However, as there are but three of us (wife, son, myself), I do not foresee us viably fighting off gangs. As has been noted by many, defending a static position never works.

The groups of gangs themselves will roam around in groups of 2 -4, they'll be armed with something probably stolen and that they have no experience with. Go pick yourself up a nice .308 or larger and practice with this gun. you will be able to hit a man sized target from 700 yards and I doubt that they will be able to return accurate fire without coming closer and exposing themselves even more.

Have any of you considered this sort of "hide in plain sight" approach?

Depands how dire the situation gets, with the collapse of law we will definitely see rapings and beatings, if you have anything on you they'll bash or kill you for it, a nice watch or ring, a necklace, a firearm or knife or even a pair of shoes. and god knows that if there is no food at all and in a group there is a weaker person in the group the threat of cannibalism is high. during world war two there was a lot of cannibalism between the Japanese troops eating the bodies of the fallen Japanese and Australian troups during the Siege of Leningrad and even more recent in 1996 cannibalism was practiced in North Korea. I beleive and hope that we are to civilised now in Western culture to resort to cannibalism but in dire situations people will resort to dire things.

The single biggest issue with bugging-in is fire, standard wood structure homes are very easy to firebomb and therefore they are a death trap, you need to have a bug out plan and a means to get out with enough supplies to last you and your family for several weeks. If you have an elderly or infirm family member you have to come to a decision, one that will be distasteful, it is better to loose one family member than compromise the entire family. These choices will be difficult; I suggest that you at least consider the possibility now.

I suggest anyone who is planning on bugging out, take weekend drives or vacations and cover the areas you planning to bug out through. If there are big events going on in the areas your going through at times, travel through it at that time to see where the choke and problem points will be (you think your bugging out alone, but so are another 150 million people, at least).
Get Geo Survey maps of the ares your plannign on going through, check if the maps have the areas right (lots of changes can happen between map updates). What are the roads like, are there more then one way through, are there fire trails you can take instead, what are the areas like during bad weather, where are gas and facilities areas (They will be packed, count on it).
I think people in Houston and those of us in Texas got a good idea what a bug out will be like on the mild side, when Houston was evacuated a few years ago. Million moving North, East, and West to get out of town. Ask them what they found to be problems faced during that time, and remember that it was with the full police and military support during a mandatory evacuation, not everyone deciding to get out without highways set up for it and many lawless actions occurring, because the LEO are not there to keep watch.
As it was, there were road blockings from cars breaking down, deaths occurred through accidents and medical problems, gas stations out of fuel, shortages of water, supplies, etc. It that happened during an "orderly evactuation" with full support fot eh government, think about what will it be like with so many thinking of everyman or woman for themselevs, without LEO or military support?

If you need a list and map for PAW scavenging,keep a current phone book.It has an alphabetised list of buisness in the yellow pages,and usually a very detailed and updated street annex map of the area that also shows wildlife areas,parks,and waterways.Matt

TigerPaws wrote:The single biggest issue with bugging-in is fire

I could not agree with you more. A single propane tank set up against the wall of a house, with the valve left open for a bit and then a spark. Kaboom! No ordinance required. And after the boom no nasty occupants to deal with as they will be knocked silly or dead... BI can be dangerous if you have smart people looking to get your stuff.

wulfin wrote: (you think your bugging out alone, but so are another 150 million people, at least)

Is a very valid point you have and one that has troubled me about my BOL. I have a farm in the middle of a national Forrest and I am sure there are a number of people who have market as the place they think they will be going. I have a good idea that for the first few weeks I will be busy creating soilient green out of all the uninvited visitors that think my Casa is their Casa.

I have considered the BO and BI scenario and intend to do both. If I have notice (hurricane, Godzilla, etc) I will BO to my BOL. On the other hand if I have no notice (EMP, Bio, etc) I will BI. Either plan is workable and I will be comfortable either way. My biggest concern will be my extended family and their willingness to get with the program in time.