The new term for those who prepare for emergency situations is “prepper.” When I was younger the term “survivalist” was often used, normally not in a nice way, to describe those who lived off the beaten path. The thing to consider is either you’re a survivalist, which means you live, or according to Webster’s listings of antonyms you ‘die, perish, fail, … ”

Being a survivalist doesn’t mean you go off the deep end and hole up in a cabin, stock on up weapons, build a big fence and stop bathing. It does mean when the time comes you, your family and community are ready to survive whatever type nastiness comes ’round. The usual problems are weather related. Civil or economic unrest is a possibility. How you prepare depends on who you are and where you live. Someone in an urban environment like New York will have a different plan from the Ala-Frickin’-Bama emergency scenario Gretchen and I prepare for. Regardless of who you are the basics are all the same.

I can tell you from personal experience it is a good idea to prepare for times when the power is out, the water isn’t flowing, and even if the stores had anything on the shelves there is no way to get there. There may be civil unrest or some type pandemic, in which case it might not be a good idea to go anywhere anyway. Even if you stay home trouble may come to you. During our last tornado incident here roving bands of looters traveled to well to do areas to steal and violent confrontations occurred.

Reaching out to family and friends, especially those you live around is a good way to help educate others and pool resources. Trading knowledge, like teaching an EMT how to run a pistol and getting them to share some basic trauma medicine is a great way to acquire new skills while helping another person. The fabled lone wolf of books and movies isn’t who most of us will be. Having a support group makes survival much easier.

Keep in mind that fighting skills, while necessary, are a small portion of the survival pie. And being a survivalist doesn’t just mean you’re prepared for a nuclear winter. Survival skills also apply for getting and back and forth between home and work without running into a dangerous situation. Simple things like having fire extinguishers and flashlights handy are necessities. Survival allows you to wake up tomorrow and start it all over again.

As with all skills becoming a survivalist or prepper isn’t accomplished overnight. Prepping means you start preparing now, improving your knowledge, skills and equipment as you can. As always your mental attitude is the most critical aspect to focus on. You can never prepare completely for everything, but you can be ready for about anything.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of “The Book of Two Guns,” a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. and designer of the Shootrite Katana. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org

www.facebook.com/pages/Shootrite-Firearms-Academy/156608611038230?ref=ts

What’s that ghostly trail in the air? A bullet, flying and turning on its way to nail a target over a mile away. This is science fiction—4-inches long, and launchedfrom the barrel of a gun.

The guided bullet was cooked up at Sandia National Laboratories, a joint weapons toyshop between the Department of Energy and Lockheed Martin. Somewhere in there, bright minds have produced this projectile, which self-corrects its trajectory thirty times every second to wind its way over 2,000 meters to a laser-pinpointed target, missile-style. Wind? Weather? The rotation of the earth? Those shouldn’t be a problem for the bullet’s tiny fins, which are fed navigational data by an onboard sensor.

Of course, laser-guided missiles miss their mark too, but a failed shot from a gun should carry a lot less of a risk than that of a missile. Sadly, if the bullet is ever deployed in combat (and not a test range), it won’t carry that eery trail—that’s just an onboard LED to prove the thing’s agility. Which is a shame! What’s more terrifying than a bullet that flies itself? A glowing bullet.

[Gizmodo via Sandia via Danger Room]

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January 15, 2012 – Forsyth, GA

“I’ve been a guest on a lot of hunting shows and have always had a burning desire to do more within outdoor entertainment.  I’m excited about turning the page to a new chapter of my career.  Aside from being behind the wheel of a race car, I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be than in the wide open spaces of the outdoors,” says Earnhardt.  “I’m good friends with Haley and her husband G.O. and have always enjoyed watching their show.  We share the same family values and that was important to me coming on board.”

The Heaths’ feel that, “in 2012 you will get to see a glimpse of what Family Traditions has in-store for the 2013 season. Kerry is an intense hunter and true outdoorsman.  We are looking forward to bringing Kerry in as a Co-Host and know that the viewers will enjoy spending time with him as well.”

To find out more information onFamily Traditions with Haley Heath please contact Haley Heath, VP of Sales and Marketing, Family Traditions with Haley Heath at haley@familytraditionstv.com [mailto:haley@familytraditionstv.com]

About Kerry Earnhardt
Kerry Earnhardt has been racing since the early 1990’s. Son of the legendary, 7-time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt, Kerry claimed the Rookie of the Year title driving the Late Model Stock ranks before he started running select Bush Series races in 1998 / 1999. Earnhardt moved to the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Series in 2000. In six starts, he posted four top five finishes and a first victory celebrated at Pocono Speedway in the Winner’s Circle with his proud father. During the same season, Kerry made his debut in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series when he raced at Michigan International Speedway competing against both his father and his brother. Kerry claimed three ARCA victories in 2001 including a win at Lowes Motor Speedway and then went on to compete within all three divisions of NASCAR.

Kerry’s same passion for racing is reflected in his commitment to the great outdoors. Today he has swapped the driver’s seat for the tree stand. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast committed to supporting and educating the importance of land and animal preservation and conservation.

To find out more information about Kerry Earnhardt please contact Earnhardt Outdoors Public Relations at info@earnhardtoutdoors.com [mailto:info@earnhardtoutdoors.com]

About Family Traditions with Haley Heath
Family Traditions with Haley Heath is as much about family as it is the pursuit of big game. This show takes an inside glimpse into the life of successful outdoorswoman Haley Heath and her family of avid hunters. Lessons learned in the show extend beyond hunting tips and delve into the importance of family traditions. In a crazy world where spending time with family takes a back seat to providing for one, this program showcases how accomplishing both at the same time is possible.

Let this entertaining, All-American family take you on a journey into the wild and introduce you to a new family tradition…

Family Traditions with Haley Heath airs exclusively on the Sportsman Channel Wednesday at 10 p.m., Thursdays at 1:00 a.m., and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m., EDT.

To learn more about Family Traditions with Haley Heath, please visit
www.FamilyTraditionsTV.com

About Haley Heath
At first glance, Haley Heath is a striking young woman with a friendly smile and obvious warmth. She is the dedicated mother of two young children and wife of her 1st grade sweetheart, G.O. She is a devoted daughter and dependable sister and the kind of person you quickly call friend.

This All-American girl-next-door is also a fifth- generation avid outdoorsman with a passion for the pursuit of wild game. Her love of hunting was honed at her father’s knee as he patiently introduced her to the outdoors. Her first claim to fame was when, at the age of 6, she shot her first deer, a basket-rack, seven-pointer that still hangs proudly on her wall today. Since those early days, the size of her trophies has increased along with her fame.

What began in 2006 with Haley’s participation in a ‘Survivor-like’ competition on the ESPN television show, “ESPN’s Ultimate Outdoorsmen Search,” evolved into the popular television show, Family Traditions with Haley Heath.

Since the show began, Haley has earned much-deserved recognition. In 2008, she was the first woman to receive the “Viewer Favorite Personality” Sportsman Award. In 2009, she was appointed as the Ambassador for The Sportsman Channel’s organization Hunt Fish Feed, which works to feed needy families. In 2009, Haley was highlighted in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and ABC Nightly World News.

Today, Haley is the host of Family Traditions with Haley Heath and earns the respect of hunting enthusiasts around the world.

Read my latest article here…

While working with Apex Tactical Specialties on a pair of projects, I found that there are some of us who prefer our guns to be “value priced” as long as our reliability needs are met. The idea is simple: guns that go into battle are tools. It’s no place for treasured heirlooms, premium high classed hardware or collector’s items.

Read more…

[Tactical Wire]

FNH USA is pleased to announce the introduction of the new FN FNS-9 and FNS-40 striker-fired autoloading duty pistols to the American law enforcement and commercial market at the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The new FNS features a highly-ergonomic frame design that includes an ultra-low bore axis to reduce felt recoil and two interchangeable backstraps to personalize the grip fit to the user. A MIL-STD 1913 underframe rail is standard for light attachment and an aggressive checkering grip pattern improves control under the harshest shooting conditions.

Read more…

[Tactical Wire]