Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: fishfinder401 on November 21, 2011, 05:11:40 am
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i was just wondering if anyone else had thought or even tried living for an extended period of time somewhere with no elecricity, running water etc. this seems like it would be a more enjoyable(most of the time ::)) way to live just hunting fishing and having a small garden for your food, making what you need, the more i think of this the more appealing it is becoming especially with the way everything seems to be becoming extremely materialistic and money based
i know it would be a shock, but what long term downsides would there be :-\
thanks
noel
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children and thier age.
adults and thier age.
water resourses.
timber, soil type.
tools available.
experience.
books.
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It is really hard work living "off the land" and it can be expensive getting the land to live off of.
Fish, before you make the plunge wait and see which college you get accepted to.
Lane
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Its getting kinda hard to find enough land to live on where no one notices you !
Yes fish many have done it !
Right after college would be your best chance !
Check out Jon & Gerry McPherson's books!
Not sure I spelled their names right .
Naked into the wilderness was one of them !
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ya , after college was when i was thinking i might try it if i do, i need to see which direction makes more sense at that point, i know i would be hard, but nothing worth it is easy
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I have several really good friends living off the grid.
It is awesome but it also is a lot of hard work. Lots of ways to do it.
Location is key" do your research before jumping in.
Luck to u
Wade
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I have several really good friends living off the grid.
It is awesome but it also is a lot of hard work. Lots of ways to do it.
Location is key" do your research before jumping in.
Luck to u
Wade
don't worry i wont jump into it without thinking, this is just one option i am considering for after college that i wanted to learn more about
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I think it would be cool for a while but then I would want to come home take a hot shower kick back on the couch in my nice warm dry little house, watch some tv and search through the primitive archer message board ;D I have also thought about doing it and met a guy who did it for a couple years here in Tillamook state forest untill a hunter discovered him and his dogs little den in the side of the mountian side and turned him in. Then he came to work at the whelding shop I was working at for a few months then he just disapeard again, he is probably out there somewhere right now. :-\
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Aquiring the knowledge to live off the grid and really doing it are two seperate things. Might be better to have a nice small "tight" house, solar collectors, garden, rain barrels, some chickens, and a root cellar for starters. I know a half dozen folks who live half-way off the grid but are ready for just about anything. Don't forget finding a way to "protect" what you have.
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My advice would to be to find a job after college, delaying this essential step into adulthood will make a good outcome more and more difficult the longer you put it off.
After you get the foundation for the rest of your life in place then you can start planning short forays into self sufficiency off the grid to see if this type of lifestyle is for you.
The US is full of young men who never struck out on their own after college, still live at home and never made the transition from boy to man. You don't want to be one of these guys.
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I say do your research right now and learn all the many necessary skills to do so during your years in school, then go for it....I was really close to doing it when I was already basically a mountain bum in Colorado for four years,and had no assets and family to provide for. But a youngin such as you are can change there mind and be chasing another idea the next week.
Id say the best location wood be in the southwest. That's where id be heading. Id live up on the mesas and mountains during the warmer months and hunt and forage enough food to bring down lower to live in during the cooler time of year. I had it all planed out with the use of horses as well.
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Where do you live now? If possible just turn off your electricity and water for a while and see how you like it.In my experience these type romantic ideas are not nearly as fun in reality.There is a reason life expectancy has increased over the years.
I highly recommend following Eric's advice of getting a good education and job first.It would be a lot better living off the grid by choice rather than necessity.
I would like to live a more self sufficient lifestyle, being able to produce much of my own food and electricity.A nice house with some solar power and wood heat is in my opinion a much better option than a tiny cabin,tent or cave.
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Forgot the prime directive. Work for nobody but yourself and your family.
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I say do your research right now and learn all the many necessary skills to do so during your years in school, then go for it....I was really close to doing it when I was already basically a mountain bum in Colorado for four years,and had no assets and family to provide for. But a youngin such as you are can change there mind and be chasing another idea the next week.
Id say the best location wood be in the southwest. That's where id be heading. Id live up on the mesas and mountains during the warmer months and hunt and forage enough food to bring down lower to live in during the cooler time of year. I had it all planed out with the use of horses as well.
I worked with a guy out in Colorado who looked a lot like you, named Chris as well. Any chance you worked at Peaceful Valley Ranch?
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Nope Matt..I never worked there..I didn't work a whole lot out there really...I was on a 4 year vacation :laugh:
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I always wanted to go off grid,,my kids are grown except 1,{14} The wife said go ahead,shes keepin the house!! {decisions decisions,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,} :o
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Be carefull there she may put you off the grid permanently !
with the frying pan !
Or one of your own arrows !
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Be carefull there she may put you off the grid permanently !
with the frying pan !
Or one of your own arrows !
who me?? O:) O:) ;)
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thanks everyone for the input, and don't worry, this isn't something i know i am going to do, its just of of many options i am considering for after college, but if you were to do this where would you try and why, or where wouldn't you, also ifi were to do this it would be on property i would buy and i would probably build a log cabin type thing for a shelter
thanks
noel
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I once upon a time asked the same questions ....but like has been mentioned before it takes a lot o money to do what you seek.my destination was Alaska ...one day maby I could visit and dream again. Good luck ;)
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thanks, and if i end up doing it and its in Alaska, then your welcome to come whenever you want, actually if i do this and anyone want to disappear into the woods for a while they will be welcome whenever they want ;D, and with the money part, that's why i'm planning on having a company running while in college, then once i'm out work like crazy for a couple years
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Fishfinder,
I have an friend who did the woodsy thing. He started while in college. He changed locations a few times, Wyoming, Idaho, Wyoming, Idaho. He did it while in college, complete with building his own cabin. Admits he did not do a very good job of any of it, especially college. Lots of things tugging back and forth. More than one marriage. Now he lives in a conventional house, burns wood when he wants, showers regularly, has a job, hunts not to feed himself, although it does supply his meat. He gardens, keeps horses.
He admitted that having to hunt to feed himself conflicted with lots of other things and made it work.
I like the advice of shutting off the power and water, not eating from the store for a while before you stap on your loincloth for good.
I also think some now about contributing to others and less about living as suits me best.
It is a fun thought however. I like to hunt from camp and not have to drive. I like sleeping in a tent, cooking with real fire, etc. A week and a half in elk camp takes the shine off the dream a bit, and I am ready for a regular shower and conversing with all of you!
I pray that college goes well for you.
Kirk
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I think this is a wonderful sentiment and I'm glad you've even considered it. Most people wouldn't even let it cross their minds. I've done short trips living off the grid and it's hard, there is a reason that 100 is the new 40. Doesn't mean that it wouldn't be worth it for your mind and soul though. You should read Walden by Henry David Thoreau, or maybe that's why you are pondering this in the first place? At least you have the advantage of knowing how to make a good bow and arrow in case something drastic happens. Good luck to you
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Some of the things you can do to "practice" living off the grid is experimenting with the green alternatives. Using less electricity by doing without lights except when absolutely necessary. Turning your heat on only when house temps are going to drop below 60 degrees (I keep my place at 62F, surprising how much better I sleep), eliminating A/C altogether. Learning to bathe with only a dishpan's worth of hot water. Converting all frozen foods to canned*, dehydrated, or cured so they can be stored at room temp.
Not only do you get a taste of what you will need to do when unconnecting from Mother Technology's electric umbilical cord, but you can save a lotta long green cash, too!
*canned venison...yum!
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FishFinder,
JW is right. Even if you don't live off the grid, you can do a lot of things that require expanding your skills, bring you enjoyment and satisfaction, and get you more involved with daily needs then if you buy everything.
It is kind of what attracts us to this website. I don't have to build bows, arrows, tabs, tie flies, build muzzleoaders, and I sure don't depend on it to say alive, but it is enjoyable, and useful to some degree. I find that it also helps with solving other problems since your brain is used to figuring things out. Kind of like cross-training for your brain.
I am always facinated with how some others solve daily need problems.
Kirk
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Kind of like cross-training for your brain.
Hey Kirk! I'm going to shamelessly steal that. Excellent analogy, sir.
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JW,
Nothing new under the sun...but sometimes we haven't applied the principles to all possible solutions.
As far as being "shameless"-do you want me to comment on that?
Always good to hear from you.
Fish-I had a professor tell me that I had a "questing mind". I think she meant it as a compliment, but it was in response to some "cross-thinking" I was doing. I think you too have a "questing mind". From your posts it is apparent you are always searching to do someting new, something better, something that few others do. I think that will serve you well when you find what you love to do. One problem however, it often increases the size and variety of your "stash" (reference to the thread in "bows".) Keep asking, keep seeking, keep thinking.