Survival hunting, also known as subsistence hunting, is, simply put, hunting to live. Though it is dwindling as a lifestyle, subsistence hunting is an essential skill for survival. Animal fats and proteins must be eaten regularly in extreme conditions to avoid energy draining during inclement weather or increased metabolism. 

The most abundant and easily huntable wild animals in the wilderness include small game, fish, reptiles, and the like. While all mammals and birds can be eaten, they should be cooked thoroughly to kill any microorganisms in the meat. It’s also important to eat – not avoid – fat; otherwise, your body cannot process the protein. A tasty source of fat is skin and fatty internal organs such as the liver or brain. 

To trap small animals, it’s imperative to understand their daily and seasonal movements, diet, and size. Traps are only helpful if you know their habits, and snares can scare them away if not used with precision. 

Fish are a fantastic option for subsistence hunting since they can be harvested in many ways and prepared in various methods. Traps, spears, nets, bows, and primitive rods can catch fish. Some options are more passive than others, allowing you to do other activities while the fish are caught. 

Reptiles and amphibians need to be skinned before being eaten since many amphibians have toxins in their outer layer. Harvesting can be accomplished with a spear, bow, hook and feather, or smashed. Reptiles and amphibians are most active at night.

Invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks are also food options, though they don’t always come to the top of mind when we think about food options. High in protein, many can be gathered in nets or scooped off the ground by hand. Worms and grubs can be found under rotten wood. Crayfish can be easily trapped or pulled out from under rocks. All should be thoroughly cooked, as they can transmit deadly parasites and diseases. 

Wild meat is abundant outdoors and can be a delicious and sustainable fuel source. In survival situations, small mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates are an excellent way to gain subsistence.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you need it later. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

According to a report released by Technavio, ready-to-eat meals (specifically focused on emergencies) are expected to grow by $2.88 billion from 2021 to 2026 at a rate of 7.23 percent. 

The report segments the emergency food market by product type, distribution channel, and geography. Some product types include ready-to-eat meals, non-perishable pasteurized milk, infant food, dried food, and more. How these product types perform will be explored worldwide, both online and offline. 

The largest contributor to the skyrocketing marketing growth is the ready-to-eat sector, powered by pre-cooked, pre-cleaned, and packaged food for consumers. The increasing number of working women, the growing Millennial community, quick consumption habits, and hectic work schedules all contribute to the expanding segment.

Maximum growth will be especially seen throughout Northern America, which is anticipated to contribute up to 31 percent of the global market growth, thanks to the United States. 

Vendors are strategically analyzing the difference between organic and inorganic strategies, as the market is fragmented. 

The emergency food market is experiencing stagnation as a result of the growth of the organized retail sector. As consumers can effortlessly choose from a wide range of ready-to-eat products, an increase in the number of retailers is predicted to raise market growth during the forecast period. 

Though the emergency food market is expected to grow significantly, there is at least one challenge: the requirement to adhere to strict guidelines and regulations. Several food safety organizations throughout the world, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), set regulations that can be laborious for the emergency food market. Overcoming these hurdles and abiding by the law is essential, as consumers are swiftly made aware of incompliance or deviation. 

These factors and more will affect the growth of the ready-to-eat market during the forecast period. 

Are you looking for emergency food for you and your family? Check out our wide selection of delicious freeze-dried and ready-to-eat meals today. 

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you need it later. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

For the third year in a row, La Niña will return to the United States, driving warmer temperatures in the Southwest, the Gulf Coast, and the entire Eastern Seaboard, according to the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. Beginning in December 2022 and continuing until roughly February 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted dry conditions along the South and wet weather for the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, Northern Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest. 

Michael Farrar, Ph.D., director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction said, “The hardworking forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center produce timely and accurate seasonal outlooks and short-term forecasts year-round. NOAA’s new supercomputers are enabling us to develop even better, more detailed forecast capabilities, which we will be rolling out in the coming years.” 

In collaboration with the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), NOAA forecasters constantly observe the drought conditions that have plagued the Western United States since late 2020. They also track the Central United States as low-water conditions are afflicting the area. 

“Drought conditions are now present across approximately 59 percent of the country, but parts of the Western U.S. and Southern Great Plains will continue to be the hardest hit this winter. With the La Niña climate pattern still in place, drought conditions may also expand to the Gulf Coast,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch in NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. 

The greatest warmer-than-average weather will occur in Western Alaska, the Central Great Basin, the Southwest, the Southeast, the Atlantic Coast, and the Southern Plains. Below-normal temperatures will stretch from the Pacific Northwest eastward to the Western Great Lakes and the Alaskan Panhandle. 

In terms of precipitation, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Northern Rockies, the Great Lakes, and the Ohio Valley should brace themselves for wetter-than-average conditions. Parts of California, the Southwest, Southern Rockies, Southern Plains, the Golf Coast, and the Southeast will see drier-than-average precipitation.

Widespread drought will affect the West, Great Basin, central-to-southern Great Plains, the middle and lower Mississippi Valley, South-central, and the Southeastern United States. Moreover, the already-established drought conditions are expected to improve across the Northwestern United States in the coming months. 

Do you have all the cold-weather gear you need for winter? Are you prepared? Check out our supplies, available online and get what you need today…before you’ll need it tomorrow. 

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. 

Ready for your next outdoor adventure? Don’t forget to account for first aid. Most outdoor incidents are minor and easily remedied, though many conditions can worsen quickly. Ensure you and your fellow explorers are prepared for any situation with help from our trusty first-aid crash course.

Evaluate

1. Analyze the scene
2. Locate threats
3. Complete exam (vital signs, head-to-toe check, etc.)
4. Identify the Mechanism of Injury (MOI)
5. Create an incident list and treatment plan
6. Support patient(s) both medically and emotionally
7. Monitor progress
8. Protect yourself

Once you have analyzed the situation and determined treatment is necessary, start by asking the patient if you can help. If they respond with “yes,” ask their name, symptoms, and to describe what happened. This will help you establish their cognizance and formulate a treatment plan. 

Next, begin the life threat exam by completing the “ABCDE” exam: 

Airway check: Look for obstructions in the mouth
Breathing check: Follow the chest’s movements to listen and feel for proper respiration
Circulation check: Monitor their pulse and look for bleeding wounds
Disability check: Protect the spine if you cannot rule out a spinal injury
Expose injuries: Open clothing over serious injuries without moving the patient

If a major wound is present, stabilize and treat that area first. All life-threatening injuries should be dealt with during the “ABCDE” exam. 

After you have gathered all the information you can, make a treatment plan and decide whether an evacuation is necessary. Analyze whether you need to move out by helicopter, rescuers on foot, by yourselves, etc. These are complex decisions and should not be taken lightly. Life or death depends on many factors, especially when it comes to wilderness survival. 

Wilderness first aid classes can be extremely beneficial for patient assessment and to learn how to mitigate many medical conditions. These can be taken at any time and are highly recommended by wilderness experts.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Unexpected situations can creep up anywhere – especially while hunting in the fall season. Every year, countless hunters get lost or disoriented, resulting in dangerous conditions such as hypothermia or other health hazards. Most hunters make it out alive, but deep woods hazards should not be taken lightly. Prepare for the unexpected by reviewing our checklist below. 

Know The Area
It’s imperative to be extremely familiar with the landscape you are hunting in. Pay attention to your surroundings including rivers, creeks, and significant trees. If you are on a trail, leave temporary markers at intersections so you can easily find your way back. When reversed, the area can look different, especially in the dark. 

Extreme Weather
If it’s raining, foggy, snowing, or showing signs of poor visibility, the landscape will change in mere minutes. You can easily get lost or turned around in cold, wet weather, so make sure you have the proper gear and clothing to account for extreme weather changes. 

Map + Compass VS GPS + Cell Phones
There are obviously pros and cons to each of these, but the lesson here is not to rely solely on one or the other. While electronic devices can fail due to dead batteries or malfunction, maps and compasses can become wet and ruined or rendered illegible. Not to mention, you need to be trained on how to use them. 

Build a Fire
Carry matches, a lighter, or another fire-starting device that is weatherproof and capable of working in any condition. Never leave a fire unattended, but utilize the warmth if necessary. 

Communicate
Ensure your loved ones know where you are at all times, and set a deadline to alert the authorities if you haven’t returned. If you have a hunting partner, do the same for them.

Light the Path
Flashlights or headlamps are invaluable for hunters and can be handy for a variety of purposes.  

Food, Shelter, and Warmth
While a human can survive days without food, staying warm and hydrated is more critical. If you are out longer than anticipated, commercial survival kits can provide nourishment when you need it.

If you need gear to prepare for the hunt, check out our wide selection at Wolf Survival Gear today.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

As the proverb goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Fishing has been a skill set used by humans for thousands of years. It’s one of the main sources of nutrition for survival; however, recently, it’s become more of a sport for outdoor enthusiasts.

Fish thrive in almost any body of water. They are packed with protein and are a great go-to, especially if caught in survival mode. For this reason, it’s important to learn how to catch a fish without the bells and whistles of modern-day equipment such as a rod, reel, and tackle. The concept of fishing is easy. Yet, understanding the basics of marine life and their habitat will help, along with having some knowledge of fishing techniques, and practicing patience. Read on to learn a few different methods for fishing without the fancy equipment.

Net Fishing

This style of active fishing allows a person to potentially collect multiple unaware fish in just a single scoop making this method very practical in any survival situation. A fishing net can be created using various materials, ranging from wood, cloth, thick grass/vines, and twine to scraps of your own tee-shirt tied to a couple of sticks. The net needs to be porous, allowing water to flow through, yet strong enough to hold fish. Once you have your net, stand in deep water, yet stay where you can still steadily stand within the current and drag the net along the bottom, working your way up to shore. As you approach shallow water, carefully lift your net to maintain your catch. Hopefully, you will have caught at least several small fish to be used either as bait for larger fish or for a small meal!

Trotlines

A trotline is a passive option to catch fish and doesn’t require a person’s complete and undivided attention. This type of fishing works best if set up over a stream or other running water. Take a sturdy rope or line, tie it to a tree branch, stretch it across a shallow section of water to the other side, and secure. This creates a control line where you’ll add additional lines with a hook and bait on the end every foot or two. This method allows you to leave and return to check on your trotline, and hopefully, you’ll find a fish or two to enjoy.

Live Traps

Using live traps has a couple of advantages over other types of fishing. First, it doesn’t require special equipment like hooks or a fishing line. Secondly, catching and keeping the alive fish means a fresher, tastier meal. A funnel trap is the most basic type of live trap that a person can use. These are created by using a plastic bottle or something similar in shape. Placed with the current, fish swim in the narrow tunnel and become trapped in the larger container. Poke holes to release pressure on the container, weigh it down using rocks, and add bait to entice the fish to enter. Alternatively, you can build a larger version of this live trap called a fish weir. Using natural barriers such as rocks and sticks assembled together, you can guide fish into small, closed-off areas where they cannot swim out due to the current and small opening in which they came through. 

Passive fishing techniques are best for long-term survival as most of your energy will be needed elsewhere. Also, planning is important; keep in mind that your catch is prey for others. Consider smoking or drying your fish to preserve it for long periods. Or keep a live fish well, like your fish weir trap, to retain them. No matter your situation, remaining calm, focused, and maintaining a positive mindset will aid in survival.  

Need supplies? Wolf Survival Gear has long-term food, outerwear, camping gear, and essential survival tools for the great outdoors. 

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Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

With the shifting weather patterns, camping during the fall season can be tricky. How you prepare for your outing can make the difference between a great trip and a disastrous one. Read on to learn some important tips for a spectacular excursion in the great outdoors.

Morning Joe

Morning coffee is not essential by any means, but it sure makes your trip more pleasant. A warm cup of joe is a must-have for most adults, especially while enjoying the cold fall brisk woods. To make coffee in the old days, cowboys poured some grounds into a pot with hot water. Better yet, dump some grounds into a filter, slowly pour hot water over it, and stir. Don’t forget to pack some cream and sugar!

Clothing

Fall is unpredictable, so preparing for hot or chilly weather is critical. Be sure to dress in layers so you can peel off a coat, etc., if it’s warm or stay bundled up if it’s cold. Attempt to wear clothing that wicks moisture away; it’s important to remain dry (even from sweat) to stay warm. Have a change of clothing in case something gets wet. This way, you have an alternative outfit while you wait for items to dry.

Water

Water is a must-have on a camping trip. It’s a vital resource for hydration, cooking, and cleaning. A human can survive two weeks without food but only two days without water. Always carry an emergency water filter to remove contaminates from natural waterways such as rivers and lakes. If you don’t have a proper water filter, at the very minimum, boil drinking water to help prevent getting extremely sick.

Tent Location & Safety

Finding the perfect campsite is key to staying safe and dry. Ensure your tent is in a high and dry location and far enough from the campfire so it does not pose a risk. Find a spot using foliage or some other natural barrier to help protect you from mother nature’s wind or rainstorms.

Tarp

Having a tarp is just good sense when camping. For starters, it can be used as a backup shelter in case your tent is destroyed. But with a tent, place a tarp underneath it to prevent the tent’s floor from getting wet. Do not sleep directly on the tent’s floor either; use a cot or a pad. Or find fresh pine boughs to layer for cushion and warmth.

Emergency Plan

Always have a backup plan and another in case the first falls astray. Cell phones and batteries are a must but count on a lack of signal and dying batteries. For example, to start a fire, have a lighter, matches, and a flint starter to get one going. Using smoke is the most effective signal to call for help other than a cell phone. Adding pine boughs helps to create smoke billows after you’ve started the fire.

Fire

Keep heat for a fire on the ready by stacking a small pile of wood and gathering kindling like birch bark, pine cones, dry leaves, and small twigs. To get a fire started, carve out a small area of the ground to contain it. Place some kindling in the center, select small to medium-sized pieces of wood, and balance them against each other at an angle. Slowly add more wood until the fire is burning nicely and hot.  

Need supplies? Wolf Survival Gear has long-term food, outerwear, camping gear, and essential survival tools for the great outdoors. 

_____________________________

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

More people spend time outside when the weather is warm and nice, but with that comes the risk of running into a poisonous plant. Do you know how to identify poison oak or what to do if you or someone comes in contact with it?

Poison oak can vary by season and location. Generally, this toxic plant is found in the southeast and west coast of the United States and can cause allergic reactions year-round. 

Atlantic poison oak is found throughout the east coast and in several non-coastal states such as Tennessee, Arkansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, New Jersey, and Florida. Meanwhile, pacific poison oak exhibits yellow or green flowers with clusters of green-yellow or white berries. It can grow on shrubs and vines along the pacific northwest and California. 

Poison oak is often confused with poison ivy. Can you tell the difference?

Both poison oak and poison ivy can grow in sunny or shady forests and woodlands.

Poison oak can cause a skin rash in nearly 85 percent of the population. Limit exposure to poison oak by wearing long sleeves, pants, boots, and pants while traversing woodlands or previously unexplored areas. If you might have been exposed to poison oak, wash your contaminated clothing separately in hot water with detergent. 

Wash the exposed skin with soapy water and apply an antihistamine ointment to soothe itching and inflation. Using an ice pack for a short duration may help symptoms, along with a dose of over-the-counter Benadryl. See your doctor or call 911 if symptoms seem severe or you have trouble breathing, fever, and/or if the rash spreads to the face or eyes.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Reduced rainfall is common throughout much of the United States, with some places experiencing drought more so than others. Are you prepared for drought conditions or know how to adjust your lifestyle if necessary? Keep reading for some general guidelines regarding drought readiness. 

Pre-Drought
The best way to prepare for a drought is to conserve water on a daily basis so that when an actual drought occurs, your water use patterns are not affected as drastically. 

• If you need to dispose of water, think twice before pouring it down the drain. If you can re-use it to water plants, for example, do so. 
• Leaky faucets should be replaced or repaired by a plumber. 
• Add flow restrictors on faucets to reduce the amount of water coming out. 
• Select more energy-efficient appliances that use less water. 
• Use a low-volume toilet in the restroom, which will use about half the amount of water compared to older models.
• Steer clear of decorative outdoor water features unless they are using recirculated water.
• Consider implementing rain barrels and connect a hose to water outdoor plants.
• Use a drought-resistant lawn seed to ensure grass holds soil moisture.
• Keep water bottles on hand to use in emergencies. 

Drought Conditions
Contact your state or local government to learn your specific water restrictions during a drought. Generally, the recommendations below will help lower your water usage. 

• Avoid unnecessarily flushing the toilet; tissues, insects, and other waste can be thrown in a garbage can as an alternative.
• Utilize showers rather than baths and turn the water off while lathering. 
• While brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face, avoid letting the water run.
• Run laundry machines or dishwashers only when completely full, or set the water level based on the specific size of your load. 
• Defrost meat or frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave to avoid using hot water. 
• Water your lawn sparingly in the early morning or later in the day when temperatures are cooler. 
• Use a commercial car wash instead of a hose at home.

If you are concerned about droughts, participate in local meetings about water conservation. Also, consider campaigning your government to practice better water management. Strive to promote water-efficient devices and practices in municipal buildings and offices. 

Droughts can be a serious situation for many people. Even if a drought hasn’t affected you, be prepared for the worst and stay vigilant regarding your water consumption.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Survivalist schools are scattered throughout the country and used to be focused on learning how to drink water out of a vine or set rabbit traps. Now, these schools are focused on more serious scenarios brought on by climate change, such as urban-disaster preparedness, drought and storm readiness, etc.

Shane Hobel, the founder of the Mountain Scout Survival School, now charges per family, whereas before, he would charge per person or couple. He said, “It [family attendance] was never like that before.” 

Hobel suggested that the uptick in interested families is a result of “50 percent climate change and 50 percent the ‘political stuff.’” Despite different overall concerns, the answer is the same: learn how to adapt to change and survive by foraging, hunting, reading maps, building shelter, and more. 

These survival skills are crucial to learn and can benefit multiple circumstances. Without modern technology, society rests on a fragile foundation. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change anticipates a rise in temperature between 2.5- and 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the next hundred years. However, some scientists say that is a low expectation. Either way, the repercussions of rising temperatures are already in our midst. 

Last year, an astounding 4.3 million acres burned in California, a record for the state. 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global mean sea level is anticipated to rise at least one foot above 2000 levels by 2100. Roughly 40 percent of Americans live along the coasts and could lose their housing indefinitely. 

Fire and floods aren’t the only threat; hurricanes and cyclones are increasing by size and frequency. In the 1980s, six hurricanes totaled roughly $38.2 billion (2020’s dollars)  in damage, while seven hurricane disasters from 2010 through 2018 brought a whopping $335 billion in damages, according to the Associated Press. In Central America, 30 cyclones ripped through 2021, causing a climate migration crisis.

Jason Smerdon, a professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, said, “What we’re seeing through these impacts is what climate change is going to do: the drought out West, the forest fires out West, the heat wave that we’re experiencing, the hurricanes that are getting stronger and moving differently, the hurricane seasons that are extending in length. All of these things have strong climate change fingerprints. And this is very much the kind of things we can expect more of moving forward.” 

Are you prepared for a natural disaster? Grab the gear and supplies you need now – before you’ll need them later. Check out our online store today.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/