I see your dilemma. If you are determined to bug in, I would start working our your security preparedness and start looking into finding ways to protect the perimeter with your land. Investing in tall shrubs or trees may be helpful in concealing your home. Depending on the area you live in, I have also heard great things about bamboo. They are very prolific, extremely strong and are multipurpose. You could plant a wall of bamboo to help detract unwanted visitors. Further, you may want to consider starting a survival group to help you protect what is yours.

If the worst were to happen you can be assured that organized bands of looters will be ready to take everything you have, including your life. They’ll be heavily armed, well versed in their tactics, fully committed to the mission at hand, and they won’t be taking prisoners.

These looters will be looking for a prepared household to steal supplies. Some things they may look for are a running generator, a visible garden, or even a flicker of light in the middle of the night may be simple mistakes that can have significant repercussions for you and your family. Ensure that you find ways to camouflage these.

Here are some items to consider:

Black out curtains
Reinforced locks
Shatterproof glass
Barbed wires
Walkie talkies
Binoculars
Mechanical warning devices
Guard dogs

Here is an article about securing your home with multiple security layers: http://readynutrition.com/resources/home-invasion-preventitive-security-layers-to-protect-the-home_30062010/

And, if you are interested in keeping your garden out of sight, you can read this article: http://readynutrition.com/resources/survival-food-series-secret-survival-garden_10092010/

Also, if you are over run, you want to consider having two evacuation routes with a cache of food and supplies at your designated evac spot.

These are a few thoughts and I hope they help get you on the right track.

Best of luck,

Tess

Good luck everybody.  

I whole heartedly agree with you. To set a solid foundation, we need to be mentally and spiritually prepared before we really get into the hard core preps. Thanks for you comment.

Best,

Tess

A reliable pack is crucial in a bug out situation. Because of the supplies you will be carrying, you want a pack that has a solid frame to support you and the contents inside, but is still lightweight. I bought a solid pack at http://www.BassProShops.com, but had buyer’s remorse afterward because the pack itself is 6 lbs. I am keeping it as a back up but plan on getting an ultra light pack in order to keep the weight down. Check out the ultra light packs at http://www.REI.com. This outdoor store is more expensive, but all of there products are good and high quality. Here is a link to a women’s ultralight backpack:

http://www.rei.com/product/827065/rei-flash-52-pack-womens

If anything, you can contact this store and tell them what you are looking for and they will be more than willing to help you find the best pack for her.

Hope this helps.

Tess

In reality the 200 acre forest will be over ran within days by “instant survivalist” of the Golden Horde all setting up camp in that forest and all thinking that they are going to live off the land …. While perhaps no one visits your 200 acre “retreat” during the good times – i can guarantee that 1000′s of folks have the same idea that you do and when you finally get to your cache – you may find that someone is already setting up camp at that location – or has stumbled across it already. 

If you can’t put a fence around it – or call it yours and protect it with armed resources — then your just hoping that someone else doesn’t find it first.