5 Unusual Ways to Make a Fire

     One of the most important skills in wilderness survival is the ability to make a fire. Fires allow us to do everything from cook food and purify water, to keeping us warm and warding off predators. When going out into the wilderness your best bet is to take an easy fire starter such as a lighter with you at all times. However if you find yourself lost in the wild, and in need of a fire, there are some more unusual methods that people have created to make fire.

DIY: Bug Spray

     As the weather starts to warm up, the bugs start to come out. For many of us, this also means that the bug spray comes out as well to keep those pesky insects from biting us. A while ago it occurred to me that when SHTF, there won't be anymore bug spray. So I decided to try and figure out how to make my own, and found that is in fact really quite easy!

Bear Safety

     In many areas of the country we are still surrounded by cold weather and snow.  It may seem like it is going on forever with no end in sight, however tomorrow is the first day of March.  Daylight savings time starts on March 10th (remember to change your clocks!), and the Spring Equinox is on March 20th.  It may seem like we are stuck in a never ending cycle of snow, but spring is on its way! 

 

     Spring means warm weather is coming and hiking will no longer require cumbersome coats, numerous winter accessories, and even snow shoes in some places to just walk around.  As we start to get out and hiking and enjoy the world waking back up, it is a good thing to remember that not only the plants are waking up, but the animals as well.  Specifically, bears.

Camouflage and Evasion

          In our daily lives we are constantly looking for different ways to be prepared. Many times a lot of us however tend to focus on the stuff for survival. How much food, water and supplies we need. However skills are also very important to have as well, and we have to remember not to neglect learning and maintaining skills that could be important for survival. One skill that we should all know is evasion and camouflage.

Hypothermia and Dressing for Winter

     A little while ago I did a post on winter weather and a few people commented that there wasn't much information on clothing. Most people who live in cold weather areas already understand how to stay warm, and what clothing they need. As a result, many of us who live in these areas don't really think much on the clothing we wear. However for someone who normally lives in warmer areas of the country, this isn't something they are normally faced with, and some people may not know how to deal with clothing in cold weather.

Having Pets When SHTF

      As survivalist and preppers we are constantly looking at different ways we can be prepared. Different survival plans, bug out bags, bug out locations, gear, and survival food and pantries. We plan for ourselves, we plan for our family, and we plan for our friends, even if they don't really get why we are prepping in the first place.  However, there may be one aspect of our lives that we haven't been paying attention to and prepping for. Our pets.

Beginning a Garden for Life and Survival

     In recent years the ideas of victory gardens and homesteads have enjoyed a resurgence as people look to find different ways to save a little money, be more "green", or just as a way to get fresh vegetables.  However, gardens are important for survivalists as well.  Sometimes we get so caught up in our newest gadgets, bug out bags, and survival caches that we forget to think about those other long term plans for when all those things run out or stop working.