Month: October 2023

Go squirrel hunting to learn wilderness survival skills – Survival Common Sense Blog

How do you learn the basic survival skills of marksmanship, stalking, concealment and skinning and processing game animals?

Take up squirrel hunting.

by Leon Pantenburg

Many people don’t know how to get started hunting. But they may be thinking it’s time to learn.

There could be a variety of reasons – to supplement your diet, to harvest clean, organic, non-GMO meat, to practice wilderness survival skills to get outdoors more etc. The reasons are as varied as the participants. (A good point-of-view comes from Lily Raff McCaulou, a city woman who took up hunting when she moved to rural Oregon. Her book “Call of the Mild” is a reasoned look at hunting.)

This .40 caliber flintlock rifle is similar to those made about 1800 in Pennsylvania.

This .40 caliber flintlock rifle is my favorite squirrel gun

But there are added benefits. You can learn survival skills that might come in really handy if  The Shinola Hits the Fan.

Start by taking a hunter safety class, and learning firearms safety.

Then take up squirrel hunting.

Squirrels are the second-most harvested small game in the US, after rabbits. They are in virtually every state, and most places have liberal limits.

A 10-year-old kid with a .410, an old guy with his equally ancient Winchester 97 or the modern longhunter with a flintlock can all be successful and get a lot of enjoyment out of the same activity.

Here are some of the survival skills that go along with squirrel hunting.

Marksmanship: The average adult tree squirrel will weight about one pound. The target size is small. They move quickly, and are masters of concealment. If one spots you, you probably won’t get a shot.

Using a shotgun doesn’t guarantee success. A squirrel running through the trees tops, offering only fleeting glimpses of its bushy tail is a challenging target.

A rifleman has  more challenge. If you restrict yourself to heads shots only, your target is the size of a walnut. If you can consistently make a head shot, at a range of between 10 to 30 yards, you’ll have no problem taking a deer at similar ranges.

If you want to get really good with your centerfire rifle, work up some reduced loads and hunt small game with it. (Just about every reloading manual has some suggested low velocity loadings. DO NOT make up your own!)

Up the ante and go hunting with a blackpowder rifle. The epitome of squirrel hunting challenge, to me, is using a flintlock rifle, like the colonial frontiersmen.

Talk about trophy hunting –  your success rate will probably go down. But when you do drop one, there is a real feeling of accomplishment.

I gave up bowhunting squirrels after a couple of unsuccessful tries. Not only could I not hit one, but I also usually lost the arrow. If you’re a hardcore bowhunter, though, use small game blunts…

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16 Ways to Purify Water Off The Grid

Water is a fundamental necessity for life. However, just because water appears clean doesn’t mean it’s safe to consume. The World Health Organization has highlighted that millions succumb to diseases from contaminated water annually. Especially when living off the grid or homesteading, access to public drinking water might be limited, emphasizing the importance of purifying your water. Here are 16 methods to ensure your water is safe for consumption when living off-grid.

Boiling Water

One of the most reliable methods to eliminate viruses, bacteria, and parasites from water is boiling. Bringing water to a full, rolling boil for a minimum of one minute is essential (three minutes for higher altitudes). However, it’s crucial to note that boiling won’t remove chemicals or particles, but it effectively kills harmful microorganisms.

Disinfection

Disinfection is another method to make water potable. Common disinfectants include household bleach, iodine, and water purification tablets. The EPA provides guidelines for disinfecting with bleach. It’s essential to maintain the correct bleach-to-water ratio to ensure safety.

  • Use eight drops of 6% bleach or six drops of 8.25% bleach per gallon of water.
  • If the water is cloudy or cold, double the bleach amount.
  • Stir and let it stand for 30 minutes.
  • If there’s a strong chlorine smell, transfer the water to another container and let it stand for a few hours.

Water Filtration

Water filters vary in their capabilities and types. They range from countertop filters to portable and whole-house filters. It’s essential to understand your filter type and ensure it’s suitable for your water source. Notably, water purification filters differ from standard water filters, which might only enhance taste but not purify the water.

Lifestraw Water Filters

Lifestraw offers a range of water filters tailored to filter various contaminants. They have single-person straw filters and larger, gravity-fed filters suitable for homesteads or camps. However, these systems rely on filters with limited lifespans, so monitoring usage and expiration is crucial.

Berkey Water Filters

Many homesteaders trust Big Berkey water filters for clean, safe drinking water. These systems, though a bit pricey, are highly effective, eliminating almost all contaminants. However, acquiring replacement filters off-grid might be challenging.

Distillation

Distillation involves boiling water to produce steam, which is then condensed back into water. This method removes nearly all impurities, but the resultant water might taste bland due to mineral removal. Distillation can be achieved using devices like an Instapot or a traditional pressure canner. There are also countertop distillation pots available for those with access to electricity.

Solar Still

A solar still utilizes the sun’s energy to produce pure water. It’s an excellent choice for off-grid living as it doesn’t require electricity. However, its efficiency might be compromised in cold or cloudy conditions. There are various DIY methods to build a solar still, including using a hole in the ground covered with a plastic sheet.

Ultraviolet Light Purification

Ultraviolet light can effectively disinfect water. Devices like the SteriPen are popular for purifying individual water bottles. However, larger UV purification systems for homes need electricity. Portable units, on the other hand, might operate on batteries.

Solar…

The CFPB Moves Ahead with FCRA Rulemaking to Rein in Data Brokers

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took a major step last week toward establishing stronger guardrails for data brokers and better protections for consumers. On September 21, the CFPB released a document outlining proposals and alternatives under consideration for the Bureau’s upcoming Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Rulemaking. The FCRA regulates the consumer reporting market by permitting certain specified uses of consumer reporting data and prohibiting others, imposing accuracy requirements onto credit reporting agencies, and providing consumers a right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information in their credit reporting files. The CFPB has the authority to issue rules under the FCRA and shares enforcement power with the Federal Trade Commission.

If the rules the CFPB is considering come to fruition, consumers will be better protected from the harmful practices of the data broker industry. Data brokers use the millions of data points they collect about American consumers to predict and influence consumer behavior, combining the personal data they collect with other datasets, mining that data for insights (often using AI tools), and selling personal data to third parties. In EPIC’s recent comments and coalition letter to the CFPB, we emphasized the widespread harm caused by data brokers. Because of the types and volume of personal information they collect, data brokers have a deeply invasive reach into the lives of American consumers.

In addition to the privacy harms caused by industry practices, data brokers also inflict economic and broader social harms. For example, consumers may suffer privacy, economic, and reputational harms, as well as severe anxiety, when their data collected by a broker is subject to a security breach. Further, considering certain kinds of data when making determinations related to a person’s eligibility for credit, employment, or housing can exacerbate existing inequalities and perpetuate racial bias.

Even as data brokers profit off the intimate details of consumers’ lives, consumers generally lack the ability to know how their information is being collected, used, and shared, while the brokers themselves operate largely with impunity. The data broker industry has exploded as technology has advanced, and it is time for regulators to catch up to protect consumers from harm. The CFPB’s FCRA rulemaking offers the Bureau an opportunity to do that.

In EPIC’s comments to the CFPB in July 2023, we urged the CFPB to presumptively recognize all data brokers as consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) unless data brokers demonstrate that they undertake reasonable measures to prevent the data they collect and sell from being used for any of the enumerated purposes under the FCRA. Data brokers’ business models are built on the mass collection, transfer, and combination of consumer data. It is important to ensure that consumer reports are not combined with other datasets and then used for purposes that harm consumers. Presumptively subjecting all data brokers to the FCRA would mitigate these harms and go a long way towards reining in the data broker industry.

Proposals and Alternatives Under Consideration by the CFPB

Acknowledging the rapid…

How To Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes With a Dehydrator: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Ah, the joy of harvesting tomatoes from your garden each summer! Whether you’re a fan of the cherry variety like me or prefer the robust Romas, there’s something incredibly satisfying about plucking these red jewels. But what to do when you have a surplus? Sure, you can use them in salads, sauces, and even freeze them for later. But have you ever considered making your own sun-dried tomatoes? Don’t worry; you don’t actually need the sun for this. A dehydrator will do just fine, and it’s quicker and simpler!

Why Sun-Dried Tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomatoes are not just a fad; they’re a culinary delight that has stood the test of time. Their concentrated flavor can elevate any dish, from pasta and stews to sandwiches and omelets. They’re incredibly versatile and can be used in a myriad of ways:

  • In Pasta: Try them in our Sicilian pasta salad or mixed in our chicken and asparagus pasta with pesto.
  • In Breakfast: Add them to your omelets or scrambled eggs.
  • As a Snack: Yes, they’re delicious straight from the container!
  • In Sauces: Rehydrate them in boiling water and puree to make different types of sauces.

Choosing the Right Tomatoes

For drying purposes, Romas are usually the go-to choice. However, you’re not limited to just one type. Here are some other options:

  • Beefsteak: These are large and juicy, excellent for those who prefer a meatier texture.
  • Cherry: These tiny tomatoes are sweet and perfect for snacking.

Remember, always opt for the firmest tomatoes. Mushy ones will not yield the best results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Tomatoes

  1. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides.
  2. Remove the stems and any blemished skin.
  3. Cut into ¼-inch slices or in half. Thicker slices will take longer to dry out.

Seasoning (Optional)

At this point, you can sprinkle them with herbs for added flavor. Some popular choices are:

  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Garlic powder

Drying Process

  1. Arrange the slices on the dehydrator trays.
  2. Set the dehydrator to 150°F.
  3. Dry them out for about 10 hours maximum, checking every hour or so after the first 4 hours. They should take on a leathery texture.

Storage

Place your dried tomatoes in an air-tight container, and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. They should last for 6 months to a year with proper storage.

No Dehydrator? No Problem!

If you don’t own a dehydrator, you can also dry your tomatoes in a 150°F oven. Follow the same preparation steps and place the slices on baking sheets. It will take a few hours for them to achieve the desired leathery texture.

Additional Tips

EPIC, Coalition Tell MLB Plans for Facial Recognition in Stadiums are a Swing and a Miss

In an open letter to MLB team owners, vendors, and the professional sports industry writ large, EPIC and a coalition of privacy and civil liberties organizations urged them to “protect the privacy and safety of fans, players, and workers by putting an end to the use of facial recognition and other biometric technology at sporting events and in [their] venues.” The letter went live during a protest outside the Phillies stadium Thursday night.

The MLB is rolling out its “Go Ahead Entry” facial recognition ticketing system in the Philadelphia Phillies stadium, but the tech is also being used to control players’ entrance to locker rooms and at stadium concessions. EPIC and our allies pointed to the history of discrimination in facial recognition systems and the inherent harms in normalizing the use of a dangerous surveillance technology.

EPIC opposes the spread of facial recognition in both the public and private sector. For many years, EPIC has worked to end TSA’s use of facial recognition at airports. Last year, EPIC joined a coalition of artists and human rights organizations that successfully shut down a proposal to use palm scanners at the iconic Red Rocks concert venue.

39 Hearty Crockpot Recipes For Fall

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Chickens “Better Than A Soap Opera” At Cats & Cluckers

“Spending time with my chickens is not only the highlight of my day but one of the best ways to relax,” says Sarah Hock, who broadcasts her chicken-centric adventures through the Cats And Cluckers Instagram account. “I love coming home from work to spend the evening sipping some wine and watching the flock.”

Based in Thurston County in the state of Washington, Hock’s interest in raising birds was partly sparked when she was 10 years old and her family welcomed a pair of African geese into the household. That formative experience has now bloomed into a homestead that features an array of chickens flanked by a clowder of kitties.

Taking a moment away from tending to her chicks, we spoke to Hock about training chickens and how to socialize kittens to be friendly to chicks. We also got to know a Crested Cream Legbar named Celeste.

Becoming Fascinated by Animals

“Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by all animals,” recalls Hock. “I grew up in a rural community, and farm animals—including chickens—were a common part of life.”

Having always vowed to “bring in some poultry” as soon as she had a large enough living space of her own, Hock plumped for chickens as they seemed like a promising starter choice. “After that, I was hooked,” she says. “It took me back to how attached I became to my little flock and their daily antics. It’s better than a soap opera and my favorite part of the day.”

When You Call My Name

Running through some of the most fascinating examples of chicken behavior that she’s discovered, Hock says her flock have proved able to “learn their names and come when called.”

So when Hock can’t find a particular chicken, she says, “All I have to do is call their name a few times and the next thing I know they come running from whatever mischief they were in to come see if I have treats.”

A Food-Motivated Type of Bird

Hock adds that she’s found chickens to be highly trainable because they are food-motivated: “I hardly ever have any issues getting them locked in the coop in the evenings—I just have to shake the treat bag and they go running in knowing they won’t get their grubs until they are inside.”

Hock says that she also managed to train a batch of pullets to “walk right into a large pet carrier so I could transport them wherever I needed to with little effort on my part.”

Superstar Celeste

When it comes to the star of the flock, Hock anoints Celeste, a Crested Cream Legbar. “She loves to follow me around or sit on my shoulder while I’m doing chores out in the run,” explains Hock. “She’s always up for a good snuggle once I’m done.”

“That chicken gives me a heart attack on a regular basis because she likes to lie down in random places with her face down in the dirt to nap or sunbathe,” she continues. “There’s…

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Fight for the Future: Fans Cry Foul Over Facial Recognition at Stadiums 

“EPIC is proud to join this powerful coalition urging Major League Baseball to end the use of facial recognition at sporting events and venues. Facial recognition systems like this have little to no tangible benefits to fans, weaken our collective privacy, and pose heightened risks to marginalized groups, particularly people of color. Major League Baseball must be a leader on this and just say no to facial recognition,” said Jake Wiener, Counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). 

Read more here.

My Generator: Hard Lessons Learned

I consider a home generator to be one of the more important preparedness items for coping with the very steep learning curve we’d all go through while adjusting to a TEOTWAWKI situation. While finite fuel supplies will limit its usability for most of us to just a few months at best, with our own generator the immediate aftermath of a permanent grid-down world would be much more tolerable during the first few days and months of adjusting to the “new normal”.

Based on my own preps test a year ago (My Ten-Day Test-My-Preps Adventure Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4), if the SHTF we’ll discover we’re not quite as prepared as we had hoped to be. There are too many variables, some of which we couldn’t possibly have thought of and prepared for as I’ll soon demonstrate. The last thing to be worried about while making the transition is the availability of electricity. Based on our current lifestyles, it’ll be very difficult adjustment when it’s gone.

This article relates two major problems I experienced with my portable 5000-watt generator in the past year, one during the aforementioned 10-day preps test, the other this past summer during my monthly generator test. This article also explains how the problems were solved, how to avoid them, and how many people could fix these problems today even without much mechanical aptitude. The end of the article has a list of suggestions for generator owners and how to prepare ourselves for a continuation of electricity if the SHTF while we’re struggling to adjust to our new grid-down life.

The Background

During my preps test which started around 8 PM, all went well the first night but trouble began the next morning when I tried to fire up the generator. It was soon obvious it wasn’t going to run. I was so swamped with other things I wasn’t even able to look at the generator for a few days. Later in the week while investigating the carburetor I discovered that due to my negligence in maintaining the engine and doing monthly tests, the needle valve which controls fuel flow was gummed in place. Worse yet, I managed to ruin it while disassembling the carburetor for cleaning, rendering the generator useless. Since I was simulating a TEOTWAWKI event, there was no way to replace the needle valve or buy a new carburetor. I spent the entire ten days without my generator which proved to be the single biggest wrench in the works. Fortunately, my 500-gallon water tank held 400 gallons or I’d have been in some serious trouble with no way to pump water from the well.

The second problem occurred recently during the monthly test. After completing the test, the engine fell out as I was putting the generator back in storage. It’s not something I could have anticipated so it wasn’t something I had prepared for.

While the needle-valve issue was impossible to fix while simulating a SHTF situation,…

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Salt and Vinegar Dehydrated Zucchini Chips: A Crunchy, Healthy Snack You Can’t Resist!

Hey, fellow homesteaders and food enthusiasts! I recently stumbled upon this incredibly innovative and healthy snack recipe by Willow Moon on Create Mindfully. I was so thrilled by it that I just had to share it with you all. Willow Moon has crafted a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional potato chips using zucchini or yellow squash. Trust me; you’re going to want to try this!

Why You Should Try This Recipe

  • Healthy Alternative: These chips are a fantastic alternative to the greasy, store-bought potato chips. They contain a touch of olive oil but are not greasy.
  • Great for Gardeners: If you have an abundance of zucchini or yellow squash in your garden, this is an excellent way to use them up.
  • Nutrient-Rich: The use of a dehydrator ensures that most of the nutrients are retained, unlike oven-baked chips.

Ingredients You’ll Need

How to Make These Chips

  1. Slice the Squash: Use a mandoline to slice the squash between ⅛” – ¼” thick. If you don’t have a mandoline, a sharp knife will do.
  2. Prepare the Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Toss the sliced squash in this mixture.
  3. Dehydrate: Lay the chips in a single layer on a Teflon-lined dehydrator sheet. Dehydrate for 12 hours at 110° or until you achieve the desired crispness.

Storage and Shelf Life

  • Store the chips in an airtight container in the pantry.
  • They will stay fresh for about a week, although they can last much longer.

Variations and Additions

  • Vegan parmesan cheese
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • BBQ Seasoning
  • Black pepper

Tips for the Perfect Chips

  • Thickness Matters: The thickness of the slices can affect the texture. Willow Moon prefers ⅛” slices.
  • Salt Levels: Always taste the vinegar mixture to check the salt levels.
  • Nutrient Retention: Dehydrate at 110° to keep the nutrients intact.

FAQs

Does zucchini dehydrate well?

Absolutely, zucchini dehydrates really well, leaving you with crispy chips.

How thick should I cut the zucchini for dehydrating?

Willow Moon suggests slicing the zucchini ⅛” thick for the best results.

Pair it Up!

These chips go incredibly well with Vegan Ranch Dressing or your favorite dip. So, don’t hesitate to pair them up for an even more delightful snacking experience.

Final Thoughts

Willow Moon has done an incredible job creating this healthy snack, and I couldn’t be more excited to try it out. It’s a great way to make use of the abundant produce from your garden and enjoy a guilt-free snack. So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Create Mindfully for the full recipe and give these Salt and Vinegar Dehydrated Zucchini Chips a try!

Happy Snacking!