This article was originally published by Sgt. Bob Cooley at American Preppers Online and sourced via The Prepper Website.
Hello my friend and welcome back to another post! Today we are going to look at where not to go when it comes time to bug out and why. It’s never ceases to amaze me how many People really don’t have a plan for when it comes time to bug out and head to safety. Even some Preppers I have met haven’t really thought through their plan so that is today’s topic. Grab a cup of coffee and have a seat while we visit.
We all need a solid plan that we have thought through every detail on when it comes to surviving a disaster. Even the Red Cross has begun pushing the idea of having a plan and being ready for disasters. This is because they understand that fooling yourself and not really planning for a disaster can be deadly! As Preppers, we all recognize the value of being prepared; otherwise we wouldn’t be going through all of the trouble of Prepping in the first place. But how many of us have actually put forth the time and effort to create a detailed plan based on different scenarios and then followed through to be sure the plan is sound by looking at it from all angles? Here are some of the places you don’t want to bug out to when the time comes:
National Forest – How many times have I heard people (including some Preppers) say “I will just grab my stuff and head for the nearest State Park because there is plenty of food there I can kill to survive!”? The trouble with that plan is that every person in the cities that are not prepared will be thinking the same thing, and will starve as a result. What you will wind up with are hordes of starving people stumbling around in the forest with guns and no idea what they are doing. They are going to be shooting at anything that moves, including each other. Besides all of that, the wild game is smart enough to move on when people start showing up leaving the unprepared to starve. People will form tribes to protect the wild game in the area they consider to be theirs. Death, Disease, and Violence is all that awaits you at pretty much any National Park.
Large Lakes – At first thought, this might actually seem like a good idea, but unfortunately it’s not. Without electricity to power the water pumps, many will see no other choice than to head to a big lake nearby. They will be thinking that they can catch enough fish in the lake to survive on as well as having fresh water to drink. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Why you may ask? It is simple really; thousands of people will be thinking the same thing. At first, everyone will think they have made a good decision, but they have only prolonged the inevitable. It won’t take long for hundreds of people to fish the lake dry of fish. Most lakes here in the US simply can’t handle that level of over fishing. People will begin to get very hungry. They will also become sick from drinking the water from the lake. Although it may look very clean, it still contains viruses and germs that can make you very sick, if you even survive it at all. Add to this that most banks are sloped toward the water and people will be using the toilet behind every bush and log they can find. The lake will quickly become contaminated and drinking the water will become deadly. Large lakes are definitely not the safe heaven you are looking for!
Military Bases – Yet another “Plan” that I have heard is “I will just grab my stuff and go to the nearest Military Base; they will take care of me. That is their jobs after all!” Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that most US Military Bases are not setup to take in refugees in the event of a disaster. They simply don’t keep enough supplies on hand to handle and house large crowds and will turn you away, even at gun point if needed. They will tell you very quickly that you are on you own and good luck. Military Bases are surely not the answer to surviving a disaster and you need to be very aware of that simple fact.
In truth, the only sure way to have a chance to survive a major disaster, is to start planning now for what to do when the time comes. If you don’t have some place to go that you know you will be safe, talk to your close friends and family members and purchase some land that is big enough to plant gardens and raise animals on. Make plans to meet there and work together to survive. Have a water well dug to provide clean water and then boil it before you drink it. No matter how clean it looks, it will probably need to be sterilized before drinking it.
Make a plan and don’t wait until the last minute to be sure your plan is survivable. Plan now and put forth the effort to secure a safe place for you and your family when the collapse comes. Until next time, stay safe, stay strong, and stay prepared! God Bless America!
Sgt. Bob Cooley is an US ARMY Veteran , ex-Deputy Sheriff, Patriot, Survivalist and a Prepper. He is the founder of America Preppers Online where he regularly shares his knowledge about preparedness and other important topics.
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I’ll be at my quiet retreat in Northwest Noneofyourfuckinbusness.
Opsec, folks.
Military bases will turn into Dual Purpose with full FEMA Camps in place.. They have the tall fences and armed personnel to guard the unprepared masses.
These will be Civilian Prison Camps, with no escape. Then they will fly you our over the ocean at 17,000 feet and dump you off without a parachute.
~WWTI… Oh the Humanity.
I’m putting up signs all over in my area that will say Free EBT Food and Water Cards at the Local Police Department and Department of Homeland Security Offices.
Get these psyopps out there early as a diversion. Deceive, Distract, Delay, Deny, and if all else fails Destroy!!
I’ll tell ya where I’m going… DRINKIN’ 😛
Cause when the goin’ get’s tough, the tough go DRINKIN’ …
Yep G, eating a grilled burger and drinking a cold beer right now at the BOL.
~WWTI…Can’t fake Cold Beer either. Yumm
I’m going to Disneyland.
Step aside coffee, this is a job for ALCOHOL!
http://thewildrobot.com/step-aside-coffee-this-is-a-job-for-alcohol-tin-sign-bar-humor-beer-liquor-sd2897
Actually you want to be as far away as possible from any military base, as they will surely be on the target rich list of the enemy to NUKE, whom ever that may be. They will install Martial Law around Military bases first, and utility companies next, and places where Key necessity Government Infrastructure is located, like the post offices, City governments, etc..
The Military will not give a rats ass about any civilian, or your problems or anything else and just shoot you on site with interfering in a government operation.
~WWTI… And areas with military bases will be crawling with the Feds.
[Cue Music. Fade in to apocalyptic scene]
Narrator:
“That bright flash high in the sky has just caused your electricity to go out;
Your car won’t start;
Those armored cars and troops that just forcibly entered your house, took with them anything that shoots, stabs, pricks, pinches whacks or pokes;
Your supplies of food and other survival gear were just taken when the next wave ransacked your home – not roving gangs, rather those persons you know (knew), love (loved) and trust(ed);
You have discovered that the TV and computer that you had inside your Faraday Cage, even though they DO STILL WORK, can only get ONE TV station and ONE webs site – the ones that were NOT shut down and are exclusively controlled by The U.N. who is now in charge and controlling what you can and are not allowed to know about;
You cannot quite tell if those troops camped out on your front lawn are speaking Chinese or Russian;
The constant rumble of helicopters, loudspeakers and armored vehicles keeps you awake at night…
….NOW COMES MILLER TIME!”
(Jingle): “If you’ve got the time…..we’ve got the beer, MILLER BEER…”
“HEY HONEY, WHY IS THE BEER GLOWING A STRANGE GREENISH COLOR IN THE DARK?!?!?!?!?”
Wow Marcus, you must be close to my neighborhood. lol
~WWTI…
LOL! Could be!
someone please explain why I have been using the exact same username and email address for years, yet I get modded every. single. post.
Why??
For some reason the system auto-flagged you. Should be good to go now!
Thanks,
Mac
Jeez, I’m on EVERYONES list lol!
Thanks for the fix!
I’ll head for Beverley Hills. ?
*
I’ll be at with family at the BOL. 3 more weeks and …..
hi, im new to prepping, the world seems to be getting bad, can anyone tell me why i would need to go somewhere other that my usual surroundings, i read and hear people say “you must leave town” but if everybody is running for the hills, lakes, forests etc then wouldn’t staying put be the best and safest option ?
Jeff:
I was joking. I am staying put if I can. I’ve been in situations and near situations which required a quick escape. For instance, massive forest fire. If you have your important papers and photos in a convenient “to go” bag or, as Preppers call them, “bug out” bag along with emergency items, you can grab and run. At that time, your destination is not important. Just go.
Most true Preppers, I’m sort of a laxidasical semi-prepped type, but most really on the ball, aren’t waiting for economic collapse, civil unrest, or the grid to shut down. They bought or created a homestead, farm, live in swamps with Aligators; you know, it won’t matter cause they’re already independent.
If you live in the city, chances are there will be more people looking to rob somebody because they’re food stamp/ EBT card doesn’t work. But, chances are, unless you have somewhere to go, as far as I’m concerned; you’ll be in the greatest danger out on the road.
That’s why most prepare to stay home and protect what they have. Iron bars on windows and reinforced doors, to keep out would be thieves would be a good precaution. But keep your car filled with gas and your bob (bug out bag), close; just in case.
__
And a full auto HK93 and 5k rounds of ammo loaded in 400 high cap mags 🙂
I have a Red Rider BB gun and put my eye out with it! Somehow I don’t think I’m on their list.
Welcome Jeff. To answer your question, there’s nothing wrong with “bugging in”. Most of us don’t have bug-out locations, although you’ll notice that a lot of the peens that frequent this site manage to mention theirs atleast twice daily. Pay them no mind. Acquire the supplies you’ll need, reinforce your living quarters and you should be fine. If you find that you must venture out then do so with a group of folks you trust. Good luck and God bless.
Bug in with a good team at a location away from town. Then if some of the golden horde shows up use those firearms… always let one go (with a few deep cuts, and less one ear)… the word will spread and the rest will steer clear….
Like most of you I will be at BOL#1 when it comes time. But for right now I’m finishing picking what is left in the garden (drying it), Reloading, and working on my solar panels. Just another day at the Old Sergeant’s House.
Braveheart: Still trying to finds that place in Tenn. Had one but when we placed our bid someone beat us by 10 minutes.
Sgt.
Sarge, sorry to hear that. so close, yet so far.
10 Minutes? Sounds fishy. It should have been submitted as a dual competitive offer. Not sure if it was for sale by owner, but Got to watch these A-hole greedy Realtors submitting their clients bids in before yours for more commission. Or not even entertaining offers at the same time. 10 Minutes to me in a Real Estate Deal seems like a dual competitive offer situation. Unless they already it signed and accepted and the ink was dry, but how will you really ever know for sure?
When I bought my place here, I said, “Here is my offer, my only offer, take it or leave it, or I will bid much lower next year.” My Realtor went back and hammered the sellers, who balked, but took my offer which was 22% less than they were asking. Bammm!! Done deal.
SGT, You can always submit your offer in, as the next backup offer, with a 10, 20, 30,60 day expiration date, in case the other offer deal falls through. And many do fall through. Get on that seller or realtor or whom ever the deal is with, about that if you really want the place. You never know.
Go check out LandWatch dot com. Loads of BOL’s and land on there for sale.
~WWTI…
the heavily populated areas will become a very nasty place to be until the crowds are thinned out by whatever happens. ANY place that NORMALLY is popular to the public will be a place to STAY away from, the non-preppers that don’t have a clue will flock there and will perish!, you better have given LOTS of thought to this stuff BEFORE SHTF, you probably will not fare well if you have NOT already thought about it and have a good plan! and of course you better have plan “A” then “B” and “C” because things change and always will!
good luck!!
A54, yessir! We have a b and c plans. everyone of them stocked. A long term, B medium term, C short term. Never keep your preps or weapons in 1 place. Always at minium 3 places! And NEVER trust anyone who is friendly with govt. agents! In fact NEVER trust anybody that isn’t at least as prepped as you are….
So that explains it, why I don’t trust anybody. Not one single person out there fully, period. Maybe my sister, that’s it. She is the executor of my estate.
~WWTI… Run Silent, Run Deep. Stay heavily armed at all times.
Don’t come to the Ozarks. We don’t want or need you. If your not Kin your not welcome. Heck some of the Kinfolks aint welcome. If your not from here you will stick out like a sore thumb.
Same here. Anyone who doesn’t belong will stick out like a dick in a disney movie!
Hey Grampa, no one gives a flying damn about the Ozarks. I’d rather be trampled and eaten alive by the hordes than have to live my last days amongst you inbred mongoloids.
Yeah Mouth….be careful what you wish for……
I kind of wish all you “don’t come here cuz you ain’t wanted and you’ll stick out like a turd in a punchbowl” bitches would have a coke and a smile and stfu. How bout that? The Napper is right, fuck the Ozarks and all the cousin-uncles that reside there!
Nap, better watch your step if you don’t want to get the ‘dirt nap’.
Don’t worry, the pOzarks wouldn’t be my first choice. But if I DO show up then all you cousinuncles and pigf^^^ers better pack it in cuz I’m havin none of your chit.
WWTI, ha ha ha, great idea putting out road signs misleading the dipshits away from you! I will be sure to include that in my bag of tricks lol.
Yeah, Its dual purpose post, the hungry hoards fighting with the Cops HQ’s which will also keep them busy and out of my hair as well. Yep lots of tricks out there. Make the sign look official, with Dept seals monograms, etc. Signature etc. Staple them to telephone poles with Arrows away from my place.
Free EBT Food Cards at the PD and DHS offices, Then post a small map on the sheet with the address. Staple like 10 sheets, on each telephone pole for a mile away.
Free Food at Termimus right up the tracks. Everyone is welcome. right?
Free bus rides to Atlanta, just 10 miles north from here to the bus station.
Or post on your property Gate, Do Not Enter, under Quarantine, The Plague, Deadly and contagious, with a skull and crossbones signia.
~WWTI… Those who will survive SHTF will be plenty cunning and clever. Imagination is a HUGE force multiplier. Goal is to keep the masses away.
Hillary will make it all better .. NOT..
IMHO, most folks that plan to ‘bug out’ are merely delaying their deaths by the length of time they use up stuff with them or stored.
It takes YEARS to develop the infrastructure, knowledge/experience and tool up to run a successful homestead….along with a generous portion of plain luck. You don’t jump in your SUV, run to your out-of-the-way weekend cabin and have much shot at making it long term.
There is a reason age 40 was a OLD man in American Indian culture….and they were DANG good at living simple.
Tn, good point! It takes YEARS to build a homestead! More work than I ever want to do again for sure. Plan on 4 years minimum if you work your ass off. I have 10 and still want more….
Been working on ours since 1982. Only in the last 10 can I say it has really started to come together.
Eh,am short any supplies just hit up Geuis’s shed,checking the floor trap doors ect.That said,will bring me bottles of #7 as the last thing am going to do end of the world is drink his rot gut whiskey!
Ahhh. I can attest to that. 20 Mts out at my BOL from raw land to homestead is a lot of work. And Im doing it Solo. If I stopped mowing the grass and let it go, within 2 years my entire human foot print including the buildings would be covered over with vines and foliage. Its a jumgle put here. Seems vines grow a foot or two per day. I see new vine shoots I just cut up 8 to 10 ft in a few weeks. I have a vine hedge 8 to 12 ft around my cottage. Awesome concealment, except from above view. I have a 35 ft camoed out parachute I could throw over the roof if needed. To be hidden, is out of sight out of mind for looters.
-WWTI… ROCK ON!!
So true. It’s taken ten yrs to develop what we have now and why would I or my family want to leave unless asses from the cities are at the doorstep. Bug out to where? Bug in,dig in and defend to the best of your ability. Let’s keep in mind not everyone wants to bug out. I like like my homestead just fine. Peace
Vet would be a big surprise for looters. He’s been there and done that. His body probably don’t work as good as it did 50 years ago but I wouldn’t want to be the person threatening vet and his family at his place.
If I have my boat before the SHTF, which is sooner than later, I’d be gone long before. If not I’d steal one and be gone. A 40 to 50 foot sail boat will do. The ocean is a very big place with very few people. Three months worth of food to start plus rations, with seeds, head south toward fertile areas.