Imagine you're out somewhere, far away from supermarkets, delivery services or the nearest petrol station. Your stock of tinned food is running low, the last packet of pasta has been used up and it's not clear when supplies will arrive. What's left? Nature.
This is exactly where an ancient skill that our ancestors have perfected over thousands of years begins: Hunting, trapping, fishing. Skills that are often only considered a „hobby“ today were once the basis of survival. For preppers, they are more than just a nostalgic throwback to the past. They are a practical, sometimes even crucial building block in crisis preparedness.
Why hunting, trapping and fishing are so important
Food supplies don't last forever. Cans get dented, jars break, even dried food has an expiry date at some point. If you want to prepare for the long term, you can avoid the topic of Foraging in the wilderness not around.
- Hunting provides concentrated protein and fat. A hunted rabbit or deer can feed a family for days.
- Traps are the silent version: while you are chopping wood or filtering water, they work in the background.
- Fishing is comparatively efficient: with a simple line, a hook and a little patience, food can be obtained that is not only filling but also provides valuable nutrients.
Of course, this knowledge is no substitute for modern agriculture. But it buys time, it bridges bottlenecks - and it provides security.
The legal and ethical side
Before we go any deeper: Hunting, trapping and fishing are strictly regulated in Germany. No one is allowed to shoot wild animals without a hunting license, traps are subject to laws, and even fishing is subject to tests and regulations.
For preppers, this means two things:
- Respect for the rules in everyday life - nobody should be killing animals illegally right now.
- Acquire knowledge in advance - In an emergency, this knowledge can be decisive without having to break the law in advance.
In short: you can practise, learn and prepare. But the implementation belongs in the event of a crisis - or in legal frameworks such as hunting training or fishing licenses.
Hunting - the active search
Hunting requires not only equipment, but above all patience, observation skills and respect. It is exhausting, often hours of silent waiting, sometimes unsuccessful.
What you should bear in mind:
- Read tracksFootprints in the mud, broken branches, droppings. Animals leave traces that reveal a lot.
- Wind directionAn animal often smells you before it sees you. Position yourself so that the wind blows from it to you.
- Movement: Jerky gestures drive game away. Slow, calm movements are crucial.
Useful hunting tools (in an emergency, not in everyday life):
- Bow or crossbow - quiet, but challenging.
- Air rifle (in crisis scenarios, otherwise hardly legally usable).
- Spears or improvised weapons - old, but effective with practice.
Hunting is the most active, but also the most energy-intensive form of food procurement. This is why it is often plan B for preppers when other methods are not sufficient.
Trapping - when nature works for you
Traps are strictly forbidden in everyday life. But in a real crisis scenario, they would be invaluable. The advantage: they work without the need for constant presence.
Basic principles:
- Traps should inconspicuous animals must not smell them.
- You must on walkways small footpaths in the grass, access to water points.
- Simple mechanics is better than complicated systems.
Examples of simple traps:
- Snare trap - a wire or cord sling that is attached to a branch and tightens when slipping through.
- Tilt or footboard trap - a mechanism in which the animal activates a trigger with its weight.
- Box trap - alive, but costly; practical for smaller animals such as rabbits.
Here is a brief overview:
| Trap type | Target animals | Difficulty | Remark |
| Sling | Hare, rabbit | light | String or wire required |
| Footboard trap | Birds, small animals | medium | requires precise construction |
| Box trap | Rabbit, marten | high | Costly, but reusable |
Traps require a sure instinct. And they are not just technology, but also a piece of psychology: you have to put yourself in the animal's shoes and predict its path and behavior.
Fishing - food from rivers and lakes
In contrast to hunting, fishing is often the most efficient method of obtaining animal protein. Even a simple stick with a string can be enough to secure a meal.
Basic methods:
- Fishing with hooksclassic, requires patience.
- Fish traps and nets: work like traps, run passively.
- Spearfishingrequires skill and clear water.
- Improvised methodsFor example, using stones to build small pools in which to catch fish.
Useful tips:
- Fish are often more active at sunrise and sunset.
- Shady spots, overhanging branches or current edges are good fishing spots.
- Worms, insects or small pieces of offal can also be used as bait.
What preppers really need - the equipment
Of course, you can achieve a lot with improvisation. But if you are prepared, have small, robust tools ready.
Useful basic equipment:
- Fishing line & hooks (weigh hardly anything, fit in every tin).
- Paracord (for slings or nets).
- A robust knife.
- Small wire cages or collapsible nets.
- Lighter or fire steel - fish is difficult to eat without fire.
The psychological aspect - hunting also means enduring
Many people underestimate how much of an internal hurdle the killing of animals is. Those who have not grown up on a farm may not know this feeling. But it's true: shooting or killing animals is not easy. And that's a good thing - respect for life is important.
But in an emergency situation, the perspective changes. What counts then is provision, survival. Those who think about this in advance and are aware of what it means are less likely to be caught off guard later on.
Training and preparation
You can practise many things without breaking the law:
- Track reading on hikes.
- Practice traps build (without triggering them).
- Fishing with a fishing license - a legal way to train for emergencies.
- Knots and rope techniques learn to build traps or nets.
This creates knowledge that remains stored in your head, even if you don't use it all the time.
Practical scenarios
An example: You've been out in nature for days and your supplies are dwindling. You set a simple snare at the edge of the forest while sitting by the stream with an improvised fishing rod. Maybe you don't catch anything, maybe it takes hours. But at some point, you hook a fish or trap a rabbit. And that moment changes the situation completely - from uncertainty to power.
It's like a small victory against addiction.
Conclusion - old knowledge, new value
Hunting, trapping and fishing are not romantic adventure techniques, but age-old, tried and tested methods of procuring food. For preppers, they are an additional tool in the large toolbox of crisis preparedness.
They demand respect, practice and knowledge - and that is precisely what makes them so valuable. Because those who are prepared not only carry equipment with them, but also self-confidence.
Perhaps that is the most important message: in a world that is sometimes more fragile than it seems, a hook, a noose or a simple cord can make all the difference - between dependence and self-determination, between uncertainty and serenity.
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