Joe Walker

Ok this may sound odd but decided just had to write. I Am an avid hunter and fisherman that has been living in mainstream society for the entirety of my childhood and adult life. Yet as the years go by especially over the last 4 years in particular I have become increasingly unhappy and disinchanted with my life. To my wife, family and friends everything that I am writing would make absolutely no sense. They all believe that I am living a great life I.e. Job, property (house-cookie cutter subdivision home blahhhh;(. Car, etc etc. But truly none of it is what I want my heart for some reason resides in the wilderness. The only time that I find peace is while I am in the outdoors hunting or fishing. Which thanks to my job I only get to do if I'm lucky on the weekends. Currently selling my house and hoping to use that equity to buy land. BUT catch 22 is my significant others concept of what to do with that land and my ideas are on different ends of the spectrum. I am hoping to try and start a small farmstead/homestead. Yet on same token I've also been considering just dropping off the grid completely Starting a new way of life based on hunter-gatherer lifestyle.i know that life is to short to not live life to the fullest and to find happiness. But to completely change my lifestyle whether it's starting a homestead or drifting as a hunter-gatherer both Come with a ton of questions and honestly fear. I apologize if I am rambling but decided to just throw it all out there to see if anyone had any feedback.

Thank you to everyone that responded I highly appreciate the information and discussion. I apologize that it has taken me so long to respond yet I am unfortunately still immersed in mainstream rat race culture and working on a huge commercial ranch therefore been extremely busy. I will respond more in depth when it's not so late and I am not falling asleep. But the time is getting closer for me to finally make a move toward buying land and doing whatever I can to successfully create a homestead on the property. In process of liquidating my former home and free up vested equity just going thru required snail pace steps. Everyone have a good evening. And look forward to speaking further on the matter.

Never was meant to be true long term solution. But a starter home for temporary housing while building a permeneant structure.

Ok I know that a travel trailer is nor a naturally built hone or the eco-friendly option. BUT what are thoughts on using a Travel/camping trailer as a starter home for a permaculture homestead? Going over finances and costs of purchasing land, cultivating the land etc. The one option I can definitely afford for starter home on a homestead is travel/camping trailer. That way can pUT majproto of mone into buYing the land outright, seeds, building a barn and paying for solar snd other off grid upgrades without having to get a loan. Has anyone ever gone this route? Anyone ever converted a camper to run off solar power, solar water etc? Appreciate any feedback including negative feedback. Do not hold back I'm newbie but eager aMD just trying to find ways to make dream work on budget.

I'm currently located in alabama. But I will travel.

Thank you for that input. Please keep it coming. Any advice on dvd's to watch or books to read about permaculture/small farm start up?

If anyone ever has any issues with coyotes or other predators that can't be solved by using guard dogs, fencing etc snd you need a helping hand. Than keep me in mind. I've been hunting and rededucating coyotes for over a decade. Unlike alot of coyote and predator hunters aND trappers who just want to kill every coyote or wolve or bear they can. I try to provide a free service to landowners but also maintain a natural balance. I do not like to use traps. I prefer to not even have to kill an animal unless other measures fail first which if they do I am good at what I do. Can be reached via livewildforlife@Gmail.Com

I have been primarily coyote hunter and outdoorsman for decade. Have spent days in the woods of different states from indiana to alabama to south Carolina. Not only have I heard pretty reliable stories from fellow outdoorsman regarding big cats in various areas. I've had several questionable encounters at night. Now am I sure that they are eastern pumas? No. Personally the encounters I've had could of been large bobcats it's not easy to make a good ID at night. But the other evidence from stories to deer carcass in trees, trail cam pics, and tracks all point to big cats definitely roaming east of mississippi river from time to time. But are these big cats eastern pumas or are they mountain lions from out west coming from places like nebraska, texas, Missouri, south Dakota that are expanding their territory back into historical ranges? I can't say for sure that there isn't eastern pumas still alive in isolated pockets. But the mountain lions that have been killed by Illinois and kentucky game wardens. Definitely supports theory of mountain lions trying to reclaim lost turf. I truly hope that either their is still isolated pockets of eastern pumas alive or the mountain lions from out west can succeed at reclaiming lost territory. They deserve a place in the east just like they do in the west. If we could just get game wardens and hunters to quit killing them maybe they'd have a chance.

Ok a recent turn of events has allowed me to realistically think about starting my own small farm/homestead. But I'd like as much advice as i can get. If I were considering buying land anywhere between applachian mountains and rockies. How much money would I need to start a small farm. Say small house or cabin preferably off grid, barn, on up to 50 acres. I come from real estate market. But understanding real estate values does not mean I've got good grasp on farm start up costs. I'd like to get any and all advice and input. Don't hold back Lay it on me.

I'm highly interested in this opportunity. I'm hard worker, outdoorsman, grew up working on farms and originally from indiana. Please email me livewildforlife@gmail.com