Although this isn't pertinent to gaming girls, many of us see the clouds on the horizon and may be looking for a safe place to land should the balloon go up. This was part of my decision calculus for selecting Idaho, I hope it is useful.
Absolutely, although it's really six of one, half dozen of the other when comparing most of the other redoubt states.
![[Image: redoubt-300x188.jpg]](https://survivalblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/redoubt-300x188.jpg)
Above is what constitutes the "American Redoubt"
Even though they have superior growing seasons eastern WA and OR are out of the running right away in my opinion, ruled by the coastal population centers they are simply politically untenable. OR is mostly blue already, and WA has the thinnest of red majorities in the state legislature. So that leaves the big 3: ID, MT, and WY.
There are a number of reasons why I think Idaho is ideal for SHTF purposes.
Water
Water stats according to the USGS.
ID - 1.1%
MT - 1.0%
WY - 0.7%
Growing Season/Weather
Below are the USDA growing zones for the 3 states. Most of N. Idaho is favorable for growing, and has a full 4 seasons due to a microclimate between the mountain ranges. Idaho has many agricultural strengths such as timber, livestock, grains, and potatoes. MT only has a small area in the Silver Valley that is a zone 6. WY is even worse. Winters in the pink/purple/blue areas come early and stay late, with some counties in WY reporting snow in every month of the year.
[attachment=32878]
[attachment=32879]
[attachment=32880]
Defensible Terrain
North Idaho is separated from southern/central Idaho by the Sawtooth and Bitterroot Mountain ranges, from the great Plains by the northern Rocky Mountains, and from the west by the Cascade range. [tinfoil] The theory is that when the UN forces invade the US to subdue and disarm us they will have trouble affecting a mechanized response. [/tinfoil] WY and much of MT is very barren open country.
Self sufficiency and trade
Idaho has both an international border, and a river port to facilitate trade at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Lewiston. While not as good as a seacoast with a deepwater port, its far better than being land locked.
Cant forget to throw this out there...
Wyoming does have an ace in the hole, in that it contains an absurd amount of energy units. Coal, oil, nat gas, and minerals.
Montana has some oil and minerals, but mostly agriculture.
Taxes
Total tax burden
- Idaho 7.87% Has a higher income tax, but lower property tax
- Montana 7.71% No sales tax, but higher property tax
- Wyoming 7.62% No income tax, lower sales tax
Link to tax burdens by state
Final thoughts
These are a few of the major factors that swayed me towards Idaho. It is by no means all inclusive, or the last word on the matter. Some first impressions of the other states surely shaped my perception (perhaps wrongly) and made things easier for me personally to arrive at this conclusion.
Idaho - America's Switzerland, with the price tag to match.
Montana - 50% cattle ranch, 50% cold ass mountains.
Wyoming - Windy, barren wasteland with cheap land and no girls.
Quote: (07-26-2016 08:37 PM)Off The Reservation Wrote:
Thanks for this. I was just studying the maps there and MT planning a trip.
Question, do locals consider themselves in a good SHTF location?
Absolutely, although it's really six of one, half dozen of the other when comparing most of the other redoubt states.
Above is what constitutes the "American Redoubt"
Even though they have superior growing seasons eastern WA and OR are out of the running right away in my opinion, ruled by the coastal population centers they are simply politically untenable. OR is mostly blue already, and WA has the thinnest of red majorities in the state legislature. So that leaves the big 3: ID, MT, and WY.
There are a number of reasons why I think Idaho is ideal for SHTF purposes.
Water
Water stats according to the USGS.
ID - 1.1%
MT - 1.0%
WY - 0.7%
Growing Season/Weather
Below are the USDA growing zones for the 3 states. Most of N. Idaho is favorable for growing, and has a full 4 seasons due to a microclimate between the mountain ranges. Idaho has many agricultural strengths such as timber, livestock, grains, and potatoes. MT only has a small area in the Silver Valley that is a zone 6. WY is even worse. Winters in the pink/purple/blue areas come early and stay late, with some counties in WY reporting snow in every month of the year.
[attachment=32878]
[attachment=32879]
[attachment=32880]
Defensible Terrain
North Idaho is separated from southern/central Idaho by the Sawtooth and Bitterroot Mountain ranges, from the great Plains by the northern Rocky Mountains, and from the west by the Cascade range. [tinfoil] The theory is that when the UN forces invade the US to subdue and disarm us they will have trouble affecting a mechanized response. [/tinfoil] WY and much of MT is very barren open country.
Self sufficiency and trade
Idaho has both an international border, and a river port to facilitate trade at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Lewiston. While not as good as a seacoast with a deepwater port, its far better than being land locked.
Cant forget to throw this out there...
Quote:Quote:
Ammunition manufacturing maintains a very important and growing presence in Lewiston, being the headquarters of ammunition makers, CCI and Speer Bullet.
Wyoming does have an ace in the hole, in that it contains an absurd amount of energy units. Coal, oil, nat gas, and minerals.
Montana has some oil and minerals, but mostly agriculture.
Taxes
Total tax burden
- Idaho 7.87% Has a higher income tax, but lower property tax
- Montana 7.71% No sales tax, but higher property tax
- Wyoming 7.62% No income tax, lower sales tax
Link to tax burdens by state
Final thoughts
These are a few of the major factors that swayed me towards Idaho. It is by no means all inclusive, or the last word on the matter. Some first impressions of the other states surely shaped my perception (perhaps wrongly) and made things easier for me personally to arrive at this conclusion.
Idaho - America's Switzerland, with the price tag to match.
Montana - 50% cattle ranch, 50% cold ass mountains.
Wyoming - Windy, barren wasteland with cheap land and no girls.