Prepper category three: Marauders.

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It is considered a weapon. Should someone (a hap hazard trespasser) fall in, it could be a death sentence. I used to work in insurance, a camouflaged pit, would not be covered.
How could they tell if it was just a pit with a bunch of garbage and a few spikes? Am I just being naïve?

Around here, there are a lot of rednecks that have garbage pits with all sorts of metal and glass. It wouldn't be as dangerous as a true punji pit, but it seems like it would be hard to prove that you intended it for defense rather than just covered a ratty garbage pit with something that gave way.
 
How could they tell if it was just a pit with a bunch of garbage and a few spikes? Am I just being naïve?

Around here, there are a lot of rednecks that have garbage pits with all sorts of metal and glass. It wouldn't be as dangerous as a true punji pit, but it seems like it would be hard to prove that you intended it for defense rather than just covered a ratty garbage pit with something that gave way.

In most states it is considered an undue hazard. You could take out a rider on it for extra cost.

We live in a litigious society, often awards and guilt or innocence is determined by a jury and maybe more than a few, don't like rednecks or trailer trash and have a broad definition of such....

Some states like Texas provide protection for some activities such as someone wanders onto your property and gets into the pasture with a bull, gets mauled...dumb right? But, in many states you could lose in court because you did not warn of the inherent risks involved with farm animals at the point the person entered the fence....

Even with our laws here, I have to post signs in certain areas, to get the legal protection. Like this.
1679244936084.png


If I don't post it in the right places, I could be sued and my insurance company liable. They exist to stay in business and make money, so if something is an increased risk, they are not going to cover it in a basic policy.

People think Texas is the wild west, and you can shoot someone just for trespassing. Nope: that is called murder. I have to notify them of their error, ask them to leave. If they refuse peacefully, I have to call the police or game warden. Now, if they actively threaten me, my property (such as setting a fire) or livestock, then, I have the right to draw my firearm...warning shots here (Felony), and in many states, are also illegal.

There is a difference made between Trespass and CRIMINAL trespass.
 
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Important input, drones that the enemy controls that can drop something above you, the conflict in Eastern Europe shows that both sides can convert normal drones into killer drones with simple means, the bit of bestal success. 😡

The problem with these things is that you are also spied on at night and you don't notice it, and you are bombed very quickly before you can escape.
Today the clever enemy doesn't just come on foot, he scouts you with the first drone and kills you with the second drone if you're unlucky.
At the moment our weakest point is the sky, no matter whether the state, army or enemy is controlling the drone, things see through too much and the night is no longer a protection either.
 
Important input, drones that the enemy controls that can drop something above you, the conflict in Eastern Europe shows that both sides can convert normal drones into killer drones with simple means, the bit of bestal success. 😡

The problem with these things is that you are also spied on at night and you don't notice it, and you are bombed very quickly before you can escape.
Today the clever enemy doesn't just come on foot, he scouts you with the first drone and kills you with the second drone if you're unlucky.
At the moment our weakest point is the sky, no matter whether the state, army or enemy is controlling the drone, things see through too much and the night is no longer a protection either.

One of my eventual plans is to build an earth sheltered house. It will help. Now whether I get to it before SHTF, is another matter entirely.
 
In most states it is considered an undue hazard. You could take out a rider on it for extra cost.

We live in a litigious society, often awards and guilt or innocence is determined by a jury and maybe more than a few, don't like rednecks or trailer trash and have a broad definition of such....

Some states like Texas provide protection for some activities such as someone wanders onto your property and gets into the pasture with a bull, gets mauled...dumb right? But, in many states you could lose in court because you did not warn of the inherent risks involved with farm animals at the point the person entered the fence....

Even with our laws here, I have to post signs in certain areas, to get the legal protection. Like this.
View attachment 19343

If I don't post it in the right places, I could be sued and my insurance company liable. They exist to stay in business and make money, so if something is an increased risk, they are not going to cover it in a basic policy.

People think Texas is the wild west, and you can shoot someone just for trespassing. Nope: that is called murder. I have to notify them of their error, ask them to leave. If they refuse peacefully, I have to call the police or game warden. Now, if they actively threaten me, my property (such as setting a fire) or livestock, then, I have the right to draw my firearm...warning shots here (Felony), and in many states, are also illegal.

There is a difference made between Trespass and CRIMINAL trespass.
Wow. I had no idea Texas had those laws. Interesting. Thanks for the response.

We just had a case a few years back of a bunch of teens that broke into a barn and were injured on some machinery somehow. The one kid got pretty badly hurt. They ended up with probation, but that's a little different because they had already broken in.
 
Thanks for the correction Raining.

I am all about teaching others to mitigate suffering.
I appreciate keeping silent what you did personally.
But at the same time, a Medic must expose himself in order to render aid.

That is why I suggested a middle ground by asking for a Newby's details and then offering plan options.
They reveal, we teach.
But we can't teach until someone starts a thread asking for a Newby's details.
Otherwise we are back to writing a long drug out book of ideas for a Newby who needs help, not another book.

They don't know any of us from Adam and, as is the topic of this thread, not all "preppers" have good intentions.

Given the timeline suggested here of one month, I think that is going to be difficult to implement a lot of things, unless they are independently wealthy (in which case they can hire a pro), have a large group or are looking for just better than nothing. They are always free to ask for questions or suggestions should they desire help.

Most of us here are very much willing to help where we can.
 
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Marauders...

We have actually ~84.000.000 people overal. The area is 357.588 Km². This means statistically we have 234 people per Km² in our self destructing country.

Of course the density varys from urban to rural (west decreasing to east) but we have no areas, where there is not a village. All two to three km you will find some kind of settlement.

The least of our people are preppers (~0,02%), so there will almost no marauding preppers. But of course we have gangs, criminal live, and (european) millions of arabic or african mostly male (yes - they know their gender) refugees. Other groups that I think could be marauders like army and police (especially specops, riotcontrol and the former borderpatrol) are of course existing.

I think, that marauders will establish themselves very fast. As long as there is fuel. Those who move with cars a week after Shtf will have no fun or absolut superior firepower.

I will know, when marauders or refugees march and gain loot. You´ll see columns of smoke and fire (two villages further north there was a barn on fire last year that brightened the full dark narrow vally I live in), hear gunfire and - if the winds right - the screaming. Local refugees will be with us in very short time. Sure we´ll help incoming locals aka neighbours - as villagefire departement and families as hard as we can. As soon we can no (which I think is after a few days) more there will be a lot of tears.

We don´t really have big farms where we can dig in like @JimCosta reported. We have to work with what we have. And there´s a lot of law we still have to obey. But - our area is somekind of "country". We´ll find improvised ways to lock unwanted ones out. The necessary gear and constructionmaterial is - as far as I know - available.

@ban1985 Drones is a huge topic. I still have no idea, what I could do to avoid or figth of those high flying, thermal looking and death dropping suckers.
- - -
The other side is: I also have gear to be able to collect things or food outside my perimeters. There are some huge and interesting Marts and logisticcenters which provide local markets with food. But - going there for loot will be a dance with the devil, that´s for sure. But maybe - once there will be a time where we become the marauders!?
 
I was gonna say if one month is the time frame for prepping to defend life and property..a condensed (emergency) version may be in order..or at least a timeline of what one expects to transpire exactly, within the next month. Or at least a rough estimate of what you think is coming down in next 30 days to get to the point of defending life and property to that extent. Most of the plans I've read posted here are pretty elaborate, seemingly taken years to prepare.

If we are at the point of defending life and our property, I'm not worrying about insurance regulations or other, for what's not allowed on my property.. I'm worrying about whatever the hell it takes to survive...

If it's ecomic/financial collapse, and we can't get money to buy food n other, and if grid going down and no electric, food supply shut down, that's one ore more scenarios. If it's a nuclear strike, that's another scenario..and so on...

Assuming, at least hypothetically this 30 day timeline prediction is accurate (and I am not arguing it is or isn't):

What should one expect in next 30 days?
What can a newbie do now(today) to get prepared in time (within 30 days)?

I'll take "I'm screwed" for $800 Alex..

Not kidding! If it's true, I guess i'll be saying its been nice knowing yall! 🫣
 
There are a couple of modes of thought on raiders.

One says that their numbers will have significantly thinned the further out they get.

The other says the opposite. They will recruit from the desperate and conquered as they go and it will be the best organized, battle tested amongst them that will make it furthest out and take on the largest targets.

I lean towards the latter being true.

So distance, while a layer in overall security, is good, it is not necessarily going to be your permanent saving grace.

There are several schools of thought re; strategies against marauders. Each has their pros and cons. None are fool proof.

  • You can stand your ground and make your place into a ostentatious fortress, daring anyone to raid
  • You can try to hide in plain sight (making you place look like it has already been looted)
  • You can stay underground and hidden, rarely going outside
  • You can go nomadic
  • You can pay them off/join them
  • You can make plans ahead to join and train with surrounding properties to form a well organized patrol and defense force.
Very good post. There is a good book out in circulation, but it’s hard to find, honest in its presentation and typically expensive, employing and dealing heavily with your final point. The better organized and prepared you and your neighbors are as a group is our best defense against individuals and groups of individuals which mean to do those of us harm that have taken the time and made the efforts to handle what is coming. The book is titled “A Failure of Civility”, by Mike Garand and Jack Lawson, two SOG specialists. It’s going to be harder times than many can imagine and trust is something that is really can’t be earned at the last minute.
 
Somebody owes me a penny!

PDF of
A Failure of Civility


Excellent chapter in the back on surveying your area. It is the best place to start.

Advice: Mail possible assets a letter to see if they wish to combine in some way.
Then make contact through emails, with you making a new address using my Mother-In-Laws name.
When ready to meet do it in a hamburger stand.
 
Somebody owes me a penny!

PDF of
A Failure of Civility


Excellent chapter in the back on surveying your area. It is the best place to start.

Advice: Mail possible assets a letter to see if they wish to combine in some way.
Then make contact through emails, with you making a new address using my Mother-In-Laws name.
When ready to meet do it in a hamburger stand.
Thank you sir! So much for typically expensive. I should have specified the soft cover version I have in my library was expensive.
 
Somebody owes me a penny!

PDF of
A Failure of Civility


Excellent chapter in the back on surveying your area. It is the best place to start.

Advice: Mail possible assets a letter to see if they wish to combine in some way.
Then make contact through emails, with you making a new address using my Mother-In-Laws name.
When ready to meet do it in a hamburger stand.

It's not the whole book (Breaks/missing content) but, enough to give you the flavor of it.
 
It is out of print. Been that way for about 6 - 10 years I think.
Yes and there weren’t too many copies actually printed in the only printing that occurred. It took me a couple of years to actually find a copy. They were available online on Ebay at one time, but they were a bit expensive for me. It was recommended by former Navy Seal Officer, Matt Bracken. That’s what originally motivated me to find a copy.
 
Yes and there weren’t too many copies actually printed in the only printing that occurred. It took me a couple of years to actually find a copy. They were available online on Ebay at one time, but they were a bit expensive for me. It was recommended by former Navy Seal Officer, Matt Bracken. That’s what originally motivated me to find a copy.

Amazon has some used for over $200. Yes, I bought one for my reference library. I'm a bit of a bibliophile, and do some collecting. Unlike a first edition of Huck Finn, after looking at the table of contents, this one is going to have some practical use. You never know if the people who store knowledge in their heads and have direct experiences, are going to be around long enough to teach others what they know. Physically, we are finite beings.
 
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Category Three may be a choice that has to be made eventually.
And the parasites are always running in packs of cowards, have more firepower than most and are stupid enough to destroy something they cannot "win" with a fair or unfair fight. They will just burn your house down in order to tell themselves that "WE won the fight"...beware of cowards.
 
And the parasites are always running in packs of cowards, have more firepower than most and are stupid enough to destroy something they cannot "win" with a fair or unfair fight. They will just burn your house down in order to tell themselves that "WE won the fight"...beware of cowards.
THE argument for having dougouts or caches filled with gear and food, bugoutgear/packs and "heavy artillery"
 

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