more on living off the land

[trax]

There's a few of us obviously more prepared to go out and live off the land permanently than others, and some who have.

Recently, Nativedude threw up a list of things he took when he first lit out for the wilds. I asked him how long it took him from deciding to go for it to getting it done, but that thread kind of wandered off in some different directions.

I'd love to find out some people's point of view on this, what exactly do you think you'd need, what area would you be heading for (obviously impacts on what you're taking) and how long would it take you to get 'er done. I think it would be very beneficial to those who are attempting it.

Some of the things that have held me back are of a pretty personal nature, but I still intend to go for it within the next couple of years, if not totally off the grid at least well back on the far edge, so to speak. I'm currently working on learning more about log building (I'm not planning on some half assed cabin that I have to chink the walls with mud, one can do much better), reloading ammunition, and a couple of other things. Most of my basic bush skills I'm very comfortable with, but who else has a game plan? Who else has gone for it, or is about to?

[Rick]

It might also be nice to know why you want to do so. If it's personal, no biggy. I'm pretty happy where I am but it would be interesting to know why you feel the need or desire to go "native".

[ARussell]

First Post for me.

I plan on going into the bush around June of next year, the weather here in British Columbia will be alot warmer and make it alot easier to get by, not sure how long I would go for, but I'm thinking around a week to start. So up until then I plan on learning as much as I can.

I'm only 19 so I figure I've got a long time to do something like this, but I cant wait any longer, I've dreamed of pushing myself and surviving ever since I read "The Hatchet" when I was 10.

Also need to look into what I need to take, I dont want to take too much and make it more like camping than survival, but I also don't want to take too little, for obvious reasons.

[Sarge47]

First Post for me.

I plan on going into the bush around June of next year, the weather here in British Columbia will be alot warmer and make it alot easier to get by, not sure how long I would go for, but I'm thinking around a week to start. So up until then I plan on learning as much as I can.

I'm only 19 so I figure I've got a long time to do something like this, but I cant wait any longer, I've dreamed of pushing myself and surviving ever since I read "The Hatchet" when I was 10.

Also need to look into what I need to take, I dont want to take too much and make it more like camping than survival, but I also don't want to take too little, for obvious reasons.

Welcome young Wolf! BTW, "The Hatchet" was made into a movie titled: "A Cry In The Wild."

[explodingearth]

short term survival is relatively easy. learn all you can about long term survival

[Nativedude]

Originally posted by: Nativedude
"In all it took six years of planning, scouting for the right spot to settle, spending summer and winter in that spot (to make sure it was suitable for year round living,) and 1 1/2 years to complete my cabin

During the time I initially thought about moving into the bush (back country) I started collecting, dried, canned, and powdered foods, the tools (I didn't already have) to build my cabin, wool blankets, clothing (mostly wool,) cast iron cook ware, oil lamps (12 in all,) toilet paper, etc. Getting that stuff together and packed helps you in the process of knowing just how big you need your shelter to be.

I made all of my own storage crates from cedar and southern yellow pine. I also collected as many glass canning jars & lids and storage tins (from cookies and so forth) as I could. I use no plastic. There is no trash pick-up out in the bush. If plastic breaks it is useless and you can't burn it. Tin, glass, and wood can all be broken down through composting, melting, or burning.

I do have a shortwave radio that I can run off of my hand crank generator, for emergencies."

Living completely O.T.G. was a personal choice because I prefer the "pioneer" way of life. Ever since I was a little boy I have wanted to live in the mountains and woods. I played and explored in the woods, around my house, every chance I got. I spent hours building debris shelters, catching animals, studying nature, etc. All my friends were hanging around the local party store and I was in the woods. Science and astronomy were also other fascinations of mine. Studying the clouds, weather, stars, etc.

I have spent many a day and night in the mountains. Be it the Rockies, Cascades, Sierra-Nevada, Sawtooth, Catskills, Aleutian, Adirondack, Appalachian, Brooks Range, Kaumajet, Absaroka Range, Bear River, Bitterroot Range, or the many others, I enjoy my time in the woods and I prefer being there as to any where else.

While I do enjoy talking with people, I prefer talking only to those that have the same interests as I and I do not enjoy the masses of urban, suburban, or rural (which is getting harder and harder to find) living nearly as much as I do living in the back country.

[Beo]

I hear ya Nativedude, and a great personal choice in my book, I get so fed up with society and the things going on out here, people tend to suck, a straight me first attitude, and I hate big groups (basically a big group is anything six people to me)... I wish I could do what your doing.

[FVR]

I'm not much for people, basically a hermit. Yeh, I converse but honestly, I can take or leave most. If it was not for my two kids and wife, I'd be living way up in the mountains somewhere.

FRRAAAANNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK..............you hear that? That's the Rockies calling my name. Oneday.

I do enjoy talking with those of like ideals, but some get old. I am due to re-up on the USMC site, but have decided not to. Semper Fi is great, but the hooya political right wing bs gets old after awhile.

I just seem to walk to my own drum beat.

So, I live in the mountains in a community. Next home will be further out, as dictated by my wife. Surprisingly, she wants to move away from others. She's a city girl who when I met her, wanted to purchase a house where if I stretched my arms, I could touch hers and her neighbors house. When we got married, my only request was enough room for an archery range. Look where that got me.

To move as far out as I would like would be selfish and it would not benefit my family any. I have even vol. to move right downtown Atl. if needed.

Kids will be 18, I will be 57, my wife younger. At that point, we may live on a boat, in a cabin, a tepee, on the coast, in the mountains, in a RV, Arizona has always looked good to us.

[Nativedude]

I'm not much for people, basically a hermit. Yeh, I converse but honestly, I can take or leave most. If it was not for my two kids and wife, I'd be living way up in the mountains somewhere.

To move as far out as I would like would be selfish and it would not benefit my family any. I have even vol. to move right downtown Atl. if needed.

I hear ya on the first part FVR. Moving to a remote area does have its advantages though. If your wife loves shopping, then yes it would be selfish, but if she is not the "shop-a-holic" type then living remote offers such beauty, diversity, education, etc.

If you live O.T.G. you can save so much money and afford to travel as well.

There are many great mountain hideaways in MT, ID, and OR that offer the "hermit" lifestyle yet have easy access to the necessities, i.e; food, household needs, etc.

[trax]

the points we all seem to have in common make me chuckle. If I'm in a city and wind up in a crowded store or even just a street where it's busy enough for people to be bumping and jostling, man I get like a claustrophobe in a closet. I have to get out now. I figure in the next year and a half to two years, I'm gone.

[nell67]

No trax dont go!......LOLJust make sure you leave an address or directions where you can be found,not all of us are good at tracking,yet

[trax]

Well now, some people I've met here definitely merit an invitation. I'm not going to go totally hermit, in fact I plan on providing myself with as many "creature comforts" as possible, that's why I'm taking my time with my plans.

[nell67]

Sweet!lmao!

[nell67]

BTW,what creature of comfort..uuummm I mean creature comforts are you talking about?

[trax]

Well, we can talk about that.

[nell67]

Well, we can talk about that.

Ok start talking

[trax]

OK, what would you like to hear?

[nell67]

Oh ok you win this round,LMAO!

[trax]

If you whisper what you wanted to hear in my ear....I'll whisper what you want to hear back into your ear

[nell67]

Okay! step a little closer and lean waaayy down here so I can whisper it to ya!(remember I am kinda short LOL)!