7 Tips For Scouting & Scavenging Post-Apocalypse
Finding food and other supplies is essential. You’re going to have to use all of your knowledge and skill just to stay alive. To do this, you’re going to need the right tools. You have to travel light yet be prepared for anything. You have to have all the right equipment for any situation you encounter, but not burden yourself with too much weight. When you’ll be scouting alone or with a group, tactical gear is a must. Carrying a shotgun and a backpack just isn’t going to cut it. This article will cover everything you’re going to need for a day long scouting mission on foot.
- Main Weapon: Since anything that uses non military style ammo is probably going to be harder to find in large ammounts, you’re going to have to find a military rifle. As far as customization, versatility, weight, ammo availability, and ease of use, ZAC suggests the M4/AR-15 or the Ak-47. Either of which can be used as a close quarters weapon, and still make a kill shot at up to 300 yards.
- Backup weapon: Any pistol that you are comfortable with. Preferrably a semi-auto as revolvers take longer to reload and hold less ammo.
- Load Bearing: ZAC suggests using a military loadbearing “Y” or “H” style harness combined with a web belt, preferably a padded one. Also a small dump bag or alice bag should be worn for carrying a days worth of food and for bringing back your empty mags.
- Ammo Capacity: Since you will possibly be dealing with insanely overwhelming numbers, you’re going to have to carry A LOT of ammo. Ammo will make up the bulk of the weight you’ll have to carry, but if you have to shoot your way out of a crowd of zombies, the load will get lighter. ZAC suggests that you have the ability to carry at least 300 rounds of ammo for your main weapon, and 100 for your backup weapon.
- Needed Tools: Since you’ll only be out for a day, you won’t need to carry a full compliment of tools, only ones essential for survival, working, and breaking and entering. ZAC suggests a Rothco Survival hatchet, which works as a hammer, axe, pry bar, and nail remover. A good knife that is at least 6 inches long, and a machete for clearing brush or as a last resort weapon.
- Food and Water: You can take whatever you want as a meal, from sandwiches to an M.R.E., just make sure you can eat it with little or no preparation, as you may have to eat it on the move. Also, anything that will spoil is a bad idea, so no chicken/tuna salad. As far as water, you need at least a gallon of water a day to survive, so take two quart sized military canteens, and water purification tablets just in case you refill your canteens from a possibly contaminated water source.
- Misc. Items: There are a few other needed things that aren’t covered by the categories above, such as a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes, sunscreen for those hot summer days, and a poncho for rainy days.
Use common sense to select items for each day as needs will change from day to day.
Stay safe. Stay informed. Stay alive.
NOTE: Special thanks to user Angryvikingman for submitting this article.
Comments (26)
Ronin666 on 22 Jul 2009 at 4:27 am #
Different slant on things here as getting a military caliber semi auto simply ain’t gonna happen unless I find a dead soldier and considering there aren’t any soldiers for 100miles from me that’s VERY remote.
Primary and secondary weapons will both use the same ammo. 357 in a 686 and a lever action rifle.You can top up the rifle as you go at any time, and speed loaders for the revolver solves that problem.I don’t know about you younger blokes but I can’t run carrying 400 rounds of ammo. 200 is plenty, learn to point shoot, don’t waste it.
Webbing rigs are great but a decent pack is much easier and quicker to grab and run,( I’ve been abusing Maxpedition gear for years and haven’t had it fail yet) also less bits hanging off it to get caught on things.Take those dam zip pulls off the zippers, run thru some bush and tell me how they don’t get caught on stuff.Get a good duty belt to carry your side arm and ammo.
Tools, Stanley Fubar is the way to go, its a hammer, a wrench,a prybar and a head splitter all in one. A kuhkri knife of a decent size will take car of hacking /cutting/slashing tasks,a multi tool of some sort for smaller delicate jobs.
Water.. most good back packs have provision for a water bladder, fill it before leaving your fortress/hiding place or whenever fresh water presents itself.For a 1 day excursion. pack 2 days worth of food, just in case you can’t make it home.
Other stuff… binoclulars or even a scope on your primary weapon, will give you a good idea of what lays ahead.A small basic first aid kit is a must and depending on the locality either warm or waterproof extra clothes. A space blanket takes up very little space and is light,also you can get light weight rain suits that fold up to the size of your fist.Well worth packing if the weather is doubtfull.Also pack a torch and matches.
Angryvikingman on 22 Jul 2009 at 6:10 am #
I can shoot just fine, but I would rather have lots of ammo. You’ll eventually get used to the weight. Generally I’ll hold my rig straight out from my body with one hand, and if I cant hold it up there, then its too heavy. I’ve got my rig a little more ammo heavy than the one described above and I can wear it all day just fine. Granted mine is spread out all over the web belt, so it all doesnt sit in one place and seem heavier in one place than any other. I carry 16 mags for my AR, and four for my pistol, plus a little extra ammo, then I have my small A.L.I.C.E. pack for misc items and food. As far as the FUBAR goes, its a pretty good multipurpose tool, but I’d rather have something with an axe blade because splitting kindling with a machete, or even a kukri is harder and more dangerous. Chopping with an axe head is more efficient and requires less work than trying to cut a hole with an instrument that will only punch a small hole and leaves a ragged line of holes which could result in an injury that could possibly lead to being infected by zombie splatter, or just even get a regular infection. Antibiotics are going to be few and far between. Also, I usually carry an 8 inch folding limb saw if I need to cut poles for a litter. Its also good for notching the poles for a good fit so that the lashings dont slip. I do agree that people should carry a medic kit too, and I probably should have mentioned that in the article. As far as a flashlight(torch) and matches, I might carry my LED flashlight, but not matches. If I can’t get back before dark, I dont want to go advertising my position by waving my flashlight around or building a fire. I’m gonna try my damnedest to be back at least an hour or two before dark. This setup was for scouting and information gathering as to the location of needed items, and not the actual recovery of the items. Although, as I said, you can always make a litter to carry things should you want to carry it back with you.
fatloserboi on 22 Jul 2009 at 10:21 am #
personally I perfer hk g36k or an enfield l85 (sa80) over the m4 or ak47.. both of which use the 5.56mm nato rounds. and are much better for cqc.. but if you want a main and secondary that can share amno then you could go for either a mp5 or ump45 but neither of which have any range..
3ID on 22 Jul 2009 at 11:28 am #
fatloserboi those guns are almost impossible to find in America G36 SA80. MP5 ad ump not to hard mostly swat uses them. are military is slandered to the M4/AR rifle a lot easier to find parts.
i have a MOLLE rig that caries 8 mags for m4 and and all my pistol mags also under that i have a Rifle plate carrier and on my back i have a camelback pack that is a 3 day assault pack but noting is inerterwoven so if i have to drop it and then i can circle back for it later if it was just scouting i can just carry mu vest and pack i also carry a 7″ knife a tomahawk, multi-tool, flash lights and a CLS bag. my weapon would be my AR and my Sig p220
Sharpshooter on 22 Jul 2009 at 10:35 pm #
Well as everyone here already knows (might be a few that dont) i prefer a hunting rifle when i can get it. Not such a fan of guns with mags, seems like it would mess up to easily, but eh what do i know? All i’ve ever really used are hunting rifles. I just stick with what i’m familiar with… For scouting and gathering i’ve got my dads backpack, the military issued him it but he retired and just gave it to me so i use it for camping and back country hiking. i’ve fit a sleeping bag, a tent, a machette, a medical kit, a sleeping mat, 5 days of clothes and a week worth of food in that thing and i’ve still got a bit of space!!! I could fit a ton of provisions in that tihng if i was just making runs across town.
Angryvikingman on 23 Jul 2009 at 12:23 am #
Well, just in case any of you wanted to see my rig.
http://www.crackhedz.com/zombies/gear/index.html
Just grabbed it off the hook, no AR-15 in the pictures, but theres a clip that attaches to the other D-ring and holds my single point sling that my gun attaches to.
No comments on the pot belly, I’m working on it.
2ID on 23 Jul 2009 at 8:43 pm #
work in pairs or very small teams
tactical rigs are a must.
with a drop leg pistol holster on one side and dump pouch on other.
the rig itself holds 10 m4 mags, 6 pistol mags, 18 shotgun shells (wouldent actualy have
a shotgun but its just an option)
small med kit, 4 cem sticks, multi tool, crkt softb m60 knife.
primary weapon would be m4 with 30rd mag on butt stock.
secondary would be under best conditons would be a FN FiveseveN
giving me 140 rounds of 5.7x28mm (actualy idealy my primary weapon would be a p90)
any ways back to reality, in all likely hood what you will have that will be in much
greater supply would be the classic beretta 92, giving you 105 rds of 9mm.
two one quart canteens on both hips
assault pack: 4-5 days of food/water water purification tablets, poncho, 1 spare change
of cloths, knife sharpender, weapon cleaning kit, cooking utensels, and any other odds
n end accordingly to your climate.
now that is just a rough draft of what you should have, plus a crowbar… your going
scavenging so getting into hard to reach places is a must.
but now what i would actualy perfer for weapons…
one .22 rifle with detachable 10rd mags with scope
20+ extra mags over 1500 rds of 22LR
side arm would be another .22LR
like the walther p22 if posible with a silencer
that would greatly reduce the weight and increace the ammo count, plus your
primary can share ammo with your secondary
i know im leaving some things out but thats just a rough draft.
and whats this one day crap? your going out on recon… i dont know about you but im
not going to run everywhere i go… thats a good way of atracting alot of unwanted
attention, alive and dead. so walking is in, how far can you walk in a day befor you have
to turn around and make it back befor dark? 20? 25 miles top and thats pretty much
none stop walking in one straight line, and your supposto be scavenging and doing recon…
scouting out the area and one day is not enough time to do that in.
3ID on 23 Jul 2009 at 9:33 pm #
recon and scavenging are sort of different i would say hell recon i would sit on a nice hill with a 338 lapua and watch for a couple of hours and then decide i would go in and scavenge but thats me i do like the 22 though great little gun but i would always go in with two poeple never go alone always go with a battle-buddy
McLuvin on 24 Jul 2009 at 2:07 am #
Ronin666, I have to disagree with your recommendation to point shoot.
Point shooting is a less precise way to shoot.
I would always recommend that the sights be utilized so every shot counts.
Angryvikingman on 24 Jul 2009 at 2:10 am #
Working in teams is best, but what if you are alone?
Also, I never said you couldnt drive anywhere, but you are a little noticable crashing through brush in a vehicle. And you cant check around corners without exposing yourself in a car. You have to walk at some point. Assume that you can drive somewhere then scout and scavenge the rest of the day. People who live in cities can cover only a few miles and find everything they need. Personally, I wouldn’t just run up on a place and try and grab what I needed. I’d observe and decide like 3ID said. People, normal people, are too impatient to wait for prey (you) for very long. I’ve sat in mud, ants, water, heat, cold, and just about every kind of condition you can imagine for hours to get a shot on an animal. Except rain. Game doesn’t move in rain. Anyway, remember, other people could be after the same thing you are, or just be after you. If you drive somewhere and someone else finds your vehicle and feels the engine heat, then they’re gonna know you’re walking distance from the vehicle, and if they have the manpower, they could hunt you. The dead don’t hunt, the dead don’t stalk. But the living do.
Ronin666 on 24 Jul 2009 at 6:47 am #
McLuvin, I respectfully disagree,I shoot a match called Service match and also shoot fast draw in Cowboy. In Service we are shooting at 10m at a target slightly larger than a mans head , the X being about 3 inches round, we draw and shoot from the hip, the good guys are regularly getting X’s and 9′s for 5 shot strings. In fast draw a lot of guys take the front sight off completely but are still hitting the target with accuracy. Yes, if you got the time take a aimed shot but learn to shoot without the sights for those times when you under pressure.
The rest of the gear will also depend a lot on if your in a rural or urban area.
2ID on 24 Jul 2009 at 4:21 pm #
also another thing… your doing recon and scavenging… that mean collecting
items and bringing them back with you to your place of (relitive) safety. so your going
to have to leave a considerable amount of room on your person and in your pack
for supplys, and it cant be too heavy… or else it’ll take you too long to get back and
you’ll use more of your supplys on just the return trip. also wire cutters, small tool set,
hand file, note taking materials for writing down directions to areas of intrest and places
where more ammo, food, water, medical supplys, survivors can be found later
should be included. and a watch and compass. any body know of any other special
tools that would come in handy in this type situation?
Angryvikingman on 24 Jul 2009 at 8:16 pm #
Instead of wire cutters, I think I’d go with a set of medium bolt cutters. That way if you encountered a small to medium lock, you could cut it and any kind of wire you came across. I say still just travel with a simple rig and not a pack. Use a small limb saw or other tool of your choice to cut poles from small trees and make a litter. Use a blanket or tarp,and pile stuff onto the litter and drag it back to your vehicle, base, or a stash location. Don’t go anywhere too frequently, because you could be followed if you form a consistant routine. If you walk over soft ground,learn to camoflauge your tracks by stepping on sticks, leaf litter, logs or anything that will keep you from leaving a complete print. Shoe selection will go a long way in helping also. Soft soled shoes, shoes with little or no tread, or moccasins are best. Walk on solid rock, concrete, or very softly on gravel. Don’t walk heavily on your heels. Walk on the balls of your feet, and take your time. Try not to push through brush, gently bend it or crawl under it. Crawling on your belly leaves less of a track than walking upright, and the only sign that you have passed will be disturbed dirt or leaf litter which will not last nearly as long as a track, or a trail of broken limbs. Learning tracking can also help to find game, or other survivors. Circle back over any tracks you created to confuse pursuers and never travel the same trail or route frequently.
Caleb Hader on 24 Jul 2009 at 11:02 pm #
AngryViking, very good choice for the kukri, cold steel does good knives, machetes, and throwers. Was wondering, what company made the tanto though? But my personal pack as of right now isn’t so great. Since I’m going to college I have no money, thus, no guns yet :(. but after I get done and get some money saved, I’m planning on buying The kel tec RFB which uses .308′s as my main gun, the PLR-16 from the same company for my backup, because it’s a pistol that uses 5.56, and can use an m4/ar15 clip, so I can carry plenty of power in a close-range weapon, like for looting a store for food. and as a very last ditch, although great weapon, the .44 magnum, Which could save my skin from just about anything, despite being a bit cliche. Then hopefully in the fall I’m getting the Gen2 12th century sword (as I’m sure you all know by now). But My pack is just a basic knapsack with a couple pockets that I’ve stocked with, even though it sounds ridiculous, my zombie world order… wardrobe. I found that after thinking about it, the first thing I would forget, that would be really important later was actually tough clothes and basic essentials that I would overlook in haste. So I’ve stocked it with my toughest, breeziest, clothes. Because… well, it would suck to be taking out zombies in a Hawaii shirt and flip flops. Not to say that that’s all I’ve put in it, I’ve got one pocket filled with matchboxes, knives for a few different situations, a hammer for break and entering, a few heavy duty belts wrapped around it, extra water, a mini bible (God’s just as good a reason to keep trudging on), LED headlamp, duty gloves in case I have to push zombies away, break glass, etc. a file, to sharpen my gear, and a pair of earplugs so I can shoot without going deaf. (need a better cheap way to do this, suppressors are pricey). So yup, that’s it, I could use feedback, advice, etc.
another mike on 25 Jul 2009 at 12:19 am #
Got to disagree about carrying food. A human can go three weeks on water alone. If I’m out for just a day or three I won’t bother with food. I pack iodine tabs and a filter pump, and know how to find water. And with a Camelbak I don’t even stop to drink.
I use a Camelbak HAWG, carries 200oz (6L) water internally in two bladders; I added a tiedown on the outside top for the water pump.
That leaves plenty of room for the rest of the Ten Scout Essentials on the pack or on me. First aid, knife, map and compass, fire starter, poncho, little orange trowel and TP, etc.
/be prepared
Angryvikingman on 25 Jul 2009 at 2:45 am #
If you want to be super economical with your load and still carry food, take a jar of peanut butter. Yes, the human body can go 3 weeks without food, but you get weaker as time passes. The peanut butter will give you energy from the carbs and prevent muscle atrophy and weakness with the protein. A heaping spoonful every now and again will keep you moving. I was a boy scout, and our Scout leader was a Marine Seargent. (Never say ex-marine, they don’t like that.) He taught us a lot of stuff the boyscout handbook didn’t, like sun navigation, and starting fire without matches. I also spent a lot of time alone in the woods as a kid, as I grew up in a house full of women, I had to escape the constant drama. If I knew I was going to be out all day, I carried my single shot 22lr, a box of ammo, a jar of penut butter, a knife, and some matches. Shot and cooked any small wild animal that crossed my path, roamed far and wide, and was always home before dark. If you have time to spare and are near a sufficient body of water, I suggest taking a small container of fishing line, hooks, and a small float. Digging worms is easy and takes just a few minutes. Cut a sapling pole, attach about ten to fifteen feet of fishing line and fish. You can eat it raw, and all of the internal organs except gall bladder, bladder, and intestines are edible. Yeah, sure it tastes like crap, but if you can’t stop to cook its better than starving. Also internal organs are good for trapping animals with a snare or “twitch” trap. Crap, I’m rambling…
another mike on 25 Jul 2009 at 6:23 pm #
Yeah, sorry, Viking. I wasn’t entirely accurate. I do carry some food with me. Usually something like peanut butter and saltines or pemmican.
The point was to say that I don’t stop to collect cooking fuel and prepare a meal, or leave smoke, ashes, or trash that someone (something) could use to track me.
When I am inclined to have a heartier meal, my camp kitchen (a single burner white gas stove and various utensils and sundries) all packs into a box that also serves as a solar oven. What a great way to cook! Your fuel source comes up every morning, you’d have to trip over the oven to know it was there, and you come back from a day of scrounging to perfectly simmered stew and bread.
/be prepared
another mike on 25 Jul 2009 at 6:41 pm #
But I’ll definitely second spending the weekend out in the woods with just some basic supplies. That’s something I thing everyone should do as they’re growing up.
I’d get together with a couple friends, the four horsemen of the apocalypse we were, and spend all weekend roaming far and wide, chowing down on edible plants and small game we’d picked off with our light bows. We built wilderness shelters and spent the night. So long as the parents knew which thousand-acre woods we were in and that we’d be back by Sunday, it was “Enjoy your weekend kids.”
Oh and, at least in my tenth edition Handbook, navigating without a compass is on page 207 and matchless fires are on page 90.
Now I’ve got to go make some pemmican, my mouth’s watering just thinking about it.
/be prepared
Sharpshooter on 26 Jul 2009 at 2:22 am #
oh god that sounds so good dude!!! reminds me of the time we had wild rabit and duck… oh god i want REAL meat now not that store bought crap. damn you mike. damn you!!!!
Angryvikingman on 26 Jul 2009 at 9:01 am #
@Caleb: The tanto is frost cutlery. Got it for $10 at the flea market, which is an excellent place to find deals on all kinds of crazy survival gear. If it isnt that great, it’ll do until you can afford to buy something better. I just use it as a medium knife. Good for a few things, meal prep, making traps, and I can remove the cord and use it as a spear point if I need to. Good for wild/ feral hogs, charging zombies, ect. I have a gerber evo tanto that I carry as my every day knife.
@ another mike:
My scout troop didn’t really use the book all that much. We stayed outside a LOT and Mr. Gill (Scout Master) pretty much taught us survival off the cuff and would reference the book sparingly. The only thing that he was ever anal about was the “totin’ chip”. If we ever did anything we weren’t supposed to with a knife or hatchet he was all over us. God I did a lot of push ups and lost my chip for hatchet throwing a few times. As for concealing evidence of a fire:
If you’re using a pan, sterno or any smokeless fuel is great, but assuming you don’t have any or are cooking raw meat and don’t have a pan…
Dig a square in the ground with your hatchet, or camp shovel.
1×1 ft. wide, and about 4-6 inches deep. Place a few rocks inside to set your pan (or whatever) on. Only use enough fuel to cook your meal. Use dry wood to keep the smoke to a minimum, then after you are done cooking, immediately cover the fire pit with dirt, then cover the dirt with leaves or moss. If you do it in an open field, then try to keep the grass intact in a big patch so you can replace it. Trees diffuse the smoke and its harder to tell where its coming from, so I don’t suggest cooking out in the open.
Also, I don’t really like to leave my food where others can find it. Even if its concealed, animals could get into it, and if I got back to camp and my food was gone or tampered with, well… you’d know one of the reasons I got my nickname.
3-15 INF on 02 Aug 2009 at 9:12 pm #
I would imagine when scavenging, i wouldn’t want to draw attention to myself or be weighed down with alot of equipment. The point is to get in and out as quick and cautious as possible. Your’e competing for supplies with others that aren’t zeds also. My loadout is tried and true-
1. Large alice pack with frame- lots of room and great load carrying capability. Stuff a camelbak in there and your’e good to go.
2. M4 Carbine on wolf single point sling(keeps weapon down by side so it’s easier to hide from human observers while remaining ready for action) add an ACOG scope, surefire suppressor, and taclight
3. Chest rig for 8 30 rounders
4. Padded pistol belt with 1911 handgun with eight 8 round mags and a combat tomahawk
Get the food, water, ammo or whatever I can and get moving! Stay light, stay fast, only shoot whatever gets in my way. ROCK OF THE MARNE!
KillerB on 19 Aug 2009 at 2:34 am #
Keep in mind guys that an AR-15/M-16/M4 are the US Military small arms of choice. NOT the Soviet AK/AKM series of rifles. So if you are in the U.S. keep with U.S. calibers. Secondly it is not going to be out of the question for the U.S. Military to support/supply Hunter/Killer groups. They will have their hands full and will no doubt be looking for a nonstandard force to aid in the overall elemination of the Zeds. All you have to be able to do is link up with them.
2-22 INF on 07 Sep 2009 at 4:48 pm #
killer b the ak 47 is 308(7.62) and there is plenty of ammo on a military base of that caliber we have m240b which is a m60 it is 7.62 and far as a rifle goes AR 10 or 15 is best for accuracy and is the standard 5.56 round but it is harder to take care of and clean and will jam if not properly handled the ak 47 runs cheap it is cheaper then the AR but is less accurate but is way more reliable and needs less to function and it is a bigger caliber as far as a pistol goes what do you perfer a stronger weapon or more ammo cap, i perfer a 45 1911 or xd 45 but they only hold 7+1 a xd 9 holds 20 9mm rounds double stacked in the clip so which ever you perfer i myself have a AR 15 pistol with a collapsible buttstock its much smaller then the regular AR but its carries the same ammo and about 10 lighters i have a pistol grip in the front and cqc red dot sight any where i put that dot up to 200 meters is were my rounds are going i also have xd 9mm for my side arm i hate 9s but u dnt need a desert eagle to blow sum brains out, i have my army crap to use but i bought this high cap web vest that carries 16 AR mags and 10 pistol clips and as far as food and shit that is a luxery a poncho yeah but every thing else is just going to slow u down i wanna be able to shoot move and communicate.
3-15 INF on 01 Oct 2009 at 9:58 am #
Sheesh… that was a crazy run on sentence- as many people have stated, once again, the ak47 does not run on the same ammo as any american gun. the 240b and m60, two very different guns, use 7.62x51mm NATO while the AK uses a 7.62x39mm round. They are not interchangeable.
Besides that, we’re talking about scavenging, not just hunt and kill. Youv’e got to have the means to completely survive, which means a way to collect and carry suplies. Don’t worry about all this stuff people hear about on tv about guns. Pick it up, use it, and when it’s dry, throw it away. Get familiar with as many different weapon types as possible, so whatever you end up with, you;re proficient with! See ya on the other side!
Semper Cogitant on 15 Nov 2009 at 12:08 pm #
For a scavenging trip, not planning to be out long I’d go with this:
Main firearm with several extra mags (for me ideally a suppressed HK417 done up M4 style, otherwise any handy semi auto rifle or carbine, preferably suppressed).
Pistol with a few extra mags (for me a 1911)
Tomahawk (I like SOGs version, but there are a lot of options)
A good large knife (I have an old 8″ bowie, but there are lots of options)
Some basic tools for B&E (small bolt cutters, halligan bar, multitool, small hand tools)
Hand held radio with extra batteries(if I have people back a compound or there are friends out scavenging the area)
An MRE and some energy bars (yes, you can survive a long time without food, but you can’t move and fight effectively for very long)
Plenty of water (remember too much water, food and ammo are all self correcting problems).
Load bearing chest rig, ruckk sack, backpack and haversack, plenty of room to carry stuff that I’m scavenging for).
The most important thing to have would be a plan. Know the area I’m going into as much as possible, plan where I’m headed, and at all times have multiple escape routes. Also thing about where in the area being being scavenged I could hold up overnight or for longer if things went bad.
kole on 09 Jan 2010 at 9:13 pm #
an ar15 is alot easyer to get police use it and the national guard.