Why leave or "bug out" ???

[Irving]

Well sure you'd rather have a place to go. We all would. But how many people do you know that own even 1/2 an acre of land? Maybe a few up in Loveland, but down here in the metro area? Almost zero people do.

Don't think that I'm arguing your point, because I'm not. I totally agree. However, I think the whole point of a BoB is to have something that you keep with you, so in the event that you are either stranded some where, or are left with nothing, then at least you have something to try and get by with until someone takes you in.

I've got a kid and no tent. Realistically, without a vehicle, we're not going anywhere. I've got a place to go to, but unless someone wants to lend me 15 head of cattle, several pigs, goats, chickens, a few acres worth of crops, and about 100 years worth of ranching experience and know how, it's not really going to help too much. I'd have to quit my job and go work on a ranch for a year or something in order to put my "resource" to any use. So, like you said, we'd be staying put for as long as possible. Just try to survive the first few waves of mass deaths.

[2008f450]

Its something that would have to be thought out and planned for sure. Everyone that showed up would have to have something to contribute. Someone would have to have some farming knowledge. Someone could hunt. Its not a quick on the fly thing for sure. But thats also why I asked what people would be using as transportation. If someone only has a 1984 Dodge aries k with 400K on it for miles they arent going to be traveling too far or off any roads.No matter how good their BoB is. As far as land your right down in your area there isnt a whole lot to choose from. Up here Im fortunate to know a few people with land from 2 acres to 7 acres. But they arent gun people and wouldnt be very useful in defending their own home much less me and mine.

[KevDen2005]

Okay, let's see if this works this time...

I first want to say that I don't have all the answers, I don't even know if my way is actually right, but here are some thoughts that I hope will help.

I plan on staying in my house for as long as possible. It is already a built shelter. It has the capabilitiy of housing many people in the event we want to be uncomfortable and are willing to accept that. I would assume that utilies would eventually get shut off so a plan of how to get additional water and where everyone goes to the bathroom should be figured out quite quickly.

I keep a large stock of canned and other long-term foods as well as a stock of water on hand. I also try to stock up on as much extra ammunition, medical supplies, tools, things to make my house into as much of a fortress as possible, and other things that seem like it would be necessary.

I also maintain several types of bug out style bags. First there is the backpack that carry backpacking that stays packed all the time. I often refer to this as a rescue pack. I have a 72 hour bag that I keep packed with a few sets of clothes, towels, soap, a few survival items that I would take with me for a fast emergency such as a fire, I can grab it on the way out. (Obviously this does not work if my house burns down when I am not home). I also keep my truck survival kits packed and check them regularly. I don't think I need to get into what is exactly packed since that is anther thread and of course would be different from everyone else's needs.

I would also suggest that having a few gallons of gas (rotated regulary-once every six months) would be a good idea. I rotate out 10 gallons of gas...some may want more others less. I can get to several planned destinations on 10 gallons and I also try to keep a minimum of 1/4 tank of fuel in my truck.

I also have a Bug Out Point Alpha and a Bug Out Point Bravo in the event I have to leave. I have maps and have researched the resources of each location as they are different. I of course have been to both and go regularly. I also have them in complete opposite directions in the event I can't go one of the directions.

I think that everyone on here is probably a Type A personality so figuring out leadership and trust issues needs to be done quickly if people plan on getting together. Face to face meeting, training, and hanging out is probably a good idea. I personally plan on my brothers and their families to join me as well as a few close friends. I know them, trust them, know what equipment they have, and know their capabilities.

I am certainly not opposed to meeting people on here. I have noticed there is a wide range of training and capability on here as well as a huge willingness to help one another. The more people banding together the better.

I also think it is extremely important for everyone to prepare as much as possible without making it the only thing they do in life. Preparations should always be made and improvements always done. It should not be the only thing we worry about since we all have lives and jobs and school and families to worry about too...which reminded me. In my packs I take into account at least one familiy member (my wife to be) as well as the possibility of others being there that I care about that are unprepared. At the same time I think there needs to be preparations and planning is paramount. The fact that everyone on here is thinking about this and making a plan is the biggest first step in my opinion.

I am by no means the answer to anything, these are my thoughts. I certainly don't practice the stuff I know enough and don't have many skills that I wish I had. I have gotten many ideas from this site and hope to pass a few on to others. I am always open to discussion and others' thoughts.

[Colorado Osprey]

But how many people do you know that own even 1/2 an acre of land?

Thats funny... my garden is bigger than that.
I never have understood people that live in an urban location.

I know of a few people who plan to "Bug Out" to rural areas.... some to private property not owned by them. I think they would be in for a rude arrival by the land owners and their neighbors.
Rural people commonly rely on each other and trust each other as well as come to each others aide.

I also believe that people who plan to bug out to the national forest are gonna end up with a lot of neighbors and no law; many conflicts with "prepared" armed people.
Picture you favorite camp area on July 4th weekend... but with guns instead of illegal fireworks.

[Irving]

I'm positive that if I ever had to go to our private property, someone would already be trying to squat there. I wouldn't even rule out the neighbors either.

[Wulf202]

all excelent points guys. if you want to read up on these issues buy the book "lights out" its far from the ideal fantasy rawles book puts on.

the scope of a retreat is monstrious and this is just the begining

[StagLefty]

I agree-great points in this thread. I am a prepper and believe that the last thing I'll be doing is running into the hills since I have everything right here.
2 books I recommend are "Lights Out" and One Second After". They have been discussed here and provide some good insight into what this thread is about.
The "trust" reference is huge in a SHTF scenario.
All that said I hope we never have to actually get into these plans but being prepared should be a way of life nowadays just for our well being and peace of mind.

[Wulf202]

not even considering the possibility of a bug out is like saying "this is where i'll die" and puting all your eggs in one basket. which may be fine for someone else but not me.

i dont consider a bug out a primary plan but i have plans should the need arise. anything from staying with a friend to moving 3 states back home.

there are many things that could force me to leave and i try to plan for as much as is forseeable.

[Byte Stryke]

In any SHTF Scenario, the FIRST thing you should be doing is:

1. Pack and get out
2. Go to the Store for supplies
3. Assess the situation
4. Call Family

If you didn't say #3 I Don't want your knee-jerk self around me.

Unless its a wall of water and we have 3 hours... I am sticking put and letting everyone else be victims 1-3,000,000

I have enough provisions to hole-up for a bit.

I will agree that trust is imperative.
I wouldn't even trust family members at this point. (ie Cousins, Uncles, Aunts)
Everyone will be looking for the easiest and most secure situation requiring the least amount of effort possible. (think refugee camp) If someone thinks you will provide that for them they will latch in deep, suck you dry and bail at the first sign of duress.

Now that Being said, going back to assessment. Unless you have an Older home (pre 1970s) I would not expect you home to be able to withstand much physical stress (400K Zombies) your "shelter" should be considered temporary and improvable. Always look to upgrade with minimal risk.

But to just say "Man if anything happens I am heading for the hills!" is poorly planned.
Simply because 2,999,999 other people had the exact same thought.


Just a few of my thoughts.
your opinions may vary.

[hollohas]

I live in the metro area but plan to meet the rest of my family in the rural area they live in. I live on the southwest side, so after a very short trip out of town I have mapped and driven the forest service roads to get to where I need to go so I can avoid the major hwys. I just don't trust anyone in our suburban neighborhood and supplies would be gone in an instant...after much thought, if I think the situation is shaping up to be one that lasts more than a couple weeks, we have to go. Of course I would have to make that call for my family in the first couples days at most.

If everyone could get there as planned, then we would have a nice sized group of people that would be useful in many ways.

Everyone should read One Second After by William Forstchen. Its a fictional book about an extreme SHTF situation after multiple worldwide EMP strikes. In this case they are in a rural setting and choose to bug-in.

That said, anyone read Bug Out or Patriots. I haven't but both look pretty interesting