Well over on the Alberta page there is a conversation going on about Bugging In and/ or out. I really felt it was relevant and I wanted to share an expanded version of what I said to start this thread and see what people in BC have to say about this point.

I don't think anyone (preppers) will actually drop everything and bug out if something disastrous happens in our world. I honestly believe most people will initially bug in, so we should be prepared to do that.
I also believe that during that bug in time frame smart and prepared people will re-organize themselves and get their final bug out gear ready and or load up. Then if rational decision is reached that it is time to bug out, prepared people will do this in a rather casual and organized manner, some to B.O.L's and some to planned retreats, and maybe you are part of a group or community.
On the other hand I believe the less balanced, over the edge, under prepared will have already made the panic exodus, and will already be hiding underground or behind a tree. They say that most people are 9 meals away from starvation, well that is 3 days and by that time frame an organized prepper will be confident that they either made the right decision to bug in or it is time to bug out.
When you decide to bug out being organized and having a plan is what will most likely keep you safe and give you a shot at surviving to have a future. Most people would not survive the first winter, in Alberta, BC or most anywhere else in Canada. You may say "oh yah I have enough food and ammo stored to survive for 25 years", saying you can live alone or in family groups in the wilderness,your home or underground is one thing actually doing it is another. We crave human contact, we are a social beast, even the most un social of us, at least watches the people around us. yes that is social reaction because you can't do it without people to observe. Many would be robbed, killed or enslaved before the end of a year, people always want to believe that our fellow man or neighbor is not dangerous, no matter how nutty the act. Because of that we expose ourselves to harm, in the need for human interaction. Take away all the things that are handed to them everyday, that we all take for granted and very soon the more animal instincts kick in and things that a normal sane person would not do today ceases to be a border they wouldn't cross tomorrow.
Please think about this bugging in concept clearly,about 6 months of the year, it is to cold to live with out heat in most areas of Canada, must homes run on electricity these days, if that fails most homes fail, what is your heat source if the power goes out, in a matter of hours your homes start to freeze, your water lines may burst, your toilets will freeze and crack as well as most other taps. if you have no way of heating your home you probably have no way of cooking your food either. You may not want to kill yourself and your family with the family BBQ roasting chicken in the living room, so saying I am bugging in also requires thinking and planning. If you do have your heat cooking controls in place, keep in mind that your toasty warm residence is going to look very appealing to the neighbor who is hungry and their family is freezing to death, they might just decide they are moving in whether you like it or or not, are you prepared for that, are you prepared to keep what is yours. Most people nowadays would have trouble shooting the neighbors dog let alone the neighbor in an emergency situation (yes I do mean a life or death emergency)
Make your plans for both bugging in and out, work together with people you form bonds of trust with before hand if you can or go it on your own if you feel best that way, but don't do yourself or your family the disservice of saying " don't worry we got it covered" ... plan for what you can and try to be ready for what ever else happens.

okay I am now getting off my soap box .. because I need to use it to store stuff in.