Thread: Why Bug Out?

Assuming that the disaster was not a flood or Hurricane or Volcano, why leave your castle behind? I would stay and protect what I have and go on nightly raids to steal what I needed from those who are against us (you know the ones with the Obama bumper stickers).
but if I had to bug-out and the roads were passable I would take my RV, if the roads were impassable I would take my 67 Bronco (4 inch lift, 33" tires, 302 V8, C4 Auto, 4.11 gears w/ Detroit lockers, Warn 8000lb winch......)

TCB,

This is the classic argument. If something big but non-local hits, such as an economic disaster and/or a breakdown of local law enforcement, do you immediately bug out, or do you "bug in"? I think it comes down to whether you think you're safer wherever you are at, or whether you would be safer getting out of Dodge and heading to the hills.

In favor of bugging in:
- You have all your stuff there, and hopefully that means a degree of protection
- You know the territory
- You may be vulnerable on the road traveling to your safe location
- If loved ones are need to find you, it may be easier to find your home than you at some safe location (which may change)
- If you live in the city, chances are there are resources and people nearby you can bargain for what you need (I don't advocate stealing)
- Easier to keep warm and survive our wet winters without illness

In favor of bugging out:
- It's quite likely people will think of you as a source to steal their resources from. While it's one thing to hold the fort against a couple of would-be bandits, it's another thing entirely to protect yourself and your family from a well organized gang.
- Even a single person could set your home ablaze
- If you go to a safe location with a number of other like-minded survivalists, you may be able to protect yourself better (though this could conceivably be done in an urban environment as well -- especially if someone has a concrete warehouse you can work from as base).
- Less chance of city dwellers finding you and taking your resources (though the country / mountain folk, those who likely know your "safe area" much better than you, may see you as ripe for the picking instead)

I'm sure I'm missing a few.

My personal opinion is that the best thing to do is to live in a sparsely populated area in the hills with like-minded church-going people who know how to farm the land and protect themselves, and "bug in" to your home by making adequate preparations. those preparations would include both personal protection and building of a community.

I have the feeling that where I currently live would not be safe enough for my family. While I don't have any plans to bug out, I do have a diesel 4x4 that may serve such a purpose if necessary.

Originally Posted by TINCANBANDIT

I would stay and protect what I have and go on nightly raids to steal what I needed from those who are against us (you know the ones with the Obama bumper stickers).

I thought this would be a sign the DON'T have anything and are NOT prepared at all, they are counting on the guberment to take care of them. That being said maybe I'll have to get some Obama stickers for my kit. Place them on my vehicles and home if the SHTF. That way people will think I have nothing, and have no way to defend myself. That way I'll have the element of surprise when someone comes to raid my home at night.

Also I'd have to take down my American flag. Out of the 12 homes in my cul-de-sac, 5 fly flags and have guns, 2 might have guns (no flag), 5 don't (judging by conversations with the residents) with no flags and sporting Obama stickers.

I'm with PeakResources.. First, stay and protect and defend what's ours.. and our previously prepared items for survival (you do have those right?) and gather our family and like minded friends around us for ultimate defense and group resources. Then IF we need to bug out do so in some kind of supportive group of "family" for defense and protection.

Then with Cyclesarge..I'd also have to take down my American Flag and get bumper and window stickers, but ALL my neighbors already know I'm the neighborhood Patriot and probably also figure I have firearms (although they don't KNOW I do for sure

Another thing we might remember from the "entitlement society" that figures what is ours should be theirs... and that is this: If you check history....... the majority (if not all) riots, looting and terrorist acts and 'social unrest" criminal activities that have taken place in the last 50 years......... has all been done by the "liberal left, socialist, entitlement part" of our great society! That's all they know how to do..... and they will do it again to others whenever they wish.

In the 60's and 70's it was the liberal left and the war/government haters, Weather Underground, SLA etc. etc., in the 80's and 90's it started with ELF and ALF (and still is today) they have never hesitated to blow up towers, trucks, buildings, firebomb houses, harm innocents and take what they feel they want from those that have earned it and NOT already given it to them! They turn over cars, gang up on individuals, burn loot and cause mayhem to get what they want!

Now we have "domestic terrorists" that come from the far left and... they want the same things done to us and to take what they want and give back nothing!

I was raised in Kalifornia during those (idiotic) times (No I'm not proud of it!) and believe me it wasn't the far right doing the riots, looting, bombing, burning, stealing and assaulting! So weather you bug out of burrow in, be prepared for many of the people you "think" would be non-aggressive.... to turn violent and quite possibly against you and yours, particulary the "entitlement" society of today.

I plan on surviving by driving about 12 miles south to Ashland and eating people who drive a Prius with an Obama sticker on it.

Naw, I would try to stay home. We live in the country up in the hills W. of the Medford area on a fairly secluded road. I do have the option of bugging out though because we are only about 1/2 mile from the wilderness which separates the Rogue Valley from the Oregon Coast. I could get lost from everyone in there.

Our nearest neighbors are about 1/4 mile away and I can see just 2 houses from here. All of the neighbors I know are good people.

I hope it doesn't happen, but we do have guns, ammo and food. We have a good water source even if the power goes out. I could hunt from here too.

I would stay home, for sure. We have ample resources very nearby (I see about 300 deer a night, and they aren't people shy at ALL) and are far enough away from a massive amount of people to be relatively safe. We only have two ways to get into our house, and we live in a cul-de-sac with about 6 houses on the street, all of which are "friends."

The bug out/ bug in discussion cannot be decided.

The conditions will tell you what you will do. You must prepare for both.

Example: Your house burns down................you are bugging out.........period.

Living in Suburbia, we can maintain the home and surrounding area safely for a time with the help from certain neighbors and the like...the non Prius/bumper sticker ones lol, but I have always told friends and family that they have three days to get to me and then we are bugging out to a one of a handful predetermined locations depending on the event in question and it's severity.

I do have a shelter that is stocked, but I'm not making it my tomb.

As they say..no plan no matter how good survives initial contact..lol

When the SHTF my family are throwing all our SHTF supplies into the 4x4 and heading to my parents house out in the sticks. Got it all in a nice neat pile that is easy to get to and I can back the truck right up to the door to load it up

For me, leaving is close to the last option. Thinning out the gear so it can be carried would eliminate a lot of stuff/supplies that would be really missed and probably missed fast. We have bugged in a few times with power outages during the winter. Got by just fine with a few extra blankets and oil lamps. Bored a bit but hardly ever near death. I grew up in the North East and it seemed to be a common thing to loose power for a week(or two) during winter with temps near zero. Never lost anyone I knew of. We simply knew it could happen and it was a way of life. As long as my structure is sound and not in immediate danger,we'll be here When I leave we'll be packing light, and the mindset will be that walking is the only option. Anyone recall "normal" traffic during the week around Seattle,Tacoma, and Portland? Now imagine those same folks with a real panic going on! The highways will be plugged if they are even still open.

No matter what you do, keep your preparations quiet. It is unfortunately true that the current generation of Americans have been raised with the idea that it is "UNFAIR for others to have more than I do" and if SHTF many these people won't have more than a day or two of food in the house. Then they will head for their neighbors to "share" in their preparations. Hungry people are desparate. I don't advertise that I might have food or firearms here. The neighbors may think I do but I haven't confirmed anything. As the saying goes: "You have a mouth, so use it wisely!"

Originally Posted by TINCANBANDIT

I would stay and protect what I have and go on nightly raids to steal what I needed from those who are against us (you know the ones with the Obama bumper stickers).

The joys of urban living in a SHTF scenario... night raids, burning buildings,unpassable streets and mayhem.

Suvivalpodcast.com just did a pretty good overview of this exact topic last week entitled bug-in vs. bug-out, and Coctailer's comment basically summed it up nicely:

Prepare for both as opposed to preparing specifically for just one or the other either way. The first question to ask yourself when the SHTF is "which one will keep me alive?" If it's reasonable to conclude that either one will help you stay alive, the second tier question would be "which option would keep myself and/or my family most comfortable?"

this thread is pretty paranoid in tone. At my home, my neighbors are pretty tough and resilient too. Some are clear speaking, educated, and resilient. Others are blue collar tough and flexible too. In general, we all watch out for each other. I'll stick with the team I know and trust. Probably, we can keep watch and forge alliances with our other stubborn toughs across the street. Most of us have provisions hidden too.

You pose a classic argument as Coctailer said.

A couple of observations:
One important item that we all need is water. I currently live in town where the city provides the water. I have piled up food to last a while and could do OK there. But, if the city can't continue to supply water, how long will we last. The average person unknowingly consumes a large amount of water - drinking, cooking, bathing, flushing toilets and so on. It seems to me that you could not store enough water to last more than a few days. Ideas?
Another thing: We are so used to the TV, radio and newspapers to keep us in contact with the world. Sometimes, when we have lost power because of weather, flooding or whatever, I almost felt that I had lost contact with the world. It is a strange feeling to not know what is going on elsewhere. I cannot imagine what it must have been like before the mass communication that we have today. You wouldn't even know what was happening in the next town, let alone the world.
Fortunately, my wife gave me a Freeplay wind-up radio for Christmas a few years ago. This is realy neat. You don't need to store batteries for it. It is realy a quality built item and has a great sound. So, every time the lights go out, I just wind it up and let it go. That way, I don't feel isolated from civilization. I heartily reccommend that everybody get one. Mine gets AM, FM and shortwave, although I haven't had much luck with shortwave reception.
Whaddaya think?

Originally Posted by dario541

A couple of observations:
One important item that we all need is water. I currently live in town where the city provides the water. I have piled up food to last a while and could do OK there. But, if the city can't continue to supply water, how long will we last. The average person unknowingly consumes a large amount of water - drinking, cooking, bathing, flushing toilets and so on. It seems to me that you could not store enough water to last more than a few days. Ideas?
Another thing: We are so used to the TV, radio and newspapers to keep us in contact with the world. Sometimes, when we have lost power because of weather, flooding or whatever, I almost felt that I had lost contact with the world. It is a strange feeling to not know what is going on elsewhere. I cannot imagine what it must have been like before the mass communication that we have today. You wouldn't even know what was happening in the next town, let alone the world.
Fortunately, my wife gave me a Freeplay wind-up radio for Christmas a few years ago. This is realy neat. You don't need to store batteries for it. It is realy a quality built item and has a great sound. So, every time the lights go out, I just wind it up and let it go. That way, I don't feel isolated from civilization. I heartily reccommend that everybody get one. Mine gets AM, FM and shortwave, although I haven't had much luck with shortwave reception.
Whaddaya think?

Good idea about the radio.

If there is chaos, I wouldn't want to be in a city, no way. We live in the country (since you're in Medford too, we're on a paved but lightly traveled road in the hills above Old Stage Road) and I could dip from our well if needed. We also have a small but clean year-around creek about a block away. I'd use water purification tablets for that.

Hi, gunner3456. Although I am currently living in the city of Medford (I remember it 50 years ago when it was a town (less than 15,000), we have relatives who have acreage in the Ruch area. So we have plans to go there if the SHTF. We have a truck and are seeking a small travel trailor to live in (We don't really want to sleep on the ground!) I know the Applegate area very well and I feel my chances would be as good there as any where else. As for water, I am aware of several springs that have never in my lifetime went dry (I have lived in the Rogue Valley since 1955).

Originally Posted by dario541

Hi, gunner3456. Although I am currently living in the city of Medford (I remember it 50 years ago when it was a town (less than 15,000), we have relatives who have acreage in the Ruch area. So we have plans to go there if the SHTF. We have a truck and are seeking a small travel trailor to live in (We don't really want to sleep on the ground!) I know the Applegate area very well and I feel my chances would be as good there as any where else. As for water, I am aware of several springs that have never in my lifetime went dry (I have lived in the Rogue Valley since 1955).

Agreed, Ruch/Applegate would be great.

[QUOTE PeakResources

My personal opinion is that the best thing to do is to live in a sparsely populated area in the hills with like-minded church-going people who know how to farm the land and protect themselves, and "bug in" to your home by making adequate preparations. those preparations would include both personal protection and building of a community.
I have the feeling that where I currently live would not be safe enough for my family.[/

QUOTE]

For me and mine, the "Armageddon" countdown starts when our national sovereignty is handed over to the UN in December by 'bama or one of his minion's signing that treaty..link to the treaty info : www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddQvhdCyhe4

"Bug out" will mean saying adiós to the stars and stripes forever. The way it now looks to be headed, we will soon be living in a socialist, third world nation by intentional design.

There was a time that, when I first recognized this, I thought to myself, "fight them" , "rebel", and "organize and resist".... More recently , I have come to the conclusion that our once great and proud country will eventually roll over and submit to the nouveau "progressives" and their global agenda, regardless of the actions of ...an enlightened minority ("us"). This due to ignorance of the lessons that history has taught us and apathy in our society. I have come to ask myself, why "head for the hills", when those hills will still be in the middle of "New Moscow".... No, there wont be a "US Constitution" or "Bill of Rights" in another country, but those pieces of paper are headed towards subordination by globalist doctrine here anyway. Why not at least relocate to a nice tropical climate where coconuts grow and where you don't have to witness the painful sight of the end of the American way of life ?
The one complicating factor in my "bug out" plan, it has to be done gradually. Loading personal goods into overseas shipping containers, multiple trips overseas to set up "the retreat" and to become friendly with the locals, gradual conversion of assets to convertible non-cash commodities, etc. And then there is the biggest consideration of all, when do you set the final departure time out, before it becomes too complicated to get out of "Dodge"? cya comrades

Time to run is when you can't win the fight. Pick your own ground.

jj