It has taken me a long time to write this, but as we’ve reached the anniversary of the passing of Jim, I feel the time has come.
James Dakin, better known as “Lord Bison” to his loyal Minions, was a one-of-a-kind author and blogger, and turned out to be one of the best people I’ve known.
I first came across his website (bisonprepper.blogspot.com) back around 2014 and became an immediate follower. I’d been going down the prepper rabbit hole for a few years and felt very knowledgeable in the subject, but when I found Lord Bison, everything I thought I knew about preparedness was turned on it’s head.
Jim’s perspective on the world, and the direction it was headed may have been completely different from his contemporaries, but he made very valid arguments from outside the box.
He wrote numerous non-fiction books on the subjects of preparation and frugality, I couldn’t tell you exactly how many, but I’ve got at least 8 of them. And he posted a couple thousand articles on his website. To say he was prolific is an understatement!
One of the amazing things about Jim was the he truly “walked the walk”. He traded in comfort and complacency for a life off grid, living without a vehicle and making due with only the barest minimum. And despite his austere life, he never begged for donations, he didn’t monetize his website, and in fact after some time he started posting his books on his own website and giving them away for free. What he wanted most was to share his experiences and philosophy with as many people as he could. Financial reward was never his motivation.
In 2020 Jim and I started corresponding via written letters using snail mail, as he’d “cut the cord” from internet access and had transitioned to a monthly newsletter subscription (which he did at cost – supplies and postage only!). We sent a couple dozen letters back and forth over the months and I got to see a side of him rarely seen in his online work. I found him to be very kind and compassionate. He was very open and curious about life in “civilization” and he spoke very lovingly of his family – both his children and his “NOL” – his shorthand for “New Old Lady”. I felt a true friendship with him.
In May of last year, his monthly installment didn’t arrive. This was unusual, as you could always count on Jim’s timeliness. I didn’t think too much about it – could have been delayed, lost in the mail, who knows. But when June came and I still hadn’t heard from him I got a sick feeling inside that something was wrong. I sent a couple letters which went unanswered, which was also unheard of. I called the two phone numbers I had for him, but both had been disconnected. I queried other Bison fans I knew and none of them had heard from him either. Jim had simply disappeared without a trace and we were all concerned.
In November of last year I received an email from his son, letting me know Jim had shuffled off this mortal coil on May 5, 2022. Unbeknownst to me or evidently any of his other Minions, he’d been suffering from a lifelong condition, which had worsened suddenly and led to his untimely demise.
While I think deep down I already knew he was gone, the confirmation hit me like a brick upside the head.
These days as we have front row seat for the dumpster fire that is present-day America, I can’t help but wonder what Lord Bison would have to say about it. Whatever it was, I’m more than sure it would be tempered with humor. That was one of Jim’s magic abilities, no matter the dire situation he could elicit a laugh.
In hindsight I can’t help but think that Jim knew he was on borrowed time. That would explain the frantic pace at which he produced. He had a lot to say and a short time to say it and I am so glad I was in the right place at the right time AND in the right headspace to receive his work.
Lord Bison, I wish there had been a chance for me to say goodbye. You changed me for the better through your writing, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
Godspeed my friend! I’ll see you on the other side!
The Boring Old Man 
A hundred times better than anything I could have written…and I thought I was his biggest fan.
As a young man I read all I could about George Orwell. To me, Jim Dakin was the American version – with humor and vulgarity.
Orwell was a leftie but was so principled that he had no problem criticising the Left – just like Jim when he found prepping advice from others to be wrong.
Unlike Orwell, Jim never got recognition.
He could bluster with the best of ’em, about how he would “settle scores” when the Rule of Law no longer applied…I believed none of it. I never met him but think him to have been a very gentle, decent person.
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Thank you for the kind words. This took a few passes to write, and I still felt it didn’t quite do him justice. Such a unique man and author. I’m finally at a point where I can go back and re-read his work – I genuinely miss his twisted sense of humor!
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Thank you so much ! Now I finally know why our xmas cards were returned last year and the year before too…
He was a great man, friend and my Lord Bison.
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Although I never met him face to face, we corresponded and I considered him a wise friend and I valued his advice and humor.
Honest to a fault, even when it left a mark, I will be eternally grateful for his friendship and all his publications.
I miss him every day. No single person could cause me to.think as hard or laugh as hard as he could – and often both at once. RiP my friend.
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He was a huge source of inofrmation and I’m devastated to hear he’s no longer with us. I was looking forward to his commentary on the increasing tempo of Civilization circling the drain. Thanks for this info. I, too, have been wondering why there’s been no sign of him. He was one of the greats!
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He always made me think, made me laugh, and made me jealous with that luscious mane of hair.
Miss him. Was hoping he had just decided to shut it all off and disconnect.
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What a drag. All I can say is I hope he’s better off. He was an amazing person and I discovered him too late in life. I received about a years worth of his CD’s and we continued to converse now and then via email after he stopped posting on his site, then nothing. I kept checking in on his website now and then. Nothing.
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Sad news. Are his blog posts preserved anywhere?
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Yes, at least currently his old site is still up. Hundreds of post going back many years. No idea how long it will stay up, but as of today it’s still available. https://bisonprepper.blogspot.com/?m=0
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Thanks for the write up. I never corresponded with him, but did buy his books. His “Prepping On The Cheap” concept was a refreshing alternative to the Rawles yuppie variety. Most people aren’t rich.
I enjoyed his wit and humor. It’s a pity he won’t be here for the collapse. I do rather think he was looking forward to it, Lee Enfield bolt action and all.
Mr. Dakin deserves far more accolades. Nice to see the site and his treasure trove of wisdom is still up.
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I am so sorry to hear of James Dakins’ passing. I took it personally when I hadn’t received some CD’s in the mail when he went off line. One of the last CD’s only contained half of the material, like whomever was sending them out ,NOL, gave me w his very last post.
I do wish NOL the best, I hope she has absorbed alot of his wisdom, I know he loved her better than the other wives because she was down to earth.
I also hope his son and daughter appreciate what he was trying to warn us all about and know they had an awesome Dad with amazing ideas and creativity.
Most of all I hope Jim is in a better dimension where people appreciate his talent and concern for the common man. He was highly disciplined in so many ways. He helped me look through a different lense, one I needed to see, very unconventional but extremely astute and spot on. Helped me make good choices in a world where no one was acknowledging any of what was happening out there. He was truly courageous. I thank him for ĺighting a fire under my ass as things were imploding.
I wish he was still here and I know he planned on it. Maybe now he is looking down at all his minions watching us as we navigate these new unholy waters. I know he would guide us especially in light of the most recent events and I would feel safer and saner because of it. He was well grounded, incredibly smart and full of calm common sense.
Thank you Jim for all you have done for me. I hope to meet up with somewhere down the line. But not for awhile. You are an enigma! You will never be forgotten! JAY
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Ol’ Bison was truly one of a kind. I still miss him and think of him often. One can only imagine what he’d have to say about the world’s current state of affairs! I felt blessed to have him ‘in our corner’, rooting for the little guys out there, helping us find a different way through these troubled times.
Thanks for the comment and the kind words about James!
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Well That sucks! I had many blog chats , never heard from him again, thought he had finally had enough. Of course he was always worried about the last payment to the Ex and then kicking the bucket as life would have it. Hope the old boy is resting finally!
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Yeah, it came as a big surprise to a lot of us. He was my inspiration to get back into blogging after two previous runs under different monikers, and he was certainly my biggest supporter when I got the ball rolling again. The best friend I never met and I still miss his wise cracks and wisdom.
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