SHTF- In his own words

[Archeryrob]

I imagine I'll get right popular in the neighborhood. The Mennonite up the top of the hill does not live there, but has a beef fattening pen. I figure we will kill some of those as needed and Strip is all out and dry it all into jerky for preservation. I got a wood fired smokehouse 20 yards behind my house. That has 8 trays 21" x 25"

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Selco is famous.

For good reason.

Scarcity breeds character and invention.

 

[Rambler]

Longer than you think. Lots of dumb ones would be eaten in the first few years. Worse than humans, without government funded “animal control” we would revert to the deer population being controlled by feral dogs as it was 60 years ago. That is what caused the deer population explosion “animal control”

Deer were hunted to near extinction in several states by the late 1800s.
Indiana is a good example; they reintroduced deer in the 1930s bringing them from other areas to repopulate.
I think it might be pretty surprising how fast deer would be drastically reduced if there was widespread privation and unregulated hunting.

 

[Ponder_MD]

What about crabs?

Crabs are seasonal. They burrow into the mud during the winter. Rockfish migrate.

There are two fish that remain plentiful- blue catfish and Asian snakeheads. Both are good eating, both are incredibly prolific. Both are easy to catch, they bite nearly anything.

 

[Mark75H]

Deer were hunted to near extinction in several states by the late 1800s.
Indiana is a good example; they reintroduced deer in the 1930s bringing them from other areas to repopulate.
I think it might be pretty surprising how fast deer would be drastically reduced if there was widespread privation and unregulated hunting.

Long pig solves a lot of that. Some places will be managed

 

[Blacksmith101]

Longer than you think. Lots of dumb ones would be eaten in the first few years. Worse than humans, without government funded “animal control” we would revert to the deer population being controlled by feral dogs as it was 60 years ago. That is what caused the deer population explosion “animal control”

When there is no meat feral dogs will be on the menu.

After the first couple of months there will far fewer people competing for the available resources because of lack of potable water, disease, starvation, and SSS.

 

[Mark75H]

When there is no meat feral dogs will be on the menu.

After the first couple of months there will far fewer people competing for the available resources because of lack of potable water, disease, starvation, and SSS.

I agree, that's part of why I think the deer will last longer. Another is ... have you gone to a rifle range and watched the average shooter? ...

 

[Bountied]

I agree, that's part of why I think the deer will last longer. Another is ... have you gone to a rifle range and watched the average shooter? ...

So if I can put 5 shots in a 2" target at 300yds I should be ok?

 

[dblas]

I read it back when he would post it, sections at a time, on SHTF board. It is a very good read with a lot of realistic information. From someone that has lived through a war/shtf situation and is humble enough to tell the story without any embelishment.

 

[r3t1awr3yd]

- Money was valueless quickly.
- Precious metals were valueless not long afterwards
- Ammo, tobacco, alcohol and sex were currency

This confirms a personal belief I've had forever. I've always assumed that if SHTF, "brass" would become the currency of choice. It's not food but it'll get you food. It's not money but it could be bartered as such because it's so much more versatile. If you choose to be civil and trade or a savage and take, you'll need brass either way.

For people hording gold and silver, I've never believe anything else is a bigger waste of time. When water and food are the most important daily needs to be met, metal is worthless.

 

[Mark75H]

So if I can put 5 shots in a 2" target at 300yds I should be ok?

You are definitely not average

 

[Sirex]

It's a good, eye opening read. I read Selco's post many years ago. There was also a guy who survived the economic collapse in Argentina years ago that is a good read. I saved the link somewhere. If I find it, I'll post it. But if these are real accounts, they offer good, practical info. Selco said of course guns, but he also liked little things, like lighters to trade and refill. I did print out all his posts and put them somewhere just in case.

 

[wilcam47]

I imagine I'll get right popular in the neighborhood. The Mennonite up the top of the hill does not live there, but has a beef fattening pen. I figure we will kill some of those as needed and Strip is all out and dry it all into jerky for preservation. I got a wood fired smokehouse 20 yards behind my house. That has 8 trays 21" x 25"

Whats inside look like?

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

So if I can put 5 shots in a 2" target at 300yds I should be ok?

If you enjoy the flavor of targets, yep, you’ll be fine.

 

[bcr229]

There was also a guy who survived the economic collapse in Argentina years ago that is a good read. I saved the link somewhere. If I find it, I'll post it.

SURVIVING IN ARGENTINA

Life in Argentina after the 2001 crisis.

ferfal.blogspot.com

 

[Archeryrob]

Whats inside look like?

Here is all the blog posts on building and using the smokehouse.

Search Results for “smokehouse” – Confessions of a fisherman, hunter and tinkerer

Fishing, Hunting and Do It Yourself stuff

archeryrob.wordpress.com

Thicker shelves go in the spots you see open and these lighter shelves are for jerky and lighter roasts. After building it, I would use stainless or aluminum expanded metal for shelves. The steel doesn't season in the smokehouse and rusts with cured meats. Holds up, but could be a 20 year problem. Dowels are for handing chubs, but I lay them on the racks now and it works easier I think.

 

[Bullfrog]

Deer were hunted to near extinction in several states by the late 1800s.
Indiana is a good example; they reintroduced deer in the 1930s bringing them from other areas to repopulate.

Yup. I grew up in the midwest in the 70's and 80's. Very rural area... 40 miles to go see a movie. Lots of wooded areas, almost NO deer. It was normal to see one or two, in the distance, once or twice in a year. That's it. In my entire life up to the time I left home I probably saw a dozen or so total. They were almost mythical, like unicorns.

I go home to visit now and they are out every evening in the fall, just like here.

 

[Afrikeber]

What about crabs? I buy meat at the store because it's easier. I can gut and butcher a deer into what I would need. Not much of a fisherman but I have caught fish and have rods and tackle.

How long do you think the deer population is going to last when everyone is killing them for food because that's all there is?

Deer are not that vulnerable and not everyone has the savy to shoot and process them. Lots of options for protein like plant sources. I do think a group of like minded can survive indefinitely but loners will eventually succumb.

 

[Chat-Bot]

www.tiktok.com/@therealrealbradlea/video/7320431023538605358

 

[Archeryrob]

I am not sure I know of any preppers that do not have guns. If your survival strategy is to take food from people that have it, and have guns, that is a bad strategy. Having to fight for every meal will make catching a bullet quite a bit easier.

I have seen that sentiment expressed on here before and the first time they run into a group people protecting each other it is over for them too. I know the first two in my area I will band with, then three other neighbors we would approach to be with us. Then with a core other people join.