An Overview of Prepping in Indiana
Most people in Indiana have the stereotypical midwestern kindness and neighborliness. Indiana is bordered by Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois. It also has several large bodies of water surrounding it, with Lake Michigan above, and the Ohio and the Wabash Rivers as well.
Southern Indiana is a bit more hilly and rugged than the rest of the state. It has large limestone deposits, and there are lots of caves and quarries in the area as well because of that. Sink holes are also not uncommon as the limestone decays and es eroded.
Indiana State Laws on Prepping
The biggest laws prepping laws have to deal with specific activities, storage, safety, and zoning/building codes. There are laws on Fuel Storage, there are laws about livestock and where you can and cannot have chickens, and there are laws on what you can build and where on your property. When SHTF, its either going to be anarchy, or martial law. Either way, current laws can affect your bugging in by what you can do right now. To learn more and to see federal laws on prepping, see our article, Is it Illegal to Be a Prepper?
Please note that we are not attorneys and this should not be considered legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should talk to an attorney. This is meant to give a brief overview of State Laws that affect Preppers.
We also want to note that while we try to keep these laws up to date, they do change, so if you notice it is wrong or outdated, please contact us HERE.
Indiana Fuel Storage Laws
The quantity of liquid that may be located outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet in a building, or in any one fire area of a building, shall not exceed:
25gallons of Category 1 liquids in containers.
120 gallons of Category 2, 3 or 4 liquids in containers.
660 gallons of Category 2, 3 or 4 liquids in a single portable tank.
Examples of Flammables and Combustibles:
- Acetone
- Gasoline
- Lacquer thinner
- Kerosene
- Fuel oil
- Stoddard solvent
- Mineral spirits
Indiana Gun Laws
Indiana requires residents to have a handgun permit for carrying a handgun in almost any way, though there are some hunting exceptions (It’s open season on squirrels for instance, and there are some deer hunting allowances as well). Indiana is a reciprocity state and recognizes all concealed carry permits.
Private businesses do have the right to forbid weapons and firearms on their premises, but violation of this would be considered trespassing, not a weapons crime. A no firearms sign does not have the force of law, its just when refusing to leave that you can be charged with the trespassing. A law passed in 2010 does protect the right for an employee to have a firearm in the vehicle on business property, even if the business doesn’t allow firearms.
Additionally, you cannot target shoot in national forest property which I thought was strange, coming from a western state where that’s what everybody does. Instead, when I lied in the state, I would go squirrel hunting with whatever rifle or shotgun I wanted to shoot that day, and would just occasionally miss squirrels and accidentally hit pop cans.
Other Indiana Prepping Laws
Rainwater Storage Laws
There are no restrictions on collecting and using rain water in Indiana. In fact, there are several resources that encourage the practice in the state.
Best Bug Out Areas in Indiana
Its important to have a bug out plan. We have looked at the state of Indiana, and are actually especially familiar with it having lived here for quite some time, and have identified a few good bug out locations. We recommend places that are high in resources, low in popularity, and are quick to be forgotten by the general public. You’re especially fortunate if you’re able to buy property in one of these, or a similar area. See our Bug Out Location Checklist to help with your planning, but see our list of suggestions to kickstart your bug out plan in Indiana.
State Forests
Indiana has 15 state forests that are resource rich and full of wild game, though most are in the southern portion of the state. A good central option is Yellowwood. We have explored that forest extensively and there are a lot of deer, rabbits, turkeys, morel mushrooms, squirrels, ducks, geese, and lots of water. Most of the forests in the area are similar.
National Forests
Hoosier national forest is huge and very wild. We lived in the state for a while and were extremely envious of the people who had houses on the edge of the forest there. There were deer and turkeys going through the yards and hundreds of corn and soy bean farms. It’s a great area for hunting, raising animals, and for farming.
Areas to Avoid When Bugging Out
- Monroe Reservoir
- Indianapolis
- Bloomington
- The Northwest Corner near Chicago
Good Prepping Groups In Indiana
Preppers generally try to keep a low profile, but its good to have local allies when beginning your prepping journey in an area. Like minded individuals can help one another out and have each other’s back’s. Here are groups to consider getting involved with in Indiana.
Indiana CERT:
Many cities and towns in Indiana have a Community Emergency Response Team. These organizations are full of volunteers who not only prep for emergencies, but also want to be able to help their community in times of trouble. Even if you don’t join an organization, these are the people you want to know in your community. There are more than 44 such teams in Indiana. See CERT teams in Indiana>
Prepping Companies in Indiana:
There are a handful of survival and emergency preparedness stores in Indiana.
- Survival Solutions Supply
- Naptown Bob’s Paracord Products.
- Bradis Guns. Survival Products & SuppliesAmmunitionGuns & Gunsmiths.
- AMD Survival and Tactical Gear, LLC.
Things to be Cautions Of
Weaknesses and Threats
Chicago
Chicago is full of people who aren’t prepared for a disaster. A look at their violent crime statistics also illustrates why you probably want to avoid people fleeing the city in a disaster.
Freeways and Interstates
The interstates and freeways are a potential threat. Indiana has several major freeways that run through the state, both north to south, and east to west. Both government forces, aggressors, and just wanderers are likely to use these roadways, so these are worth avoiding.
Weather
Indiana also can experience ice storms and snow. When this happens, people don’t know how to drive in this bad weather. The biggest danger with the weather isn’t really the snow, its the other people trying to drive on the snow and ice. Indiana also has tornados, so its important to know how to respond to a tornado as well.
Strengths of Prepping in Indiana
Farming
There are a ton of farms in Indiana. Indiana is part of the breadbasket of the world. There are so many corn fields and soy bean fields. On top of that, its not terribly difficult to grow a garden. Get to know your local farmers. They are a great resource and are more self sufficient and more prepared for a disaster than most of the general public.
See Prepping in another state
Prepping by State:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Keep Learning
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