Quick Question

[Bob92]

Im set up for over a year with food water first aid ect. My goal is to have enough for two years. This will allow me to get to spring so I can plant. My question is do I start getting bartering goods now or start working on fishing or trapping supplies? If you say barter what three things would you pick to trade with?

[1Admin]

I think most people put too much stock in having barter stuff too soon.

How's your defense battery? Are you just stockpiling ammunition or are you training with some of it? Fighting gear? Body armor? A couple dozen mags for your main rifle, ditto for your pistol?

You mentioned getting to spring so you can plant- do you have a garden going now? Any soil amendments you can add to help the soil? How about putting in a dozen or so fruit trees? Got any small animals?

I'd think of these things before specifically purchasing items for barter.

[Bob92]

Thanks, for the help.
I believe Im in good shape with home defense. Went with 12g have a number of shotguns, also have 22's, and 9mm and lots of ammunition. Garden plots are ready for spring planting. Do need to put some fruit trees in. Have the pens for both rabbits and chickens ready to go and a source to get them when shtf.

[MustangGal]

I think you need some type of rifle with some range. Maybe not a sniper rifle, but something that can reach out and make a hole at a significant distance.

I also think if you are waiting to get chickens and rabbits when the shtf, you will have missed the boat. If you could still get them, you may find that sometimes animal husbandry comes with a steep learning curve. What if you buy a trio of rabbits and your male is sterile? You won't have a second chance - all you can do is eat your trio. Or your does are low producers? Or something kills your rooster before one of your hens decides she is going broody? What then? You'll have eggs to eat, but no way of replacing your flock.

[EX121]

I would suggest the food gathering supplies. Do you have or know how to make a gill net or some other way of passive fishing? What about small animal snaring?

[Rmplstlskn]

All of the above... Then buy two... That is the mantra.

[1Admin]

I think you need some type of rifle with some range. Maybe not a sniper rifle, but something that can reach out and make a hole at a significant distance.

I also think if you are waiting to get chickens and rabbits when the shtf, you will have missed the boat. If you could still get them, you may find that sometimes animal husbandry comes with a steep learning curve. What if you buy a trio of rabbits and your male is sterile? You won't have a second chance - all you can do is eat your trio. Or your does are low producers? Or something kills your rooster before one of your hens decides she is going broody? What then? You'll have eggs to eat, but no way of replacing your flock.

Very well said! +1

[motesjm]

Lots of good advice in this thread. I also believe that some people put too much empahsis on items specifically for barter. In my mind its much better to put back extra items that could be useful to YOU in a SHTF situation. If they are valuable for survival, then they will be inherently valuable for barter. Forget the cases of liquor and pounds of sealed tobacco. If its not something you have uses for yourself you are severely limiting the usefulness of your resourses.

You mentioned fishing and trapping supplies - great items to have for your own survival and they will be plenty valuable if you need to barter them. Ditto on the seeds, fertilizers, fruit trees, ect.

As mentioned you really need a centerfire rifle and ammo, but those I would not consider for barter or trade after TSHTF. If I arm someone in the PAW it will becasue its advantageous for me to have that person armed, not because they have some goodies that I want.

[tarheelsman71]

I second the "dont wait on the rabbit" thing. I have 3 does and 2 bucks, and one of the bucks "tries" really hard :) but just can accomplish the task. Come spring if he cant figure it out...into the stewpot he goes. The oldest doe isnt a great producer either. Last time she only birthed 3 kits, and one of those died for some reason. Those would be bad things to have to figure out when the world is falling down around you. As it stands now I have my kids "managing" the rabbits and builds a little bit of work ethic for them.

[Gus14]

Yeah, I think you need to get going with the chickens now because post shtf, it isnt a learn as you go thing. You need to know what you are doing and you need to know where all the weak areas are that will need attention. Chickens are not the free range no fuss easy meal people think they are. I have 43 of them and it surely takes time to learn what to do and what NOT to do. Waiting until you have no resources to start something new is a recipe for disaster.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

One of my coworkers has hens and has been raising them and selling their eggs for years... Well this fall he had to start from scratch. He went out one morning to collect some eggs and all chickens were dead or gone... So a guessing few where eaten and the rest killed. Guessing from the size hole in the wire it was a bear. That is one thing we must remember, these "meat" supplies need back ups too.