The last two years have greatly shaken America, and our country will never be the same as a result.  If you would have told someone two years ago that in 2021 millions of people would run around wearing masks all day and that the federal government would be relentlessly pushing a large scale mass injection campaign, that person probably would have thought that you were nuts.  But now this is the “new normal”.  Our freedoms and liberties have been permanently eroded, and now that they have gotten away with pushing the envelope so dramatically, government entities on all levels will be ready to flex their muscles again once the next major crisis comes along.

You could argue that we should just vote out the politicians that are running things on the state and federal levels, but exactly how are we supposed to do that?

After what we witnessed last November, tens of millions of Americans won’t believe that our system of choosing leaders is legitimate ever again.

Of course those that are currently running things could attempt to restore faith in the system by getting rid of all the voting machines and by instituting real reforms that would make the process as transparent as possible, but we all know that they will never do that.

The last couple of years have been extremely painful for our economy as well.  More than 70 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last year, homeless encampments started popping up like mushrooms all over the country, and countless numbers of small businesses shut down permanently.  In fact, most Americans say that they have lost a favorite local business as a result of the pandemic…

Few people have escaped the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic and that’s especially true for local ‘mom and pop’ shops. A new study finds half of Americans have witnessed their favorite local businesses close down because of COVID-19.

A survey of 2,000 people reveals 68 percent personally know a local business owner impacted by the pandemic. According to respondents, the most commonly impacted businesses include cafes (62%), retail shops (58%), gaming shops (55%), and book stores (54%).

On Thursday, we learned that another 444,000 Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week.

In 2019, such a number would have been considered catastrophic.

But in the “new normal”, that number is actually considered to be “good news”.

Our politicians have tried to make everyone feel better by sending out waves of huge government checks, but that has just created rampant inflation and widespread shortages.

We are also losing the peace on our streets.  Murder rates were way up in major cities all over America in 2020, and in most of those cities they are even higher this year.

And it isn’t just men that are shooting men.  Today, I came across an article about an “eight-woman brawl” that resulted in a pregnant mother being gunned down…

A pregnant mother was shot and killed while she sat in her car close to an eight-woman brawl that erupted in gunfire.

The deadly confrontation took place just before 6pm Tuesday in the 1200 block of Valencia Avenue in Hemet, which is located 75 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Family members identified the 27-year-old who had been shot in the head and died after being flown to a county trauma center as Tamika Haynes.

What in the world is happening to us?

You would have never read about such a thing happening on the streets of America in 1950.

These days, we seem to be losing control of just about everything, and that even includes the technology that we have become so dependent upon.  Hackers are causing nightmares for large entities all over the U.S., and in many cases absolutely enormous ransoms are being paid out…

CNA Financial Corp., among the largest insurance companies in the U.S., paid $40 million in late March to regain control of its network after a ransomware attack, according to people with knowledge of the attack.

The Chicago-based company paid the hackers about two weeks after a trove of company data was stolen, and CNA officials were locked out of their network, according to two people familiar with the attack who asked not to be named because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Criminals seem to have the upper hand on the Internet, in our streets and in the halls of power in Washington and on Wall Street.

In previous times, we could rely on law enforcement to restore order, but now law enforcement authorities are being relentlessly demonized in our society.

In fact, it has gotten so bad that large numbers of law enforcement officers are permanently walking away from their careers.  For example, it is being reported that nearly 20 percent of all police officers in Seattle have quit over the past year.

Police departments all over the nation are having an exceedingly difficult time recruiting replacements for those that are leaving, and that is going to continue to be the case as long as we are treating police officers like human garbage.

Speaking of human garbage, just check out the bill that was just passed in the Wisconsin Senate…

Wisconsin senators approved a bill earlier this week allowing dead bodies to be dissolved in a chemical bath and disposed like sewage.

The bill, Senate Bill 228, authorizes a practice called alkaline hydrolysis, or “water cremation,” which liquifies the human body using a mixture of water, heat, and chemical agents, leaving only bones behind. The liquid is then dumped into the sewage system or boiled off, and bones can be crushed and deposited in an urn.

You have got to be pretty sick to want to liquify Grandma and Grandpa before dumping their remains into the sewer.

But that is who we are.

On all levels, we no longer respect life, and that is because as a society we are abandoning our faith.  Just check out these numbers…

The American Worldview Inventory (AWVI) 2021, an annual survey that examines the perspectives of adults aged 18 and over in the United States, found that while 57 percent of Millennials (born 1984-2002) consider themselves to be Christian, 43 percent “don’t know, care, or believe that God exists.”

Comparatively, 70 percent of Generation X (Gen X) Americans (born 1965-1983), 79 percent of Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), and 83 percent of the Builder Generation (born 1927-1945) consider themselves to be Christian, while 31, 28, and 27 percent, respectively, “don’t know, care, or believe that God exists.”

America no longer resembles the nation that our founders sacrificed so much to establish, and if we stay on the path that we are currently on there is no future ahead for us.

But even though voices such as mine have been crying out for change for years, most of the population continues to sprint in the other direction.

We have already lost so much, and the “new normal” truly is horrible, but if America does not wake up things are only going to get worse.

***Michael’s new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.***

About the Author: My name is Michael Snyder and my brand new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book, I have written four others that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned)  By purchasing the books you help to support the work that my wife and I are doing, and by giving it to others you help to multiply the impact that we are having on people all over the globe.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Parler, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.  During these very challenging times, people will need hope more than ever before, and it is our goal to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we possibly can.

The post Thoughts On The “New Normal” And The Things That We Are Losing As A Society… first appeared on The Economic Collapse.

A “bug out” bag, also known as BOB, is a portable kit containing items required for survival like painkillers, a first aid kit, food, and water. These types of kits are often used during disasters and other emergencies. Some bug-out bags are big enough to carry items that can see a person through more than […]

This article was originally published by Tho Bishop at The Mises Institute. 

This past March, Dr. Anthony Fauci sparred with Dr. Rand Paul over any public health benefit that came from wearing a mask if one had developed immunity to the virus. In dealing with both a democratically elected senator and a medical doctor, Dr. Fauci was dismissive and condescending. He demonstrated the degree to which he held himself higher than the Senate.

Dr. Fauci was also wrong.

A medical expert in Dr. Fauci’s position losing a debate on the science to an ophthalmologist—even one of Dr. Paul’s great reputation—would itself be enough to declare them a fraud.

But Dr. Fauci is much worse than a fraud; he is a technocrat. He doesn’t see himself as simply someone to explain “the science” of the virus but appointed himself a covid czar. He leveraged the corporate press’s personality cult and used it to manipulate the public to behave the way he wanted them to behave.

He prioritized control over presenting the science.

He also has no shame in doing this. He has repeatedly boasted about it to his devoted followers in the media.

For example, this morning, Fauci explained on ABC that his wearing masks indoors was about optics—not science.

I didn’t want to look like I was giving mixed signals but being a fully vaccinated person, the chances of my getting infected in an indoor setting is extremely low.

This is not the first time Fauci has given himself the authority to act beyond “the science.” Last December, Fauci started changing his claims about the necessary rates of vaccination to achieve a state of post-covid normality. The original aim of 70 percent was moved as high as 90 percent. As Fauci explained to the New York Times:

When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent…. Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, “I can nudge this up a bit,” so I went to 80, 85. We need to have some humility here…. We really don’t know what the real number is. I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent. But, I’m not going to say 90 percent.

America has subjected itself to a lost year of economically devastating, mentally abusive policies—all based on the authoritarian impulses of a learned ignoramus.

This has also become the norm for Washington’s imperial federal government.

While Fauci’s thirst for the camera has made him an easy target for ridicule, most of the true power of the federal government rests in the hands of similar unelected “experts.” For all the arguments that can be made against democracy, it is in these unelected institutions of power that we have seen the most aggressive expansions of state power in pursuit of the most radical policies.

Take the institution most challenged now by the success of Fauci-ism: the Federal Reserve.

Though he doesn’t make enough television appearances to earn his own progressive prayer candle, Jay Powell has received his own fawning praise from the slice of the corporate press that follows the Fed. Senate Democrats have even begun to push for Biden to keep Powell on board when his term comes up next year.

Outside the Beltway, however, Americans are feeling the impact of inflation. Google searches for “inflation” hit record highs in March, long before the 4.2 percent reported an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Perhaps an American consumer seeing their paycheck buy less and less would be comforted by the fact that inflation is precisely what the Fed has been explicitly calling for.

Of course, the consequences of the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented monetary policy go beyond simply the devaluation of money. The Fed’s low-interest-rate policy has massively increased risk in the financial system by depriving investors—both large and small—of safe, conservative investment options. Doing so has been great for large corporations, which have seen stock prices soar since 2008, both richly rewarding CEOs and subsidizing attempts to purchase smaller potential competitors. Those Americans who just wanted to simply save money, avoid debt, and avoid the volatility of the stock market have been less lucky.

At least they can look forward to funding the bailouts when the collapse of a stock market bubble ends up designating Facebook a systemically important company.

Even better, the Federal Reserve continues to give itself greater and greater authority to expand its mission far beyond monetary policy, with policy aims such as “greening the financial system.”

These bold and aggressive power grabs come in spite of the fact that the Fed’s own actions have repeatedly demonstrated that it has no idea what it is doing. Examples include not only the inability to identify the financial crisis in 2008 but its failure to reverse quantitative easing (QE)—as it repeatedly claimed it could do—and its repeated inability to forecast economic growth. The Fed has gone from one crisis to another, expanding its power, creating new tools for itself, and without any clear or coherent vision or economic theory.

Just like Fauci and the other parts of America’s technocratic class.

As the Trump era showed, the problem of these unelected policy czars is not solved simply by a presidential election. They are embedded deep within the structure of the federal government. To reign them in, we either need systemic change or pressure from the states.

Ultimately, what forced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to break itself from the propaganda of Dr. Fauci were the counterexamples offered by Florida and other open states, which were grounded in science rather than a personality cult. While it is easier for a state to nullify public health guidelines than it is to separate a state from America’s central bank, we have seen states like Wyoming and Texas take legislative action to promote alternatives to the Fed.

Hopefully, the example of Dr. Fauci will help kill some of the faith in “policy experts” that government schools spend so much time instilling in the public.

The post Fauci and the Fed: America’s Technocratic Frauds first appeared on SHTF Plan – When It Hits The Fan, Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You.

Do you enjoy standing out in a crowd? Do you want everyone to notice you? Try wearing a Ghillie Suit to your next social event! That’ll do the trick.

But in all seriousness, while being the center of attention can be great for social settings, it’s terrible for hunting.

And when snipers are stalking and observing strategic targets, they need to be invisible.

Their lives depend on blending in with their surroundings, and if the enemy spots them, it’s game over.

And while the consequences are not THAT dire for hunters, they’ll likely go home empty-handed. You can spend hours carefully tracking an animal, waiting for the right moment to take them down.

But as soon as your prey spots you, your hunt is over.

Sure, you could roll around in the dirt and tuck branches in your pockets, but there is a much better way to be stealthy.

The best way to blend into the background in the wild is with a military-style ghillie suit.

So today, we’re going to upgrade your knowledge in camouflage with the Ghillie Suit. Specifically,

• What Exactly Is A Ghillie Suit Anyway?
• Who Should Own A Ghillie Suit & Why?
• Key Features To Look For In A Quality Ghillie Suit
• 9 Best Ghillie Suits On The Market Today
• How To Make A Ghillie Suit / DIY Ghillie Suit

**Note: If you just want to know our top brands, feel free to SKIP AHEAD HERE.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A GHILLIE SUIT ANYWAY?

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A ghillie suit is a camouflaged outfit that blends in with your surroundings, such as:

• Foliage
• Snow
• Sand

It helps to conceal your whole body, including your pants, upper body, and head. Because when hiding in plain sight, you’ve got to cover EVERYTHING.

In Scottish Gaelic, Ghillie is a term for a “boy” that acts as an outdoor servant, assisting in hunting and fishing trips. These “Ghillies” would protect the Lord’s game from poachers and hide in the grass to stalk.

Scottish folklore also has a fairy named Ghillie Du. This mythical figure was a kind-hearted mountain spirit, clothed in leaves and moss.

But in general, folks have been using camouflage outfits for centuries. But as best we can tell, Scottish gamekeepers originally invented the ghillie suit as a portable hunting blind.

Then during the Second Boer War (around 1900), the British Army’s Lovat Scouts used camouflage ghillie suits in military operations. And in 1916, they were named the first sniper unit in the British Army.

Since then, Ghillie Suits have been used over and over again in many covert operations.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

SO WHO SHOULD OWN A GHILLIE SUIT & WHY?

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Having a sniper-grade ghillie suit may sound incredible, but do you REALLY need one? Ultimately, the answer comes down to your job and your hobbies.

If you work all day in an office and spend your weekends baking cakes, well, first off, lucky family! Who doesn’t like cake?

But if you are a homebody who avoids the outdoors or hunting, then a ghillie suit is probably not for you. So who should own one?

Avid Hunters

An avid hunter fully understands the importance of hiding in plain sight.

When hunting, the main goal is to shoot an animal so you can bring back food for your family. Now, to increase your chance of finding and hitting wild game, being invisible is essential.

Military/Sniper

A sharpshooter or marksman can hit a target from an insane distance. But a sniper must also train in fieldcraft. They must be able to traverse lots of unique terrains to secure advantageous attack and observation positions.

Because of this movement, a sniper needs their camouflage to match their surrounding environment perfectly. That’s precisely what a ghillie suit does and why it’s necessary for their mission.

Active duty military personal still use them today in modern warfare. And a quality Ghillie Suit provides a tactical advantage to get the job done.

Birding

A bird enthusiast’s goal is to observe and photograph different species of birds UP CLOSE. Ideally, you want to get so close you can hear these birds sneeze.

Some serious bird watchers use a ghillie suit (and lots of patience) to get THAT close. And to remain unnoticed for long periods.

A birder also uses equipment like scopes and binoculars, but it’s much more exciting to see and hear them close up. And a camouflage outfit allows for that.

Airsoft/Paintball

Combat simulation games are a trendy sport. Airsoft and paintball are both combat simulation games where you hunt the opposing team. But each uses slightly different equipment.

Fortunately, one thing both sports CAN use is a ghillie suit. During a heated battle, evasion techniques are a big part of success. So whoever’s better at blending into their surroundings will usually have the upper hand.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

KEY FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A QUALITY GHILLIE SUIT

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When researching ghillie suits, you’ll want to focus on the best features for your needs.

The good news is, there are several unique styles and combinations to choose from but you should never overlook the following key features:

Comfort

A quality ghillie suite must feel good while wearing it. When you’re lying prone under a bush stalking game for hours in rough terrain, you’ll be thankful for any bit of comfort.

If your ghillie suit becomes a miserable mess while hunting, you’ll be tempted to cut your trip short.

Also, you want your ghillie suit to be breathable. Because if your body temperature isn’t maintaining normal levels you’ll start sweating. You don’t want to be drench in your own sweat day while hunting or bird watching.

That’s why your suit needs to be light enough to allow for some air circulation.

Size / Fit

First off, ALWAYS try on a new ghillie suit BEFORE you take it into the field. No matter how excited you are to try it out for real. If it doesn’t fit right, return it immediately.

Fortunately, most ghillie suit pants have elastic waistbands. And jackets are often adjustable as well.

So spend some time getting the fit right. Even with the “adjustability” fitting can be tricky because the sizes of the suits can be deceptive. This is because they are meant to go over your other clothes.

So research different brands and setups and read other people’s comments before you buy.

You also want it to be a breeze to put on and take off and not feel clumsy while moving around.

A quality ghillie suit is a significant investment, so shop around until you find the best ghillie suit for YOU.

Durability

Of course, you want ALL your survival gear to last, and your ghillie suit is no different.

So invest in a suit that uses quality material that won’t break down after just a few trips. Take time researching the types of material used in ghillie suits. Then choose the highest quality you can afford.

In general, look for abrasive-resistant materials and double-stitching throughout the build.

Color

The main reason anyone buys a ghillie suit is to meld into your surroundings. So if you’re out bird-watching in the winter, neon green camo won’t cut it.

You can often choose from several colors and patterns, so think about where/when you’ll use your ghillie suit most. You may decide to get a few colors depending on how often you hunt and what time of year you go.

Most manufacturers equip ghillie suits with the ability to add flora from the surrounding area. So starting out with the proper base color is a smart move.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

9 BEST GHILLIE SUITS ON THE MARKET TODAY

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Now that you know the types of ghillie suits and some critical features let’s check what’s on the market today. We’ll look at some expensive and cheaper suits, giving you a wide variety to consider.

1. Arcturus Ghost Ghillie Suit

The Ghost Ghillie Suit from Arcturus might be the best ghillie suit for sale today. Why? Because it’s built to last with double stitching that locks in the tread to reduce shedding.

Every suit includes an adjustable waistband and ankle straps so it can fit most body types. And the hood is also adjustable and can be zippered to your jacket.

The coverage on this suit is very dense, and underneath is a 7-color blend of 3-D camo for good variation. At the same time, it’s a lightweight, breathable suit with a double mesh shell.

This ghillie suit is perfect for hunters, military snipers as well as hard-core paintball enthusiasts.

Plus it comes in a wide variety of sizes. So if you are looking for a kid’s ghillie suit as well as your own, Arcturus has you covered.

The Arcturus is a superior ghillie suit indeed.

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2. MOPHOTO 5 in 1 Ghillie Suit

The MOPHOTO Ghillie Suit is another excellent option for blending into your environment.

It’s made of 98% polyester and 2% spandex with durable threading. This combination of materials means its water repellant and fire retardant as well as rot and mildew proof.

The jacket has durable button closures, and the material is very breathable. That means less sweating when you are stalking your prey.

The elastic waist and draws strings allow for a comfortable fit with easy maneuverability.

It is perfect for all your outdoor adventures, including:

• wildlife photography
• paintball and airsoft
• hunting and shooting
• bird watching

This 5-1 suit comes with a jacket, hood, pants, gun wrap, and sack to easily carry everything. Sizes range from youth up to adults.

Heck, it can even make a unique Halloween costume in a pinch!

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3. Red Rock Outdoor Gear – Ghillie Suit

Red Rock sets the standard for ghillie suits with their outdoor gear 5-piece suit.

It’s designed for superior comfort, and you can quickly put it on over clothing. And it has stitched openings for direct access to your pockets underneath.

The dense materials are made out of lightweight, breathable polyester and spandex.

This ghillie suit includes a jacket, hood, pants, gun wrap, and stuff sack. It also has a convenient carry strap like most other ghillie suits.

With this suit you’ll have a complete camouflage set up when heading out for hunting or bird watching.

The camo threads are double stitched to secure the suit. So you won’t have shedding, and the pants even have snap closures, so you don’t have to take off your boots when putting them on.

This ghillie suit is fantastic and well worth the money.

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4. Pinty Ghillie Suit 3D 4-Piece

Pinty makes a nice tactical ghillie for hunting and war games.

It’s made of high-density, lightweight, multi-layered thread and only weighs a mere 4.4lbs.

And you won’t have to worry about bugs and insects with this Ghillie. Why? Because they have an elastic waist and buttons on the hem of the pants fit snug. They also have double-stitched drawstrings to making them very adjustable.

The whole kit comes with a jacket, mask, pants, gun cover, and a stuff pack to stow it all away. The hood has excellent ventilation with button closures for easy opening.

It also has 3-D camo colors with vivid green to match your surroundings. So be sure to put this one on your list when shopping around.

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5. VIVO Ghillie Suit 4-Piece + Bag

Vivo is on the market with their ghillie suit, and it sits around the middle of the pack.

It’s ideal for hunting and military gaming because of its lightweight polyester construction. It also uses 3-D concealment camouflage that works well in rough environments.

Your kit comes with the standard jacket, mask, pants, and gun cover, all fitting in a stuff pack for easy transportation.

It weighs in at 4 lbs. and is very breathable, so you won’t get too hot wearing it.

The hood has mesh openings for your eyes and nose. And it has full coverage for your head and shoulders with an adjustable chin and forehead strap.

You can quickly put it on and take it off with tear-away buttons on the pant legs. This design is also convenient when it’s time to hand wash it and put it on the line to dry.

With its comfort and durable build, what’s not to like.

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6. EAmber Ghillie Suit 3D Leaf Camo

The EAmber ghillie suit is an ideal suit for heavily forested areas.

Its surface is laced with emulation leaves to blend into woodland hunting environments.

It also works well in dark situations, allowing you to stalk and observe your prey. It’s perfect for hunting, wildfowling as well as bird watching and wildlife photography.

The suit is polyester, so you know it’s lightweight and breathable. That’s a good thing when you are out in the bush waiting for hours to spot animals.

The cuffs on the pants and jacket are elastic, preventing bugs and insects from crawling inside the suit.

This suit is only 0.95 lbs, so it is comfortable and comes in both button and zipper design.

Wear this ghillie on your next hunting, surveillance, or airsoft outing for fast and effective camouflage.

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7. North Mountain Gear Woodland Camo Ghillie Suit

This Northland Mountain Gear is a solid ghillie suit for sportsmen and military gamers. It’s a high-quality suit that won’t break the bank.

The jacket has a full front zipper and a large zippered pocket for stowing supplies. This helps make it versatile during longer hunts.

The pants are easy on and on with knee-high zippers, so you don’t have to take off your boots. The waistband is elastic with drawstrings, and you also get deep zippered pockets too.

That’s why these pockets are great for storing small hunting accessories.

Also, this suit has more leaves attached than any other suit on the market. There are over 1000 3-D laser-cut leaves to completely immerse yourself in foliage. That’s why you’re virtually invisible in trees or on dense ground cover.

You also get a camouflage carry bag as well.

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8. DoCred Ghillie Suit, 3D Camouflage Hunting Apparel

DoCred’s ghillie suit offers you excellent camouflage in many scenarios. It’s designed for hunting, gameplay, wildlife photography and kids play.

It perfectly blends into shrubbery, trees, and grass. This setup makes you stealthy in most outdoor environments.

It has the standard 98%/2% poly/spandex blend you’re used to seeing and is available in sizes from kids to large adults. The suit is water-repellant as well as mildew and rot proof while still being lightweight.

In this package, you get the jacket, pants, gun wrap, hood, and stuff sack.

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9. Zicac Outdoor Camo Ghillie Suit 3D Leafy Camouflage

This outdoor camo ghillie comes with a jacket and pants. That’s pretty basic, but really, what more do you need?

It has a 3-D leafy camo design made from polyester. So you know there is comfort here while being well camouflaged.

This style of suit doesn’t catch onto branches and twigs: it stays clean and dirt-free. It’s well suited for thick brush and allows you to move around freely and quickly with this setup.

The jacket comes with an attached hood with flex cuffs, drawstrings, and zippers. This design helps to keep it secure while still being light and breathable.

The trousers have an adjustable belt and elastic ankle wrap as well.

It’s an affordable option for hunting and animal viewing. So consider the Zicac ghillie suit for your next camouflage needs.

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

HOW TO MAKE A GHILLIE SUIT / DIY GHILLIE SUIT

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If you’re into DIY, then making your own homemade ghillie suit is a worthwhile project.

You can customize the color and texture to fit the exact environment you’ll be wearing. And you’ll save money while getting a sense of accomplishment with a DIY ghillie suit.

Here is a quick guide on how to make a ghillie suit:

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The first thing you need is a camo or BDU uniform jacket. This jacket provides a solid camouflage base that you can build on.

If you start with a solid color, it will take more material for coverage. So research the terrain you are going to be hunting in. Scout out the location and take notes and pictures of the foliage and colors in the landscape.

Now you’ll want to buy some fishing net and cut it into strips around two squares wide. You can sew these down sleeves and on the front and back of the jacket, leaving space between the strips.

Use a strong thread, fishing line, or dental floss, so it won’t easily come undone. You should also use fabric glue for extra strength.

Remember, you’ll be crawling around with this suit. It can easily snag on branches and bushes, so make sure it’s not going to pull apart or shed.

Now it’s time for burlap or jute. Separate the strands (this will take some time) and cut them at 20 – 30″.

You can die them whatever color you’d like. Greens and browns work well for most forest applications. As you are dying the burlap, take some out at different times to get various shades of color.

When you do take some out, pull out a dozen or so strands at a time and fold them in half, making a loop. Feed the loop of “leaves” under the netting and put the ends tight.

Pretty easy, right?

Now keep going until you cover the entire jacket. Fill in bare spots as necessary. Mix the colors around, so you don’t have all green and all brown in one area.

Remember, for most ghillie suits, shoot for a mix of 40% burlap and 60% natural vegetation from your surroundings.

Pack sewing supplies with you so you can add plant material to your ghillie suit.

You can repeat the same process for camo pants. For head coverage, you can use a hat with a large piece of netting.

A custom hood works well and only requires a large oval of netting with burlap tied on.

Finally, give it all some wear. Soak it in mud or drag it through the bush to get some dirt on it. It will also mask the human scent.

The point is, you don’t want to look like you just walked out of a military surplus store.

So rough it up so it will blend in better with the landscape.

Great job! You’ve made a DIY ghillie suit you can be proud of – now go out there and test drive it.

FINAL THOUGHTS

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A ghillie suit is one of those pieces of prepper gear that may seem odd to some folks. But it essential for hiding in plain sight.

Heck, in certain situations, you’d be a sitting duck without a one.

So with its multiple uses (i.e. hunting, combat, or sport)- owning a ghillie suit is simply awesome.

“Just In Case” Jack

P.s. More people than I can count have asked me for this exact road map.

It shows you just how easy it is to achieve a REASSURING Level Of Preparedness.

By following these10 simple steps you’ll be way more prepared than the rest of the FRAGILE MASSES out there!

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The post 9 Best Ghillie Suits (Plus DIY) For Combat, Survival & Hunting appeared first on Skilled Survival.

This article was originally published by Tyler Durden at ZeroHedge. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott elicited criticism from Dr. Fauci and a host of Democrats when he decided to drop all COVID-19-linked restrictions in the Lone Star State back in March. Now, as states across the country are falling in line with President Biden’s aggressive new mask guidance (clearly intended to encourage more holdouts to accept the vaccine) Texas is reporting a milestone that many of these critics once believed unthinkable: On Sunday, the state’s Department of State Health Services reported its first day without single COVID-19 death since March 21, 2020.

Confronted in an interview last month, Dr. Fauci finally acknowledged that he couldn’t explain Texas’ success. And President Biden memorably slammed Republicans in Texas (and in other southern states like Mississippi that followed Texas’ lead) as “Neanderthal-thinking” Republicans.

President Biden on Texas and Mississippi lifting their statewide mask mandates: "I think it's a big mistake…It's critical, critical, critical that they follow the science…" pic.twitter.com/ETcTJw04ij

— CSPAN (@cspan) March 3, 2021

That good news was quickly overshadowed when state officials reported 23 new deaths on Monday, the highest daily count in two months.

Still, as the Houston Chronicle admits, it’s clear Texas has “turned a corner” and that the takeaway from the zero-death day is that the state has done remarkably well in combating COVID.

And in a social media post, Gov. Abbott recently rattled off a host of stats illustrating just how successful the state has been.

Today Texas reported:

* 0 Covid related deaths–the only time that's happened since data was tracked in March, 2020.

* the fewest Covid cases in over 13 months

* the lowest 7-day Covid positivity rate ever

* the lowest Covid hospitalizations in 11 months.

Thanks, Texans!

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 17, 2021

Adding to this, the state reported a record low seven-day positivity rate of 3.9% last week, and cases and hospitalizations have fallen to their lowest marks since last summer.

Funeral homes in the area rejoiced at finally seeing business return to a more normal pace.

Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Homeowner Tripp Carter said they haven’t had a COVID-related service since early March, which she credited in part to Houstonians abiding by precautionary measures.

“We are right in the heart of the city, and so it’s just great that we haven’t seen any more cases,” Carter said. “Houstonians, or at least certainly in the inner loop, were very conscious about following CDC guidelines.”

Texas counted only 624 new confirmed infections on Wednesday according to state data, with a seven-day average of 2,072 new cases per day.

To put this all in context, Texas was reporting nearly 30,000 new cases per day and upward of 400 deaths a day earlier this year. It once was home to the worst outbreak in the country, and last summer became the first state to top 1 million confirmed cases.

Deaths finally began to slow in March, as vaccine eligibility was gradually expanded. To date, 41% of Texans have received at least one vaccine dose, and nearly one in three are fully vaccinated against coronavirus, which lags the rate in many other states.

Now, the state can focus its attention on the new crisis of 2021: the fester crisis at the southern border caused by a surge in migrants responding to Biden’s pledge to welcome immigrants.

At least now, with the COVID numbers down, maybe Biden will deem it safe enough to hold more photo-ops at the border where he lectures the GOP on immigration policy.

The post Two Months After Biden Blasted “Neanderthal Thinking”, Texas Reports Zero COVID Deaths first appeared on SHTF Plan – When It Hits The Fan, Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You.

5/13/21 NOTE – This article and calculator is being finetuned with reader feedback and coding configurations. We are listening to…

This article %Ammo Calculator: How Much Do You Need?% appeared first on %SHTF Blog – Modern Survival%.

Choosing the type of base camp you need is dependent on your gear and the current situation. Here are four types of survival base camps …

Read more4 Types of Base Camps and When to Use Them

The post 4 Types of Base Camps and When to Use Them appeared first on Survival Cache.

***UPDATE: It appears that Israeli statements about the conflict have caused much confusion among news outlets.  Earlier in the day Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus had told the press that there were Israeli ground troops “attacking in Gaza”, but now he has told reporter Alex Ward the following: “Clarification: there are currently no IDF ground troops inside the Gaza Strip. IDF air and ground forces are carrying out strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip.”  So it appears that ground forces are being used to conduct strikes in Gaza, but they have not officially crossed over into Gaza just yet. I apologize for any confusion, and we will continue to monitor further developments.***

The next Middle East war has begun.  Israel has sent troops over the line into Gaza, and Israeli officials are telling us that they will be there for as long as it takes.  Ultimately, the Israeli government didn’t have much of a choice.  Hamas had already fired more than 1,600 rockets into Israeli territory, and the Israeli people were crying out for action.  If someone had fired 1,600 rockets at major U.S. cities, millions upon millions of Americans would literally be begging the Biden administration to nuke whoever did it.  Now that war has started, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pledging that “this operation will continue as long as necessary”…

The Israel Defense Force tweeted from its official account on Thursday night: ‘IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip.’

Military spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus confirmed: ‘There are ground troops attacking in Gaza, together with air forces as well.’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted moments later: ‘The last word was not said and this operation will continue as long as necessary.’

What does that exactly mean?

We don’t know, but it sounds like there is no end in sight for this conflict.

Previously, Defense Minister Benny Gantz had stated that there is “no end date” for airstrikes against Gaza…

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Wednesday that the military operation will continue in the Gaza Strip for as long as necessary and that there is currently no end in sight.

“Israel is not preparing for a ceasefire. There is currently no end date for the operation. Only when we achieve complete quiet can we talk about calm,” Gantz said during a tour of rocket-hit Ashkelon. “We will not listen to moral preaching from any organization or institution regarding our right and duty to protect the citizens of Israel.”

I think that Israeli officials are finally fed up with having rockets being lobbed at them out of Gaza.

Now that Israeli troops have gone in, one of the first jobs will be to neutralize the tens of thousands of rockets that Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad have stockpiled over the years…

Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired more than 1,000 missiles in the first 48 hours of the conflict which began on Monday, an average of one every three minutes, and has enough to keep the bombardment going for two months.

Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus said: ‘According to our estimates we’re talking about between 20,000 and 30,000 rockets in Gaza today, rockets and mortars.

It is going to take some time to achieve that goal, but if the Israelis want the constant bombardment to stop they need to find those weapons.

Beyond that, there are many in the Israeli government that would like to destroy Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza for good.  Both groups have sworn to never stop until Israel is wiped off the map, and so there is no negotiating any sort of a permanent peace with them.

Over the past couple of days, a number of key Hamas targets have been eliminated, and an IDF spokesperson has stated that the terror group is in the process of “losing everything”…

On Thursday morning the IDF bombed government targets, Hamas’s central bank, a force that the Israeli military said belonged to the terror group’s navy unit as well the home of Iyad Tayeb, a top Hamas commander who oversaw a number of battalions. The IDF said that the home was being used for terrorist purposes.

“The organization is losing everything,” IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman told reporters on Thursday morning.

If Hamas and Islamic Jihad lose their grip on Gaza, that would give Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah an opportunity to consolidate control over the Palestinian people.

So even though he would never admit it publicly, I have a feeling that Mahmoud Abbas is very pleased with what is happening right now.

Israel was never going to negotiate a permanent peace deal with the Palestinians as long as Hamas was running Gaza.  But if Hamas and Islamic Jihad are out of the way, that would clear a path for a comprehensive peace plan and the establishment of a “two state solution” that is so greatly coveted by the Biden administration.

Needless to say, any such “peace deal” would be a tragic error, and this is something that I have discussed in numerous other articles.

For the moment, we need to watch and see how this current conflict plays out.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad are no match for the Israeli military.  But now that the IDF is preoccupied in the south, this could be a golden opportunity for Hezbollah to take action in the north.

And if that happened, all of a sudden the Israelis would find themselves fighting a war on two fronts.

As I discussed the other day, Hezbollah has more than 150,000 missiles currently pointed at Israel.  If Hamas and Islamic Jihad were able to overwhelm the Iron Dome system, what would happen if Hezbollah suddenly started launching thousands upon thousands of highly advanced rockets at Israeli cities?

In addition, we need to watch Iran.  The Iranians try to avoid attacking anyone directly, but they could choose to use this moment as an opportunity to strike Israel through various proxies other than Hezbollah.

In the days ahead, keep alert for any attacks against Israel that seem to come from unusual sources.

At some point, there will be open conflict between Israel and Iran, but hopefully that day can be put off for as long as possible.

Of course I always said the same thing about the coming conflict between Israel and Hamas, and now it is here.

I think that Hamas officials realize that Israel intends to destroy the organization, and so they will throw everything that they have got at the Israeli military.

A lot of blood is going to be spilled, and it will be a very messy conflict.

But if Hezbollah jumps in, things will get a whole lot worse.

And if things escalate to a point where Israel and Iran are openly firing missiles back and forth, we would potentially be facing an apocalyptic scenario in the Middle East.

We have entered a time of “wars and rumors of wars”, and the days ahead are certainly going to be very dark for the entire globe.

***Michael’s new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.***

About the Author: My name is Michael Snyder and my brand new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book, I have written four others that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned)  By purchasing the books you help to support the work that my wife and I are doing, and by giving it to others you help to multiply the impact that we are having on people all over the globe.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Parler, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.  During these very challenging times, people will need hope more than ever before, and it is our goal to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we possibly can.

The post IT’S WAR!: Israeli Forces Strike Gaza As The World Braces For A Horrific Conflict In The Middle East first appeared on The Economic Collapse.

Knowing how to make a fire is one of the most important outdoor skills to know, especially in a survival situation.  Having fire gives a …

Read more10 Types of Campfires Preppers Need to Know

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RELATED: Homesteading For Renters: Can It Be Done?

Urban Homestead Radio Episode 107: Growing Soil + Water Wise

In this episode Anais interviews, farm intern and soil steward, Sanjay Gupta. Sanjay shares tips on passive composting, drip irrigation installation and regenerative practices for optimizing healthy soil.

About the Urban Homesteaders: With over 30 years of homestead and farming knowledge, second-generation homesteaders Anais, Justin and Jordanne Dervaes share their modern homestead journey.

Up Next:

• Survivalism Meets Homesteading: The To-Do List
• What Is Urban Survival Syndrome?
• The Evolution Of The Rifle

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