I have, and will continue to spend a lot of time in the woods. I'm off work today, and if we hadn't just received another FOOT of snow two days ago, I'd be out there right now. While camping, hunting, or hiking the woods, I have given a lot of thought to woodland/swamp/prairie survival as a result of scenarios posed on this forum, and have compartmentalized my survival strategies into two major areas:

(1) A situation where I get lost or hurt in the woods and have to self-extract and/or assist another.

(2) A widespread power outage/civil unrest/weather emergency/toxic environmental condition. We don't have tsunamis, volcanoes, or big earthquakes here.

I will admit to heresy...I do not have a BOB poised for immediate action, but I do have a small GHB in my vehicles. The reason is, like several of you have said, IMO there is no realistic scenario that makes bugging out into the woods with a backpack the best option. The stark reality of the prairie and the boreal forest is that while beautiful, there is almost nothing to eat out there for 9 months of the year. My brother, also a 'pragmatic prepper' says " Never walk around in the house wearing anything you wouldn't want seen on the five o'clock news". I do have several large empty military backpacks right next to my food/water and camping gear storage area if needed.

My take:

For scenario (1) I carry what I would need to stay in the woods for a few days if necessary. I carry the means to do first aid, make shelter, get water, start a fire, carry or obtain a little food as the season dictates, navigate, and signal.

For scenario (2) You simply cannot depend on stores, agencies, or the government for aid for a week or more.

I have a 30+ day emergency supply of food (mostly non-perishable, 100 rolls of toilet paper, water, cooking/heating fuel, split wood, batteries, and more. I have the means to defend or move it all if necessary/possible. I have a lightweight Aliner camper that I store ready to go in my yard away from the house, along with several sizes of tents, tarps, rope, cots, and everything associated with camping. I also have a yard barn that I keep clean and it would be pressed into service as a shelter if my house blew/burned down.

My house is my primary shelter, and my back yard is the most likely campsite for me if my house was destroyed.