The other mistake I see people make is not planning for the unexpected members of their group. Like SHTF kicks off and a member of the group brings along a few extra people. 3 orphan kids wander onto your property. Things like this.
Preppers like you prep for those extra folks. A lot of folks are not. They think it's just going to be them and they will defend themselves against everyone else. What about the orphaned kids example? A pregnant woman? I guess they plan to give up their humanity.
I have thought about a dog many times. They are a good alarm system for two and four legged predators 24/7 but they would have to be trained to be quiet when told to be.
I think everyone's situation and needs are different and I agree, no arguments just encourage one another and give food for thought. I also do not think everyone is prepping for the same situation. Grid down prepping is different than government round up prepping for example. A good prepper has a plan for various scenarios. A bug in, a bug out to a designated prepped area, and an on the run plan. I agree with you in that on the run plans in the woods are short ones. Life span will be much shorter therefore is last resort. It's for those of us who wish to die listening to the sound of running water and the smell of the forest in all reality. It's all about longevity of resources and well, the weather. How many wilderness preppers are unprepared for storms and serious negative temps? How about really crazy high temps? High winds? Many of these folks do not have any bushcrafting/shelter building skills. They seriously think it's long term camping, LOL.
It will be a different world for certain! The kids have been on my mind for a long time. The 20 are productive members, because some will come that need help! Those 'extras' will need to pitch in where they can, and schooling will be a regular need including adults.
My bug out plan is the RV behind my truck moved to one of my family's homesteads. It is pretty heavy food storage, with a lot of first aid and canning supplies.
One big advantage of the homestead is that the environment is close to wilderness. There are local streams, and wind off of the lake; that makes it a good recharge location! It will be off grid, for low profile after SHTF occurs. There is also thousands of acres of Corp land, adjacent to the homestead; for forage use. I plan to plant a lot of unusual plants on the Corp land, since people won't recognize them. More baskets that way....
Government round up is not likely, because of the low population; and the remote location! They will have more important problems to deal with, then.
But it will be hell on earth for a while! That's difficult to plan for.
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