The cast of Perry Mason stuck by Talman, so it would have been hard for the producers to punish him.
“Talman was acquitted of all charges in a hearing held in June of 1960. But apparently, this didn’t impress CBS. Not only was Talman not reinstated, he found himself unofficially banned from working in Hollywood. Of the sudden lack of work, he said: “Everyone has a right to be timid, but they’re abusing the privilege.”
To earn money, Talman fell back on his previous profession—writing. He had to use a pen name to write a few scripts for CBS, and was able to star in two episodes of “Have Gun, Will Travel” around September 1960; he played a cowhand in the episode “The Killing of Jesse May” and a sheriff in “A Long Way Home.”
All during his exile, Talman was finding out who his friends were. Although Burr and Talman played archrivals on the set, they were friends, allies, and co-conspirators in the practical joke department behind the scenes. All of the cast rallied around their costar but it was Raymond Burr who, typically, led the charge. He campaigned hard for Talman’s reinstatement. He forbade studio personnel to clean out Talman’s belongings, and this included his coffee cup on the famous mug rack. Even after Talman was canned, his mug continued to hang there, name and all, among those belonging to the rest of the crew. Wherever Burr went in the United States, he would make special efforts to persuade the local CBS affiliates to pressure the network for Talman’s return. The public let their thoughts be known on the issue. Mail poured in from all over, favoring Talman’s rehiring. A crusader to the end, Burr also took the time to answer personally all fan mail written to support Talman’s cause.
Talman had one other very important person in his corner: Erle Stanley Gardner. Although the two men were occasionally at odds, Gardner liked the way Talman played Burger, thought he was essential for the show’s success, and therefore supported Talman’s reinstatement...
...Finally in December of 1960, six months after he had been acquitted, CBS cried “uncle” and compromised. They agreed to allow Talman to make “occasional appearances.” A new contract was drawn up and signed.
The close-knit Mason cast had won another victory. “Welcome Home, Bill” signs greeted Talman, on his first day back on the set.”
http://www.perrymasontvshowbook.com/pmb_c603.htm
Erle Stanley Gardner wrote the first survival article I ever read.
About the only thing I recall was he thought you should get a long (6 inch) barrel Smith & Wesson .22 revolver. I think it had another name at the time but it was later just the model 17.
He did think you could live off the land but I am not sure that is a viable option except for short term.