Greetings, like many of you, I am concerned about Y2K and its impact on my family. I live in a predominantly agricultural area in Western Oregon on 3.5 acres, and am reasonably well prepared for Y2K or any other natural or unnatural disaster which may come my way. Aside from our pantry, we have 2 steers, 2 pigs, and 50 laying hens. I will be in a position of envy should the worst happen-- which leads me to my next Q. I live within sight of old hiway 99 and within 10 minutes of our State capital Salem. My main concern is security and the ability to protect those I love and what I have worked so hard to attain. With 3 small children and a wife, I have a lot to be responsible for. I realize no one has a crystal ball but given my location and proximity to both a major city and hiway, how concerned should I be? I will not leave unless there is an imminent threat to my family. As a former Ranger and someone who has had to use deadly force to protect myself before, I understand that it is an option and am prepared to do so-- but only I pray as a last resort. What, if anything, can I do to forestall this possibility? Any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-- Charlie P. (nospamformeplease@maybelater.com), February 23, 1999

Answers

A pastor who we are working with Y2K prep., for a small local congregation here is preparing an extra trailer of wheat, rice and beans for needy passers by, while the bulk of his stores are hidden for family and congregational use. He hopes the trailer will act as a decoy in a way from angry hoardes tearing the place apart. The thinking goes that once the trailer is empty, the folks won't look on his church as a target. But if needed, he is prepared to defend his flock from a mob. But he's announcing in advance to the community, he has a trailer they will be willing to share stores from. Once depleted he hopes they will move on. That's one suggestion.

Other forum posters made great suggestions towards making your place look already looted, thus (hopefully) the desperate will move on and overlook your place.

Be ready to move quickly if needed. I have small kids of my own, and have contingencies to become mobile to flee a dangerous situation. We all have back packs ready to go with 3-4 days worth inside. We have stores buried in myriad places around the county. My advice is to be prepared defensively as much as possible. I have no desire to stand against either the military or hundreds of desperate folks who would kill for sustenance, but it is a possibility that I'm resigned to.

The only thing I need right now for our preps is an education about chickens and laying hens. Building a coop right now.

Got chicken wire??

-- INVAR (gundark@aol.com), February 23, 1999.

INVAR,

Check out http://www.ms state.edu/dept/poultry/extension.htm for poultry information.

May GODS Will Be Done

Mike

-- flierdude (mkessler0101@sprynet.com), February 23, 1999.

Sorry,

Here it is again. TRY THIS

Mike

-- flierdude (mkessler0101@sprynet.com), February 23, 1999.

Sorry again,

This one will work.

Mike

-- flierdude (mkessler0101@sprynet.com), February 23, 1999.

Hmm our preps have been pretty simple and divided into categories.

Shelter cozy little home in a rural setting Water two wells, a pond, and were building a solar purifier Heat  wood stove. Also getting axe and saw for getting the trees, along with bicycle and cart/trailer to haul it home Food  bed gardening, Ark Institute seeds (3 years worth), All- American canner and Ball jars, root cellar, Lee Valley tools for gardening, bow for occasional hunting, solar dehydrator, solar oven, pans that will stand a wood stove, food storage buckets, hand grain mill, water cans for the garden, wheelbarrow Clothing  treadle sewing machine, shoes, underwear, bras, lots of fabric (cotton, denim, and cotton fleece) Health  hygiene supplies, medical supplies and kit Recreation  cards, games, musical instruments, books

-- Brett (savvydad@aol.com), February 23, 1999.

Charlie,

Here's my 2 cents. And BTW, what a great question! Mine has been the same for quite some time. I am not near a city, but have decided on a couple families that will live on the same land with us. I'm making sure that they are preparing as well. I think anyone with clucking hens, mooing cows, and oinking pigs will attract passers- by. It is helpful to have numbers that will inherently discourage those with unhealthy motives.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

tim

-- tim daniels (tim@commonsense.com), February 23, 1999.

Definitely need to bug out plan in place BUT better still is put some reasonable security in place- barb with battery op electric, battery op alarms after all of that, the only hope is neighbors pulling together in a mutual defense pact. Get the gear to help outfit them- attempt to organize a neighborhood watch in advance.

We have a similar situation- husband and I are both former USMC. You know the drills for security and hardening your position just don't forget the strategic withdrawl option.

EC

-- EC (JHnck1776@aol.com), February 23, 1999.

If you think the scale is going to be 7-10 prepare for the unexpected and always be on guard. The current laws that intimidate some people to be docile won't be in place anymore and it will be a dog eat dog world. Just be careful

-- (Lancelot @ tavern link.com), February 23, 1999.

And exactly where are you going to bug out to? The woods? A neighbor's place? Are you camping out, if you leave? Will you be driving? Won't you be even more at risk in uncertain, unknown surroundings?

-- gilda jessie (jess@listbot.com), February 23, 1999.

Charlie, consider making trailer space available to one or two couples all of whom can help you will all tasks including defense. A good book is Patriots by Rawles.

Also, use your visibility and location to your advantage. Surround you home with trees or whatever so you can see out and noone can see in (from afar).

-- Tomcat (tomcat@tampabay.rr.com), February 23, 1999.

Got chicken wire?? -- INVAR (gundark@aol.com), February 23, 1999.

I have a good barn and coop!

On the coast raised chickens and had no problems at all with critters. Here in the foothills of CA let the hens out and lost twenty three out of thirty hens. Hawks, coyotes, bobcats, foxes and who knows what, got them. If you are out in the boondocks then you either gotta do away with the critters or keep the hens locked in tight. All night long I hear the (&^*^(& critters trying to get to the hens. Sometimes I'd go out to check and the critters would be gone before I could get there. Coyote poop all over the yard in the AM.

Don't have a dog maybe that would help! Hard to get them with a shotgun and don't want to use a rifle for fear of the neighbors, rifle shot goes a long way. Had a bobcat in my sights the other day but let it go. Neighbors want me to shoot the coyotes I see but it seems too dangerous to me at this time.

So far keeping them locked up tight no problem, got a concrete foundation around the coop.

Would like to let them range but gotta control the vermin first.

-- Mark Hillyard (foster@inreach.com), February 23, 1999.

Charlie,

If youve done any hostage rescue work then you know the routine about moving untrained people through unfamiliar territory, especially when there are potential hostiles in the AO...best recommendation I have is establish a reasonable barrier system in conjunction with organizing your neighbors into some sort of mutual defense agreement - we've also had to look at moving untrained folks in a bugout situation, and frankly concluded it was a nonstarter.

just my 2 cents' worth, Arlin Adams

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 23, 1999.

Also have chickens in eastern no.calif.foothills. Biggest problem is city(flatlanders)new comers bring their DOGS! We've let them know if them come on our property and go after our chickens their DEAD! No ifs and or buts. We're done warning these morons to keep their dogs home and not let them roam. Tried to be nice at first no longer, we have our shotgun at the back door ready to go!

-- just me (no@email.com), February 24, 1999.