Sunday, April 22, 2007
A day to relax
We took a day off Saturday to relax a bit from doing things around the house. We managed to get our tomatoes and peppers planted, a row of Blue Lake pole beans planted and the strings run for the beans to climb on when they come up. Also got an irrigation drip line run on the bean row and soaked the ground down good with it. Before that the gasoline pump wouldn't crank as it had froze up during the winter while it was idle. I took the pull start part off and used a big socket and wrench on the crankshaft bolt to move the motor a little. Apparently it had some rust build up inside and that's what the problem was. After it moved, I replaced the pull start and hooked the pump up and it did good. Anyway, we needed a day of leisure, so we headed to a local park to spend the day. It was very nice, the temperature wasn't too cold or too hot and had a gentle breeze blowing most of the day to make it very comfortable. We carried a picnic lunch with plenty to eat and did some small hikes on the trails around the park. There were some rock climbers and some people rappeling on the bluffs on one side of the park that has become a good place to do that and there's usually a lot of those people there to watch. I find it interesting that some climb the bluffs with a safety line attached and others rappel down the side. I would like to try rappeling, but just never got into it. I have a friend that works for the fire department that told me he would train me to do that for free when they had one of their sessions. I'm begining to think that I'm a little old for that now, so will just watch the younger folks do it. Anyway, we had a nice relaxing day and enjoyed it. I'll get back to the garden about Monday and start getting some rows of corn and maybe a couple rows of okra in the ground. Sure do need some rain around here though as my pond is not up to the right level to hold out all summer when I plan on pumping water out of it to the garden.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Bear Hunting in Tennessee
From _Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee_ (1834)
by David Crockett
But the reader, I expect, would have no objection to know a little about my employment during the two years while my competitor was in Congress. In this space I had some pretty tuff times, and will relate some few things that happened to me. So here goes, as the boy said when he run by himself.
In the fall of 1825, I concluded I would build two large boats, and load them with pipe staves for market. So I went down to the lake, which was about twenty-five miles from where I lived, and hired some hands to assist me, and went to work; some at boat building, and others to getting staves. I worked on with my hands till the bears got fat, and then I turned out to hunting, to lay in a supply of meat. I soon killed and salted down as many as were necessary for my family; but about this time one of my old neighbours, who had settled down on the lake about twenty-five miles from me, came to my house and told me he wanted me to go down and kill some bears about in his parts. He said they were extremely fat, and very plenty. I know'd that when they were fat, they were easily taken, for a fat bear can't run fast or long. But I asked a bear no favours, no way, further than civility, for I now had eight large dogs, and as fierce as painters; so that a bear stood no chance at all to get away from them. So I went home with him, and then went on down towards the Mississippi, and commenced hunting.
We were out two weeks, and in that time killed fifteen bears. Having now supplied my friend with plenty of meat, I engaged occasionally again with my hands in our boat building and getting staves. But I at length couldn't stand it any longer without another hunt. So I concluded to take my little son, and cross over the lake, and take a hunt there. We got over, and that evening turned out and killed three bears, in little or no time. The next morning we drove up four forks, and made a sort of scaffold, on which we salted up our meat, so as to have it out of the reach of the wolves, for as soon as we would leave our camp, they would take possession. We had just eat our breakfast, when a company of hunters came to our camp, who had fourteen dogs, but all so poor, that when they would bark they would almost have to lean up against a tree and take a rest. I told them their dogs couldn't run in smell of a bear, and they had better stay at my camp, and feed them on the bones I had cut out of my meat. I left them there, and cut out; but I hadn't gone far, when my dogs took a first-rate start after a very large fat old he-bear, which run right plump towards my camp. I pursued on, but my other hunters had heard my dogs coming, and met them, and killed the bear before I got up with him. I gave him to them, and cut out again for a creek called Big Clover, which wa'n't very far off. Just as I got there, and was entering a cane brake, my dogs all broke and went ahead, and, in a little time, they raised a fuss in the cane, and seemed to be going every way. I listened a while, and found my dogs was in two companies, and that both was in a snorting fight. I sent my little son to one, and I broke for ttother. I got to mine first, and found my dogs had a two-year-old bear down, a-wooling away on him; so I just took out my big butcher, and went up and slap'd it into him, and killed him without shooting. There was five of the dogs in my company. In a short time, I heard my little son fire at his bear; when I went to him he had killed it too. He had two dogs in his team. Just at this moment we heard my other dog barking a short distance off, and all the rest immediately broke to him. We pushed on too, and when we got there, we found he had still a larger bear than either of them we had killed, treed by himself. We killed that one also, which made three we had killed in less than half an hour. We turned in and butchered them, and then started to hunt for water, and a good place to camp. But we had no sooner started, than our dogs took a start after another one, and away they went like a thunder- gust, and was out of hearing in a minute. We followed the way they had gone for some time, but at length we gave up the hope of finding them, and turned back. As we were going back, I came to where a poor fellow was grubbing, and he looked like the very picture of hard times. I asked him what he was doing away there in the woods by himself? He said he was grubbing for a man who intended to settle there; and the reason why he did it was, that he had no meat for his family, and he was working for a little.
I was mighty sorry for the poor fellow, for it was not only a hard, but a very slow way to get meat for a hungry family; so I told him if he would go with me, I would give him more meat than he could get by grubbing in a month. I intended to supply him with meat, and also to get him to assist my little boy in packing in and salting up my bears. He had never seen a bear killed in his life. I told him I had six killed then, and my dogs were hard after another. He went off to his little cabin, which was a short distance in the brush, and his wife was very anxious he should go with me. So we started and went to where I had left my three bears, and made a camp. We then gathered my meat and salted, and scuffled it, as I had done the other. Night now came on, but no word from my dogs yet. I afterwards found they had treed the bear about five miles off, near to a man's house, and had barked at it the whole enduring night. Poor fellows! many a time they looked for me, and wondered why I didn't come, for they knowed there was no mistake in me, and I know i they were as good as ever fluttered. In the morning, as soon as it was light enough to see, the man took his gun and went to them, and shot the bear, and killed it. My dogs, however, wouldn't have anything to say to this stranger; so they left him, and came early in the morning back to me.
We got our breakfast, and cut out again; and we killed four large and very fat bears that day. We hunted out the week, and in that time we killed seventeen, all of them first-rate. When we closed our hunt, I gave the man over a thousand weight of fine fat bear-meat, which pleased him mightily, and made him feel as rich as a Jew. I saw him the next fall, and he told me he had plenty of meat to do him the whole year from his week's hunt. My son and me now went home. This was the week between Christmas and New-year that we made this hunt.
When I got home, one of my neighbours was out of meat, and wanted me to go back, and let him go with me, to take another hunt. I couldn't refuse; but I told him I was afraid the bear had taken to house by that time, for after they get very fat in the fall and early part of the winter, they go into their holes, in large hollow trees, or into hollow logs, or their cane-houses, or the hurricanes; and lie there till spring, like frozen snakes. And one thing about this will seem mighty strange to many people. From about the first of January to about the last of April, these varments lie in their holes altogether. In all that time they have no food to eat; and yet when they come out, they are not an ounce lighter than when they went to house. I don't know the cause of this, and still I know it is a fact; and I leave it for others who have more learning than myself to account for it. They have not a particle of food with them, but they just lie and suck the bottom of their paw all the time. I have killed many of them in their trees, which enables me to speak positively on this subject. However, my neighbour, whose name was McDaniel, and my little son and me, went on down to the lake to my second camp, where I had killed my seventeen bears the week before, and turned out to hunting. But we hunted hard all day without getting a single start. We had carried but little provisions with us, and the next morning was entirely out of meat. I sent my son about three miles off, to the house of an old friend, to get some. The old gentle- man was much pleased to hear I was hunting in those parts, for the year before the bears had killed a great many of his hags. He was that day killing his bacon hogs, and so he gave my son some meat, and sent word to me that I must come in to his house that evening that he would have plenty of feed for my dogs, and some accommoda- tions for ourselves; but before my son got back, we had gone out hunting, and in a large cane brake my dogs found a big bear in a cane-house, which he had fixed for his winter-quarters, as they some. times do.
When my lead dog found him, and raised the yell, all the rest broke to him, but none of them entered his house until we got up. I encouraged my dogs, and they knowed me so well, that I could have made them seize the old serpent himself, with all his horns and heads, and cloven foot and ugliness into the bargain, if he would only have come to light, so that they could have seen him. They bulged in, and in an instant the bear followed them out, and I told my friend to shoot him, as he was mighty wrathy to kill a bear. He did so, and killed him prime. We carried him to our camp, by which time my son had returned; and after we got our dinners we packed up, and cut for the house of my old friend, whose name was Davidson.
We got there, and staid with him that night; and the next morning having salted up our meat, we left it with him, and started to take a hunt between the Obion lake and the Red-foot lake; as there had been a dreadful hurricane, which passed between them, and I was sure there must be a heap of bears in the fallen timber. We had gone about five miles without seeing any sign at all; but at length we got on some high cony ridges, and, as we rode along, I saw a hole in a large black oak, and on examining more closely, I discovered that a bear had clomb the tree. I could see his tracks going up, but none coming down, and so I was sure he was in there. A person who is acquainted with bear-hunting, can tell easy enough when the varment is in the hollow; for as they go up they don't slip a bit, but as they come down they make long scratches with their nails.
My friend was a little ahead of me, but I called him back, and told him there was a bear in that tree, and I must have him out. So we lit from our horses, and I found a small tree which I thought I could fall so as to lodge against my bear tree, and we fell to work chopping it with our tomahawks. I intended, when we lodged the tree against the other, to let my little son go up, and look into the hole, for he could climb like a squirrel. We had chop'd on a little time and stop'd to rest, when I heard my dogs barking mighty severe at some distance from us, and I told my friend I knowed they had a bear, for it is the nature of a dog, when he finds you are hunting bears, to hunt for nothing else; he becomes fond of the meat, and considers other game as "not worth a notice," as old Johnson said of the devil.
We concluded to leave our tree a bit, and went to my dogs, and when we got there, sure enough they had an eternal great big fat bear up a tree, just ready for shooting. My friend again petitioned me for liberty to shoot this one also. I had a little rather not, as the bear was so big, but I couldn't refuse; and so he blazed away, and down came the old fellow like some great log had fell. I now missed one of my dogs, the same that I before spoke of as having treed the bear by himself sometime before, when I had started the three in the cane break. I told my friend that my missing dog had a bear somewhere, just as sure as fate; so I left them to butcher the one we had just killed, and I went up on a piece of high ground to listen for my dog. I heard him barking with all his might some distance off, and I pushed ahead for him. My other dogs hearing him broke to him, and when I got there, sure enough again he had another bear ready treed; if he hadn't, I wish I may be shot. I fired on him, and brought him down; and then went back, and help'd finish butchering the one at which I had left my friend. We then packed both to our tree where we had left my boy. By this time, the little fellow had cut the tree down that we intended to lodge, but it fell the wrong way; he had then feather'd in on the big tree, to cut that, and had found that it was nothing but a shell on the outside, and all doted in the middle, as too many of our big men are in these days, having only an outside appearance. My friend and my son cut away on it, and I went off about a hundred yards with my dogs to keep them from running under the tree when it should fall. On looking back at the hole, I saw the bear's head out of it, looking down at them as they were cutting. I hollered to them to look up, and they did so; and McDaniel catched up his gun, but by this time the bear was out, and coming down the tree. He fired at it, and as soon as it touch'd ground the dogs were all round it, and they had a roll-and-tumble fight to the fact of the hill, where they stop'd him. I ran up, and putting my gun against the bear, fired and killed him. We now had three, and so we made our scaffold and salted them up.
In the morning I left my son at the camp, and we started on towards The harricane; and when we had went about a mile, we started a very large bear, but we got along mighty slow on account of the cracks in the earth occasioned by the earthquakes. We, however, made out to keep in hearing of the dogs for about three miles, and then we came to the harricane. Here we had to quit our horses, as old Nick himself couldn't have got through it without sneaking it along in the form that he put on, to make a fool of our old grandmother Eve. By this time several of my dogs had got tired and come back; but we went ahead on fact for some little time in the hurricane, when we met a bear coming straight to us, and not more than twenty or thirty yards off. I started my tired dogs after him, and McDaniel pursued them, and I went on to where my other dogs were. I had seen the track of the bear they were after, and I knowed he was a screamer. I followed on to about the middle of the harricane; but my dogs pursued him so close, that they made him climb an old stump about twenty feet high. I got in shooting distance of him and fired, but I was all over in such a flutter from fatigue and running, that I couldn't hold steady; but, however, I broke his shoulder, and he fell. I run up and loaded my gun as quick as possible, and shot him again and killed him. When I went to take out my knife to butcher him, I I found I had lost it in coming through the harricane. The vines and briars was so thick that I would sometimes have to get down and crawl like a varment to get through at all; and a vine had, as I sup- posed, caught in the handle and pulled it out. While I was standing and studying what to do my friend came to me. He had followed my trail through the harricane, and had found my knife, which was mighty good news to me; as a hunter hates the worst in the world to lose a good dog, or any part of his hunting-tools. I now left McDaniel to butcher the bear, and I went after our horses, and brought them as near as the nature of case would allow. I then took our bags, and went back to where he was; and when we had skin'd the bear, we fleeced off the fat and carried it to our horses at several loads. We then packed it up on our horses, and had a heavy pack of it on each one. We now started and went on till about sunset, when I concluded we must be near our camp; so I hollered and my son answered me, and we moved on in the direction to the camp. We had gone but a little way when I heard my dogs make a warm start again; and I jumped down from my horse and gave him up to my friend, and told him I would follow them. He went on to the camp, and I went ahead after my dogs with all my might for a considerable distance, till at last night came on. The woods were very rough and hilly, and all covered over with cane.
I now was compel'd to move on more slowly; and was frequently falling over logs, and into the cracks made by the earthquakes, so that I was very much afraid I would break my gun. However I went on about three miles, when I came to a good big creek, which I waded. It was very cold, and the creek was about knee-deep; but I felt no great inconvenience from it just then, as I was all over wet with sweat from running, and I felt hot enough. After I got over this creek and out of the cane, which was very thick on all our creeks, I listened for my dogs. I found they had either treed or brought the bear to a stop, as they continued barking in the same place. I pushed on as near in the direction to the noise as I could, till I found the hill was too steep for me to climb, and so I backed and went down the creek some distance till I came to a hollow, and then took up that, till I come to a place where I could climb up the hill. It was mighty dark, and was difficult to see my way or anything else. When I got up the hill, I found I had passed the dogs; and so I turned and went to them. I found, when I got there, they had treed the bear in a large forked poplar, and it was setting in the fork.
I could see the lump, but not plain enough to shoot with any cer- tainty, as there was no moonlight; and so I set in to hunting for some dry brush to make me a light; but I could find none, though I could find that the ground was torn mightily to pieces by the cracks.
At last I thought I could shoot by guess, and kill him; so I pointed as near the lump as I could, and fired away. But the bear didn't come, he only clomb up higher, and got out on a limb, which helped me to see him better. I now loaded up again and fired, but this time he didn't move at all. I commenced loading for a third fire, but the first thing I knowed, the bear was down among my dogs, and they were fighting all around me. I had my big butcher in my belt, and I had a pair of dressed buckskin breeches on. So I took out my knife, and stood, determined, if he should get hold of me, to defend myself in the best way I could. I stood there for some time, and could now and then see a white dog I had, but the rest of them, and the bear, which were dark coloured, I couldn't see at all, it was so miserable dark. They still fought around me, and sometimes within three feet of me; but, at last, the bear got down into one of the cracks, that the earthquakes had made in the ground, about four feet deep, and I could tell the biting end of him by the hollering of my dogs. So I took my gun and pushed the muzzle of it about, till I thought I had it against the main part of his body, and fired; but it happened to be only the fleshy part of his foreleg. With this, he jumped out of the crack, and he and the dogs had another hard fight around me, as before. At last, however, they forced him back into the crack again, as he was when I had shot.
I had laid down my gun in the dark, and I now began to hunt for it; and, while hunting, I got hold of a pole, and I concluded I would punch him awhile with that. I did so, and when I would punch him, the dogs would jump in on him, when he would bite them badly, and they would jump out again. I concluded, as he would take punching so patiently, it might be that he would lie still enough for me to get down in the crack, and feel slowly along till I could find the right place to give him a dig with my butcher. So I got down, and my dogs got in before him and kept his head towards them, till I got along easily up to him; and placing my hand on his rump, felt for his shoulder, just behind which I intended to stick him. I made a lounge with my long knife, and fortunately stock him right through the heart; at which he just sank down, and I crawled out in a hurry. In a little time my dogs all come out too, and seemed satisfied, which was the way they always had of telling me that they had finished him.
I suffered very much that night with cold, as my leather breeches, and every thing else I had on, was wet and frozen. But I managed to get my bear out of this crack after several hard trials, and so I butchered him, and laid down to try to sleep. But my fire was very bad, and I couldn't find any thing that would burn well to make it any better; and I concluded I should freeze, if I didn't warm myself in some way by exercise. So I got up, and hollered a while, and then I would just jump up and down with all my might, and throw myself into all sorts of motions. But all this wouldn't do; for my blood was now getting cold, and the chills coming all over me. I was so tired, too, that I could hardly walk; but I thought I would do the best I could to save my life, and then, if I died, nobody would be to blame. So I went to a tree about two feet through, and not a limb on it for thirty feet, and I would climb up it to the limbs, and then lock my arms together around it, and slide down to the bottom again. This would make the insides of my legs and arms feel mighty warm and good. I continued this till daylight in the morning, and how often I clomb up my tree and slid down I don't know, but I reckon at least a hundred times.
In the morning I got my bear hong up so as to be safe, and then set out to hunt for my camp. I found it after a while, and McDaniel and my son were very much rejoiced to see me get back, for they were about to give me up for lost. We got our breakfasts, and then secured our meat by building a high scaffold, and covering it over. We had no fear of its spoiling, for the weather was so cold that it couldn't.
We now started after my other bear, which had caused me so much trouble and suffering; and before we got him, we got a start after another, and took him also. We went on to the creek I had crossed the night before and camped, and then went to where my bear was, that I had killed in the crack. When we examined the place, McDaniel said he wouldn't have gone into it, as I did, for all the bears in the woods.
We took the meat down to our camp and salted it, and also the last one we had killed; intending, in the morning, to make a hunt in the harricane again.
We prepared for resting that night, and I can assure the reader I was in need of it. We had laid down by our fire, and about ten o'clock there came a most terrible earthquake, which shook the earth so, that we were rocked about like we had been in a cradle. We were very much alarmed; for though we were accustomed to feel earthquakes, we were now right in the region which had been torn to pieces by them in 1812, and we thought it might take a notion and swallow us up, like the big fish did Jonah.
In the morning we packed up and moved to the harricane, where we made another camp, and turned out that evening and killed a very large bear, which made eight we had now killed in this hunt.
The next morning we entered the harricane again, and in little or no time my dogs were in full cry. We pursued them, and soon came to a thick cane brake, in which they had stop'd their bear. We got up close to him, as the cane was so thick that we couldn't see more than a few feet. Here I made my friend hold the cane a little open with his gun till I shot the bear, which was a mighty large one. I killed him dead in his tracks. We got him out and butchered him, and in a little time started another and killed him, which now made ten we had killed; and we know'd we couldn't pack any more home, as we had only five horses along; therefore we returned to the camp and salted up all our meat, to be ready for a start homeward next morning.
The morning came, and we packed our horses with the meat, and had as much as they could possibly carry, and sure enough cut out for home. It was about thirty miles, and we reached home the second day. I had now accommodated my neighbour with meat enough to do him, and had killed in all, up to that time, fifty-eight bears, during the fall and winter.
As soon as the time come for them to quit their houses and come out again in the spring, I took a notion to hunt a little more, and in about one month I killed forty-seven more, which made one hundred and five bears I had killed in less than one year from that time.
by David Crockett
But the reader, I expect, would have no objection to know a little about my employment during the two years while my competitor was in Congress. In this space I had some pretty tuff times, and will relate some few things that happened to me. So here goes, as the boy said when he run by himself.
In the fall of 1825, I concluded I would build two large boats, and load them with pipe staves for market. So I went down to the lake, which was about twenty-five miles from where I lived, and hired some hands to assist me, and went to work; some at boat building, and others to getting staves. I worked on with my hands till the bears got fat, and then I turned out to hunting, to lay in a supply of meat. I soon killed and salted down as many as were necessary for my family; but about this time one of my old neighbours, who had settled down on the lake about twenty-five miles from me, came to my house and told me he wanted me to go down and kill some bears about in his parts. He said they were extremely fat, and very plenty. I know'd that when they were fat, they were easily taken, for a fat bear can't run fast or long. But I asked a bear no favours, no way, further than civility, for I now had eight large dogs, and as fierce as painters; so that a bear stood no chance at all to get away from them. So I went home with him, and then went on down towards the Mississippi, and commenced hunting.
We were out two weeks, and in that time killed fifteen bears. Having now supplied my friend with plenty of meat, I engaged occasionally again with my hands in our boat building and getting staves. But I at length couldn't stand it any longer without another hunt. So I concluded to take my little son, and cross over the lake, and take a hunt there. We got over, and that evening turned out and killed three bears, in little or no time. The next morning we drove up four forks, and made a sort of scaffold, on which we salted up our meat, so as to have it out of the reach of the wolves, for as soon as we would leave our camp, they would take possession. We had just eat our breakfast, when a company of hunters came to our camp, who had fourteen dogs, but all so poor, that when they would bark they would almost have to lean up against a tree and take a rest. I told them their dogs couldn't run in smell of a bear, and they had better stay at my camp, and feed them on the bones I had cut out of my meat. I left them there, and cut out; but I hadn't gone far, when my dogs took a first-rate start after a very large fat old he-bear, which run right plump towards my camp. I pursued on, but my other hunters had heard my dogs coming, and met them, and killed the bear before I got up with him. I gave him to them, and cut out again for a creek called Big Clover, which wa'n't very far off. Just as I got there, and was entering a cane brake, my dogs all broke and went ahead, and, in a little time, they raised a fuss in the cane, and seemed to be going every way. I listened a while, and found my dogs was in two companies, and that both was in a snorting fight. I sent my little son to one, and I broke for ttother. I got to mine first, and found my dogs had a two-year-old bear down, a-wooling away on him; so I just took out my big butcher, and went up and slap'd it into him, and killed him without shooting. There was five of the dogs in my company. In a short time, I heard my little son fire at his bear; when I went to him he had killed it too. He had two dogs in his team. Just at this moment we heard my other dog barking a short distance off, and all the rest immediately broke to him. We pushed on too, and when we got there, we found he had still a larger bear than either of them we had killed, treed by himself. We killed that one also, which made three we had killed in less than half an hour. We turned in and butchered them, and then started to hunt for water, and a good place to camp. But we had no sooner started, than our dogs took a start after another one, and away they went like a thunder- gust, and was out of hearing in a minute. We followed the way they had gone for some time, but at length we gave up the hope of finding them, and turned back. As we were going back, I came to where a poor fellow was grubbing, and he looked like the very picture of hard times. I asked him what he was doing away there in the woods by himself? He said he was grubbing for a man who intended to settle there; and the reason why he did it was, that he had no meat for his family, and he was working for a little.
I was mighty sorry for the poor fellow, for it was not only a hard, but a very slow way to get meat for a hungry family; so I told him if he would go with me, I would give him more meat than he could get by grubbing in a month. I intended to supply him with meat, and also to get him to assist my little boy in packing in and salting up my bears. He had never seen a bear killed in his life. I told him I had six killed then, and my dogs were hard after another. He went off to his little cabin, which was a short distance in the brush, and his wife was very anxious he should go with me. So we started and went to where I had left my three bears, and made a camp. We then gathered my meat and salted, and scuffled it, as I had done the other. Night now came on, but no word from my dogs yet. I afterwards found they had treed the bear about five miles off, near to a man's house, and had barked at it the whole enduring night. Poor fellows! many a time they looked for me, and wondered why I didn't come, for they knowed there was no mistake in me, and I know i they were as good as ever fluttered. In the morning, as soon as it was light enough to see, the man took his gun and went to them, and shot the bear, and killed it. My dogs, however, wouldn't have anything to say to this stranger; so they left him, and came early in the morning back to me.
We got our breakfast, and cut out again; and we killed four large and very fat bears that day. We hunted out the week, and in that time we killed seventeen, all of them first-rate. When we closed our hunt, I gave the man over a thousand weight of fine fat bear-meat, which pleased him mightily, and made him feel as rich as a Jew. I saw him the next fall, and he told me he had plenty of meat to do him the whole year from his week's hunt. My son and me now went home. This was the week between Christmas and New-year that we made this hunt.
When I got home, one of my neighbours was out of meat, and wanted me to go back, and let him go with me, to take another hunt. I couldn't refuse; but I told him I was afraid the bear had taken to house by that time, for after they get very fat in the fall and early part of the winter, they go into their holes, in large hollow trees, or into hollow logs, or their cane-houses, or the hurricanes; and lie there till spring, like frozen snakes. And one thing about this will seem mighty strange to many people. From about the first of January to about the last of April, these varments lie in their holes altogether. In all that time they have no food to eat; and yet when they come out, they are not an ounce lighter than when they went to house. I don't know the cause of this, and still I know it is a fact; and I leave it for others who have more learning than myself to account for it. They have not a particle of food with them, but they just lie and suck the bottom of their paw all the time. I have killed many of them in their trees, which enables me to speak positively on this subject. However, my neighbour, whose name was McDaniel, and my little son and me, went on down to the lake to my second camp, where I had killed my seventeen bears the week before, and turned out to hunting. But we hunted hard all day without getting a single start. We had carried but little provisions with us, and the next morning was entirely out of meat. I sent my son about three miles off, to the house of an old friend, to get some. The old gentle- man was much pleased to hear I was hunting in those parts, for the year before the bears had killed a great many of his hags. He was that day killing his bacon hogs, and so he gave my son some meat, and sent word to me that I must come in to his house that evening that he would have plenty of feed for my dogs, and some accommoda- tions for ourselves; but before my son got back, we had gone out hunting, and in a large cane brake my dogs found a big bear in a cane-house, which he had fixed for his winter-quarters, as they some. times do.
When my lead dog found him, and raised the yell, all the rest broke to him, but none of them entered his house until we got up. I encouraged my dogs, and they knowed me so well, that I could have made them seize the old serpent himself, with all his horns and heads, and cloven foot and ugliness into the bargain, if he would only have come to light, so that they could have seen him. They bulged in, and in an instant the bear followed them out, and I told my friend to shoot him, as he was mighty wrathy to kill a bear. He did so, and killed him prime. We carried him to our camp, by which time my son had returned; and after we got our dinners we packed up, and cut for the house of my old friend, whose name was Davidson.
We got there, and staid with him that night; and the next morning having salted up our meat, we left it with him, and started to take a hunt between the Obion lake and the Red-foot lake; as there had been a dreadful hurricane, which passed between them, and I was sure there must be a heap of bears in the fallen timber. We had gone about five miles without seeing any sign at all; but at length we got on some high cony ridges, and, as we rode along, I saw a hole in a large black oak, and on examining more closely, I discovered that a bear had clomb the tree. I could see his tracks going up, but none coming down, and so I was sure he was in there. A person who is acquainted with bear-hunting, can tell easy enough when the varment is in the hollow; for as they go up they don't slip a bit, but as they come down they make long scratches with their nails.
My friend was a little ahead of me, but I called him back, and told him there was a bear in that tree, and I must have him out. So we lit from our horses, and I found a small tree which I thought I could fall so as to lodge against my bear tree, and we fell to work chopping it with our tomahawks. I intended, when we lodged the tree against the other, to let my little son go up, and look into the hole, for he could climb like a squirrel. We had chop'd on a little time and stop'd to rest, when I heard my dogs barking mighty severe at some distance from us, and I told my friend I knowed they had a bear, for it is the nature of a dog, when he finds you are hunting bears, to hunt for nothing else; he becomes fond of the meat, and considers other game as "not worth a notice," as old Johnson said of the devil.
We concluded to leave our tree a bit, and went to my dogs, and when we got there, sure enough they had an eternal great big fat bear up a tree, just ready for shooting. My friend again petitioned me for liberty to shoot this one also. I had a little rather not, as the bear was so big, but I couldn't refuse; and so he blazed away, and down came the old fellow like some great log had fell. I now missed one of my dogs, the same that I before spoke of as having treed the bear by himself sometime before, when I had started the three in the cane break. I told my friend that my missing dog had a bear somewhere, just as sure as fate; so I left them to butcher the one we had just killed, and I went up on a piece of high ground to listen for my dog. I heard him barking with all his might some distance off, and I pushed ahead for him. My other dogs hearing him broke to him, and when I got there, sure enough again he had another bear ready treed; if he hadn't, I wish I may be shot. I fired on him, and brought him down; and then went back, and help'd finish butchering the one at which I had left my friend. We then packed both to our tree where we had left my boy. By this time, the little fellow had cut the tree down that we intended to lodge, but it fell the wrong way; he had then feather'd in on the big tree, to cut that, and had found that it was nothing but a shell on the outside, and all doted in the middle, as too many of our big men are in these days, having only an outside appearance. My friend and my son cut away on it, and I went off about a hundred yards with my dogs to keep them from running under the tree when it should fall. On looking back at the hole, I saw the bear's head out of it, looking down at them as they were cutting. I hollered to them to look up, and they did so; and McDaniel catched up his gun, but by this time the bear was out, and coming down the tree. He fired at it, and as soon as it touch'd ground the dogs were all round it, and they had a roll-and-tumble fight to the fact of the hill, where they stop'd him. I ran up, and putting my gun against the bear, fired and killed him. We now had three, and so we made our scaffold and salted them up.
In the morning I left my son at the camp, and we started on towards The harricane; and when we had went about a mile, we started a very large bear, but we got along mighty slow on account of the cracks in the earth occasioned by the earthquakes. We, however, made out to keep in hearing of the dogs for about three miles, and then we came to the harricane. Here we had to quit our horses, as old Nick himself couldn't have got through it without sneaking it along in the form that he put on, to make a fool of our old grandmother Eve. By this time several of my dogs had got tired and come back; but we went ahead on fact for some little time in the hurricane, when we met a bear coming straight to us, and not more than twenty or thirty yards off. I started my tired dogs after him, and McDaniel pursued them, and I went on to where my other dogs were. I had seen the track of the bear they were after, and I knowed he was a screamer. I followed on to about the middle of the harricane; but my dogs pursued him so close, that they made him climb an old stump about twenty feet high. I got in shooting distance of him and fired, but I was all over in such a flutter from fatigue and running, that I couldn't hold steady; but, however, I broke his shoulder, and he fell. I run up and loaded my gun as quick as possible, and shot him again and killed him. When I went to take out my knife to butcher him, I I found I had lost it in coming through the harricane. The vines and briars was so thick that I would sometimes have to get down and crawl like a varment to get through at all; and a vine had, as I sup- posed, caught in the handle and pulled it out. While I was standing and studying what to do my friend came to me. He had followed my trail through the harricane, and had found my knife, which was mighty good news to me; as a hunter hates the worst in the world to lose a good dog, or any part of his hunting-tools. I now left McDaniel to butcher the bear, and I went after our horses, and brought them as near as the nature of case would allow. I then took our bags, and went back to where he was; and when we had skin'd the bear, we fleeced off the fat and carried it to our horses at several loads. We then packed it up on our horses, and had a heavy pack of it on each one. We now started and went on till about sunset, when I concluded we must be near our camp; so I hollered and my son answered me, and we moved on in the direction to the camp. We had gone but a little way when I heard my dogs make a warm start again; and I jumped down from my horse and gave him up to my friend, and told him I would follow them. He went on to the camp, and I went ahead after my dogs with all my might for a considerable distance, till at last night came on. The woods were very rough and hilly, and all covered over with cane.
I now was compel'd to move on more slowly; and was frequently falling over logs, and into the cracks made by the earthquakes, so that I was very much afraid I would break my gun. However I went on about three miles, when I came to a good big creek, which I waded. It was very cold, and the creek was about knee-deep; but I felt no great inconvenience from it just then, as I was all over wet with sweat from running, and I felt hot enough. After I got over this creek and out of the cane, which was very thick on all our creeks, I listened for my dogs. I found they had either treed or brought the bear to a stop, as they continued barking in the same place. I pushed on as near in the direction to the noise as I could, till I found the hill was too steep for me to climb, and so I backed and went down the creek some distance till I came to a hollow, and then took up that, till I come to a place where I could climb up the hill. It was mighty dark, and was difficult to see my way or anything else. When I got up the hill, I found I had passed the dogs; and so I turned and went to them. I found, when I got there, they had treed the bear in a large forked poplar, and it was setting in the fork.
I could see the lump, but not plain enough to shoot with any cer- tainty, as there was no moonlight; and so I set in to hunting for some dry brush to make me a light; but I could find none, though I could find that the ground was torn mightily to pieces by the cracks.
At last I thought I could shoot by guess, and kill him; so I pointed as near the lump as I could, and fired away. But the bear didn't come, he only clomb up higher, and got out on a limb, which helped me to see him better. I now loaded up again and fired, but this time he didn't move at all. I commenced loading for a third fire, but the first thing I knowed, the bear was down among my dogs, and they were fighting all around me. I had my big butcher in my belt, and I had a pair of dressed buckskin breeches on. So I took out my knife, and stood, determined, if he should get hold of me, to defend myself in the best way I could. I stood there for some time, and could now and then see a white dog I had, but the rest of them, and the bear, which were dark coloured, I couldn't see at all, it was so miserable dark. They still fought around me, and sometimes within three feet of me; but, at last, the bear got down into one of the cracks, that the earthquakes had made in the ground, about four feet deep, and I could tell the biting end of him by the hollering of my dogs. So I took my gun and pushed the muzzle of it about, till I thought I had it against the main part of his body, and fired; but it happened to be only the fleshy part of his foreleg. With this, he jumped out of the crack, and he and the dogs had another hard fight around me, as before. At last, however, they forced him back into the crack again, as he was when I had shot.
I had laid down my gun in the dark, and I now began to hunt for it; and, while hunting, I got hold of a pole, and I concluded I would punch him awhile with that. I did so, and when I would punch him, the dogs would jump in on him, when he would bite them badly, and they would jump out again. I concluded, as he would take punching so patiently, it might be that he would lie still enough for me to get down in the crack, and feel slowly along till I could find the right place to give him a dig with my butcher. So I got down, and my dogs got in before him and kept his head towards them, till I got along easily up to him; and placing my hand on his rump, felt for his shoulder, just behind which I intended to stick him. I made a lounge with my long knife, and fortunately stock him right through the heart; at which he just sank down, and I crawled out in a hurry. In a little time my dogs all come out too, and seemed satisfied, which was the way they always had of telling me that they had finished him.
I suffered very much that night with cold, as my leather breeches, and every thing else I had on, was wet and frozen. But I managed to get my bear out of this crack after several hard trials, and so I butchered him, and laid down to try to sleep. But my fire was very bad, and I couldn't find any thing that would burn well to make it any better; and I concluded I should freeze, if I didn't warm myself in some way by exercise. So I got up, and hollered a while, and then I would just jump up and down with all my might, and throw myself into all sorts of motions. But all this wouldn't do; for my blood was now getting cold, and the chills coming all over me. I was so tired, too, that I could hardly walk; but I thought I would do the best I could to save my life, and then, if I died, nobody would be to blame. So I went to a tree about two feet through, and not a limb on it for thirty feet, and I would climb up it to the limbs, and then lock my arms together around it, and slide down to the bottom again. This would make the insides of my legs and arms feel mighty warm and good. I continued this till daylight in the morning, and how often I clomb up my tree and slid down I don't know, but I reckon at least a hundred times.
In the morning I got my bear hong up so as to be safe, and then set out to hunt for my camp. I found it after a while, and McDaniel and my son were very much rejoiced to see me get back, for they were about to give me up for lost. We got our breakfasts, and then secured our meat by building a high scaffold, and covering it over. We had no fear of its spoiling, for the weather was so cold that it couldn't.
We now started after my other bear, which had caused me so much trouble and suffering; and before we got him, we got a start after another, and took him also. We went on to the creek I had crossed the night before and camped, and then went to where my bear was, that I had killed in the crack. When we examined the place, McDaniel said he wouldn't have gone into it, as I did, for all the bears in the woods.
We took the meat down to our camp and salted it, and also the last one we had killed; intending, in the morning, to make a hunt in the harricane again.
We prepared for resting that night, and I can assure the reader I was in need of it. We had laid down by our fire, and about ten o'clock there came a most terrible earthquake, which shook the earth so, that we were rocked about like we had been in a cradle. We were very much alarmed; for though we were accustomed to feel earthquakes, we were now right in the region which had been torn to pieces by them in 1812, and we thought it might take a notion and swallow us up, like the big fish did Jonah.
In the morning we packed up and moved to the harricane, where we made another camp, and turned out that evening and killed a very large bear, which made eight we had now killed in this hunt.
The next morning we entered the harricane again, and in little or no time my dogs were in full cry. We pursued them, and soon came to a thick cane brake, in which they had stop'd their bear. We got up close to him, as the cane was so thick that we couldn't see more than a few feet. Here I made my friend hold the cane a little open with his gun till I shot the bear, which was a mighty large one. I killed him dead in his tracks. We got him out and butchered him, and in a little time started another and killed him, which now made ten we had killed; and we know'd we couldn't pack any more home, as we had only five horses along; therefore we returned to the camp and salted up all our meat, to be ready for a start homeward next morning.
The morning came, and we packed our horses with the meat, and had as much as they could possibly carry, and sure enough cut out for home. It was about thirty miles, and we reached home the second day. I had now accommodated my neighbour with meat enough to do him, and had killed in all, up to that time, fifty-eight bears, during the fall and winter.
As soon as the time come for them to quit their houses and come out again in the spring, I took a notion to hunt a little more, and in about one month I killed forty-seven more, which made one hundred and five bears I had killed in less than one year from that time.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Boiled Camp Coffee
When I'm out in the woods or on a river or creek bank, I like to make boiled coffee. It just doesn't get any better than sipping a cup of boiled coffee while watching the campfire that it was made on. Here's how I make mine and don't have to eat the grounds or pick them out of my teeth with my belt knife. Get a good fire going and if you have a metal grid to place on some rocks around the fire to sit the pot on, that's a plus. An old smoked up coffee pot seems to work better than a new one, fill it with water, sit it on the grid add the coffee grounds and bring to a boil. Let it boil for at least a minute, longer if you have wolverine blood in your system. Now, here's the secret to moving the grounds down out of the way. Pour about a cup of cold water on top and the grounds will sink to the bottom. BTW, in case the pot is full when you're boiling the coffee, you can keep it from boiling over by placing a small green sapling across the top of the pot. Somehow, this little green sapling will keep it from boiling over as ever time the water gets up to it, it goes back down. Give it a try for yourself. It has worked for me every time.
Now after the cup of cold water, sit the pot away from the heat for a couple of minutes giving the grounds time to settle to the bottom. Pour it up and enjoy some of the best boiled camp coffee while watching the campfire. It doesn't get much better than that!
Now after the cup of cold water, sit the pot away from the heat for a couple of minutes giving the grounds time to settle to the bottom. Pour it up and enjoy some of the best boiled camp coffee while watching the campfire. It doesn't get much better than that!
The Cartridge That Gets No Respect:
Found this info about a not too well known cartridge and wanted to add it here...
By Ralph M. Lermayer
What if there was a cartridge that could take any North American game, including the biggest, from hogs to elk out to 250 yards and beyond. What if that same cartridge was gentle on the shoulder and inherently very accurate? What if it was simple to load and made from a case that was widely available and cheap? What if its case length was short enough to build efficient carbine-length rifles without the need for short barrels? Such a cartridge could be loaded in bolt, lever, pump and single-shot rifles, making it a near-perfect round for the overwhelming majority of game hunted worldwide ..READ FULL STORY HERE
By Ralph M. Lermayer
What if there was a cartridge that could take any North American game, including the biggest, from hogs to elk out to 250 yards and beyond. What if that same cartridge was gentle on the shoulder and inherently very accurate? What if it was simple to load and made from a case that was widely available and cheap? What if its case length was short enough to build efficient carbine-length rifles without the need for short barrels? Such a cartridge could be loaded in bolt, lever, pump and single-shot rifles, making it a near-perfect round for the overwhelming majority of game hunted worldwide ..READ FULL STORY HERE
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Four Essientials for Survival
The Four Essientials for Survival
Everyone’s heard of the Ten Commandments and numbered lists of rules and principles, like the four spiritual laws.
There are also four essentials in every survival situation. We ignore these at our peril. They are the four S’s of survival: Shelter, Sustenance, Sanitation, and Security. The order of priority will be dictated by circumstances: location, weather, resources and time of day.
Shelter
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills?” (Luke 14:28, Living Bible)
Shelter is a primary need – humans require shelter. Jesus mentions shelter in the list of things people supply Christians during the Tribulation (Matthew 25:35-36). We were not designed to live out in the open in the elements. We can die in a few hours of extreme hot or cold. People can live in caves, under trees, in tents, on boats and buildings. Materials for shelters include sod, earth, wood, stone, skins, plastic, steel and even ice. There are four basic forms of shelter: expedient, temporary, semi-permanent and permanent. We try to always have resources for all four.
Expedient shelter is made of whatever is available during an unexpected crisis – brush, cave, tree, ditch, tarp, car, pickup, or cardboard box. For preparation one should have a street people outfit or survival suit on hand at all times (for example in pickup truck) which includes large plastic bags, a tarp and cord or wire. The plastic bags can be used for clothing insulation or to add to an expedient shelter. An 8 ft. by 8 ft. plastic or tarp is good stored under the seat and only costs $2 to $5.
For temporary shelter we usually have at least two tents – a fairly large five-man dome and a lightweight backpack three-man. Tents are useful and fun for a short time but are not secure from wild dogs, animals or people.
For semi-permanent shelter we have the slide in cab-over pickup camper, a motor home or a camper trailer. The slide-in camper is excellent for several reasons. First, they are the smallest least expensive of the ridge portable houses. Second, they are not traceable – most states do not require registration and title, so they can’t be tracked easily.
And finally for permanent shelter we have a small rural retreat – passive solar heated underground home on 6½ acres with well, pond, fencing, etc. and a modest city home.
When preparing to work as a Christian missionary I worked for a summer as a carpenter’s apprentice to learn to build houses. I had gone on two summer youth group mission trips and observed missionaries in Mexico. If you want to go this route make sure the company build homes, not commercial buildings, additions or decks. Because of learning construction we have built our own homes several times and saved several hundred thousand dollars and saved twenty to thirty years trapped in a debt driven lifestyle. We even built our own trusses for a garage. We have experience making sheds for our animals, an outhouse, and could make a temporary shelter because we always have a good knife and the skills to use them correctly.
An ideal approach is to begin with tents for temporary or even nomadic shelter. After obtaining some rural land, put in a pond, build an outhouse and develop the skills of fishing and processing animals into food, with a few acres in corn, turnips and other vegetable crops. Then you can concentrate on permanent shelter. You can get free plans for several different cabins from the Extension Service. Most land-grant colleges provide the service. In a survival situation food is more important than permanent housing. First plant your crops, buy your animals, then build your cabin. “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” (Proverbs 24:27)
To develop a retreat you could begin with an 8 ft. by 12 ft. utility building to store tools and materials then a 16 ft. by 20 ft. or 20 ft. by 24 ft. garage/storage shed to be converted to a cabin. We found a 12 ft. X 16 ft. utility building for $1200 in 2001 with free delivery in our area. Note always get 2 inch X 6 inch treated floor joists and at least 5/8 inch flooring. Also 16 inch on center wall studs and 4 ft. X 8 ft. siding add strength. This type of building is not taxed or registered in our area. Check with your county building codes department before starting or even planning construction. If you decide to build it yourself, prefabricate the walls and trusses where you have electric or some people use electric generators or attachments to a car or truck engine. For a garage pour a concrete slab and assemble the prefab building within a few days. Remember the basics: orient the building with a long wall facing south and put any large windows and doors in the south wall. If you want to stay off the government lists, plan to have solar electric and a compost toilet. In our area the electric company will not connect a meter without a health department sewer or septic permit. Paint the outside and get the final inspection for the garage before converting the garage to a cabin. Then install any interior electric wires, insulation and interior paneling. Remember DC solar/battery uses stranded wire and you only want the minimum – a light in each room, 12 volt TV, radio and water-pump. For water in our area we bore shallow 4 ft. by 40 ft. wells and the water table is usually within 15 ft., which is OK for a 12-volt pump. We lived in Hawaii for five years and used rainwater drained from the roof to an above ground swimming pool. Have the well or water storage close to the house on one side and put your septic or gray water drain on the other side of the building. We plan to use a composting toilet in our next cabin. An important note on domes, yurts etc. – a friend built a kit Geodesic Dome based on the cost per cubic foot. He was very disappointed because the usable floor space was less than straight walls and it leaked because of all the roof joints. My advice is, stay with standard shapes and materials at least until you are experienced and have lots of time and money to waste.
For a wilderness escape destination plan a camping trip to a State or National Park within one tank of gas in your car or pickup. Do a reconnaissance. In our area of South Carolina the Appalachian Trail or a dozen State and National Parks offer a wide choice of locations and environments. I prefer low country or foothills, small lakes and rivers, not mountains. If you camp in the mountains or desert be very careful to locate your camp on high ground because valleys and dry riverbeds can flood from rain many miles away. Inventory natural resources like water, fish, fauna and flora. Look for caves and meadows, large trees, food trees and natural springs. Follow small creeks upstream. Find good camping spots off the major trails. Look for places to stash stuff. If you have animals take a small pack animal: goat, lama, donkey or horse. Check the laws on carrying a pistol or shotgun. Beware of being close to large lakes, Interstate Highways, oceans and railroad tracks to avoid pirates and marauders.
On skills, don’t try to reinvent the wheel. There are standard ways of doing things. The worst messes with building I’ve seen were done by intelligent but ignorant, inexperienced people who were too arrogant to learn the skills and standards from trades-people. We all start out ignorant on everything. Someone taught you to urinate in a toilet, to tie your shoelaces and do whatever you do. Save time, frustration and money by seeking the best advice. Don’t waste time trying to reinvent the wheel.
Everyone’s heard of the Ten Commandments and numbered lists of rules and principles, like the four spiritual laws.
There are also four essentials in every survival situation. We ignore these at our peril. They are the four S’s of survival: Shelter, Sustenance, Sanitation, and Security. The order of priority will be dictated by circumstances: location, weather, resources and time of day.
Shelter
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills?” (Luke 14:28, Living Bible)
Shelter is a primary need – humans require shelter. Jesus mentions shelter in the list of things people supply Christians during the Tribulation (Matthew 25:35-36). We were not designed to live out in the open in the elements. We can die in a few hours of extreme hot or cold. People can live in caves, under trees, in tents, on boats and buildings. Materials for shelters include sod, earth, wood, stone, skins, plastic, steel and even ice. There are four basic forms of shelter: expedient, temporary, semi-permanent and permanent. We try to always have resources for all four.
Expedient shelter is made of whatever is available during an unexpected crisis – brush, cave, tree, ditch, tarp, car, pickup, or cardboard box. For preparation one should have a street people outfit or survival suit on hand at all times (for example in pickup truck) which includes large plastic bags, a tarp and cord or wire. The plastic bags can be used for clothing insulation or to add to an expedient shelter. An 8 ft. by 8 ft. plastic or tarp is good stored under the seat and only costs $2 to $5.
For temporary shelter we usually have at least two tents – a fairly large five-man dome and a lightweight backpack three-man. Tents are useful and fun for a short time but are not secure from wild dogs, animals or people.
For semi-permanent shelter we have the slide in cab-over pickup camper, a motor home or a camper trailer. The slide-in camper is excellent for several reasons. First, they are the smallest least expensive of the ridge portable houses. Second, they are not traceable – most states do not require registration and title, so they can’t be tracked easily.
And finally for permanent shelter we have a small rural retreat – passive solar heated underground home on 6½ acres with well, pond, fencing, etc. and a modest city home.
When preparing to work as a Christian missionary I worked for a summer as a carpenter’s apprentice to learn to build houses. I had gone on two summer youth group mission trips and observed missionaries in Mexico. If you want to go this route make sure the company build homes, not commercial buildings, additions or decks. Because of learning construction we have built our own homes several times and saved several hundred thousand dollars and saved twenty to thirty years trapped in a debt driven lifestyle. We even built our own trusses for a garage. We have experience making sheds for our animals, an outhouse, and could make a temporary shelter because we always have a good knife and the skills to use them correctly.
An ideal approach is to begin with tents for temporary or even nomadic shelter. After obtaining some rural land, put in a pond, build an outhouse and develop the skills of fishing and processing animals into food, with a few acres in corn, turnips and other vegetable crops. Then you can concentrate on permanent shelter. You can get free plans for several different cabins from the Extension Service. Most land-grant colleges provide the service. In a survival situation food is more important than permanent housing. First plant your crops, buy your animals, then build your cabin. “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” (Proverbs 24:27)
To develop a retreat you could begin with an 8 ft. by 12 ft. utility building to store tools and materials then a 16 ft. by 20 ft. or 20 ft. by 24 ft. garage/storage shed to be converted to a cabin. We found a 12 ft. X 16 ft. utility building for $1200 in 2001 with free delivery in our area. Note always get 2 inch X 6 inch treated floor joists and at least 5/8 inch flooring. Also 16 inch on center wall studs and 4 ft. X 8 ft. siding add strength. This type of building is not taxed or registered in our area. Check with your county building codes department before starting or even planning construction. If you decide to build it yourself, prefabricate the walls and trusses where you have electric or some people use electric generators or attachments to a car or truck engine. For a garage pour a concrete slab and assemble the prefab building within a few days. Remember the basics: orient the building with a long wall facing south and put any large windows and doors in the south wall. If you want to stay off the government lists, plan to have solar electric and a compost toilet. In our area the electric company will not connect a meter without a health department sewer or septic permit. Paint the outside and get the final inspection for the garage before converting the garage to a cabin. Then install any interior electric wires, insulation and interior paneling. Remember DC solar/battery uses stranded wire and you only want the minimum – a light in each room, 12 volt TV, radio and water-pump. For water in our area we bore shallow 4 ft. by 40 ft. wells and the water table is usually within 15 ft., which is OK for a 12-volt pump. We lived in Hawaii for five years and used rainwater drained from the roof to an above ground swimming pool. Have the well or water storage close to the house on one side and put your septic or gray water drain on the other side of the building. We plan to use a composting toilet in our next cabin. An important note on domes, yurts etc. – a friend built a kit Geodesic Dome based on the cost per cubic foot. He was very disappointed because the usable floor space was less than straight walls and it leaked because of all the roof joints. My advice is, stay with standard shapes and materials at least until you are experienced and have lots of time and money to waste.
For a wilderness escape destination plan a camping trip to a State or National Park within one tank of gas in your car or pickup. Do a reconnaissance. In our area of South Carolina the Appalachian Trail or a dozen State and National Parks offer a wide choice of locations and environments. I prefer low country or foothills, small lakes and rivers, not mountains. If you camp in the mountains or desert be very careful to locate your camp on high ground because valleys and dry riverbeds can flood from rain many miles away. Inventory natural resources like water, fish, fauna and flora. Look for caves and meadows, large trees, food trees and natural springs. Follow small creeks upstream. Find good camping spots off the major trails. Look for places to stash stuff. If you have animals take a small pack animal: goat, lama, donkey or horse. Check the laws on carrying a pistol or shotgun. Beware of being close to large lakes, Interstate Highways, oceans and railroad tracks to avoid pirates and marauders.
On skills, don’t try to reinvent the wheel. There are standard ways of doing things. The worst messes with building I’ve seen were done by intelligent but ignorant, inexperienced people who were too arrogant to learn the skills and standards from trades-people. We all start out ignorant on everything. Someone taught you to urinate in a toilet, to tie your shoelaces and do whatever you do. Save time, frustration and money by seeking the best advice. Don’t waste time trying to reinvent the wheel.
Survivalist Tips, Beyond the fringe
Survivalist Tips
Although none of us has a crystal ball to know in advance which trial or tribulation will occur first and when, we do have the good sense God has provided us to avoid unnecessary anguish or death. This spiritual perception, if you will, makes it possible to minimize most hardships just by knowing how to recognize the telltale signs.
All too often disaster strikes when we least expect it. Thus, remaining constantly alert, which includes being mentally and physically equipped, is as important to the survivalist as storing an ample supply of food is to the squirrel. In fact, we can learn much from our furry friends just by gathering what we can, while we can, in preparation for a long and harsh winter. Even if it means there is no time for doing anything else, it is far wiser to go the extra mile, rather than coming up short during the moment of truth. REMEMBER: life is full of surprises and evil is always lurking; so it will only be worse for those who choose to squander what little opportunity remains.
An increasingly common view shared by a disenfranchised citizenry is that the system of governing (from the federal leviathan down to the neighborhood fiefdoms) is essentially out of control. There may not be house to house searches being conducted regularly just yet, but the prerequisites for usurping our liberties have already been penned into law. If you recall, the Clinton Administration already demonstrated their contempt for the Law of the Land when they rummaged through the welfare projects in Chicago looking for guns.
Regrettably, the beacon of freedom which arose from the ashes of the American Revolution has been buried beneath the dung of tyrants. The Constitution, the Republic, and even one nation under God are now only figments of our imaginations. Worse still, academia has become an institution of deceit, and what little remains of historical truth is progressively fading from our cultural consciousness.
Moreover, the original tenets of Anglo-Christian tradition are slowly dying from the cancer of democratic socialism; which is to say, asphyxiation by mob rule commandeered by secular humanists instituting moral relativism. To put it in simpler terms, the hearts and minds of this generation are infected with a fatal disease no less addictive than heroin or nicotine. Legal plunder, perverted justice, and obscene taxation are not only tolerated, a multitude of greedy swine and self-ordained scoundrels regard anything less as "anti-American". And while the war of words has effectively been lost by traditionalists to cultural saboteurs, the last nails (meaning tyrannical decrees) are being hammered into our national coffin.
Truth, justice and the American way has been replaced with the artificially sweetened elixir of political correctness; and those who dare to think that Christianity is central to a healthy society are rebuked for being close-minded bigots, racists or angry white males. In short, licentiousness, disorder, and ungodliness has culminated into one gigantic bureaucratic abomination; and as a result, mundane wickedness has replaced God's plan with an elaborate delusion. Be forewarned, the vultures are circling, and you are their intended prey.
Some say that, in the not to distant future our country is headed toward a cataclysmic economic collapse. Others have indicated that democracies have historically committed suicide, and America is no less immune. Whether we are being precooked by tyrants to be incorporated into the New World Order's melting pot or experiencing the wholesale plunder of this nation through the mechanism of majoritarianism, the ballot box, or widespread heresy, one thing is for certain: the writing is on the wall.
Thus, the survivalist cannot afford to be a procrastinator any more than a squirrel can waste time frolicking through the tree-tops instead of foraging for food. You either discipline yourself to do what's necessary now, or risk paying dearly later. However, if you don't mind going hungry, being without medicine or warm dry clothes, go back to watching the boob-tube and forget this whole idea. It's as good a place as any to get caught with your pants down.
Soon enough, the predominate malarkey being codified by the blind leading the blind will come home to roost, and those neglecting to take appropriate measures will most assuredly get what they deserve. But make no mistake about it, we are fast approaching the threshold of no return.
In many ways, then, the plight of the patriot hangs in the balance. But have no fear, for you are not alone. Just be thankful that you've been given an advanced warning; and do not torture yourself trying to teach the blind to see. For one doesn't have to be a weatherman to know what lays over the horizon.
The following are a few tips which have been selected at random, and are a part of an ongoing series of articles similar in nature:
To escape the undertow of a rip-tide, or what is technically called a rip-current, one need only remember that they run parallel to the shore until the contour of the beach changes shape. This means that even an average swimmer can reach calmer water just by going with the current, rather than fighting to get closer to land. The key here is to relax, not panic.
It takes less time and effort to travel down a frozen creek or stream bed than it does to hike through a snow laden forest; however, there is 1.) the risk of falling through the ice, especially where fast moving water prevents an adequate layer of support ice to form; 2.) it makes it easier to be spotted by aircraft or someone using binoculars or heat sensors; and 3.) they often form a much longer path which clings to the topography, rather than the course you intend to take. On the other side of the equation, one can go a long distance in a minimal amount of time on foot with the least amount of resistance and/or commotion. They are especially ideal for traveling quickly at night, and they provide a superb passageway for dragging or sliding abnormally large or weighty objects.
An excellent rehydration fluid can be made in a flash by simply adding one teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt to a quart of water. This becomes extremely important in arid or tropical climates, but will do the trick anywhere one sweats profusely from excessive heat and humidity. In addition, by simply dipping a silk scarf in a puddle or a brook, and then placing it around the neck, it will provide relief from heat exhaustion almost instantly. If water is not readily available, try mopping up or absorbing the condensation which forms around your canteen, under rocks and from among leafy plants.
By brewing the bark from a willow tree into a dark colored tea, it can be used to help break a fever and can eliminate a typical headache. This bark is loaded with salicylates (which are basically aspirin related compounds) and is very effective, even in small amounts. For those who can't tolerate aspirin well, try black alder (elder) bark instead. Black alder is a tree which has great scarlet colored berries and is common throughout eastern North America.
A simple way to get some nutritious food can be accomplished by taking the eggs from any bird nest. Although they can be consumed raw, you might find them quite tasty by hard-boiling them first. Least of which, frying eggs, especially tiny ones, will waste up to a third of what might be your only meal for several days.
Be extra cautious when cooking rabbit meat to make certain it is thoroughly cooked. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to over-cook, rather than risk a painful experience. Bear in mind, rabbit is notorious for carrying harmful pathogens (such as tularemia, an infectious disease commonly known as rabbit fever) and has frequently killed unwary humans. Similarly, eating inadequately cooked pork can cause trichinosis, a severe intestinal disorder.
In order to evade high-tech heat seeking infrared sensors, a difficult task to say the least, try to find a suitable refuge well below ground or deep within a cave. As a last resort, completely wrap yourself in a heat reflecting metallic blanket. Although your body heat would be greatly masked by remaining immersed in water, it will only serve as a temporary cover because of the threat of hypothermia. The best defense in this case is, of course, not being detected at all. Therefore, factor this into your plans so you can be prepared to act accordingly.
By situating yourself up in a tree over or nearby a deer crossing (which is a place deer normally travel), you'll increase your chances to bag a deer considerably. The reason: deer have a tendency not to look up; therefore, the element of surprise will be to your advantage.
Clothing that is too heavy or too brief can help increase perspiration and result in fatal dehydration. Yet, clothing which is too light can induce an excessive loss of body heat. Thus, the best way to dress, especially for bitter cold weather is with several layers. In this way, layers can be removed or added to adjust to sudden or gradual temperature changes.
A typical spool of dental floss provides a critical component for maintaining oral hygiene. It is also inexpensive and lightweight. However, it also serves hundreds of other purposes which make it an invaluable item on any survivalist's list. For instance, it could be used in conjunction with a hook to catch fish; it can be used to tie things down; it can be used to construct a crude bow or a booby-trap; and because of its unusual strength, it could also be used to strangle an adversary. But most importantly, it helps dislodge unwanted food particles, which will, if allowed to decay, cause a myriad of problems down the road. In this case, at least, prevention is not only the best medicine, it has multiple advantages other survival gear cannot not readily match.
If you have a safe place for a food stash, try to obtain as wide a variety of freeze-dried items as possible. But do not forget to include bottled water which will be needed to make use of what you have stockpiled. In addition, store only white lined cans of vegetables and fruit (Tendersweet and Blueboy are two manufacturers) or that which comes in glass jars. Bear in mind, regular tin or aluminum cans do not preserve food as long, and dented containers increase the risk of contamination substantially. Also, you should factor in using what would be weatherproof and rodent proof storage bins. A PVC plastic five gallon bucket with a resealable top works superbly; but you could get by with Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers if you had no other choice. REMEMBER: always think long term when deciding which materials to use.
You will be one step ahead of the next guy by simply creating a one-of- a-kind signaling system in advance with your fellow survivalists. However, try to stay away from universally recognized symbols and the like which may inadvertently alert a potential foe. It is okay to think like a baseball team's manager from a strategic perspective, but remaining as inconspicuous as possible is what will matter most. One of the best times to travel on foot through rough terrain without being detected or leaving a blatantly obvious trail is during a steady or drizzling rain. Although you will most likely get drenched, and may find it slow going, the distance gained is well worth taking advantage of. Whereas most people prefer to get out of the rain, which often includes those who may be after you, lousy weather can become your best friend. Take advantage and use nature wisely. You will be glad you did.
If you are making camp in a remote wilderness area, be sure to take extra precautions to protect your valuable food supply. Many kinds of animals ranging from small rodents to hungry bears will not hesitate to steal from their careless neighbors. One method is to sink food items off shore (providing water is nearby), and another is to hoist everything high into the air using a rope over a tree limb. But if you are foolish enough to leave everything within the "security" of a tent, you may find yourself hunting and foraging away energy needlessly while the local critters are sleeping off the feast you inadvertently provided.
The best way to avoid sunburn is to stay out of the sun or by wearing protective clothing. But if you find yourself in this painful predicament, you can get relief from a number of natural items. For instance, chestnut, hemlock, oak, pine, and the leaves of the elderberry all have the chemical tannin which acts as an astringent to the affected skin. By making a crude salve after boiling these ingredients, it will soothe and rehydrate the skin quite nicely. In fact, a mountain man's salve can relieve the symptoms caused by poison oak, poison sumac, and even poison ivy with similar satisfying results. Just remember to treat sunburn like any other burn, and whenever possible, increase your intake of salt and large quantities of water.
Stay away from eating caterpillars; most of them are poisonous. However snakes and lizards will make a delicious meal that is perfectly safe to eat. Just be certain to remove the heads and entrails, and cook thoroughly. Frog meat is also very good, but be extremely careful to discard the skin which is often saturated with potent toxins.
If you are being chased by someone or a group, try to (if it is possible, of course) move in a direction which is into the wind. At this point, scent will no longer be a factor because you have presumably been detected; however, starting a brush fire will actually cause most to flee the other way. Both the smoke and the intense flames can act as an advancing barrier which will help widen the distance between you and them. Keep this in mind while crossing large fields, pastures, or shrub brush areas. Even a five m.p.h. breeze can create a wall of fire. Survival is not a privilege it's a right. But those who are ill-prepared often forfeit that right for much less than you might expect. People have died from exposure who were found later with matches in their pockets. Others have gotten lost less than a mile from their home; only to die a cruel death because they were not knowledgeable about some of the most basic of things. No matter if the world is seemingly coming to an end or not, there is simply no excuse for being ill-prepared. Most times you will never see a crisis coming until after it strikes. Being prepared, therefore, goes hand in hand with common sense and a willingness to want to stay alive.
Although none of us has a crystal ball to know in advance which trial or tribulation will occur first and when, we do have the good sense God has provided us to avoid unnecessary anguish or death. This spiritual perception, if you will, makes it possible to minimize most hardships just by knowing how to recognize the telltale signs.
All too often disaster strikes when we least expect it. Thus, remaining constantly alert, which includes being mentally and physically equipped, is as important to the survivalist as storing an ample supply of food is to the squirrel. In fact, we can learn much from our furry friends just by gathering what we can, while we can, in preparation for a long and harsh winter. Even if it means there is no time for doing anything else, it is far wiser to go the extra mile, rather than coming up short during the moment of truth. REMEMBER: life is full of surprises and evil is always lurking; so it will only be worse for those who choose to squander what little opportunity remains.
An increasingly common view shared by a disenfranchised citizenry is that the system of governing (from the federal leviathan down to the neighborhood fiefdoms) is essentially out of control. There may not be house to house searches being conducted regularly just yet, but the prerequisites for usurping our liberties have already been penned into law. If you recall, the Clinton Administration already demonstrated their contempt for the Law of the Land when they rummaged through the welfare projects in Chicago looking for guns.
Regrettably, the beacon of freedom which arose from the ashes of the American Revolution has been buried beneath the dung of tyrants. The Constitution, the Republic, and even one nation under God are now only figments of our imaginations. Worse still, academia has become an institution of deceit, and what little remains of historical truth is progressively fading from our cultural consciousness.
Moreover, the original tenets of Anglo-Christian tradition are slowly dying from the cancer of democratic socialism; which is to say, asphyxiation by mob rule commandeered by secular humanists instituting moral relativism. To put it in simpler terms, the hearts and minds of this generation are infected with a fatal disease no less addictive than heroin or nicotine. Legal plunder, perverted justice, and obscene taxation are not only tolerated, a multitude of greedy swine and self-ordained scoundrels regard anything less as "anti-American". And while the war of words has effectively been lost by traditionalists to cultural saboteurs, the last nails (meaning tyrannical decrees) are being hammered into our national coffin.
Truth, justice and the American way has been replaced with the artificially sweetened elixir of political correctness; and those who dare to think that Christianity is central to a healthy society are rebuked for being close-minded bigots, racists or angry white males. In short, licentiousness, disorder, and ungodliness has culminated into one gigantic bureaucratic abomination; and as a result, mundane wickedness has replaced God's plan with an elaborate delusion. Be forewarned, the vultures are circling, and you are their intended prey.
Some say that, in the not to distant future our country is headed toward a cataclysmic economic collapse. Others have indicated that democracies have historically committed suicide, and America is no less immune. Whether we are being precooked by tyrants to be incorporated into the New World Order's melting pot or experiencing the wholesale plunder of this nation through the mechanism of majoritarianism, the ballot box, or widespread heresy, one thing is for certain: the writing is on the wall.
Thus, the survivalist cannot afford to be a procrastinator any more than a squirrel can waste time frolicking through the tree-tops instead of foraging for food. You either discipline yourself to do what's necessary now, or risk paying dearly later. However, if you don't mind going hungry, being without medicine or warm dry clothes, go back to watching the boob-tube and forget this whole idea. It's as good a place as any to get caught with your pants down.
Soon enough, the predominate malarkey being codified by the blind leading the blind will come home to roost, and those neglecting to take appropriate measures will most assuredly get what they deserve. But make no mistake about it, we are fast approaching the threshold of no return.
In many ways, then, the plight of the patriot hangs in the balance. But have no fear, for you are not alone. Just be thankful that you've been given an advanced warning; and do not torture yourself trying to teach the blind to see. For one doesn't have to be a weatherman to know what lays over the horizon.
The following are a few tips which have been selected at random, and are a part of an ongoing series of articles similar in nature:
To escape the undertow of a rip-tide, or what is technically called a rip-current, one need only remember that they run parallel to the shore until the contour of the beach changes shape. This means that even an average swimmer can reach calmer water just by going with the current, rather than fighting to get closer to land. The key here is to relax, not panic.
It takes less time and effort to travel down a frozen creek or stream bed than it does to hike through a snow laden forest; however, there is 1.) the risk of falling through the ice, especially where fast moving water prevents an adequate layer of support ice to form; 2.) it makes it easier to be spotted by aircraft or someone using binoculars or heat sensors; and 3.) they often form a much longer path which clings to the topography, rather than the course you intend to take. On the other side of the equation, one can go a long distance in a minimal amount of time on foot with the least amount of resistance and/or commotion. They are especially ideal for traveling quickly at night, and they provide a superb passageway for dragging or sliding abnormally large or weighty objects.
An excellent rehydration fluid can be made in a flash by simply adding one teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt to a quart of water. This becomes extremely important in arid or tropical climates, but will do the trick anywhere one sweats profusely from excessive heat and humidity. In addition, by simply dipping a silk scarf in a puddle or a brook, and then placing it around the neck, it will provide relief from heat exhaustion almost instantly. If water is not readily available, try mopping up or absorbing the condensation which forms around your canteen, under rocks and from among leafy plants.
By brewing the bark from a willow tree into a dark colored tea, it can be used to help break a fever and can eliminate a typical headache. This bark is loaded with salicylates (which are basically aspirin related compounds) and is very effective, even in small amounts. For those who can't tolerate aspirin well, try black alder (elder) bark instead. Black alder is a tree which has great scarlet colored berries and is common throughout eastern North America.
A simple way to get some nutritious food can be accomplished by taking the eggs from any bird nest. Although they can be consumed raw, you might find them quite tasty by hard-boiling them first. Least of which, frying eggs, especially tiny ones, will waste up to a third of what might be your only meal for several days.
Be extra cautious when cooking rabbit meat to make certain it is thoroughly cooked. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to over-cook, rather than risk a painful experience. Bear in mind, rabbit is notorious for carrying harmful pathogens (such as tularemia, an infectious disease commonly known as rabbit fever) and has frequently killed unwary humans. Similarly, eating inadequately cooked pork can cause trichinosis, a severe intestinal disorder.
In order to evade high-tech heat seeking infrared sensors, a difficult task to say the least, try to find a suitable refuge well below ground or deep within a cave. As a last resort, completely wrap yourself in a heat reflecting metallic blanket. Although your body heat would be greatly masked by remaining immersed in water, it will only serve as a temporary cover because of the threat of hypothermia. The best defense in this case is, of course, not being detected at all. Therefore, factor this into your plans so you can be prepared to act accordingly.
By situating yourself up in a tree over or nearby a deer crossing (which is a place deer normally travel), you'll increase your chances to bag a deer considerably. The reason: deer have a tendency not to look up; therefore, the element of surprise will be to your advantage.
Clothing that is too heavy or too brief can help increase perspiration and result in fatal dehydration. Yet, clothing which is too light can induce an excessive loss of body heat. Thus, the best way to dress, especially for bitter cold weather is with several layers. In this way, layers can be removed or added to adjust to sudden or gradual temperature changes.
A typical spool of dental floss provides a critical component for maintaining oral hygiene. It is also inexpensive and lightweight. However, it also serves hundreds of other purposes which make it an invaluable item on any survivalist's list. For instance, it could be used in conjunction with a hook to catch fish; it can be used to tie things down; it can be used to construct a crude bow or a booby-trap; and because of its unusual strength, it could also be used to strangle an adversary. But most importantly, it helps dislodge unwanted food particles, which will, if allowed to decay, cause a myriad of problems down the road. In this case, at least, prevention is not only the best medicine, it has multiple advantages other survival gear cannot not readily match.
If you have a safe place for a food stash, try to obtain as wide a variety of freeze-dried items as possible. But do not forget to include bottled water which will be needed to make use of what you have stockpiled. In addition, store only white lined cans of vegetables and fruit (Tendersweet and Blueboy are two manufacturers) or that which comes in glass jars. Bear in mind, regular tin or aluminum cans do not preserve food as long, and dented containers increase the risk of contamination substantially. Also, you should factor in using what would be weatherproof and rodent proof storage bins. A PVC plastic five gallon bucket with a resealable top works superbly; but you could get by with Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers if you had no other choice. REMEMBER: always think long term when deciding which materials to use.
You will be one step ahead of the next guy by simply creating a one-of- a-kind signaling system in advance with your fellow survivalists. However, try to stay away from universally recognized symbols and the like which may inadvertently alert a potential foe. It is okay to think like a baseball team's manager from a strategic perspective, but remaining as inconspicuous as possible is what will matter most. One of the best times to travel on foot through rough terrain without being detected or leaving a blatantly obvious trail is during a steady or drizzling rain. Although you will most likely get drenched, and may find it slow going, the distance gained is well worth taking advantage of. Whereas most people prefer to get out of the rain, which often includes those who may be after you, lousy weather can become your best friend. Take advantage and use nature wisely. You will be glad you did.
If you are making camp in a remote wilderness area, be sure to take extra precautions to protect your valuable food supply. Many kinds of animals ranging from small rodents to hungry bears will not hesitate to steal from their careless neighbors. One method is to sink food items off shore (providing water is nearby), and another is to hoist everything high into the air using a rope over a tree limb. But if you are foolish enough to leave everything within the "security" of a tent, you may find yourself hunting and foraging away energy needlessly while the local critters are sleeping off the feast you inadvertently provided.
The best way to avoid sunburn is to stay out of the sun or by wearing protective clothing. But if you find yourself in this painful predicament, you can get relief from a number of natural items. For instance, chestnut, hemlock, oak, pine, and the leaves of the elderberry all have the chemical tannin which acts as an astringent to the affected skin. By making a crude salve after boiling these ingredients, it will soothe and rehydrate the skin quite nicely. In fact, a mountain man's salve can relieve the symptoms caused by poison oak, poison sumac, and even poison ivy with similar satisfying results. Just remember to treat sunburn like any other burn, and whenever possible, increase your intake of salt and large quantities of water.
Stay away from eating caterpillars; most of them are poisonous. However snakes and lizards will make a delicious meal that is perfectly safe to eat. Just be certain to remove the heads and entrails, and cook thoroughly. Frog meat is also very good, but be extremely careful to discard the skin which is often saturated with potent toxins.
If you are being chased by someone or a group, try to (if it is possible, of course) move in a direction which is into the wind. At this point, scent will no longer be a factor because you have presumably been detected; however, starting a brush fire will actually cause most to flee the other way. Both the smoke and the intense flames can act as an advancing barrier which will help widen the distance between you and them. Keep this in mind while crossing large fields, pastures, or shrub brush areas. Even a five m.p.h. breeze can create a wall of fire. Survival is not a privilege it's a right. But those who are ill-prepared often forfeit that right for much less than you might expect. People have died from exposure who were found later with matches in their pockets. Others have gotten lost less than a mile from their home; only to die a cruel death because they were not knowledgeable about some of the most basic of things. No matter if the world is seemingly coming to an end or not, there is simply no excuse for being ill-prepared. Most times you will never see a crisis coming until after it strikes. Being prepared, therefore, goes hand in hand with common sense and a willingness to want to stay alive.
Good Idea for a Home Alarm System!!!
Good Idea for a Home Alarm System!!!
Burglar Alarm - no installation required, and you probably already have it...
What a great idea...especially for women alone!
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator.
Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Just press the panic alarm on your car key chain.
TEST IT! It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain.
It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.
Try yours to make sure it works before you rely on it.
Burglar Alarm - no installation required, and you probably already have it...
What a great idea...especially for women alone!
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator.
Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Just press the panic alarm on your car key chain.
TEST IT! It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain.
It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.
Try yours to make sure it works before you rely on it.
Ontario Kukri Machete
I ordered myself a new Kukri machete made by Ontario knife works. The Ontario knife works machetes don't come cheap and I paid a little more than I wanted, but it should last a lifetime unless it's lost by one of my grandchildren like the last Ontario machete I owned. My first one was the long straight version with about an 18 inch blade. The Kukri has a curved blade being heavier and wider at the end which should make chopping chores easier. When it arrives, I'll try to give the results of it's functions and if it was worth the extra cash. It should prove it's worth in hacking out four wheeler trails and shooting lanes for deer hunting.
The Ontario spec plus kukri machete measures 16 3/4" overall with an 11 5/8" black epoxy powder coated carbon steel kukri blade. The handle is black grooved kraton with a lanyard hole.
Includes a heavy black cordura sheath.
The Ontario spec plus kukri machete measures 16 3/4" overall with an 11 5/8" black epoxy powder coated carbon steel kukri blade. The handle is black grooved kraton with a lanyard hole.
Includes a heavy black cordura sheath.
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