Sheltering in Place - Deciding Factors

Sheltering in place becomes necessary when certain scenarios occur and you will need to know the different types of threats and be ready for them. Knowing the major threats to your survival will help you prepare ahead of time in order to avoid potentially life-threatening occurrences. Determining the threats that are a possible hazard to you and your family are a necessity in order to be properly prepared to make the correct decision as to whether or not you should shelter in place.

The major reason for sheltering in place is when the option of “bugging out” is not possible or could further endanger your health or safety. Sheltering in place may be your only viable option and you should be ready to make the proper decisions to avoid further risk.

Threats which require you to shelter in place can occur for several different reasons and will require quick thinking on your part. A couple of the deciding factors that will affect your decision to shelter in place will include:

1.) Travel to a safer location is not an option. You may need to shelter in place due to traffic congestion, infrastructure failure (road or bridges may be unusable, etc.), lack of transportation (vehicle breakdown or failure, no vehicle access, emergency transport services are unavailable, etc.) or travel may expose you to other hazards (chemical, biological or radiation).

2.) Insufficient time to evacuate and avoid the danger. In the case of a chemical, biological or radiation hazard, you may simply not have the necessary time to “bug out” and sheltering in place will be your safest and perhaps only option. Some threats, like tornadoes, will give you little or no time to avoid them or to get out of their path of destruction.

Knowing when you will need to shelter in place should be an important part of your family preparedness plans. Certain threats will not give you the time or the ability to avoid them. The decisions you make during a crisis or emergency can be critical to your survival.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Sheltering in Place - The Home Disaster Kit - Part One

Alternate Housing

Sheltering in place is normally your best option if you aren’t forced to evacuate or “bug out”. It may be your only option if you don’t have the opportunity to leave early enough to reach your known destination without becoming stranded. If it comes down to “toughing it out at home” or being stranded on the side of the road, sheltering in place will always be the better choice.

The first step in preparing to shelter in place is making a home disaster kit. While similar in nature to a “bug out” kit, it does have other equally important components. It isn’t difficult and doesn’t need to be very expensive, but it does require some thought on your part and the necessary time to do it correctly. There will be certain costs involved but with careful planning you can develop and utilize multi-use items to help you achieve your goals for sheltering in place.

Deciding to build and keep a home disaster kit will also put you ahead of the game. Many emergency management professionals estimate that only about 10% of the population has undertaken any type of emergency preparedness. Having a home disaster kit will allow you to make yourself more self-sufficient and give you and your family better options and more choices in an emergency or a disaster. You can be doing something positive while others may not even be around and give you a chance to react in a more positive way to a disaster. It will also give you greater peace of mind knowing that you didn’t have to rely on government emergency services to help you restore order to your life. You won’t have to wait days or weeks to restore a little normalcy to your life but can put your plan immediately into action.

Just as you have a “bug out” bag in case you need to evacuate, you should also have a Home Disaster Kit should you decide to shelter in place. Many people are less prepared to “shelter in place” than they are if required to “bug out”. Having a Home Disaster Kit will put you a step ahead.

Sheltering in Place - The Home Disaster Kit - Part Two will cover the contents and basic items needed for a Home Disaster Kit. It will include the different options that are available to help you “shelter in place” safely.

Got Home Disaster Kit?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Natural Camouflage - Blending in Naturally Part 3

Birds in a Bush

Blending in naturally will make it a lot harder to be noticed. The absence of movement and the lack of sound can make it extremely hard to be detected. Sometimes shape will be the only thing that may give away your presence. Learning to see what others don't can be a valuable skill.

Here's a little test for your powers of observation. How many birds can you find in the bush? Can you see what others don't? Look very closely or you'll miss one!

Got birds?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Rough Country

Rough Country

Doing a little traveling today. Hopefully I can avoid some rough country. Thought something besides river pictures would be nice today!

Got rough country?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Full Moon of Spring

Full Moon of Spring

Got moonlight?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bugging Out - The Route of Travel

The Route of Travel

Once you’ve established a known destination, if and when it becomes necessary for you to “bug out”, you will need to determine your best route of travel. Once you’ve established your plan enabling you to “know where to go and go where you know”, your next decision is to figure out which way to get there is the best option for you and your family. You do not want to wind up in a situation where someone says “You can’t get there from here!” Here is a guideline for planning the next step of your “bug out”.

The Route of Travel

You should always have at least three ways to get to your known destination. Never rely upon a single route of travel which may not be viable in an emergency or crisis. If or when something goes wrong, you could be leaving yourself in a very vulnerable position and subject to circumstances beyond your control.

The Primary Route of Travel

1.) Your primary route of travel should be the quickest and most direct route from your starting point to your known destination. It will also be the one that will probably be used by many others besides you. In this case, time is once again your enemy. The earlier you are able to leave; the better your chances will be for safely reaching your known destination by your primary route.

The Secondary Route of Travel

2.) Your secondary route of travel is the one you will need if your primary route of travel becomes too congested, obstructed or no longer a viable option for safe travel. This will be your main backup route of travel. The secondary route of travel should still be a fairly direct route to your known destination and one that will enable you to still reach your known destination in a decent amount of time. It should also offer several access points along the route that will allow you to reach it from your primary route of travel should a detour become necessary.

The Alternate Route of Travel

3.) Your alternate route of travel is the backup for your primary and secondary routes of travel. This is an additional route of travel should your primary or secondary routes of travel are no longer a viable option. It is sometimes referred to as “the road less traveled” and for a very good reason. It will probably be a very indirect route and require a substantially longer time for you to reach your known destination safely.

In any survival situation, you will need to know your options. Being able to make rational decisions in a timely manner will become critical. Always remember that circumstances can change quickly and without notice. Make sure your routes are well known in advance and be prepared if you need to make changes or modifications to your plan. A change in your route of travel may not be very easy to make once you have committed yourself to a specific route. Without a little advance planning to determine your best routes of travel, you may experience difficulty in reaching your known destination if you need to “bug out”.

Got detour?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Tips and Tricks to Help You Save Money - Part One

Vinegar is a very useful item and is commonly found in everyone’s kitchen. Finding alternate uses for common household items is a great way to help cut down on your costs and prevent needless waste. Here are a few simple ways you can use vinegar that may help you save a little money.

1.) Soak new propane lantern wicks in vinegar for several hours. Then let your wicks dry completely before using. Your wicks will last longer and burn brighter.

2.) Soak hardened paint brushes in hot vinegar. Then wash your paintbrushes out with warm, soapy water to soften up the bristles so it can be used again. No need to throw that dried out paint brush away.

3.) When patching drywall, you can prevent the plaster used for patching from drying too quickly by adding one tablespoon vinegar to the water when mixing to slow the drying time.

Got vinegar?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

You might be a prepper if...

River Picture

You might be a prepper if…

1.) Every family member gets to push their own cart at the local grocery store.

2.) You view your neighbors’ pool as an emergency source of water.

3.) You have more ammo at home than Walmart has on their shelves.

4.) All your recipes have rice and beans as the main ingredients.

5.) Your favorite radio station is the emergency broadcast channel.

6.) You have 9-1-1 on speed dial.

7.) You have enough heirloom seeds to plant a ten acre garden for ten years.

8.) You have more gasoline in 5 gallon cans than you do in your vehicles.

9.) You have a map marked with all 43 ways to get to your bug-out location.

10.) You have more knives than are on display at Academy Sports and Outdoors.

11.) Your home still has lights when the power is out.

12.) You don’t have trees in your yard because they are now firewood for your stove.

13.) You know more than a hundred ways to use a bandana.

14.) If something breaks, you start looking for your roll of duct tape.

15.) You spend your spare time braiding paracord into lanyards.

16.) Both your dogs have bug-out bags.

17.) Your first aid supplies weigh more than you do.

18.) Your key chain has more gadgets on it than the wife has in the kitchen drawer.

19.) You know which weeds are edible and what they look like and how they taste.

20.) You can start a fire 19 different ways that don’t include using wooden sticks.

21.) You have more cash stashed at home than you have in the bank.

22.) You are in charge of emergency drills at work.

23.) You listen to the prepper podcast because you like hearing your own voice.

24.) Your favorite reading materials are your old copies of “American Survival Guide”.

25.) You cuss Riverwalker because he put another river picture on Stealth Survival.


Are you a prepper?


Staying above the water line!


Riverwalker

Survival Rationing

Survival Rations

In any or disaster emergency situation, a sense of loss may be accompanied by panic and a hopeless feeling. Being careless in how you react to a disaster or an emergency will only weaken your chances for survival. Rationing your supplies carefully in an emergency or during a disaster will help you avoid needless errors and waste. Simple errors in judgment can reduce your chances for survival. If you lose control of your emotions during a crisis, you may endanger your survival. Resources and supplies can be used up quickly and may even be consumed or wasted much more quickly than they would be under normal circumstances. Having a little discipline and a lot of determination will be much more effective and could quite possibly save your life and the lives of your family.

Rationing for Survival

1.) Review your inventory. If you don’t know how much you have available, you won’t be able to determine proper allowances for everyone. Be sure to make allowances for those with special dietary needs and to allow increased amounts depending upon the energy expended.

2.) Place the most dependable person in charge. You will need someone that is not prone to panic in a survival situation to put a good rationing plan into effect and who can make sure it is implemented properly.

3.) Use your perishable items first. Frozen food items will quickly spoil and be wasted if not used quickly, especially if there is no power. Save those items with a longer shelf life till a later time.

4.) Determine the proper rations. Depending upon the amount of supplies you have on hand and the number of people involved, you will need to determine a proper amount and size of the rations for each person. Realize that many people consume portions well beyond their needs during normal times and during a crisis may even have a tendency to think they need even more.

5.) Include an estimate for the length of the crisis in your plans. Obviously you will need to be a lot more careful with your supplies if the emergency or disaster continues for an extended period of time. Remember that in a crisis time will be your enemy. If you are unable to determine the length of the crisis, plan for the long term just to be safe.

6.) Maintain a regular schedule. A sense of order and routine will give an air of normalcy to everyone during a crisis. Plan regularly scheduled meals and snacks. Try not to vary from your routine once established. Determine a daily ration schedule and stick to it except in the case of extreme necessity, such as someone with an illness or injury that may require adjusting the rations for those individuals who have been affected.

7.) Don’t be too strict with your rationing. Leave your self enough room when planning your ration portions to prevent unnecessary hunger or thirst. Hungry and thirsty people can act irrationally and may create even more problems for you during a crisis.

8.) Follow your ration plan. Once you’ve determined a plan for rationing your supplies, don’t make any changes or adjustments unless absolutely necessary. Stick with the plan.

It may not be the best plan but it is a plan, which is a lot better than no plan at all.

9.) Guard your supplies carefully and keep track of their condition. An infestation of insects or other pests can quickly ruin your stock of supplies. Check their status on a regular basis to insure their viability and integrity. Don’t risk needless loss because you forgot to check your supplies.

10.) Don’t forget water. Water is a necessary item for digestion and is also needed to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene. The effects of dehydration will overcome you a lot faster than a shortage of food.

What's on your survival plate?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bugging Out - The Known Destination

Bug Out Van

Before, during or after an emergency or disaster, it is always important to have a known destination and a basic plan that will get you there. “Bugging out “and not having a specific destination for you and your family may put you at greater risk than simply staying put and weathering the storm. There is nothing wrong with being an evacuee but failing to properly plan your “bug out” may cause you to end up being a refugee from disaster.

1.) Is it safer to “bug out”? The first thing you will need to decide is whether or not you need to “bug out”. Is leaving now safer than staying put? Is the trip liable to be more dangerous than the threat you are trying to avoid? You will also need to plan for a safe “bug out” location.

2.) Can you get there? You will need to make sure that your transportation is reliable, that the roads to your destination are safe and if you are traveling a long distance that you will be able to get additional gasoline or supplies that may be needed to reach your destination.

3.) Will you have the time? Having a known destination will allow you to figure a fairly accurate estimate of how long it will take you to reach your destination. The further you need to travel to a safe location; the greater your chance of having additional problems. Time is your enemy when forced with having to evacuate due to an emergency or disaster.

4.) What if your family ends up separated? One of the biggest fears that people face during an emergency or disaster is being separated from family members and loved ones. This is especially true during an evacuation. With places of work, schools, and homes being located in areas that may be relatively short distances apart, during an evacuation even a couple of miles can become an insurmountable obstacle. Having a known destination will allow everyone to know where to meet up, even if it takes them a bit longer to get there and you end up traveling separately. It doesn’t hurt to make sure it is a place that is familiar to all your family members and someplace where everyone will feel comfortable, especially if you have younger children. This is especially important if it becomes an extended stay due to factors beyond your control. You may have no other choice!

5.) How long will you be able to stay? If you don’t have the necessary food, water, shelter and first aid items to last an extended period, you will need access to additional resources. If you need to “bug out” for an extended period, your plan should include a reliable source of additional supplies should a longer stay away from your home become a necessity.

6.) Where will you stay? Are you planning to camp out at a state park or wilderness area, stay at a relative’s home or with a good friend? You will need to make sure that you don’t create a burden for others or you will wear your welcome out quickly. Be prepared to provide your share. If you’re planning to stay at a hotel or motel, make sure you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses. Staying at a hotel or motel can be quite expensive. Including a decent emergency fund in your planning is the best way to take care of this potentially devastating problem.

Always have a safe place that you can travel to easily, that will comfortably meet the needs of your family, a place which is familiar to everyone and affords the option for a longer stay if necessary. Having a known destination is the first and most vital part of any “bug out” plan.

Know where to go and go where you know!

Without a known destination as part of your “bug out” plan, you may be better off just staying at home.

Got known destination?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Rocky Mountain Stream

Rocky Mountain Stream

Having a natural source for water is one of the main requirements for your survival.

Got rocky mountain water?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Frugal Prepping - DIY Repair Tip - Number Two

Here’s a quick fix that will help you make your home a little more secure. It’s cheap and easy to do by anyone. Any place of entry into your home is always a weak spot and reinforcing entryways into your home will help deter a break-in or at least cause the burglar or thief to spend more time than they may want to trying to get into your home.

DIY Repair Tip - #2 - Home Security Improvement Tip

Check the strike plates for your doors. If they have the short 3/4 inch screws which are normally included in locksets, replace the shorter screws with 3 inch wood screws. This will allow the strike plates to be secured to both the trimmer stud and wall stud. Since studs are generally 1 1/2 inches wide you will have secured the strike plates firmly to both studs. This makes it a lot harder for someone to kick in or pry open your door with a screwdriver or prybar. Another point to remember when doing this simple upgrade for your doors is that you will have to use shorter screws if you have sidelight windows that are less than 3 inches from the edge of the doorjamb.

The shorter ¾ inch screws that normally come with locksets don’t offer the holding power and security afforded by using longer 3 inch screws to secure the strike plates firmly to the studs.

This is a project that the average homeowner can do that is inexpensive and simple to accomplish. It will also add to the security of your home.

Got screwdriver?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Great Gear Give-Away - Update

Here’s an update for everyone on the Great Gear Give-Away. My friend Mike at Gear Up Europe.com wanted me to remind everyone that the winner of the free hank of 8 Strand 550 Paracord will get their choice of colors.

Here’s what Mike had to say about the choices of colors:

“What colors? Black is the most popular followed by green. Orange is quite popular too. The orange is very bright, great for emergency situations or whenever you really need to see the cord. Red, white, and brown are more for the guys that make their own specialty lanyards.”

Mike at Gear Up Europe.com

So if you’re a winner on the International Preppers Network or Stealth Survival, you will also get to choose the color of 8 Strand 550 Paracord that best suits your own personal needs. Unless you’re really tied up (a little paracord humor), tell us about the ways you use paracord and you may be a winner!!!!

Here’s another quick reminder for everyone. Don’t forget to check out the American Preppers Network for more free stuff or take some time to visit the UK Preppers.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Gun Pics - Custom Mosin Nagant M91/30

Left Side View

Right Side View

Mosin Nagant M91/30 with Synthetic Stock

This is an M91/30 Mosin Nagant with a custom stock. It's from the Izhevsk arsenal(arrow inside triangle) with a 1940 date year and a round barrel. It has a fixed 5 round magazine with a hooded front sight and adjustable rear sight. All parts have matching serial numbers.

Here's a picture with the bolt removed. The bolt is easily removed by opening the bolt and sliding it backwards while depressing the trigger (make sure it's unloaded!). This gives easy access to the barrel for cleaning. No tools are required to remove the bolt.

View of Barrel with Bolt Removed

With the bolt removed, access to the barrel for cleaning while in the field is a simple process.

Hooded Front Sight

Here's a view of the hooded front sight on the barrel.

Adjustable Rear Sight

Her's a top view of the adjustable rear sight. Elevation markings are from 1 to 20 in increments of 100 meters (approximately 109 yards).

Side View of Rear Sight

Here's a side view of the rear sight showing the pins which allow removal for the addition of a scope.

Mosin Nagant Ammo

Got 7.62x54R ?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Household Items for Self Defense

Self defense is always an important concern with rising crime rates due to a struggling economy. While many homeowners own guns of some sort for personal protection, these may not always be readily available. Being able to adapt to adversity by utilizing common everyday items for your defense only requires a little quick thinking on your part.

Remember the basics. Most criminals are opportunists and failure to lock your doors or close and secure windows will give them the opportunity they are looking for and will leave you in a vulnerable position. Don’t create a situation where you are vulnerable from the start. Even without a firearm that is handy, you should never consider yourself defenseless.

When utilizing everyday items in a defensive manner, you should always seek those areas of the body that are the most vulnerable such as the eyes, throat area, groin etc. As an added bonus, most household items won’t carry the same legal consequences as a firearm or hunting knife but can often be sufficient to thwart an assailant or an attacker.

Here are just a few examples of household items that can be utilized for self defense.

1.) Pens and pencils.

2.) A roll of coins (a roll of quarters works great) in your fist for a little extra “punch”.

3.) Car keys are great for poking and scratching.

4.) A cane, broom handle or walking stick. They make excellent improvised clubs.

5.) Small heavy objects like a can of food, a skillet, a lamp, heavy vase, fire extinguisher etc. make excellent improvised weapons.

6.) A hot cup of liquid such as coffee, soup etc. That heavy coffee mug you lug around every morning even comes with a handle and can have as big an effect as a club.

7.) Baseball bat, golf clubs etc. These can have a devastating effect on an assailant.

8.) Umbrella. Most have a nice pointed tip.

9.) Aerosol sprays. Wasp and hornet spray shoots up to 20 feet and can easily blind an assailant.

10.) Kitchen utensils such as knives, forks, pots and pans etc.

Most weapons are designed to give you an advantage over an assailant or attacker and many household items can do just that. Being able to defend yourself is important and the advantage can be yours by being able to improvise when necessary to defend yourself, your family and your home. The next time you’re strolling through the house, take a good look around you and you might see just how many improvised weapons you have available for your self defense.

Got big coffee mug for self defense?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Great Gear Give-Away

Riverwalker is going global and we’re helping the International Preppers Network with a great gear give-away. Here’s your chance to win an essential gear item that everyone can use and help kick off the start of the International Preppers Network.

So what are we giving away? Here’s your chance to win an essential gear item that everyone can use over and over again. One lucky prepper will be chosen at random from the comments on this post and will receive a free hank of 8 Strand 550 Paracord from Gear Up Europe.com.

How do you win? Leave a comment on this post stating you’re a Prepper and include a personal identifier like EU Prepper and tell us a way in which paracord has been useful to you. The lucky winner will then be chosen at random from all the comments received. The winner will be announced separately in a different post at a later date. They will then need to send an e-mail to riverwalker_texas@yahoo.com with a shipping address to receive their prize. Your information will remain confidential and be used only to ship your prize if you’re a winner. That’s it! Good luck everyone!

Wait! What’s better than a chance to win free gear? Two chances to win free gear! Visit the International Preppers Network and post a comment for an additional chance to win.

Here’s a little info about the prize:

“This is the best quality paracord out there, 8 Strand 550 Paracord. You'll generally see stores selling the less effective 7 or 5 strand versions. Our 8 strand cord is straight from a US military parachute supplier, where they use the absolute best nylon they can find to make cord on which soldiers' lives literally depend. This stuff will work great for repairing gear, pitching tarps, or any other task where you might need high quality cordage.

The paracord is an outer sleeve of nylon with 8 inner nylon strands. You can easily pull the inner strands out and use them separately for small tasks, or keep it all together to make sure you have some very tough cord. The cord, of course, meets military specs and is technically 550 cord (rated to break at 550 lbs of stress), but the manufacturer says that their tests show that this paracord breaks at closer to 650-700 lbs.

Great for camping, outdoors, and survival emergencies. Keep some in your pack and vehicle.”

Special thanks to my good friend Mike at Gear Up Europe.com for helping with this great gear give-away!

Got a great use for paracord? Tell us about it and you may be a winner!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics from the Past - In the Saddle

In the Saddle

It hasn't been that long since most traveling was done on horseback. Travel was usually limited to how far you could travel in one day by horseback. The location of many small communities was determined by the distance that could easily be traveled on horseback and accounted for the close proximity of many small towns today.

Got saddle?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Walkabout Creek Trail

Walkabout Creek Trail

Little RW (my grandson) and myself took a break from the cold and wet weather of the past couple of months to do a little creek walking. Sure beats walking down a busy highway! Getting back to nature by taking a leisurely walk along a small creek helps to relieve the stress and strain from your everyday life and keeps you healthy.

Got stress and no river? Do a little creek walking!

Staying above the creek line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Hogzillas in Texas

Feral Hogs

Feral hogs are a big problem for many people in my area. They do quite a bit of damage out at my farm, as well as other farms, each and every year. They get to be a fairly decent size for feral hogs and are usually in the 250 to 300 pound range. While not exactly what you may call a "hogzilla", when you get a bunch of these critters together they can do a lot of damage in a hurry.

Despite what many claim, feral hogs don't get much bigger than the ones shown above.

Post edited to include informational link:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/PUBL/wlnotebook/Pig.htm

They're eatin' good in my neighborhood!

Got hogs?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Battling the Green Monster - Mowing Safety Tips

Lawn mower injuries result in a multitude of injuries that include everything from deep cuts or lacerations, loss of fingers and toes, puncture wounds, broken and dislocated bones, burns, and severe eye injuries. Many of these injuries can be quite serious in nature. Anyone using a mower or who is in the vicinity of a mower while it is in operation can be susceptible to injury.

Mowing Safety Tips

1.) Use mowers that have all safety features intact that will shut down the mower if there is a loss of control.

2.) Never disconnect safety features. They are designed to protect you even if they can be annoying at times.

3.) Always supervise younger children when they are using a mower. Make sure they are capable of handling the equipment and know how to safely operate it.

4.) Always wear sturdy shoes or boots when mowing. Never wear flip-flops, sandals, or tennis shoes (sneakers).

5.) Pick up any objects that could cause injuries if struck by your mowing equipment. Rocks, wire, stones and numerous other objects can become airborne projectiles that can lead to serious injuries.

6.) Always wear protective eyewear. Even plain old dirt in the eye can cause a serious bacterial infection. Eyes that are left unprotected are vulnerable to rocks and flying debris that could cause anything from a scratched cornea to a complete loss of your eyesight.

7.) Whenever mowing, make sure others in the area are located a safe distance away.

8.) Always start and refuel mowers outdoors and never indoors in a shed or garage.

9.) Always allow the engine to cool down before refueling your mower.

10.) Never ever work on or make adjustments to mowing equipment when it is running. Make sure it is shut off and remove the spark plug wire or disconnect the battery before attempting any type of repair.

Practice a little mowing safety and you will survive the battle with the “green monster”!

Staying above the grass line!

Riverwalker

Free Download - Mathematics for Precision Shooters

While searching for ways to effectively gauge the accuracy of Mosin-Nagant M91/30 rifle, I came across this file download that had some very good formulas that are simple and easy to use. You can calculate the effects of elevation, wind, and temperature etc. with these simple formulas.

Knowing that the bullet drop can be as much as 50 to 60 inches at 500 yards when shooting my Mosin-Nagant, I wanted some type of formula so that I could figure the necessary changes to be on target and not have to shoot excessive rounds to figure it out.

You can securely download the file here:

Mathematics for Precision Shooters (79.2 kb)

Hope you find this download useful. It's a small file but has lots of good formulas that are easy to use, especially if you're lacking in the math department.

Please let me know what you think about this information. Thanks.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Mountain Waterfall

Mountain Waterfall

Got waterfall?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Natural Camouflage - Blending In Naturally Part 2

Blending in Naturally 2

Many times things in nature are not easily seen. Those things you fail to notice will not always be a threat but there may come a time when they will be a hazard. Many times when seen from a distance we may not recognize the hazard but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist or is not there.

Can you find the threat in this picture? Sometimes you have to take a second look and see what others don't.

Can you blend?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Dog in the Canyon

Dog in the Canyon

Got dog?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Cactus in the Canyon

Cactus in the Canyon

Got cactus?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Shadow in the Canyon

Shadow in the Canyon

Got shadow?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Snow in the Canyon

Snow in the Canyon

Got snow?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

S.T.E.A.L.T.H.

Stealth is the art of employing simple techniques and skills in the most effective manner possible to distract attention from your presence or your activities. Even if you are seen or heard, it should be in a way that would not distinguish you from any part of your surroundings. Stealth is the art of hiding in plain sight and will allow you to blend into your environment. When you become an insignificant part of your environment, you can literally disappear within the very nature of your surroundings.

S.T.E.A.L.T.H.

S = Silence is your shield of protection that should be used generously.

T = Tune in to your surroundings with a total awareness of your environment.

E = Eliminate or reduce movements that may lead to unwanted exposure.

A = Adapt to adversity and be ready to deal with changing conditions.

L = Look for every possible advantage and see what others don’t.

T = Think about the results before you act and use patience as a guide.

H = Hear what others don’t, even when everything seems quiet.

Got stealth?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Big Tooth

Big Tooth

Don't know if there are really some Big Foot around but we've got plenty of Big Tooth! Unfortunately, this critter really doesn't have too much to be smiling about.

Got tusks?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Wild Animal Pics - Peccaries

Peccaries are generally not very dangerous if left alone and usually forage in fairly large family groups of 6 to 8 or more. These speedy little animals may attack when pursued or chased and are very agile for their size (adult males range from 50 to 60 pounds). They are also more commonly known as javelinas in my part of Texas. This comes from the Spanish word for spear (javelin) and is due to their tusks which are straight, pointed downward and very sharp.

Peccaries (javelinas) lose their fear of humans if they are fed and are sometimes found rooting around in camping areas. They have also been domesticated in many Central and South American countries. They are quickly becoming an urban menace for many people in the desert-like areas they tend to inhabit.

They are also called “musk hogs” by some people because they have strong scent glands that put off a very strong odor. Many times you will smell a javelina or peccary before you see it!

Their main feeding grounds are brushy mesquite areas with plenty of prickly pear cactus which is a staple of their diet. While they do have relatively poor eyesight, peccaries do have excellent hearing.

Got javelina?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics from the Past - Carriage Ride

CW was quite the ladies man in his day and was always willing to take the ladies on a carriage ride.

Got carriage?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Frugal Prepping - DIY Repair Tips - Number One

Repairing things yourself is a great way to save money but it will also cost some of your time. Time which you would probably like to spend doing something else. With the cost of even a simple repair running into the three figure range nowadays, it can be a real disaster for your pocket book when something breaks or just simply gives out.

DIY Repair Tip - #1 - Plumbing Repair Tip

Here’s a simple plumbing repair tip that will help you if you need to fix a leaky faucet or drain pipe. Having the right tool for the job is an important part of any DIY repair. One of the handiest tools for a lot of plumbing repairs involving drain pipes is a good set of “channel lock” type pliers. These make it easy to tighten or undo drainpipes when you have a leak that needs fixing. When replacing a gasket or seal on a drain pipe, just coat the threads and gaskets with a little bowl wax (this is the ring of wax that toilets are mounted on…they are quite cheap and a single one will do a lot of repairs), this also makes it easier to undo later if need be and stops any annoying drips.

You can also use the bowl wax trick when hooking up drain pipes for an RV or trailer when temporarily at a location if you are using rigid pipe. I did this on my little 15 footer when I was working in the oil field (a lot of landowners required rigid connections for the trailers when workers were living on site). No glue needed, no wasted pipe and a rubber mallet undid the connections easily.

Got a DIY repair tip for your fellow preppers?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Top Ten Survival Uses for Duct Tape

1.) Use for emergency repairs to gear (tents, tarps, backpacks, raingear, etc.).

2.) Use for temporary repairs to a vehicle in an emergency (patch water hose, etc.).

3.) Use for emergency medical treatment (make splints, wrap sprains, secure bandages).

4.) Use to temporarily secure items in place to prevent loss.

5.) Use for the emergency water-proofing of most items.

6.) Use as a temporary repair for broken glass or windows.

7.) Use in an emergency as a temporary restraining device.

8.) Use to seal an emergency shelter to help make it water-proof.

9.) Use as a reflective coating to create an emergency signaling device.

10.) Anything not mentioned above.

Duct tape is an essential item for your survival kit.

Got duct tape?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Gear - MX 450 Monopod Combo

Multi-use items are a great way to save money and minimize the amount of gear you may need to carry. They can serve a variety of purposes that will allow you to get the job done. Less items that you need to carry can save time and effort on your part. A great little item I came across at a yard sale is an MX 450 Monopod Combo. This is a great piece of gear that only cost $5.

This monopod comes with a foam grip and wrist strap for ease of use as a walking stick. A cap is included and is easily removed to allow the mounting of the V-shaped gun support. It also incorporates a standard camera mount in case you're shooting pictures instead of your gun.

Fully collapsed it is only 21 inches long and can be extended to 67 inches by use of the quick lever leg locks. This makes it fully adjustable for most people. My grandson even tried to appropriate it for his own use and took an immediate liking to it. Kids recognize a good thing when they see it!

It also comes with a rubber foot and ground spike. A few quick turns quickly converts from the rubber foot to the ground spike.

With this new addition to my gear, the ability to have a good walking stick that can quickly convert to a gun or camera support will always be handy. Having the option of a rubber foot or ground spike only increases it's versatility when used as a walking stick. A few simple modifications may be in order to further increase its use may be forthcoming.

Some of the modifications that I'm considering is the addition of some paracord on the upper handle and a case for a small multi-tool as well. I may even duct tape a small flashlight to it.

Got multi-use gear?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - OOPS!

Safety is no accident.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Home Hazards - A Daily Dose of Danger

The fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. is the unintentional injuries caused by hazards in and around the home. Many people fail to realize the importance of making their home safer because a large number of people don't even know the problem of home hazards exists. You may consider your home the safest place you can be but there are plenty of dangers waiting for you right at home. Here are a few of the home hazards that can affect you and your family on a daily basis.

Home Hazards

1.) Accidental drowning caused by inadequate protection and monitoring of backyard swimming pools.

2.) Accidental poisonings due to improperly stored medications, chemicals and cleaning supplies.

3.) Improperly stored or secured firearms leading to accidental shooting injuries.

4.) Accidental scalding and burns caused by water heater temperatures set too high.

5.) Fires caused by the improper storage of flammable materials around the home.

6.) Injuries caused by the improper use of yard and garden equipment around the home, including such items as mowers, tillers and chainsaws.

7.) Falls caused by the improper use of ladders when doing home maintenance and repair.

8.) Bulky and heavy furniture items that are unsecured that can lead to serious injuries.

9.) Accidental deaths and injuries caused by motor vehicles while parked in your driveway. This is especially hazardous to many young children who may be playing in and around parked vehicles.

10.) Failure to make sure that home playground equipment such as swing sets, trampolines and other similar items have adequate safety measures in place.

There are numerous other hazards that exist in and around your home. Being aware of these hazards will only make you and your family safer when at home.

Got home safety?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Wild Animal Pics - The Mountain Lion

Mountain Lion

Also known as the cougar, puma, and panther, mountain lions are one of the largest wild cats in the Western Hemisphere. They have a range that runs from Canada to South America, with Oregon having an extremely large population of cougars or mountain lions. They are extremely territorial and are solitary hunters over a large area. This mountain lion picture was taken in New Mexico.

You can read more about mountain lions here:

Mountain Lion

You can read more about mountain lion attacks here:

Mountain Lion Attacks

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker