Camping & Survival

Important Skills to Have After TEOTWAWKI

By Suzanne Wiley   April 20, 2013

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If a catastrophic world-wide event happened that wiped out a large portion of our population, infrastructure and destroyed many of our natural resources, what skills do you have that would be useful in rebuilding? What skills would you like to learn? You might have stockpiled food, water, ammunition and guns, but thinking beyond a few days of disaster can put you ahead of the game. Knowing a little bit about all those essential skills means you can not only provide for your family, but also be a good bartering tool. Any trade skill makes an excellent hobby—do you like to tinker with cars? Then you have some basic mechanic skills. Do you like to grow your own vegetables? Why don’t you expand that knowledge and raise some chickens?

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Safety and Training

Managing Recoil with the Correct Stance

By Suzanne Wiley   April 17, 2013

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Unfortunately, I have seen way too many pictures of women on the Internet shooting a gun incorrectly. You know the picture or the YouTube—the woman has a gun, she leans back to take the shot and the next thing you know the gun has recoiled back and hit her in the head or she has dropped it. A lot of people repost these pictures on their Facebook wall and hilarity ensues. However, most of the time this mishap is not the woman’s fault. The person who gives them the gun fails to give them any training. To manage recoil, get a good stance that provides proper balance and allows your entire frame to absorb the recoil.

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Camping & Survival

Container Gardening for Urban Preppers: Growing Your Own Food Virtually Anywhere

By Suzanne Wiley   April 15, 2013

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Being an urban or apartment dwelling prepper presents many challenges. Storage space and privacy is always an issue. If you have always wanted to be self-sufficient, but your location prevents it, you can start by growing your own supplemental food supplies in even the smallest spaces. Called container gardening, herbs, vegetables and some fruits can grow on balconies, patios, front porches, fire escapes, and even windowsills. Some of the best survival foods such as beans, kale, berries, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach will grow in containers. Squash, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, radish, cucumbers, peppers, and herbs also require a small amount of space to thrive. Small-rooted vegetables are best for container gardening.

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Gear, Parts and Accessories

The Best Backpacks for Everyday Carry and Bugging Out

By Suzanne Wiley   April 10, 2013

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As someone who used to travel half way around the world twice a year, I know how onerous a task it can be picking a bag. The wrong size or shoddy construction can spell disaster with a capital D if your bag does not stand up to its intended purpose. Bags come in all different shapes and sizes; you have simple two pocket backpacks, large duffel bags, load-bearing tactical backpacks, and messenger-style shoulder bags. They aren’t created equal either. Your Jansport from high school won’t work for a hiking trip in the Rockies. Whether you are picking a bag for your bug-out gear, a weekend camping trip or for every day carry—you must consider size, shape and capacity. You’re bound to find one that fits your needs from everyday carry to a weekender from Cheaperthandirt.com’s five top selling backpacks.

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Archery

What is the Maximum Ethical Distance for a Shot When Bowhunting?

By CTD Blogger   April 9, 2013

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Not long after sunrise, a beautiful 10-point emerged from the treeline and began feeding along the narrow strip of the cut. He wandered between 50 and 55 yards from my hide. My heart was beating out of my chest and the adrenaline coursing my veins was off the charts. I was on the ground in a blind and had a firm footing for a shot. The laser rangefinder ensured the range, and I knew I could make the 55-yard shot all day long—so I drew and let one fly.

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Archery

Traditional or Compound — Which Bow is Right for You?

By CTD Blogger   April 2, 2013

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There are many factors to consider when making the choice between purchasing a traditional or compound bow. Traditional bows (longbows and recurves) offer a historic as well as a simplistic advantage. There is a certain mystique associated with shooting a stick and string. The bow’s physical weight is much lighter, and you will not get bogged down with technology and a bunch of accessories. There is certainly an argument to be made for keeping it simple.

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General

Facts to Remember About Firearms Issues

By CTD Blogger   March 31, 2013

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The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. Organizations such as the NRA, Second Amendment Foundation and National Association of Gun Rights may be better known to the average hunter and shooter, but none are more important to the fight for your Second Amendment rights. The NSSF has been a staunch supporter and has worked tirelessly to protect your rights.

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Camping & Survival

How to Survive a Cold Spring Night Outdoors When You Least Expect To

By Lisa Metheny   March 30, 2013

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Sit down and ask yourself some important questions. What is my first priority? Should I
make a shelter or should I start a fire first? What do I need to do to survive tonight? How
far is help? Can I maneuver this terrain after dark?

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