When you think of self-defense implements, your mind probably goes immediately towards guns or maybe knives. On the less-lethal side of the spectrum pepper spray is the go-to. But what about tasers? Tasers are undoubtedly effective when used properly and when they work as advertised, and they are another ranged method of self-defense. Seems like … Read more
It’s always a good idea to keep extra gas on hand, especially if you want to be prepared. You never know when shortages, disasters, or other events will cut off your access to the pump. But a big problem with gasoline compared to other types of fuel is it tends to go bad pretty quickly. … Read more
You can make a good argument that the internet has done more harm than it has good when it comes to the fabric of society. But there’s no denying that with the rise and perfusion of the internet has come henceforth undreamed of access to information on every topic, and that includes the topic of … Read more
One of the single most important resources you can have in a survival situation is fire, and when it comes to creating one, modern fire starters are indispensable. Extremely easy to carry, brutally simple, and capable of igniting in virtually all conditions, this is something that every prepared person should have with them or as … Read more
One of the very worst things that can possibly happen to you is a house fire. Not only are they extremely deadly, but it will burn up your shelter and all of your expensive preps. If it happens in the middle of or as a result of some other disaster situation, you’re really going to … Read more
When it comes to self-defense, the default choices for most folks are either guns or pepper spray with very little in between. But it turns out there is a pretty good “in-between” choice in the form of a taser. It’s more decisive than pepper spray, but far less likely to result in a permanent injury … Read more
When it comes to self defense tools, tasers are one of the most misunderstood. Tasers occupy a strange sort of niche between something less harmful like pepper spray, and something extremely harmful like a firearm. Used correctly, a taser can give you a wonderful ranged option against attackers, and one that’s unlikely to cause serious … Read more
They say there’s nothing better than experience, and perhaps that’s true, but you can still learn a lot and step your “survival game” up by reading the right publications. Whether they are old-fashioned printed paper, or digital copies that you can take with you on any of the devices you use most, a good magazine … Read more
No matter what you need a pack for, whether it is hiking, camping, hauling gear to the range, or serving as a bug out bag, you’ll find no shortage of backpacks to choose from. Choosing the right pack is fundamentally important, but this decision is harder than ever thanks to the sheer variety out there. … Read more
Even in the world of survival, there are celebrities and legends. From legendary adventures and soldiers who overcame frankly unbelievable odds, to everyday people who found themselves embroiled in a fight for their very lives, the people on this list run the gamut when it comes to experience and expertise. Many are professionals who have … Read more
When it comes to personal readiness, there’s always something to do, something to improve. Your list of chores and homework will never end if you are serious. But, we need R&R also, just like anyone else but it’s easy to feel guilty when you just want to veg out in front of the TV… But … Read more
One of the most fundamental challenges in a survival situation is getting enough food. Lots of wilderness lore and survival training revolves around identifying, collecting, and preparing wild edibles safely. And though most of us think of hunting various critters, or picking safe berries and mushrooms, you might not have stopped to wonder if the … Read more
Any chicken owner that has ever let their chickens touch grass before has doubtlessly already noticed that their birds don’t just pick through the grass looking for choice morsels of food, but they actually eat a little bit of the grass too. It’s almost a little strange when you think about it; chickens eating grass? … Read more
Everyone understands instinctively how precious water is to survival. Going even a single day without a drink of water can leave you crippled or dead when the chips are down. Precious few people can survive outside in the elements for more than a few days, at most, without it. And that’s the paradox of the … Read more
Badgers are virtually synonymous with tenacity, but are they dangerous? Most folks don’t know too much about badgers. These are interesting animals that are noteworthy for their intricate social and family units that form in the wild, and they’re also important game and fur animals that are harvested for their hair and for their meat. … Read more
For most folks who live anywhere in the United States, the blue jay is a common sight in your yard. From the loud, screeching calls to their bully-like behavior at the bird feeder, these corvids are definitely unique and ubiquitous in their typical range. But these birds are also known to cause quite a commotion, … Read more
It is hard to imagine any animal being less dangerous than a chipmunk. From their beautiful, striped fur to those adorably chubby cheeks that carry food back to their burrows, chipmunks are among the most charismatic rodents on Earth. Arguably it is only squirrels that have better publicity. They are so tiny and delicate, it’s … Read more
If you’ve ever gotten a good look at those needle-sharp teeth, I don’t blame you for thinking possums are dangerous. I think everybody, especially people living in the South, have been surprised by them in the night: hanging out near the deck or popping out of the trash can. Those beady black eyes, the loud … Read more
Many domestic animals have diverged quite radically from their wild or ancestral counterparts. Let’s look at sheep, for instance. While it’s true that sheep can grow to be quite large and sometimes physically powerful, they don’t hold a candle to their wild cousins. In the United States and elsewhere in North America, bighorn sheep are … Read more
There is no shortage of amazing animals out in the wild. Some look magnificent, some are physically impressive and others are ferociously vicious or incredibly venomous. But there are a few animals, only a few, capable of fundamentally changing the environment around them. Beavers are that animal. Even a single beaver is capable of turning … Read more
There are all kinds of different deer species to be found around the globe, and many of them right here in North America. But standing over, literally and figuratively, the whitetails and elk on the continent we have the moose. Moose are the largest deer species in the world, and though they tend to keep … Read more
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