Don’t worry, the next episode of the OSI Podcast is going online in a day or two. It’s been a pretty busy week. Keep in mind that I haven’t decided on a production schedule yet, so it’s not actually late.

The ducks are coming! According to the recent satellite tracking, the ducks are finally starting to make it down from the North. Maybe I’ll be able to get a few this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for the Podcast!

Don’t get enough outdoor and survival content from the blog alone? Your wait and your searching will soon be at an end!

OK, enough with the melodrama. I’m going to be putting together an outdoor and survival themed podcast. If you are a newsletter subscriber, you already know this. If not…now you know. Keep an eye on site (or just subscribe to the newsletter — on the left) to find out when the first episode is launched.

If you want to learn how to create a bug out bag that meets your needs, I’ve got a resource for you.

It’s The Bug Out Bag Book, and it’s packed full of bug out bag how-to. This book is all about building a bug out bag, from the bag all the way to optional accessories.

Not only will you get gear selection tips, but you’ll also get the “why” for everything that goes into your bag. You’ll know what to pack and why you packed it.

You’ll even get some “additional considerations” about how to customize the bag to your individual needs. Since people have different needs, it’s great to have a guide that discusses meeting those needs with your bug out bag.

Don’t wait around for some natural disaster to hit too close to home. Build a bug out bag now. Get the book, get your gear, and be prepared for whatever might come your way.

It’s always going to be worth the time and effort to prepare. You wear a seatbelt, don’t you? You keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire, right? Build a bug out bag and be ready in the event that disaster hits home.

Check it out here: The Bug Out Bag Book.

If you haven’t already, head over to the Survival Video page and check it out. Learn how to make shelters and see a bunch of other outdoor and survival oriented videos.

The video content is updated regularly, so check it out and see what’s there!

Notice the last Outdoor Survival Info newsletter? I’ve changed the subject line a little bit so that you can more quickly see what’s in the issue.

“Outdoor Survival Info” takes up a lot of space. So I’ve changed the format. From now on, the subject line will read “[OSI] – main article subject.” I think this will help you guys out a bit. You will be able to, at a glance, decide if the article is something you want to read now, later, or not at all.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

I’m writing a book all about the Bug out Bag. It’s a handy thing, yet many people know little or nothing about them, how to construct them, or why it’s a good idea to have one in your home.

The book will be an eBook, so it will be available for instant download. I don’t have an ETA yet, but it won’t be long. Two or three years, tops. Kidding. I’m kidding. I’ll let you guys know more as I figure it all out.

I’ll be selling the book, but a few of you will be able to get your hands on it for free. So keep an eye out for more details, a page about the book, teaser samples, and more.

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything here. I’ve been really busy working on projects — working too much. I’m looking at some new themes for this site, too. So if you see it change a bit here and there, drastically or just barely, don’t be alarmed.

Just keep reading and subscribe to the RSS feed.

I haven’t written anything here in a while, and there’s a pretty good reason for that. I’ve been busy working on a complete rewrite of my career education directory. I’ve been coding and designing non-stop for a few weeks now and it’s about to drive me insane.

So I’m taking a break. I hit a development goal late last night, so now I’m taking a break. Lots more to do, of course, but I can do that at a nice and easy pace.

Part of having a survival plan is figuring out how you are going to sustain yourself once the rations run out. If there is some disaster that has the potential to cut you off from civilization, or if it collapses entirely, then you need a plan.

Check out this article on How To Grow Your Own Food. It’s pretty good as a general overview, and from it you can find links to explore the details more. You need to have some kind of plan for when your survival rations run out. If you live in an area where you can have a garden, then consider growing your own food. We humans run pretty well on veggies, after all.

If you have been wondering if the site looks different than it did before, that’s because it IS different. The short version is that I needed to do some stuff to the theme, but I didn’t have the time at the moment. So I opted for a slightly modified version of the default theme that ships with WordPress. I’ll get something nice and neat up here at some point.

I’ve been adding more and more products to my bug out gear supply shop. And I’m going to add more and more. So go check it out and buy some gear. If you don’t see anything you want or need right now, sign up as a customer so you will receive the BDR Gear newsletter, which will be filled with product and site updates.

Since my bow broke, and I haven’t been able to acquire a new one, it looks like I’ll just be hunting deer this year with modern firearms. Further, my budget isn’t going to allow for me to buy a rifle (unless I find some mystery money), so I’ll just be hunting with my shotgun… and XD if I’m in the mood for some handgun hunting. Though, the XD is just a 9mm, so I would have to keep my shots really close for the rounds to be effective.

So…what do I need to get for my shotgun to make into a world-class deer slayer? I took down a nice 8 point buck with it last year, but I was presented with quite a fortunate shot. I might not get such a shot this year. My setup right now is this: Maverick 88 Field 12 gauge shotgun, firing slugs. That’s it. the shotgun is stock, with a modified choke. I’ll be using rifled slugs.

One thing I really need is a sling. As I learned last duck season, hiking long distances with it is a pain. So I’ll be getting a sling and I will also have to get a swivel kit for it. I think Uncle Mike’s makes one for my shotgun. I think they make a universal kit. I’ve seen it before, and I’m not going to look it up now… Just look at Wal-Mart or Bass Pro or Cabela’s and you’ll find it.

There’s one (two) accessory(ies), what else do I need? I’m just using the stock bead sights on it, but I was thinking of getting some iron sight attachments that affix to the barrel ribbing. They might make my accuracy just a bit better. But I really don’t know. I haven’t been out to a marked range with a bunch of 12 gauge rifled slugs to see just how far I can reliably hit a 4 inch circle with the bead sights.

I plan on keeping my shots all within 50 yards, but if I can squeeze out a little bit more with better sights and maybe a different choke, I will. That’s something I’ll need to research — chokes. I might need to invest in just a little bit of choke to squeeze a little bit more range and accuracy out of my slugs. But, I don’t know much about shotgun chokes so I’ll just have to do some reading.

Any other thoughts, opinion, or advice would be appreciated.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything here. But don’t worry, I’m still here.

I think I’m going to have to just stick to gun hunting this year, with modern weapons. My budget is totally shot, and since my bow broke, I’ve got nothing for archery season. I don’t have the money right now to buy another bow, and I don’t feel comfortable spending money on a muzzleloader, either. So, it looks like I’ll be using my shotgun to hunt deer again this year. And only during any Arkansas modern gun season.

There’s some public land not too far from here that has a modern gun season, so I’ll have to do some scouting out there soon. Then there is also some private land I may be able to hunt on. Hopefully my son and I will both be able to get a couple. Of course, then I would have to invest in a chest freezer to store all that meat.

There’s a new forum out there focused on the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping, and basically anything else. Now, I know a lot of you guys already have a favorite forum, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give another one a try.

This outdoor forum is called Hardwood Hollow. It’s new, and there aren’t many members yet, so get over there and help shape the tone of the board. The forum is definitely outdoor-based, but there’s always room for survival topics to be discussed.

If you like what you see, join in the discusssions. You might learn something, or you might teach someone. It’s Win-Win!

Go click that link and check it out.

Survival situations can include driving your car. You might be evading an aggressor, or you could be trying to get to the Emergency Room with a wounded family member in the car. Regardless of what is pushing you to drive like a stunt man, you need to have the skills necessary to get where you need to go without crashing your car.

I came across this interesting article about one particular facet of hard driving: Braking. Take a look:

Brake and Stop a Car in the Shortest Distance

I have finally made my decision about a hunting rifle. Now, I know that in the past I said I was going to get a surplus Mosin-Nagant to hunt with, but I don’t think I will now. I think I would rather have something a little more modern. Modern…ha.

I’ve chosen the lever action .30-30. New or used is fine, as long as it works, and is in good condition. I would, of course, prefer a new one. I chose this particular rifle (looking for a Marlin 336W, but I’ll take a Winchester 94) because it has a strong reputation for being an effective rifle for hunting Arkansas deer. The weight of the bullet and the muzzle energy is great for these hardwoods, where you rarely get a shot past 200 yards.

Like I could hit something 200 yards away…

Whatever particular rifle I end up with, I’m going with iron sights. No scope for me. My reasoning is based purely in practicality. I want to be a good marksman. And I’m going to become a good marksman by learning to manage stock iron sights. Only after I can regularly bullseye a target at 100 yards (and get really close to a regular bullseye at 150 – 200 yards) will I progress to a scoped rifle.

Not only will I have a reputed and proven rifle platform, I’ll have something with class. The lever action .30-30 has long been an American favorite. And though I embrace change, I also embrace and preserve tradition.

When I get my rifle — which could be months from now — I’ll post pictures of it here. I’ll also critique it, write an article about breaking down and cleaning it, and give a range report. I’m going to try out that LEVERevolution ammunition from Hornady, too. I’ll let you know how that goes in my reports.

It is with a sad heart that I must announce the closure of my online shop, BDR Gear. It was a good run, but it’s time to close down. Fear not!

I will have some gear shop recommendations for you. So, if you don’t already have a favorite shop you use for your bug out and tactical gear, just keep tabs on this site. Subscribe to the feed, too.

The first shop I’m throwing your way is Nitro-Pak. It’s an online shop that seems similar to mine, but with a lot more stuff. I haven’t purchased anything from them, so I’m not exactly vouching for them. I’m saying check them out. I’m going to order a few things from them, and I’ll let you know how it goes.

I’m particularly interested in their MREs, since they are a different brand than what I sell (for just a bit longer). Speaking of which, if you want to get anything from my shop, order it now. I’m closing the doors to it on June 30, 2007. So check out Nitro-Pak, and make one last purchase from BDR Gear.

More gear sources will be coming soon!

I’m sure there are some of you out there who bought a pistol, but don’t really know how to properly maintain it. Don’t be ashamed, you never know something until you learn it. Check out this helpful little article for some pistol cleaning basics:

How to maintain a handgun

Here’s a little article about surviving a shark attack:

How To Survive a Shark Attack

Naturally, use this article at your own risk…

Have you heard of the new Sig Sauer pistol? A few days ago I picked up the new issue of Guns and Ammo and there was a new Sig pistol exhibited as the cover story. Well, it looks pretty, and, according to the article, should be quite a pistol.

It’s the Sig P250, currently chambered for the 9mm. This pistol is so new that the article didn’t even list a price. Though it does say that other chamberings will be coming soon. I’m intrigued by this new Sig, and I’m going to learn more about it. I’ll write about what I learn, so you don’t have to do the reading yourself…

The Hurricane season is now here. If you are in a danger zone, you need to prepare yourself. If you haven’t already done so, buy some MREs, bottled water, emergency blankets, a good pocket knife, a good flashlight, and a good pair of boots. Put all that gear (including whatever else you might need) in a rugged bug out bag and pay attention to the weather.

Just be prepared. If you are faced with disaster, it will go much smoother if you have some gear ready to go. Your equipment doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to work when you need it.

I came across a useful article that I wanted to share. It’s got some pretty good survival information in it, so read it and remember the advice offered.

How to get out of a car that is hanging over a cliff.

A decent firearm should be a staple in most people’s disaster kits. Why a firearm? Well, simply, you never know when you’re going to need one. In a disaster, everything is chaotic, and you might need some way to defend yourself, your family, your food source, or you home. Or, you can use a firearm to hunt and feed your family.

In a society-crushing disaster, or even a prolonged ecological disaster, having a tool for food and protection is a must. Even if you “don’t like guns,” you need to have one and know how to operate it. It’s better to have one and never need it, than to need it and be empty handed.

Here’s a great resource for browsing and purchasing firearms for what is typically much less than retail pricing: Gun Broker.

Click this link, sign up, and start shopping around for a decent rifle, pistol, or shotgun. Some of the descriptions are the bare minimum, but most contain detail pictures and lots of information on that particular firearm.

Be safe, secure, and confident. Click the link and check them out.

Starting next week, I’m going to have a “Featured Gear” column that will feature some particular item that may be useful in a survival situation.

I plan on making this a weekly thing, but don’t get angry if I’m late one week. I’m a busy man. Anyway, I’ll highlight the gear item and note some potential uses, so you can weigh it and decide if you need to make said item part of your emergency plan.

I haven’t decided on a particular day of the week yet, so stay tuned!

As you can see by the post right below this one, something is amiss. I did not write the post with those huge spaces in it, nor did I assign any style or formatting to it.

I’m using a slightly old version of WordPress, so I guess I need to update to the newest version. The software is great, but this version I’m using does have a few flaws. Maybe upgrading to the newest version will help.

Anyway, don’t be alarmed if the site looks a bit different…because it will.

I am searching for a hunting rifle right now, and I’m not sure what I am going to get. So, I have decided that I will chronicle my search here for you. When I finally make a purchase, I’ll explain my reasoning, and maybe that insight will help another decide on what they want to buy.

Keep an eye out for the first article in this series!

Within these pages you will find information and articles on a wide variety of topics. Survival, outdoor sports, personal security, and more will be found in this site.