Lost in the Maine Woods During Annual Deer Hunt
On a bitter September day in 1984, a deer hunting party in Rangeley, Maine, faced a harrowing ordeal when one of their members became lost after a sudden snowstorm. The story, originally published in Outdoor Life, highlights the dangers even experienced hunters can encounter in challenging weather conditions.
Eight hunters had gathered at George Kelley’s long-standing camp, a place familiar to all for its reliable deer hunting. As daylight waned, seven hunters returned cold and drenched, but Bob, the eighth hunter, was nowhere in sight.
Unexpected Emergency in Well-Known Territory
Bob, an experienced hunter and private pilot, was well-prepared with survival gear, including a spare compass and sufficient food. Yet when contact was made by CB radio, his messages were brief and vague, and he soon went silent despite their attempts to reach him again.
Such an event was unexpected given the group’s strict adherence to safety rules—especially the standard directive to exit the woods before dark or remain oriented enough to navigate in the dark. This protocol is critical in northern forests, where daylight in September can disappear quickly, complicating movement and search efforts.
Efforts to Locate the Missing Hunter
As the snowstorm intensified and darkness set in, five men set out to locate Bob. George, a former lumberjack with extensive knowledge of local terrain, and Jack searched along the route of the day’s hunt, listening for gunshots used as signals.
- Shots were fired every five minutes to guide Bob or indicate their positions.
- Two men remained behind to provide support and monitor the camp.
- One was dispatched to town to contact the local game warden for assistance.
The search’s urgency reflected the harsh reality of Maine’s late-season weather. Snow and cold temperatures increase the risks for hypothermia and disorientation, especially amid the dense conifer and mixed forests home to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Biological and Environmental Context
September hunts in this region coincide with the start of the white-tailed deer’s rutting season, a period when bucks are particularly active and less cautious, driven by mating instincts. The adverse weather, however, can slow animal movement, while also reducing visibility for hunters.
Navigation challenges in the dense northern hardwood and conifer forests, combined with weather conditions, are a known hazard. Experienced hunters like Bob rely on compasses, radios, and survival kits to mitigate these risks, but even well-equipped individuals can fall victim to the unpredictable wilderness.
Key Lessons from the Incident
This incident underscores the importance of strict safety protocols during hunting expeditions. The Maine woods, though familiar to many, demand vigilance as weather conditions shift rapidly in early fall. It also highlights the critical role of communication devices such as CB radios and the local game wardens’ knowledge and support in search and rescue operations.
While the final outcome on this particular night is not detailed here, the story serves as a sober reminder of both the beauty and the inherent dangers in hunting Maine’s wild deer populations.
Additional reporting and sources from: This One Stupid Decision Nearly Cost Me My Life on a Maine Deer Hunt | Outdoor Life
