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Friday, February 4, 2011

Reply: retreat in Canada

I feel your pain.
I'm Canadian and I too have left the city and moved over an hour away from the nearest metropolis. Fuel prices are a growing concern. Many of the locals are very nosy, and break ins are on the rise. I was fortunate to land next to some very nice people and my neighbours so far are simply awesome. Because of one particular neighbour who is now a good friend, I have met some of the better people that inhabit this area. Farmers and tradesmen and such. It only takes one good person. Your best bet for security in the country is a dog. A big, mean looking dog that barks at everyone. 95% of the time thieves will go elsewhere because of a dog. Get some signs and out them up, warning of the dog. Alarm system signs are a help as well. Those three things together are enough to deter most thieves and criminals. Country criminals are mostly looking for cash, tools, equipment and booze. A lot of them are kids. Burglar bars will look out of place on a country home in Canada and will scream "weirdo" or " I have valuable items in here." If you feel the need to protect your windows get shutters instead. Its a better look, and will offer protection against bad weather and glass breakage. If you go this route reinforce the doors as well. Don't forget the dog. Being isolated, a determined burglar will just cut through anything you have because do one can see or hear him. The dog CAN bite him.

Dogs are a great early warning system too. I would not talk about your ideals to locals. It will mark you as a weirdo and also may give them the idea you will have food and supplies when something finally does go down. You don't want to have to fight them off. Pistols in Canada are easy to get. Go take the Restricted Firearms course (about $50), make the application ($60) and as long as you pass the background check you are good to go. You'll need a range membership for "authorization to transport" which includes bringing one home. Its a bit of a PITA but worth it. Join a range that offers IPSC or IDPA which is combat style pistol shooting. It is a great load of fun and excellent practice. All is not lost. You've made a good decision but the adjustment period is rough.
Good luck
By StealthFarmer on Retreat in Canada at 8:32 AM
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4 comments:

russell1200 said...

I don't know about Canada, but in rural U.S., bars on the windows are viewed as signs of major problems.

They are not the easiest to retrofit, but on new construction exterior shutters are another option.

They also make interior shutters, but I think those are usually for insulating older windows. I don't know how effective they are as an entry deterrent.

fitpro said...

Hi,

It sounds like you are in a beautiful counry setting. prper precautions should make your house a tough target for criminals.
One thing I wanted to comment on was the sentence that said certain organizations ran "combat style" competitions. I'm a combat pistol instructor and what those organizations run are games, nothing more, nothing less. In a real fight you will have little to no warning of the attack, may have problems even accessing your primary weapon, and you will never get a "traditional" sight picture. You will be point shooting, without looking at your sights, the entire time.
Good luck. I hope your new country home is everything you want.

StealthFarmer said...

Fitpro, I partially agree with what you are saying about the "combat style" competition. It is not true combat training but does teach you to shoot and move with speed and accuracy while under the stress of competition and a timer. It is not combat training. However, true combat training is unable to be had in my part of Canada unless, you are police, military or armed guard. Its all we got because it is against the law to buy a pistol for self defence in Canada.

Anonymous said...

I was always under the impression handguns were strictly forbidden in Canada! I'm pleasantly surprised.