Around the world, deer are among the most popular game species for hunters, and since their populations are so large and they can be found in so many biomes, they remain the quarry of choice for those hunting with guns or bows. This naturally leads to some consternation with animal lovers because deer are also … Read more
There is hardly an animal out there that is more entertaining, and more charming, then the raccoon. Or rather, there are plenty charming as long as you aren’t the one enduring their attention! Raccoons are notorious for breaking into garbage cans, outbuildings and sometimes even homes in their never-ending quest for food and nesting areas. … Read more
All birds of prey are majestic. Whether it is a hawk, a falcon, an eagle or some other species there is just something about the image of a predator taking prey on the wing that stirs the spirit. However, as capable as these birds are all of them play a distant second fiddle to the … Read more
The fox is regarded as a trickster, a livestock predator and a symbol of cleverness and cunning in virtually every culture around the world where these animals are found. That’s for good reason, and there are few wild animals that are as evasive as foxes. But as human settlements expand, foxes are seen in increasing … Read more
Out of all the bears that you might encounter in North America, it is the black bear, the smallest of the North American bears, that you are likely to run into. Black bears are crafty, curious, and commonly encountered in and around towns and homes when searching for food. Although their antics can be amusing, … Read more
Every once in a while, you’ll hear someone talking about how they caught a glimpse of one of the United States’ most elusive inhabitants. Preternaturally quiet, stealthy and extraordinary hunters, the mountain lion is the largest wild feline on the continent, and rarely encountered even in its natural range. They are magnificent animals, no doubt … Read more
It’s hard to think of an animal that is more charismatic than the grizzly bear. Something about that big, pudgy body, those perfectly fuzzy round ears, inquisitive expression, and all of the antics that we see them get up to in various national parks that makes them undeniably charming. However, something tells me that those … Read more
Most people instinctively understand which wild animals are dangerous. Precious few people need to be told that a moose, bear, lion or snake can hurt you, and most folks only need to learn their lesson with bees or wasps once! But not all animals are dangerous, and to make things even trickier some animals that … Read more
I don’t think it is any great assertion to say already that pretty much every single adult alive, at least in North America, knows what a skunk is and what it can do to you. I also don’t think it’s any great stretch to say that there is no person on Earth who wants to … Read more
A growing concern in the United States, Europe and elsewhere in the world, wild boars are a known menace on farms and other agricultural installations. They cause untold damage, and have resulted in the collapse of a local ecosystems. They eat a ton, root up all kinds of plants, reproduce quickly and have basically no … Read more
It’s been said that there is nothing new under the sun, and pretty much everything that trends in our society has been a topic of discussion long before. One of the single biggest topics concerning food sources, and supposedly helping the environment, is eating bugs and specifically eating crickets. Proponents claim they are a tremendous … Read more
When you are in a survival situation, be it a short-term or a long-term one, you might not have much say so about what you eat. If you’re in a major hurry, lack resources or just have really bad luck, you might not even have time to cook your food. Some foods are better than … Read more
One of the most fundamental skills that any prepper can possess in a survival situation is knowing how to forage for food. Nature can provide us with all sorts of nutritious things to eat if we know where to look, know how to harvest them and know how to prepare them. But not everything is … Read more
One of the factors that some preppers fail to account for when planning for a legitimate survival situation is just how little choice you will have in the proceedings, at least much of the time. Necessity will ultimately make many of your decisions for you, and in the case of water to drink and food … Read more
When you’re in a real survival situation, your best-laid plans might come to nothing. You might run out of food, lose your food supply or just be forced to eat things that you wouldn’t normally eat. You might not even be able to cook your food! People can eat a lot of things raw, but … Read more
There are all kinds of plants serving all kinds of purposes in and around human habitation. Every once in a while, you come across a plant that is pretty divisive. Some folks might love it for its beauty or aroma, but it might have physical characteristics that make it a nuisance to others. Honeysuckle is … Read more
Every self-reliant person I know spends hour upon hour planning to accommodate the need for food in all kinds of survival situations. Yeah, you can go for weeks without food before you starve, but only a handful of days without food before you’re dangerously low on energy. But one thing that is routinely overlooked in … Read more
When you’re talking about survival, real survival, your wants and preferences will rarely factor into the equation. Survival is mostly about making the best of a bad situation, or choosing the lesser of the two evils much of the time. As always, necessity is going to be the ultimate decider of your actions. This certainly … Read more
Whatever kind of disaster or crisis you are preparing for, one of the most fundamentally important resources to have on hand is food. Everyone, everywhere, instinctively feels the need to eat, and accordingly it is a good idea to stockpile food in order to have it on hand. If you don’t have enough food to … Read more
It’s a good thing to be a prepper, in the context that you accept that bad things can happen, happen unexpectedly and it is in your best interest and the best interest of your loved ones to be ready for those occasions. But, it is easy to forget that despite your efforts you might not … Read more
In any wilderness survival situation, obtaining food is a priority. Though you can stay alive for weeks without any food, you’ll become so mentally and physically degraded your chances of survival will dwindle every day that you do not eat. Naturally, many folks include hunting and trapping gear in their survival kits for the purpose, … Read more
One of the most devastating, and sadly, one of the most plausible, mega disasters that preppers worry about today is that of an EMP, or electromagnetic pulse. Generated by the detonation of a nuclear warhead, a specialized EMP device or even powerful cosmic phenomena, a potent EMP can completely destroy the electrical grid, anything connected … Read more
One of the hallmarks of being a good prepper is knowing what you’re up against. Understanding the nature of the threat, be it a group of people, a natural disaster or an accidental catastrophe is fundamental to preparing yourself against the consequences. No matter how big, no matter how scary, there’s always something that can … Read more
Among ancient weapons, the spear might well be the king of the battlefield. Compared to swords, axes, clubs, and other melee weapons, spears have major advantages both logistically and operationally. Spears provide reach, and reach equals safety. Spears used as part of a group act as a force multiplier compared to other weapons and spears … Read more