Help Me Understand Why I Need A Year’s Supply Of Toilet Paper?

Let me be forthright in saying I am not mocking or ridiculing in any way the prepper mentality.   That being said, I just don’t completely understand or appreciate the extent many people appear to be taking this end-of-the-world survival concept.   Seriously, a year’s supply of toilet paper?   Check out this video:

Now, ever since my Cub Scouts days I have been groomed to be prepared for many of life’s challenges, but sometimes I think people take matters to an extreme.   I suppose at any one given time my household has a two month’s supply (or more) of toilet paper, but that’s only because we often shop at Costco and nothing comes in small packages sold there.   I view a video like this and afterwards I’m left wondering…just how ill prepared am I for the future?

Seriously, I am a big proponent of being prepared for emergencies, but mostly this has been to the extent of a winter survival bag in my truck, maybe a pantry full of dry goods to get us through an extended power outage after a storm, you know…the usual preparatory activities.   But call me foolish, if you will, I fail to see the value in prepping for emergencies lasting months or years in duration.

I guess people have to do what they need to do to achieve peace of mind.   Oh yeah, given this current state of our world affairs and political climate I can envision things going south quickly.   It could certainly happen.   I don’t view it as inevitable, but during my lifetime I have seen enough “surprises” taking place in this world to know nothing is completely certain from one day to the next.

Still, this possible “uncertainty” does not fuel my desire to spend boat loads of money for a year’s supply of food, medicine, various hygiene items, etc…all of which do not last indefinitely.   I get it, some people purchase insurance and if you don’t use it the money is gone.   Yet, stockpiling food and various other supplies seems like such a waste with no imminent threat I can detect.   Obviously, time will either show me as the fool I am or confirm why a prudent person can reasonably maintain these doubts.

Honestly, the extent of my “prepper” activities will probably end this spring at purchasing some heirloom garden seeds that are not hybrid varieties or some Genetically Modified Organism (GMO).   Why?   Mostly because many of these historical seeds have some great stories to them.   Not to mention, if handled and stored properly can have a viable shelf life for 10 years or longer.

In reality, a small container of heirloom seeds (I purchase mine from Seed Savers Exchange where a former high school classmate manages the store) is a good investment in the future.   Many of these seeds worked well for our ancestors during a time when all they had to depend on was themselves, so it can work that way again if heaven forbid it has to.

So, tell me where I’m wrong.   I’d love to hear your comments and rationale for having a more aggressive approach to taking measures on preparing for an uncertain future.

Too Cold To Hunt? Some Hunters Embrace The Cold!

I chuckled yesterday when a news release from Southwick Associates crossed my desk with the title “How Cold is Too Cold for Hunters?”  You can read the full release HERE, but here’s the gist of their findings:

There are indeed some fair weather hunters out there. Organized by region, the percentage of polled hunters who say it is too cold to hunt as temps fall to between 21 and 30 degrees were:

 

  • Great Lakes States                          3 percent
  • Northeast States                              5 percent
  • Northern Plains States                   3 percent
  • South Central States                       10 percent
  • Southeast States                              9 percent
  • Western States                                 8 percent

 

By the time temperatures have fallen between 1 and 10 degrees, the percentage of hunters who choose to stay inside are:

 

  • Great Lakes States                          31 percent
  • Northeast States                              40 percent
  • Northern Plains States                   18 percent
  • South Central States                       51 percent
  • Southeast States                              52 percent
  • Western States                                 36 percent

 

But the tipping point seems to be 0 degrees when across every region except the Northern Plains states an additional 25 to 32 percent of hunters report it is too cold to hunt. In the Northern Plains, another 21 percent, are choosing a warm fire over a cold deer stand or predator setup.HunterSurvey.com

Now, I’ll admit there are a lot of factors that lend themselves to hunting in the cold.   For instance, when you’re younger and generally more eager one tends to dismiss the adverse weather as being a deterrent to being outside in the cold.   In other words, with advancing age generally comes some increased sensibilities in the decision making process.

Another big factor is what type of hunting is being done.   If a person is sitting motionless in a deer stand or walking sloughs in pursuit of game birds it makes a big difference.   Muscles in action tend to deal with the cold a bit better.

Of course, you also have the prevailing wind speed level as a big factor.   It can be cold and still outside, yet very tolerable.   But once that wind cranks up it will dissipate heat from your body faster than you can imagine even with some of the best gear being worn.

One often overlooked factor is if you are seeing game while hunting.   It’s amazing how a person suddenly forgets about the cold when a flock of ducks look promising they might decoy in.    For that matter, if you’re not seeing game a 50 degree day could quickly become too cold to hunt.   It’s a matter of perspective and what’s currently happening.

Now, I ran across this video today of Ryan Patin doing some extreme things on Lake Superior in freezing cold weather…check it out.   By the way, Ryan is a deer hunter here in Minnesota.   That being said, I’ll be the first to admit most Upper Midwest hunters may be heartier than average, but there are always some who take what the cold has to offer to an extreme.    I would have to say what Ryan does in this video is certainly good training for a late season deer hunt.   Wouldn’t you agree?

 

Stuff

It’s a sure sign a person is getting older.

It’s not a sign I’m proud to admit, either.

Nevertheless, I believe most people eventually hit that point in their life when they feel they have enough “stuff.”   In particular, I’m talking about outdoors stuff.

Now, don’t get me wrong…a new fishing pole or a new shotgun always gets the juices flowing.   Yet, the fact remains when a person has been enjoying the outdoors for nearly four decades eventually they start running out of storage space.   The desire to acquire begins to fade.   Maybe a deeper sense of practicality actually sinks in to one’s maturing psyche.

Okay, I’ll admit something I never thought about in my younger days.   Now, as I amass a new bunch of fun toys I begin to think about what will happen to them when I’m out of the picture.   Seriously, at some point a person grows old and the toy either gets permanently stashed away until the estate sale…or, it gets liquidated at a fraction of the purchase price at some garage sale encouraged by your spouse.   The bottom line is the decision process for buying new outdoors equipment evolves as a person ages.

Case in point.   It’s been over a year since I last purchased a firearm.   That is quite a departure from what life was like several years ago.   At times during my past I would purchase a new gun almost on a whim.   Didn’t take much arm twisting at all.   Oh, have times changed in my life.

Today, I have little to no room to store additional guns.   My philosophy is if you can’t store them safely you don’t buy them.   Gun storage is not an afterthought…it’s a primary consideration BEFORE ever shaking the dealer’s hand and beginning the paperwork process.   Nope, even beyond storing the guns you need to take the time necessary to care for them…and it all takes precious time as “stuff” accumulates.

It really doesn’t matter what the “stuff” is, either.   It can be guns, fishing tackle, camo hunting clothes, ATV supplies, campfire accessories, knives, game calls, depth finders, waders, decoys…hell, the list goes on and on.   I think you get the idea.   If you’re young I understand being on a mission to acquire all the fun gadgets you think a person needs to fully enjoy the outdoors.   I’m here to tell you over time those attitudes change.

Now, you might think how much of this sounds a bit negative and perhaps somewhat defeatist that old age is winning the battle.   Quite the contrary, my friend.   While age is certainly a factor influencing this thought process…truth is as a person matures I think you better realize how the outdoors can be enjoyed without modern gadgetry.   Oh, I will never deny how many gadgets are integral and enhance the outdoors experience.   Still, the older a person gets the more apt they are to ask themselves the all-important question…”Did I really need that?”

Going to Cabela’s to buy new “stuff” is always fun.   Having a buddy give you his old “stuff” is always exciting.  Discovering “stuff” on Craigslist at fire-sale pricing is always awesome.   Getting new “stuff” for your birthday or Christmas is wonderful.

But, when you get to that point when you discover new “stuff” you’ve forgotten you purchased last year…well, that could just be the first sign that maybe…just maybe…it’s time to cut back on buying more “stuff.”   At least for a short time.