fortifying Bugout location when SHTF

I have been thinking about this lately and I think it depends on where your bugout location is located. I myself plan on staying put as I live on 25 acres in the woods and am not visible from the roadway. I have over the last couple of months have collected some supplies when i was out at auctions and fleamarket such as 100' of 4' chain link fencing, about 800+ sand bags empty of course, couple sets of window security bars, good amount of good quality chain, 2 rolls of barbed wire, tons of pad locks, couple sheets of 1/2" thick steel. I figured these supplies could help with some fortifications. Anyone else besides my parnoid self thought of this?

Yeah man I've thought about this a bit. Seems to me some concertina wire might be a great investment if you've got some land. It would certainly slow the zombies down (hopefully) long enough for you to properly welcome them but if you don't have property and have houses all around, I think concertina wire might shout "Hey I have good shit over here..." maybe the wire would be enough to dissuade but then again...?

Cover and concealment will be more valuable than a good defense. They can't take what they don't know is there...

The more visible your defenses, the more someone would question "Hmmmm, exactly what do they have in there that requires so much protection?". And remember it doesn't matter how far off of a roadway you are, unless your driveway/access is completely grown over and concealed, your locale WILL be discovered.

Depending on the exact SHTF scenario, adaptability will be to your best advantage but the points mentioned above will most likely be universal. If a foreign invader happens upon your place and discover its a heavily fortified fortress, guess why it just became appealing to them? That's right, if you fail to defend it you've just given them a foothold against our own forces. If the problem is domestic instability, and your place looks like Ft.Knox, that suggests you hold supplies inside that could be very valuable to them. They'll likely wait you out, or even operate in teams testing and finding weakness in your defenses until you simply die tired, and/or confused. Also in the domestic factor, never underestimate the power of a solo veteran hunter of the land. He/she will observe, wait and later just snipe the real visible threat, leaving them all the time in the world to figure out ways past your traps, etc.

By all means live on (and of course off of) your land. Keep some things in obvious locations with ease and accessibility. (Bait). Then keep your more important things in far less obvious areas and don't make routine trips to them unless you can do so completely unseen from the outside.

OR...... you could opt to live in a mountain community, situated in an EXTREMELY defensible, natural terrain that yeilds only one way in, and one way out by vehicle traffic. But I wouldn't know of such a place, can't help you. [Coffee]


Badger

OR...... you could opt to live in a mountain community, situated in an EXTREMELY defensible, natural terrain that yeilds only one way in, and one way out by vehicle traffic. But I wouldn't know of such a place, can't help you. [Coffee]

That limits your potential to move about if needed outside the safety of your compound.
4' fencing?? Dogs can clear that, any type of security fencing raises flags.
Consider berms set X distance from the home you can utilize as defensive fire positions, have vehicles laying around the area that can be moved in to defensive positions too.
Unless your home is fireproof, window bars afford you no exit in an emergency. Well placed bushes like roses, silver leadplant or sage under windows. These natural to the state bushes give not only cover to the homeowner, but make it difficult to get through by an aggressor. Have emergency exits you can get away from the house, dug out of the foundation or walls below eye sight and through bushes or trees.
Solar powered security cameras placed in areas you do not have a clear field of fire help.
Dogs are very good first alert systems, however consider geese. They eat less make a ton of noise when disturbed , no one would look twice at them wandering around the area. AND they are a good source of food.

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Originally Posted by jim

That limits your potential to move about if needed outside the safety of your compound.

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I'm amongst the designated "prospectors" and recon group so movements would not be limited at all really. It would be easier to explain on a map, but again.... I know nothing about such a place. [Tooth]


Excellent idea with the geese. Growing up, my grand parents had guinea hens (not sure if I spelled that right though) and those were also a more reliable alert system than dogs. So possibly a variety of bird options to consider. A concern would be that either can be heard from a relative distance and could attract undesirables, but... no more noise than a truck, tractor, atv, etc. so still a very viable/useful option in my opinion.


Badger

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Originally Posted by Badger

I'm amongst the designated "prospectors" and recon group so movements would not be limited at all really. It would be easier to explain on a map, but again.... I know nothing about such a place. [Tooth]


Excellent idea with the geese. Growing up, my grand parents had guinea hens (not sure if I spelled that right though) and those were also a more reliable alert system than dogs. So possibly a variety of bird options to consider. A concern would be that either can be heard from a relative distance and could attract undesirables, but... no more noise than a truck, tractor, atv, etc. so still a very viable/useful option in my opinion.


Badger

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Nice. I'm not sold on the hills as shtf bunker due to the short grow season and limited hearty plants for food.
Geese are surprisingly quiet (for the most part) except for take off & landing. They have a few natural predators, so keeping the noise down is to their benefit (Jim ,Geese Whisper) Our friends had peacocks, those were some territorial birds, unfortunately not high up as a food supply.
I believe where ever you choose as the go to place, if properly set up should sustain you.

One thing i have not read about here, is the actual living quarters. How many people do you expect or can your area sustain, w/out everyone hitting their breaking point, privacy wise.
Area for kids, family, PRIVACY for you and the SO when adult time is needed. Not becoming so tightly packed you want to strangle someone.

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Originally Posted by jim

One thing i have not read about here, is the actual living quarters. How many people do you expect or can your area sustain, w/out everyone hitting their breaking point, privacy wise.
Area for kids, family, PRIVACY for you and the SO when adult time is needed. Not becoming so tightly packed you want to strangle someone.

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This is why I said in the apartment prepping thread (when we got sidetracked about prepper communities) that everyone MUST be responsible for their own resources, food, water, shelter, etc. It would be prudent to have a little extra room for family members and such, but I wouldn't plan on taking on any extra folks.

Meanwhile my concrete guys are on the finishing stage of the bunker inlet... :D

http://imageplay.net/img/tya22278143/IMG_1751a.jpg

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Originally Posted by MB888

Meanwhile my concrete guys are on the finishing stage of the bunker inlet... :D

http://imageplay.net/img/tya22278143/IMG_1751a.jpg

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Awesome.

ChunkyMonkey, I tried to send you a PM with a question, but your inbox is full.

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

Awesome.

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Before I get another text from other members on this... That picture is actually a concrete aquaponic system. [LOL] It's still within self sustained survivability.. Less tin foily.

So... I'm guessing you don't want a PM from me?

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Originally Posted by tactical_2012

I have been thinking about this lately and I think it depends on where your bugout location is located. I myself plan on staying put as I live on 25 acres in the woods and am not visible from the roadway. I have over the last couple of months have collected some supplies when i was out at auctions and fleamarket such as 100' of 4' chain link fencing, about 800+ sand bags empty of course, couple sets of window security bars, good amount of good quality chain, 2 rolls of barbed wire, tons of pad locks, couple sheets of 1/2" thick steel. I figured these supplies could help with some fortifications. Anyone else besides my parnoid self thought of this?

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These are all good things to have around, and may well be useful if the SHTF. But I tend to subscribe to the "hide in plain sight" philosophy myself.

Just curious, where did you get 800 empty sandbags and the sheet steel? [Coffee]

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Originally Posted by Omicron

These are all good things to have around, and may well be useful if the SHTF. But I tend to subscribe to the "hide in plain sight" philosophy myself.

Just curious, where did you get 800 empty sandbags and the sheet steel? [Coffee]

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Uline is always a great source for those kind of stuffs... e.g. http://www.uline.com/BL_5565/Sand-Ba...FWQDQAodUiAAig

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Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

Uline is always a great source for those kind of stuffs... e.g. http://www.uline.com/BL_5565/Sand-Ba...FWQDQAodUiAAig

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As someone interested in starting an online retail business... Uline is an amazing resource.

Picked the stuff up at the flea market. I plan on hiding in plain site but can still fortify. I will use the sand bags and sheet steel inside residence and barn. I was thinking that i could use the chain link on inside of the windows to help stop intruders. I will also be utilizing a secret escape tunnel in case I need to evacuate then move to my secondary location. Thoughts or ideas?

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Originally Posted by tactical_2012

Picked the stuff up at the flea market. I plan on hiding in plain site but can still fortify. I will use the sand bags and sheet steel inside residence and barn. I was thinking that i could use the chain link on inside of the windows to help stop intruders. I will also be utilizing a secret escape tunnel in case I need to evacuate then move to my secondary location. Thoughts or ideas?

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Sewer pipe and or precast concrete. Those large concrete sections are small arms resistant able to run through. AND if placed correctly can be used as storage or extra bunkers. With pre planning you can set up your own shelter by pouring it your self. There are places that also deal in recycled concrete, this would give you a moderately fortified bunker area.
Give some consideration to the stainless 3' diameter lines out there. Not a run through in hurry, but you would still have emergency outlets as needed.
Here are a few links for both fiberglass and concrete.

http://www.stormsaferoom.com/belowground/index.htm
http://protectionshelters.com/storm-...s/above-ground
http://vaughnconcreteproducts.com/storm-shelters1

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Originally Posted by tactical_2012

Picked the stuff up at the flea market. I plan on hiding in plain site but can still fortify. I will use the sand bags and sheet steel inside residence and barn. I was thinking that i could use the chain link on inside of the windows to help stop intruders. I will also be utilizing a secret escape tunnel in case I need to evacuate then move to my secondary location. Thoughts or ideas?

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Its probably a good idea to always think to yourself, "If I wanted to get in here, how/what would I do?" Also, an evac situation could be potential to leave important things behind, so be careful and plan accordingly. Some type of surveilance might be a good idea. At least that way you can be sure of the situation and what you're up against.

Something to think about though: Say you've evacuated to your 2nd locale and you find.... someone else already there. Do you have a plan for that yet?



Badger

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Originally Posted by jim

Sewer pipe and or precast concrete. Those large concrete sections are small arms resistant able to run through. AND if placed correctly can be used as storage or extra bunkers. With pre planning you can set up your own shelter by pouring it your self. There are places that also deal in recycled concrete, this would give you a moderately fortified bunker area.
Give some consideration to the stainless 3' diameter lines out there. Not a run through in hurry, but you would still have emergency outlets as needed.
Here are a few links for both fiberglass and concrete.

http://www.stormsaferoom.com/belowground/index.htm
http://protectionshelters.com/storm-...s/above-ground
http://vaughnconcreteproducts.com/storm-shelters1

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I'd like to add that a permanent storm shelter is finance-able by FHA in your mortgage. Whether you want the big GOV to know about it or not, it's a different story. FHA 203b is up to $5000 for internal safe room (has to be within the dwelling area) or FHA 203k which can include underground shelter.

http://imageplay.net/img/tya22278484/door_open.jpg<- random

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Originally Posted by tactical_2012

Picked the stuff up at the flea market. I plan on hiding in plain site but can still fortify. I will use the sand bags and sheet steel inside residence and barn. I was thinking that i could use the chain link on inside of the windows to help stop intruders. I will also be utilizing a secret escape tunnel in case I need to evacuate then move to my secondary location. Thoughts or ideas?

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If you want someone to be OPFOR and test your defenses, let me know. [Tooth]

Looks great ChunkyMonkey, you should lay some sod over it so it disappears.. Perfect cover and concealment and when you need it, just pull the sod off. It won't be hard to pull or scrape off of the steel and concrete.

^^ like a 2 car garage right above it in near future?

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Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

^^ like a 2 car garage right above it in near future?

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Sounds like a great plan. Will it be a garage attached to the house? or an outbuilding?

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Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

I'd like to add that a permanent storm shelter is finance-able by FHA in your mortgage. Whether you want the big GOV to know about it or not, it's a different story. FHA 203b is up to $5000 for internal safe room (has to be within the dwelling area) or FHA 203k which can include underground shelter.

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So you can get a loan to finance it, but I thought I had read somewhere that you can get a grant to build yourself a shelter.. maybe FEMA related, not sure.

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

Sounds like a great plan. Will it be a garage attached to the house? or an outbuilding?

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Detached workshop/garage is the plan.

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

So you can get a loan to finance it, but I thought I had read somewhere that you can get a grant to build yourself a shelter.. maybe FEMA related, not sure.

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Look up Hazard Mitigation Grant/program under FEMA...or if you are outside municipals, look into USDA grant and loan for emergency shelter. [Beer]

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Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

Look up Hazard Mitigation Grant/program under FEMA...or if you are outside municipals, look into USDA grant and loan for emergency shelter. [Beer]

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Sorry if I'm being a PITA... Maybe I suck at google... But it seems that only state and local governments, along with public entities like schools and hospitals can apply for this grant.

http://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program

... or rental units. I know the law says manufactured homes. I have seen it approved for mobile home park that has NO mobile homes. In short, it was a private land that potentially can be used as mobile home park.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-10...108publ146.pdf