Pulling The Trigger

Remember the country is not the city, things are different, don't try to bring the city and city attitudes with you.
Don't let your dogs run free, not everyone will be happy to see your dog and in fact someone may shoot it.

Country don't mean stupid, we have different: priorities, goals and in many cases a slower pace -- we have those things because we want to have them, not because we don't know any better

We are in the Ouachitas too and I think you are pretty safe on the lions, tigers and bears. You may get lucky and see a small black bear, no tigers and while we do have a few cougars (contrary to Game and Fish's opinion) I doubt you will ever see one.

You are fortunate that your wife has family where you are going, that will get you into the community quickly. Follow her advice and that of your relatives and you should be good.

It has been a very long, dry and hot Summer here but you should be hitting us right about the time we finally cool down which will be good for outdoor work. The first thing I would look at is how good your fences are and what sort of shelters you need to get built for your animals. Around here we get a lot of work done in the Spring and Fall while the weather is decent.

This is really a great place to live. I have lived all over the country and really the only hard part of living here is the heat in the summer and all the rocks. Hopefully somebody warned you that rocks actually grow here!

Congrats on your new homestead!

Make a real effort to get to know you neighbors, and the folks who live in your nearby town. It doesn't take that much. If you need something done, hire a local person. Not everyone will be comfortable being "invited to dinner." Instead, stop your truck (you're going to need a truck to fit in) on the road and just visit. Buy things from the local stores, many of which like lumber stores, hardware stores, and feed stores, like to help out others and get to know you. And learn to slow down. Everything in the city seems to happen at the speed of light. In the country, it's a snails pace. Don't rush things. If things aren't quite right (fence line doesn't fit survey, trash dumped on road in front of your house, hunters cross your property, etc.) take a deep breath and think before you act. It's your property, but you've got to live with your neighbors, and there's nothing worse that being mad every time you drive by a neighbor's house that has somehow "wronged you."

Never mind the bears, it's the snakes that you have to watch out for in that area! And some of the people....

Lived there, moved here, and am dying to move to Oregon.... :-P But then, I love fog and rain and hate heat and sunshine, soooo....

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http://upwardlypoor.blogspot.com/

Be a good neighbor, ask questions of the locals, and LISTEN to what they tell you. Keep your eyes open, be willing to help others and it will come back to you.

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"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness."
Thomas Jefferson to George Washington 1787

Good point! Do learn the poisonous snakes and spiders! We have Black Widows and tons of brown recluse. We also have rattlers, cotton mouths, copperheads and coral snakes. Definitely look them up and study the pictures now rather than when you run into them. We also have a few tarantulas but they won't bother you if you don't bother them.

Congratulations and good luck to you. If my DH can make the switch from Country Club Lane to rural living....you can do it too. Take it a step at a time. Laugh at yourself when it's needed and learn as much as you can.

I've been on this forum for 4-5 years and I haven't tasted any goat's milk either.

Watch out for the ROCKS! They'll kill your tiller.

We have talked about this, and although we both have some shooting experience, more education would be a good thing. My thoughts are a 22LR rifle for varmint, plinking, a 12 gauge, and although I would like a 45 ACP, I think a 357 would be a easier and more practical sidearm. We own no guns now but shall soon. Fortunatly there are many hunters in her family and advice is close at hand.

Sounds like you've got a good plan!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Excellent choices as far as caliber goes. You won't go wrong with a Ruger 10/22, a Remington 870 and a Ruger GP101. Though there are many options these three are quite reasonably priced, reliable and tough. At some point you will want to add a center fire rifle.

Just because it is out in the country don't think some of the amenities are not available. City water, cable TV, High Speed internet are available in most places or will be in the next year. I know the area and you may be surprised at how far we come into the 20 century.

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God must have loved stupid people because he made so many of them.

Indian runner ducks are so funny to watch. they are a relaxing form of entertainment I never tire of.

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I'd rather have one Chewbacca than an entire clone army.

Such great advice! Fortunately my DW's family has lived in the area there for generations. Father in law is an 80 y/o retired mule logger who still has a mule on his 10 acres.
The property has 2 wells, a fireplace with insert and -gasp-central air. Never had central in my life, and I don't want to get too hooked on it. Going to buy a generator as well as a tractor (Ford8n?).

Also reccommend knee high rattlesnake boots. we wear them here when we walk in the woods. Most folks who get bit either step on one, or pick one up.

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I'd rather have one Chewbacca than an entire clone army.