I wanted to make a quick guide to Guerrilla growing in the bush; not only for beginners but for the Vets to chime in and add some keen insight to such a justified past-time. There are some guidelines one should follow when making the decision to head into the woods...
1) Do not tell anyone.
The golden rule. I bet a lot of you out there are thinking back to when you bragged to a "trusted" friend about a grow and it was mysteriously ripped soon there after. Sometimes this rule is learned the hard way... don't be that guy.
2) Before going anywhere near your patches or soon-to-be patches, establish an alibi. (Hiker, photographer, bird watcher, construction worker, hunter, ect) This will save your ass if you come in contact with anybody out near your patch.
3) Scout for locations.
It can takes years to find a promising and secure location with all the bells and whistles, there's really an art to working with the environment you're given. I'm not a marine but I use their motto: Adapt, Achieve, Overcome because that's exactly what's asked from us when pulling off a clandestine grow. Scouting in the late summer during drought season and in the fall during harvest time is key, because some creeks dry up and some don't; just like some trees stay bright green and some fade out. We want to provide enough water and camo for the girls during these 2 vital points in time.
4) Keep it simple.
Set a plan, and stick with it. I like to scout in the summer and lay down beds to compost over the winter for the following spring. These beds of newspaper, straw and compost will be ready to plug & play come May when I plant clones and seedlings.
5) Never park near your site.
I like to park at anything nearby that won't raise attention and then traverse by bike to my point of entry. To passerbys you look like a cyclist, then when cars are clear you dip on into your entry path.
6) Carry essential items on your person:
headlamp, cash, charged cell phone (with battery removed upon visits to disable geo tracking), cliff bars, water, alibi accessories, first aid kit, lighter, ect. Shit happens, and when it does you may find yourself out in the woods overnight. Be prepared for the worse.
7) Use proven strains/cuttings for your area.
I've made the mistake of running bagseed in my earlier grows and wasted time and effort because of it. Mold-resistant strains like blueberry crosses are the best in my area since we get late-season rain that can destroy a kush crop in a week.
8) Scatter plants in natural patterns.
We have to think like bacon smelling heli's here. They look for patches and unnatural patterns of cannabis, and usually miss the field with plants scattered strategically. Make these assholes work, do not make it easy for them. Scouting in the fall is key here because we can find spots where the surrounding foliage doesnt fade out early; exposing our hard-earned work for all to see.
9) Invest in a trail cam.
It's vital to know when your patch has been compromised. Placing one of these at the beginning of the leg to your patch is wise, enabling one to check the footage before entering. Wipe it for prints after using or use gloves when touching the housing. Who knew peace of mind only costed $200?!
10) Cover your face.
Cops have game cameras too, except theirs are typically higher quality and less visible than ours. Always pretend youre being watched. I like to slip a head net on after I get into the woods. Once there, I can change out of my alibi and into my work clothes; this is where a backpack comes handy.
Growers are rarely caught, but when they are it's most likely because they didn't follow some of these rules. I hope this helps/saves a few people out there, not only their freedom but possibly a season or two of work.
I'd like anyone and everyone to contribute more rules or tips that they've learned out in the bush as well.
1) Do not tell anyone.
The golden rule. I bet a lot of you out there are thinking back to when you bragged to a "trusted" friend about a grow and it was mysteriously ripped soon there after. Sometimes this rule is learned the hard way... don't be that guy.
2) Before going anywhere near your patches or soon-to-be patches, establish an alibi. (Hiker, photographer, bird watcher, construction worker, hunter, ect) This will save your ass if you come in contact with anybody out near your patch.
3) Scout for locations.
It can takes years to find a promising and secure location with all the bells and whistles, there's really an art to working with the environment you're given. I'm not a marine but I use their motto: Adapt, Achieve, Overcome because that's exactly what's asked from us when pulling off a clandestine grow. Scouting in the late summer during drought season and in the fall during harvest time is key, because some creeks dry up and some don't; just like some trees stay bright green and some fade out. We want to provide enough water and camo for the girls during these 2 vital points in time.
4) Keep it simple.
Set a plan, and stick with it. I like to scout in the summer and lay down beds to compost over the winter for the following spring. These beds of newspaper, straw and compost will be ready to plug & play come May when I plant clones and seedlings.
5) Never park near your site.
I like to park at anything nearby that won't raise attention and then traverse by bike to my point of entry. To passerbys you look like a cyclist, then when cars are clear you dip on into your entry path.
6) Carry essential items on your person:
headlamp, cash, charged cell phone (with battery removed upon visits to disable geo tracking), cliff bars, water, alibi accessories, first aid kit, lighter, ect. Shit happens, and when it does you may find yourself out in the woods overnight. Be prepared for the worse.
7) Use proven strains/cuttings for your area.
I've made the mistake of running bagseed in my earlier grows and wasted time and effort because of it. Mold-resistant strains like blueberry crosses are the best in my area since we get late-season rain that can destroy a kush crop in a week.
8) Scatter plants in natural patterns.
We have to think like bacon smelling heli's here. They look for patches and unnatural patterns of cannabis, and usually miss the field with plants scattered strategically. Make these assholes work, do not make it easy for them. Scouting in the fall is key here because we can find spots where the surrounding foliage doesnt fade out early; exposing our hard-earned work for all to see.
9) Invest in a trail cam.
It's vital to know when your patch has been compromised. Placing one of these at the beginning of the leg to your patch is wise, enabling one to check the footage before entering. Wipe it for prints after using or use gloves when touching the housing. Who knew peace of mind only costed $200?!
10) Cover your face.
Cops have game cameras too, except theirs are typically higher quality and less visible than ours. Always pretend youre being watched. I like to slip a head net on after I get into the woods. Once there, I can change out of my alibi and into my work clothes; this is where a backpack comes handy.
Growers are rarely caught, but when they are it's most likely because they didn't follow some of these rules. I hope this helps/saves a few people out there, not only their freedom but possibly a season or two of work.
I'd like anyone and everyone to contribute more rules or tips that they've learned out in the bush as well.
Last edited:
