What’s Your Most Underrated Prepping Skill?

[EchoTangoFox]

Seems like everyone focuses on food storage, firearms, and water filtration, but I always wonder what prepping skills folks are putting on the back burner that really deserve more attention. For me, emergency communication tops the list. Doesn’t matter how many supplies you’ve got if you can’t find out what’s happening or reach out for help when things go sideways. I’ve seen a lot of folks with radios gathering dust because they never bothered to learn the basics of HAM operation or even hand signals if things go low-tech.

What skills do you all think get overlooked the most? It could be anything—maybe map reading, knot tying, basic small engine repair, or even negotiation and mediation for when tempers flare. I’m really interested in the stuff that doesn’t always make the big prepping lists, but could make a huge difference when the usual systems fail. Share your picks and any resources you rely on for learning or sharpening those skills. I think we could all use a reminder to round out our toolkits.

 

[GarnetDusk]

Reading animal tracks and signs gets overlooked way too much. Being able to tell what critters are around can mean the difference between protecting your food stores or even finding extra protein if things get lean. Plus, it connects you more with the environment, makes you move quieter, and notice things others miss. Anyone else dabble in tracking or foraging?

 

[MeadowWhisperer]

Absolutely agree—animal sign reading is huge. I’ve only scratched the surface but it’s wild how much info you can get from tracks and scat. Got any favorite field guides?

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Spot on—knowing what animals are sharing your space is so useful, and honestly, most folks forget about it altogether. I picked up a lot just from sitting quietly in the yard and keeping an old track guide handy. Noticing tiny changes like trampled grass or nibbled leaves makes a huge difference. Ever tried making a track box with sand to see what visits overnight? It’s a fun way to learn and surprises you sometimes!