover ‘How to Teach Kids to Hunt’ <<
17 Items Every First-Aid Kit
Should Have
Take
control of your health and safety by customizing your own first-aid kit with
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Why Planning to Bug Out Isn’t Enough
Why is your
bugout plan so bad?
Because it
could leave you a lost, a sitting target for looters, without resources...
Caught in
the teeth of the very danger you fled from...
Unless you
follow these steps.
Click Here to Discover ‘Why Planning to Bug Out Isn’t Enough’
<<
There’s
nothing to lose by stockpiling essentials.
In fact, it’s exactly what will save you and your family when the next catastrophe hits.
Boy scouts are taught to “always be prepared”. But as
adults do we truly follow that advice?
Not really. That was proven during the last crisis when so
many Americans were caught short on some basic staple foods
What
is a go bag?...
A go bag is
a pack you make in advance. Ready for an evacuation. When the S-H-T-F...
That will
keep you alive for several days...
If you pack
the right stuff…
Bug Out
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- 72-hour 4Patriot emergency food
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- 4Patriot Greens sample pack
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- 3 Luna Nutrition bars
[assorted]+Sunmaid raisin pouch
- Cleaning Wipe Pack
- Steel River Emergency Tent
- Mini First Aid kit
- TRS 5N1 EDC folding tool
- 3-package meal sampler
- Paracord bracelet w/ compass
- Reusable Face Mask
- Personal Water Filter Straw
- 11-Piece Emergency Survival Kit
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URBAN SURVIVAL HANDBOOK
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Free enterprise, limited
government, individual freedom!
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