GM,

Just to weigh in regarding the prairies being a decent place to bug out to; consider the coal deposits to the south of Calgary in the Lethbridge area (formerly called Coal Banks). I know that CryBaby has shown us the mountain locations which are great and are ideal for both fuel and hunting. I think that the coulees of Southern Alberta are an answer for fuel concerns; are generally part of a river system, provide decent cover for any structure with a "live roof", and provide agricultural opportunities for those that are inclined that way. Furthermore, there is no shortage of hunting opportunities with respect to grouse, water fowl, mule deer, and the odd white tail deer. Were things to get really bad, one could hunt coyotes (I put that in for CryBaby). Pricing is all over the map on this type of land so shop it. One further advantage is the #$%$$## wind! It never stops blowing in that part of the country. Bad if you get migrane headaches, but great if you want to harvest it for electricity.

Antsy

I own where i would head to (staying somewhere else for 2 years till my daughter finishes school). One thing i will be doing is getting more maps of my area and beyond to establish where the crown land is. One needs to assume that landowners will protect their property just as we will. So, although you may not get a lease on Crown land and may have to share it with other squatters you won't be fighting with someone who owns it. As far as the mountains -i think everyone has the same idea, which is scary as most of them won't make it through the first winter. Keeping warm other places is going to be tough enough without going to the mountains which are even cold in the summer.

... I Have a good BIL that i will hold up in till things cool down... I think we need to bug in for the first 6 mths and then find a place to carry on.

I'm thinking all your points nighthawk are valid, and I'm also thinking this may be a necessity for us also; but the inherent weaknesses of my house would have to be addressed before it is even defendable, else it would just be a down-scaled walmart 😀

The majority of urban housing has little to reccomend it as a defensible structure. The best defence is to camoflage it to attract as little attention as possible. Interior and exterior coverings for all windows that can withstand moderate breaching attempts. Same for doors. Make your place look as uninviting as possible... grubby, things strewn about the property as if it has already had the attention. Light, sound, odor and waste discipline... Think of the 5 senses and how you can reduce or eliminate sending an invitation outside of your nest. The walls will not stop regular rifle rounds. Regardless of how you fortify, always leave yourself at least one exit, preferably two and scout your routes beforehand. Just some thoughts.

For most of the people in my group, the BOL is under or just over 1 hour drive time. For me it's 33 km, which takes 5-6 hours in the motorhome. I have been able to find a location where our prepper group can hide and survive, if we can't get to the main location for a while or even at all. We don't own it but have permission to hunt and camp there regularily. It has a source of running water, lots of firewood and we can hide. This spot is about an hour for all of us and 2 hours at the most for the rest.
My point is if you and your group can't afford a place, start being nice to people that have a spot you like. Even if you don't hunt, by asking for permission to set up the RV while you camp, you get to know the people and gain their trust.
One of the reasons I get to use land that is off limits to most others is because I clean up the trees that have fallen around the edges of this farmers fields and then share the firewood with him. I also make sure he gets some jerky and sausage from the kill. A half day of work and a bit of chainsaw fuel a year and I am still the only person allowed on his land.
As important as being able to travel is communication with each other, so we are getting Ham and CB radios installed in our BugOut Vehicles. Several of us have opted for older moterhomes that are easier to make EMP proof and hook solar panels to.
We can pack a lot more than in a regular sized vehicle and can cook and sleep in more comfort while traversing to the BOL.
If we can't make it to our stored prepps at the BOL, we have enough to live off and a place to go.
If the SHTF, the nice fellow who owns the land will be happy to have a place to hide himself if need be, hence, another member of our group.
Please don't try to do this alone folks, we need strength in numbers when things go bad. Having more than one option of a place to go is also strength in numbers. In fact We are searching for option 3 right now.

I would really like to see photographs of the whole lay out of this guys hidden home, marijuana aside.
And if he had these skills why not choose more of an out of the way location? I guess he must have liked something about the 13.5 acre preserve he chose, but if he was going to grow his pot there why not choose a preserve that was a little larger, more inaccessible to police and more out of the way. Be more concerned with hunters stumbling onto his pot crop than the police.
But I would really really really like to see photographs of the whole lay out, exterior and interior because I am seriously curious as to how it all looked.

Online GED

Best motor home for proofing against EMP is, the Wind star. Areas of Main vulnerability is the base. Windows and vents can be covered and sealed with commercial grade aluminum real fast. Unless of course, you haven’t already made covers for these openings with duct work metal sheets with mesh seals and quick set latches. But, and a very big BUT, what about all those metal connectors that are attached to the shell. Damn, all that time and money and your still screwed.
Bottom line is, forget about EMP proofing the RV, EMP proof what’s essential inside of it with special boxes. Whip antennas, and dishes, attached outside of RV, a big no, no. Use only "off location", 10’ away, with a quick disconnect at the RV. That retractable awning on the side of the RV, when extended is just a large antenna, (aluminum frame!). Don’t forget that Cloth line that have attached to the side, another big antenna that will attract energy. If you don’t believe me, and please don’t trust anything I say, try this out. If you have a cloth line at home, check with a frequency modulator connected to both exposed ends of the cloth line. You would be shocked that the amount of energy that these things can attract. Great as a lightning rod too. 😯 😈

Well... been busy narrowing down and visiting acreages. Have it down to only several now, all 160 acres except one which is 1,500 acres. They are all approx 7 hour drive, except for the 1,500 acres, which puts me well into the mountains, so I'd be prepping the location and stocking it with my supplies, then watching the news carefully, so as to get out of dodge with just the bob's and kids in tow, before the rabble hit the road. I've also invested in Jerry cans for gas (21 of them now and counting - and all fit on the roof rack), and now have a non-stop vehicle range of 1500 kms (given my crappy 300 kms / tank in my landrover).

Wife and I figure that should (against all signs), nothing happen in our lifetime, at least we'll be able to use the land as a family retreat and camping lot as the kids grow up and gain memories of summer at the cabin, and they'll have an inheritance once we're gone. If things do go south, then by hopefully pre-empting the crowds, we'll be long gone before roads get full.

I should hopefully make a decision and purchase in the next month or so, with another trip this weekend to check out one more. If we go with the 1500 property, I'd likely pull up roots here in Southern AB, drop a well, get solar, put a well concealed modular on it, and move off the grid as a lifestyle.

Anyone else almost at the land buy stage?

Red fuel cans on the roof of a vechicle when shtf would be a easy target for those who forgot to fill up.....just sayin

Lets get some perspective. 1- Sask is 3 times the size of Great Britian or Germany. There population is 70 plus million each, (not too many hidy holes). 2- Being born here you have won the lottery already. 3- Lots of folks CANNOT afford a BOL (some days I wonder if we can) BUT as others have stated ours is a cabin in the summer and something for the kids when we are gone. 4- Some days turn off the NEWS and enjoy the family if things go south you will want to remember these moments. I pray to GOD that I am wrong and hope I am BUT I don't think so.
Having a BOL and getting serious about food prep has created another issue. Without being there all the time (scared of being robbed) we will need a BIG trailer just to move our stores.
Being in eastern Alberta we are semi remote (not ideal) but should be in good shape considering most people won't budge until its too late. I would suggest (mainly because its what we did!!) but work within your budget. If you have a group already great you will have a lot more disposable income than us and can afford a much better location. Unfortunately we are on a limited budget so worked within that. We still love our little acreage AND so do the kids (even though they are both late teens/early 20's)

Our primary is about a 30-45 minute hike, depending on how hard i can push the gf , (only live in a town of 2500..) secondary is a bout a days hike.

Sounds great Greyman. Nice that you will have so much land to work with-with either of your choices. I only have 20 acres but surrounded by some unused land. I am concidering buying the 20 acres north of me, but need to find out what they want for it. I am living in town for 2 more years while my daughter goes to school, but can't wait to live out there full time again. In the mean time I will be busy building a root celler and other things out there to make it more self-sufficient. Good luck with your land hunting!