| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Sep 08 2008 : 7:55:49 PM
What do you do to protect yourself out on your farms. I am not a gun person but I do have a Rottweiler although she's a little too friendly in my book....but I am moving to a rural area I am not familiar with and want to know how to protect myself. I won't have neighbors close by but will be on a gravel road off the highway.
I used to live in the country for 20 years but I knew everyone but this is a new area for me and I know as I get older I get a little more concerned. Especially when I'm asleep...I sleep like a rock!
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't want to be scared or unsafe in my new home. I was thinking of a security system of some kind.
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 01 2009 : 5:02:01 PM
I have vapor lights all over, plus motion detector lights, 3 outside dogs, locked gates, 3 adults in 2 differant houses, and we all know how to use guns, very well.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| Celticheart |
Posted - Aug 01 2009 : 4:22:47 PM
We live on a main highway and this hasn't been an issue for us until the past three months or so. We always lock-up, etc., but don't have any kind of a security system. We have some lighting but need more. What we do have is a very smart, barking dog. She's a Chow-Shepherd mix. Nobody sneaks around outside on her turf. She won't let anybody in the front door anyway. She knows that friends use the backdoor and only strangers come to the front.
Just two nights ago, for the second time in three month, she woke us up barking. And she won't stop until we're both up. The first time it was someone who had broken down in front of our driveway. They didn't come anywhere near the house and we called the Sheriff's office to help them. But...the other night it was somebody at our back door even with her barking. This guy claimed to be out of gas(my DH and 'the dog' talked to him through the door). He left after I had called the Sheriff's office but before the deputy got here. It was all very fishy.
Anyway, we talked about all of this later. We'll be getting more outside lights and I'm learning to shoot the gun. We're also getting some kind of security system so we know when somebody pulls into the driveway. My DH is a truck driver and is out of town quite a bit so we really do need all of these things anyway. But, we love out dog! She got lots of hugs and kisses and extra treats that night.
It's not about being perfect, but enjoying what you do. Set aside time to be creative.
Robyn Pandolph
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| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 24 2008 : 7:30:32 PM
I too, live in the middle of nowhere...neighbors each on 5 to 100 acres....we leave keys in cars, doors unlocked and so on....but, I do have a Livestock Guardian Dog, big, white and she hides around corners in the night.....The hispanics around here dont come around, the word got out she will eat the legs off anyone who dares to try and hurt my Dh and I....(not really, my Grandbabies hang and crawl all over her)....sooooo, if they want to think they will get ate,,so be it!!! Hugs...
Terri
Farmgirls are Farmgirls no matter where or how we live.....we can't help it! ;)
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| Kris Sherrill |
Posted - Sep 23 2008 : 8:25:16 PM
Ya'll needto live out here in the middle of nowhere. I have left my purse in the car for days with the keys in the ignition. I never lock my doors when I leave and sometimes have come home and the doors are still open because I forgot to shut them. I know this sounds careless and stupid to do but I have never had any reason to be afraid. I even sleep with a fan on for a little background noise.
I have 2 11 year old Rat Terriers that bark at the wind blowing. They also attack ankles.
I have 18 guinneas that are great gaurddogs! And I keep my lab in at night in his crate in the living room. But he is the reason I'm not too worried. He does not like men for some reason and I have to hold him back when strange people come up.
My computer is really slow, but when I saw the top of the picture of the snake, I almost screamed. Now that scares me! I hate them.
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| misstilliewillie |
Posted - Sep 23 2008 : 6:19:01 PM
I was looking through some photos on my computer, and found this one. I had forgotten about taking this. This is THE snake my guinea called out a warning about while I was weedeating right by my driveway! She just kept going around and around in circles around me calling out a warning...guineas are SO loud!...the snake was probably rattling all over the place while I was blithely weedeating...I didn't hear it, but I heard her! That snake aggressively came after me...he was so mad! My first reaction? Shoot it and run! I guess that little guinea saved me!
livin' the sweet life! |
| paradiseplantation |
Posted - Sep 23 2008 : 2:13:06 PM
I'm an advocate of at least one rifle, shotgun or pistol ~ but make sure you take a gun safety class, first! And it wouldn't hurt to take a women's self defense class, too. Check with your local sheriff's department. I know ours offers both types of class.We have guineas and three dogs as our early warning system, but thankfully, we haven't had any problems so far.
from the hearts of paradise... |
| clux64 |
Posted - Sep 11 2008 : 06:13:08 AM
A gun is certainly a good way to defend yourself...just make sure you know how to use it. A lawyer I used to work for used to warn me about guns saying that there are many people shot by their own guns by an intruder because a novice gun owner can so easily be disarmed. I've lived in the country for 12 years now and I still maintain that the best first line of defense is a big, barking dog or two. I have had many, many, many service people pull up in the driveway and call me from their vehicle to ask if my barking dogs were friendly (extremely so...wouldn't hurt a fly, but I would never tell). In fact, my old farm dog Ajax just passed away and I feel a bit exposed so I'm in the market for a new, barking dog. Big, black dogs seem to be the scariest for some reason.
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious
www.urbanprairiehome.blogspot.com
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| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 11 2008 : 05:59:43 AM
Well, instead of a dresser, what my grandfather in law does (lives in a bad part of Brooklyn), is he has like oh.....hmmm.....metal (big heavy metal), things on each side of the door, they are screwed into more metal. I'm trying to think of the right word, and can't. But, any way, he has a big two by four, that he slides into these metal things every night. He keeps the 2x4 by the door. Only takes a moment, he also locks the door! lol But, no one is getting in with that 2x4 there! I remember when we were living in a apartment above them, but had to use the same door. My husband was working the 4-12 shift. And his grandfather didn't know. And assumed my husband was upstairs in our apt in bed. And my husband had to call me, and say he couldn't get in! lol I went down there (scared to death! lol) And seen the 2x4. The next day we talked to G-pa about it. And after that my husband was the one in charge of putting the board there! lol After he got home! lol haha G-pa didn't know, cause my husband works rotating shifts, and every week is on a different shift. So he had thought like the week before that my husband was home and probably in bed, and put it up and went to bed! lol
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 7:24:22 PM
Hey Nancy...I like the way your Aunt thinks! The locksmith and bedroom door lock is a good idea too....I'm not sure I would want to move the dresser every night though! LOL! This house I'm in now is like Fort Knox...my Dad built it and it is one story but the basement is raised so the house windows are higher up and they are crank out with 3 panes of glass. Solid core wood doors on the outside, deadbolts and it would take a lot to get in here! I never worry here at all. But the farm I'm looking at is isolated on a gravel road and built in the 1900's with no central air so windows are regular and would be open in summer....yada yada yada.....so, a gun, another dog, a fence with an automatic gate more so my dogs don't get run over in the road, farm lights etc....I think I'm good to go with all the advice from all of you! Oh...and I am for sure getting those guinea hens!!!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 7:16:14 PM
Glory....thanks you for sharing that...I know it probably wasn't easy to relive it here on the boards but you made a point with me and I will take that course and learn how to take resposiblity for my own protection and safety. You have all given me wonderful advice and I have never been a fearful person but as I age and the world changes I find myself feeling more vulnerable and not strong and fearless like I used to feel. I am taking back my strength and facing my fears! I was even thinking of moving to town when I KNOW I want to live in the country....but I am also very practical and problem solving logical so I love all your suggestions and I will take you up on all of them! Thank you girlfriends! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you all!
Julie....I have the house for sale here and I am moving to Illinois....the family is in Iowa, along with the ex and his wife and 21 years of having raised our children there....it was time for a change for me so I sold my little farm there and came down here to fix up and either sell my folks house or stay here but after moving down here the grandchildren started arriving and I really would like to be closer to them...not too close though! But this next house will not have any memories except for the ones I make there myself with my children and grandchildren and I think it will be better for all of us. I think it was hard for my children to come back to the farm in Iowa with all its memories and I wanted to move on but it was like they were stuck and wanted me to be also. NOPE! I tore off the rearview mirrors and moved on down the highway of life! I am eternally grateful to God for helping me find you all! You are the BESTEST!!!! I love you all!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
| marcy jo |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 3:40:54 PM
You're right. It is better to be prepared. I have never been a gun person and was shocked to learn that family members owned them. I was intimidated by guns until I learned how to handle them. If needed I can fire one, maybe not with complete accuracy, but I can do it. I also know that I am ready to own my own. My little dog is great protection she even barks at the kids if they are coming in later than usual. She may not always be there and it is better to be prepared. |
| misstilliewillie |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 3:29:26 PM
I was thinking while doing a little work outside about the gun thing, and I wanted to add this.
I made myself a vow. I would learn to shoot a gun, use a gun, load a gun, clean a gun and have a gun. Not out of fear...but out of the desire to be a capable, aware person.
livin' the sweet life! |
| luvnlife |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 10:51:23 AM
Although you said you weren't a gun person, if you do decide to get one, I suggest a shotgun. My Dad is a retire reserve policeman and he said if you discharge a gun inside the house, count on one shot. You won't be able to see well due to the muzzle blast and you won't be able to hear well due to the bang. You want to hit what you were aiming for and a shotgun is your best bet. Also, go around your place and try to think like a burglar. Install lighting in dark corners, remove hedges from under windows, put up no trespassing signs and beware of dog signs, even if your's is a lover and not a fighter. No one else knows that. Another good thing to do is to keep a set of car keys near your bed. You can activate the alarm from the remote (if you have one) and the sound can scare someone off, or if you need to escape, you have keys ready in hand. My local Sheriff's office recommends installing deadbolts into steel pipe into the doorframe, typical deadbolts can be kicked in by splintering the doorframe's wood. Lighting was the #1 thing they recommended. Low sodium lights are cheap to run and low maintenance and have an eye to turn on and off with the daylight. Motion lights are second on the list. I have one right by my back door. The dogs trip it all the time but I would rather have that than a darkened doorway. Best of luck!
Family life is the source of the greatest human happiness. This happiness is the simplest and least costly kind, and it cannot be purchased with money~Havighurst
Farmgirl Sister #306 :) |
| Jami |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 08:04:33 AM
An obnoxious dog (or 2), a gun and a driveway gate. When hubby is gone, I am ready with all 3--if anyone tries to drive up to our place, they have to stop to open a gate (I keep it closed if he's gone, otherwise it's open), this alerts the dogs to bark and gives me time to get the gun out and shoes on ready to rumble. Of course, I've never had to do this but a farmgirl should be prepared!
A security system would scare me to death if it went off...I'd probably have a heart attack before any perpetrator could get hold of me. Ever burn toast and have the smoke detectors go off? I about go off the deep end just hearing them.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| chickabella |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 04:57:25 AM
Between the Great Pyrenees pups and the geese, there's enough racket to nearly wake the dead on our property. Thankfully, our neighbors are buffered by many trees, and say they don't hear too much (or are just being polite, *lol*). We also have a shotgun, and I third misstilliewillie's recommendation on taking a class. The nice thing about shotguns is you can get shells with rock salt or bird shot that will put a hurtin' on, but not kill, the intruder on the first shot. The second shell can have the real thing in it, in case the intruder doesn't take the first hint to LEAVE NOW. Good luck to you!
Farm blog: http://farmnatters.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dasparky
Heart of Texas Farmgirls Chapter; Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #275
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| kmbrown |
Posted - Sep 10 2008 : 04:17:49 AM
Amen to misstilliewillie!
I agree that if you are willing to take a class and understand the gun and how it works it will be your best friend. I was always afraid of them too, especially with children...but once I understood how they work and applied extra safety features, I don't think I would sleep well at night without one!
Just make sure you practice so you know what your doing if the time ever arises that you need it. Mine gives a pretty good kick and it took a bit of bracing and practice to get it!!! |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Sep 09 2008 : 3:17:05 PM
Sam are you going to Iowa? I missed something! We have 3 English Mastiffs. They seem to do the trick. I do have a gun that I am traned to use but I hope I never have to.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
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| misstilliewillie |
Posted - Sep 09 2008 : 12:30:33 PM
Just wanted to say this...I took a local gun safety course called Armed & Aware...and I encourage you (and every woman, really!), to take a course, get familiar with handling a gun, because it could be your very best friend. It makes me feel capable being able to shoot well!
And with a shotgun, after learning how to load it...the only thing you need to do if needed...is point and pull the trigger!
livin' the sweet life! |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Sep 09 2008 : 10:04:07 AM
Not that you would want to do this, but My aunt locks her bedroom door at night, and sometimes puts a dresser in front of the door, She is a bit on the nervous side. But one big thing is to always have a cell phone near where you can call out if you need to. Thats handy if you just happen to lock yourself in the cellar by mistake. But lights and a good locksmith are a good idea.
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Sep 09 2008 : 08:25:32 AM
Thsnk you! These are all really good ideas....and yes, my rottie does run out the door to greet people smelling them and always getting between me and the other person so I guess that's a good thing. And the guineas! I have heard that and that is something I will do and the lights for sure. Maybe I could take a gun course and get over my fear of them.
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
| mrsmorgen |
Posted - Sep 09 2008 : 08:01:43 AM
We have a Saint Bernard to deter any uninvited guests. He is as sweet as can be but he is a deterent at almost 200 lbs. I always joke it gives my 11 year old time to load the gun when Dad is out of town. We are really out too but on a camp road so we get a lot of strangers on the road. I am NOT a gun person but we do keep a shotgun at close range. Our ducks do make a racket when disturbed at night. The hunting store owner here is selling personal tazers now. I think I could handle that to protect myself. I think lights are a big deterent and if a security system is available it might not be a bad idea.
morgen
I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all..
laura ingalls wilder
www.laubers.blogspot.com |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Sep 09 2008 : 06:31:19 AM
We used to have a rottie too. She was a rescue, and so gentle that my youngest would teethe on her ears and she would just lay there and take it, but if another animal came around watch out! As for real security we use a gun and motion detector lights. We even put 1 up in the garden this year because of an article we had seen in the newspaper of people steeling food from peoples gardens. Even though we are far enough out I don't think that would be a problem, we at least know if there is a critter in the garden.
Lillian |
| misstilliewillie |
Posted - Sep 08 2008 : 9:10:40 PM
A couple of geese will make a serious amount of racket if somebody, anybody really, approaches your house. Guineas are really good watchdogs, too...they will sound the alarm if anything is out of the ordinary or coming around. Animal or human. I had one that let me know a snake was right at my feet while I was weedeating...she just kept circling around it and alarm calling.
I had a rottie, too...and he was a big, sweet baby...but get too close to me...and he would come around and just quietly stand between me and whomever! I bet your girl would be all hackled up and ready to fight if anybody got too close to you!
But my favorite thing is a big ole shotgun fully loaded with buckshot standing at the ready. That levels the playing field as quick as anything...and gives such an immense sense of security and peace of mind...just knowing it is there! But hopefully NEVER needed!
Good luck in your new place~
livin' the sweet life! |
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