Why would you bug out?

[lostinthewoods]

I was thinking. I'm a huge fan of bugging in if at all possible. If the "zombies" want to fight I would prefer to have the home field advantage. ;)

So any way, why would you bug out? (specifically) The best defense is a good offense. I've been trying to think out every worst case scenario. By doing that I'm able to devise a good plan for anything that might arise.

The only scenario that I've come up with out right so far is a dirty WMD some where close. Beyond that I'm drawing a blank.

Any advice all?

lost

[Deberosa]

Around here probably the worst danger is volcano erruption or earthquake and those are minimal really. On the coastal areas there are Tsunamis so people there are prepared to evacuate. Oh, fire would be the other real danger.

Floods, storms, natural disasters are most likely. THen there is economic ruin, grid failure, food supply failure.

I think WMD would be pretty far down my list - if that happens I truely hope I am a swift casualty.

[kawalekm]

Current events in Kenya give me an idea of when it's a good idea to get out. If you even imaged something like that happening in your area what would you do against angry mobs surrounding you?

Yes, you can say you'll pull out your AR and make a stand, but what if the mobbers (is that a word? Mobsters doesn't mean the same thing!) are armed to! Even if you hole up in your retreat, a few bottles of flaming gasoline would take out most. That's exactly what is happening in Kenya now. People are being burned alive in the buildings (churches even) that they took refuge in.

Our strategy is to have our retreat in an area remote enough that a mob can't form. The population density isn't high enough to even put together a crowd. But, our regular house is in a suburban subdivision like most of the rest of the country. Our problem will be sensing when it's appropriate to bug-out. When initially buying our property in the mountains, I was careful to select a remote area that could be reached with just a half tank of gas. We keep a bug-out truck ready to go, and never, never let the fuel tank drop below one half.
Michael

[Southern_Gent]

Yes, you can say you'll pull out your AR and make a stand, but what if the mobbers (is that a word? Mobsters doesn't mean the same thing!) are armed to! *Even if you hole up in your retreat, a few bottles of flaming gasoline would take out most. *That's exactly what is happening in Kenya now. *People are being burned alive in the buildings (churches even) that they took refuge in.


Precisely the reason why defensive measures should be considered a part of the decision process when building the homestead. Wood burns, concrete and stone don't. Of course, a molotov cocktail thrown through a window could cause considerable havoc even in a concrete structure. Yet, it's difficult to foresee all possible threats and counteract them, there's also something to be said for the cost of building to such requirements.

As for bugging out, seems that natural and manmade disasters would be the main reasons. Hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, floods, chemical plant explosion or other industrial accident, would rank on my list.

[edward_4576]

The concept of the bug out is prtty dangerous. As pointed out above most of the scenarios are temporary while others can end up being long term. Remember Chernobyl? That was a true bug out with no going back. A flash flood or a chem spill is something that you might recover from while a meltdown at a local Nuke plant wouldn't be.

It would be nice to be able to have a location to evacuate too if it came down to it, but I put a lot of time and effort into my home and I somehow feel that by having an second home that I would be splitting my efforts in half as well.

I do however spend a lot of time in figuring out ways to make my little plot less then enticing.

[RangerRick]

Overwelming odds, sickness/desease, behind enemy lines, undefensable location, dewindling food/water supply.

Ranger Rick

[flatwater]

I suppose it all depends on where you live. If I was at my cabin , thats where I would stay. A couple of my niehbors that I met on the mountain didn't even know that a cabin was on the property I bought. And thats just the way I like it. Out of site out of mind.
Flatwater

[DM]

I don't think i'll be going anyplace either... I'm out in the country and have everything i need right here...

Moving from here wouldn't make the situation any better anyway...

DM

[DavidOH]

Death is a strong motivator.

Anywhere within miles of a railroad track is a potential chemical spill.

The remote cabin in the woods is great untill a forest fire comes your way. Even if you can protect the cabin from fire, you will still need clean air to breathe.

Severe storms can be anywhere in the country.
Wind or high water. Snow or heat wave.

Most often staying put is the best option, but somtimes it is the worst thing to do.

[Katrina-Sisu]

End days, natural diaster, etc.

I'd do it to keep my family safe and healthy.

Does sheeple avoidment count?

Kat

[gardenfay]

I don't know for sure; like others have said, we can come up with a thousand different scenarios and what we come up against might still be different.
But I have always thought it to be a real possibility that - lets just say we survive some invasion from Canada up here and it seems obvious we will be caught if we stay here, i would be headed back to our place in eastern OK - or maybe remote public lands somewhere in between - about as fast as i could.
Depending on the situation; it could be in the truck on back roads. or it could be on horseback if the situation were bad enough.
i think a person needs to be prepared for the possibility and that is why i think knowledge and experience and last; but certainly not least - the grace of Almighty God are sooo much more important to me than having a stockpiled fortress somewhere.
Here is a small example of the Lord taking care of business. in late May of 2001, my DH could not find work where we were living in n. Minn and came to n. Montana. He liked it here immediately. much better than he did back in Minn. I about had a cow. NO, i thought. I was being so stubborn; but I had blinders about what i wanted.
we had paid cash for a farmhouse and 10 acres. a perfect if TSHTF setup.

So, i dug my heels in. He asked me, hey this job is taking longer than i thought; why don't you come see this little town. Why? I want to stay here - felt like i could put my back against the wall there.
Anyway, it was late August and I had 2 gilts getting close to farrowing; i was checking them in the middle of the night; with just a flashlight and started seeing bear tracks; that spooked me but i was still stubborn.
then i don't know the date; about sept 3 maybe; we had force 2 hurricane-type winds. our daughter and i made it to the basement and she asked me if we were going to die as mature trees snapped in two outside. i didn't lie; "i don't know if we are gonna die; but I know God knows right where we are". The next night the winds were almost as bad.

We couldn't even get out the driveway until our neighbor spent hours with his chain saw and tractor and we were without power for 4 days.
i called my husband and said; i'm sorry. this has got to me; please come home or come and get us.
he drove 18 hours straight to come get us (had been sent to a job in the Bitterroot that week) and we came out here with the things we needed for a few weeks stay.
We got here in the early evening of Sept 09, 2001. Obviously, 2 days later I was very, very thankful that our little family was all together safe and sound on 9-11.
I feel like God made it work out so that we would be together.
it also has helped me come to a place where although i still plan; i trust Him more than i trust in my own ability to plan for a future that is so uncertain.

[lostinthewoods]

fay,

well said :)

lost

[gardenfay]

lost,
thank you

[wy0mn]

Migrating with a food source? Maybe a prairie fire, but then... which way to run?
Not much up here. Burby wannabes couldn't handle my place, much less want it.
Even paramilitary religious fanatics would look for easier pickins'.

[idris]

Just to get away from Invalid Input {sheeple} and have more options which don't involve looking over your shoulder. Also, I like being out in the wilds. That is not to say that good people are to be put out of the loop. I guess that I know my own limitations, and try to live within them.

[Farmer]

I'm not as concerned with bugging out as I am about bugging back. I'm on the road 4 or 5 days a week - up to 800 miles away from home. I carry necessities (a BOB) with me in case something happens while I'm travelling.

[homesteadingnky]

I agree with you. There could be situations that could cause us to have to leave the homestead but I think the biggest concern is if we were to be caught away from home when something major hits. Kinda like your gun you should always have your BOB close at hand and a small person survival kit on your person. You can never be over prepared!! However, if you live in the city I could see why you'd want to BO of there.

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

I suppose it all depends on where you live. ... Out of site out of mind.
Flatwater
Flatwater (kayak?), you said it all. Hope u don't mind my condensing.

I live on just under 1/2 acre, just outside of a small town that is 5 miles from a 'city' of 15,000. The White River is a 2 hour walk through cedar glades and poison ivy.
Most of my neighbors own 2 or 3 acres by way of "keeping it in the family", so to say. I'm always ready to buy. Why? We like our neighborhood as it is. We like the 3 acre pond that is 150 yards from my back door. Most everyone has some sort of garden. Most have fruit and nut trees, too. "Keeping it in the family" means that these few 'free' acres are bought and sold by folks that want to keep it that way and may need an income boost. It's a mutual agreement among neighbors. No lawyer involved. Risky business, I know. ;)
I've lived in this house since 1988. 50% of neighbors *have been here longer than me. We trade too many tomatoes for too much zucchini. Cherries and Pecans.

I'll BUG IN here. If you really want to know why I would BUG OUT, you'll have to read a later post. I have to balance my checkbook. :'( * *

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Okay...as for why I would Bug Out.
It would have to be a pretty ugly scenario. Marshall Law or something else that is totally uncalled for.

I'm going to have to change the subject just a bit and explain; I have family 20 miles south of me that reside on 480 acres. All neighbors have at least 100. Near a town that is about the same size as where I am now but has a hospital. Thier property is bordered on one side by a major river with railroad beside it. This section of rail line is agricultural. Transports grain mostly. Little Haz Mat danger. Two large gardens, more deer, turkey, squirrels and mushrooms than you've ever seen.

The driveway appears to be just another gravel road to nowhere. 2 miles from highway to the house with several 'branches' that don't go anywhere. A guest has to have directions. Left at the pine glade, etc.

See where I'm going with this? I won't arrive empty-handed, either.

[Stolen_Moments]

I can't see any reason for bugging out since we're Appalician mountain folks. Got everything, land, woods, guns, like minded neighbors, and lots of independence. Everything can go tits up and we'll be fine.....

But, I guess the biggest thing we got going for us is that a lot of us plays banjos.... ;)