Camping in Maine: What to bring?
- Thread starter SASD209
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SASD209,
You may be alright if they question you, I'm not really sure as I have never taken guns with me while backpacking or camping. A .22 might be easily explained for plinking and target shooting, but larger calibers may not be. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Probably the best thing to do would be in touch with the Bureau of Warden Service before your trip and ask any questions you have, I know it's a pain in the butt, but it might save you a headache during your trip. Here's a link to their site, hope it helps.
http://www.state.me.us/ifw/aboutifw/wardenservice/index.htm
You may be alright if they question you, I'm not really sure as I have never taken guns with me while backpacking or camping. A .22 might be easily explained for plinking and target shooting, but larger calibers may not be. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Probably the best thing to do would be in touch with the Bureau of Warden Service before your trip and ask any questions you have, I know it's a pain in the butt, but it might save you a headache during your trip. Here's a link to their site, hope it helps.
http://www.state.me.us/ifw/aboutifw/wardenservice/index.htm
Jeff:
I 'm checking into that now, thanks for the link. I called the Maine State troopers in Augusta and they took info and said someone will be in contact from the "proper office". Don't know what that means, but probably the Warden people?
I 'm checking into that now, thanks for the link. I called the Maine State troopers in Augusta and they took info and said someone will be in contact from the "proper office". Don't know what that means, but probably the Warden people?
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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Lol, exactly.
The Deer Hunter
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Maine?!
Nothing smaller than 20MM Vulcan, of course.
Nothing smaller than 20MM Vulcan, of course.
Mountie855
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Maine is a "shall issue" state, and non-resident CCW, IIRC, is $60 for 4 yrs. Usually issued promptly, but can take up to 90 days. That solves the concealed problem, and permit holders can carry concealed in the woods without being accused of hunting. Hunting violations, real or perceived, can be expensive, especially with firearms and flashlights at night!
Much easier to carry a handgun that a longarm in a camping situation.
Much easier to carry a handgun that a longarm in a camping situation.
Understood, but I was under the impression that a long-arm would be better for a self defense situation vs a ~700lb animal. I'd gladly go through the permit process if my 686 or Ruger SA Blackhawk .357 would be sufficient for self protection. I don't know, tell me: would a .357 be adequate vs a large animal threat or would a 12GA or .308/.303/8MM be better suited? I'm not trying to flame here, I want real opinions. Thanks guys.
jpwilly
Member
Bring the 50bmg in case a squirrel is feeling froggy. We have attack squirrels out here too ya know! Kidding
A 12GA with slugs is big enough medicine for almost anything as is the 308, 303 and 8mm. I personally would bring the 357 and "take your chances".
Enjoy your trip!
A 12GA with slugs is big enough medicine for almost anything as is the 308, 303 and 8mm. I personally would bring the 357 and "take your chances".
Enjoy your trip!
No, really...I'm not trying to be an a$$ here......this is a new environment for me and I want to be prepared. Not any different than someone asking what would be a good carry weapon for "XYZ" environment. I was looking for an honest reply from those that have knowledge of my area of camping.
I know I need a tent. I know I need to stay warm. I know the laws. I was attempting to solicit info based upon my OP and conditions. The 'stay warm' or 'bring socks' replies don't help at all....thanks, I know that already.
I really wanted info on what weapon out of my stock would be most appropriate for the conditions. Call it a threat asessment or whatever you will; I leave the house prepared every day and wanted no less for this trip. Thanks for the useful replies, I appreciate them.
I know I need a tent. I know I need to stay warm. I know the laws. I was attempting to solicit info based upon my OP and conditions. The 'stay warm' or 'bring socks' replies don't help at all....thanks, I know that already.
I really wanted info on what weapon out of my stock would be most appropriate for the conditions. Call it a threat asessment or whatever you will; I leave the house prepared every day and wanted no less for this trip. Thanks for the useful replies, I appreciate them.
Furncliff
Member
I flew floatplanes in an out of that area in the 70's. Countless trips bringing in fisherman, folks using canoes to float the St.John and etc. Never saw anyone bring in a firearm. Never heard of anyone being molested by a bear.
The roads up that way, north of Moosehead Lake... (I'm assuming you'll go in from there) tend to be closed until sometime in May, just sayin. Most of the land in that part of Maine is owned by one of three or so paper companies. Many roads are private and restricted to paper company vehicles. Just a heads up.
The roads up that way, north of Moosehead Lake... (I'm assuming you'll go in from there) tend to be closed until sometime in May, just sayin. Most of the land in that part of Maine is owned by one of three or so paper companies. Many roads are private and restricted to paper company vehicles. Just a heads up.
It sounds like a deployment. I think one long gun in the group would suffice and trade off carrying it with your buddy. If you are hiking any distance, everyone carrying their own 4-6lb weapon will get old fast.
Rich:
I've thought about this, but being we're city folk, I don't see us going really far from our site; I'm sure the ladies aren't up for it. I just want something that will be effective should an errant animal come upon us and pose a threat. Like I've said 100 times, I'm not looking for trouble, but I want to be ready in case trouble finds us.
Rich:
I've thought about this, but being we're city folk, I don't see us going really far from our site; I'm sure the ladies aren't up for it.
I just want something that will be effective should an errant animal come upon us and pose a threat. Like I've said 100 times, I'm not looking for trouble, but I want to be ready in case trouble finds us. SASD209,
Just another heads up, if you do decide to do some shooting up there, plinking or whatever, just be very sure there are no other camp sites around you. I'm sure you're aware of that and I'm not trying to be condescending, but a lot of remote camping areas around here look as though though they're single sites out in the middle of nowhere, but there are usually multiple sights if there's one, even though it might not look like.
Just another heads up, if you do decide to do some shooting up there, plinking or whatever, just be very sure there are no other camp sites around you. I'm sure you're aware of that and I'm not trying to be condescending, but a lot of remote camping areas around here look as though though they're single sites out in the middle of nowhere, but there are usually multiple sights if there's one, even though it might not look like.
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LemmyCaution
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Man has no natural predators in the Maine woods, save for other men (and that is such a rarity as to be not worth carrying for, in my opinion). Plan accordingly.
You are going to have a hard time arguing with the game warden that you shot a cow moose or sow bear with young in self defense. Don't do it. You are in the animals' territory and you have a legal and ethical duty to retreat, which will get an angry bear or moose off your case just finely, anyway, and nobody gets hurt.
You are going to have a hard time arguing with the game warden that you shot a cow moose or sow bear with young in self defense. Don't do it. You are in the animals' territory and you have a legal and ethical duty to retreat, which will get an angry bear or moose off your case just finely, anyway, and nobody gets hurt.
SSN Vet
Member
My co-worker is an avid deer hunter and frequently hunts with his dad.
During their pre-season scouting they put up thermal sensor cameras in locations where they are considering putting their tree stands.
About two months ago, his dad went out after work by himself to check the camera and as dusk closed in started to hear the yoots. Within 10 min. or so, he found himself in the middle of at least 20, if not more, yoots howling it up all around him. He couldn't see a one and yet could tell they were close.
Poor guy almost had a heart attack running out of the woods to his truck, as he was unarmed.
My co-worker says he never goes in the woods without some type of firearm and had told his dad that many times. His dad now agrees.
There are also black bear, but they are more afraid of you than you are them.
And despite what you read on the net and what the "official" answer is by the DNR, there are mountain lions in both Maine and NH. The DNR doessn't want any proof of it, because the don't want to have to regulate them as a protected species. If they officially don't exist in Maine, then they don't have to do anything.
Maine is an open carry state. I'd get a holster to carry a side arm in the open.
If your traipsin around with a rifle and don't have a hunting liscence you might have to do some tap dancing explaining yourself to a forrest ranger, but doubt you'd really have a problem.
Don't carry concealed or carry an uncased handgun in your car unless you have either a Maine non-res. ccw or make sure your states ccw has reciprocity with Maine.
Call up the Maine State Police if you have any questions. They've always been very helpfull to me and will give you the straight scoop.
Under NO circumstances is it ever legal to have a loaded long gun in your vehicle in Maine. You must unload your rifle or shotgun prior to putting it in your car.
Even though many Mass Holes have infiltrated the south in search of affordable housing and have turned both states into blue clollumn. They are still sportsman's states as far as guns go. Both ME and NH have very friendly gun laws...well codified in their respective state constitutions (see my sig. line).
Don't forget the #1 threat to your health and safety while up there in the spring............mosquitos and black flies!
Deep woods off with deet is your friend.
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Macmac
Member
Really funny thread... Really the only need of a gun is for man in the woods in Maine. If i were you I would open carry a .22 which would be good enough, to stop more than one goon, should you meet one.
Like others I have lived in NH almost all my life, and I hunt. I have camped in Maine off the beaten path many times.
Since you just got back... You were not winta' camping. this is still late fall.
In winter we measure snow in feet, and the temps can be down around -40 pretty easy.
I have seen one catamount one time in my life and it was in my neighbors garbage on his porch. Bears commonly tore the window mounted bird seed trays off my window sill, just to piss of the window grazing moose.
Really, moose would eat sunflower seeds right out of my window tray.
I lived in a Tee Pee for 3 total years and some days and one year was illegally in NH, because i was hurt bad and down on my luck. One full year and saw -50 in winter then with 5 feet of snow.
I also was and still am a winter hiker, and do this both modern and primitive.. Pre 1840.
Walking around in the woods as has been said with a long arm means you are hunting, whether or not you are hunting. You probably could get away with a small .22 hand gun as a plinker. Not many 2 leggeds will want to bother you even with just that.
The 2 Jeeps and the long guns bit isn't going to work out at all because no long guns can be loaded in a vehical, Not for anyone other than LEO. And I guess back roading is the same deal, So every time you want to drive you gotta unload the gun and don't even dare lean a loaded long gun against any vehical. That was said too, so just re-enforcing that tid bit of wise comentary.
No wild animals are going to bother you, and the bears that bug people are park bears, where they have become accustomed to human foods.
April May and June the black flies are just killer. Ticks ain't much better, and the skeeters are always fun.... bring DEET
As to the 'females' Ho Ho Ho. My wife prefers the K-98 in 8mm with Turk Ammo noted to be a smidegen HOT... She can fire off about 60 rnds in a couple hours time no problem.. Pure hell on paper she is.. Ain't a thing left of that x ring either.
Like others I have lived in NH almost all my life, and I hunt. I have camped in Maine off the beaten path many times.
Since you just got back... You were not winta' camping. this is still late fall.
In winter we measure snow in feet, and the temps can be down around -40 pretty easy.
I have seen one catamount one time in my life and it was in my neighbors garbage on his porch. Bears commonly tore the window mounted bird seed trays off my window sill, just to piss of the window grazing moose.
Really, moose would eat sunflower seeds right out of my window tray.
I lived in a Tee Pee for 3 total years and some days and one year was illegally in NH, because i was hurt bad and down on my luck. One full year and saw -50 in winter then with 5 feet of snow.
I also was and still am a winter hiker, and do this both modern and primitive.. Pre 1840.
Walking around in the woods as has been said with a long arm means you are hunting, whether or not you are hunting. You probably could get away with a small .22 hand gun as a plinker. Not many 2 leggeds will want to bother you even with just that.
The 2 Jeeps and the long guns bit isn't going to work out at all because no long guns can be loaded in a vehical, Not for anyone other than LEO. And I guess back roading is the same deal, So every time you want to drive you gotta unload the gun and don't even dare lean a loaded long gun against any vehical. That was said too, so just re-enforcing that tid bit of wise comentary.
No wild animals are going to bother you, and the bears that bug people are park bears, where they have become accustomed to human foods.
April May and June the black flies are just killer. Ticks ain't much better, and the skeeters are always fun.... bring DEET
As to the 'females' Ho Ho Ho. My wife prefers the K-98 in 8mm with Turk Ammo noted to be a smidegen HOT... She can fire off about 60 rnds in a couple hours time no problem.. Pure hell on paper she is.. Ain't a thing left of that x ring either.
Mountie855
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While dangers in ME woods are minimal, they do exist. I was confronted in my yard by an agressive bear that I was trying to convince to leave. A rubber slug did convince him- hasn't been back since.
My neighbor (1/2 mile away), a ME trooper, recently had a rabid skunk kill another skunk on his front deck. That skunk was living in a culvert on our road. My wife and I often walk our dog on our road past the skunk's former home.
The Northwoods Sporting Journal recently had an article where one of its editorial writers encountered a moose on the snowmobile trail twice on the same trip. The moose didn't charge, but did block his way twice, and could have easily charged.
Several black bear attacks in the U.S. and Canada have been documented this (and in the past) year, more than one resulting in death. Google bear attacks. ME has between 20 and 30,000 black bears, depending on who you ask.
Another neighbor has twice seen a mountain lion and I and yet another have heard its scream on two occasions.
Coyotes abound in ME- including the occasional rabid one.
All of the above should NOT make one afraid of the wilderness- their presence, in IMO, adds to the experience (except for rabies!). I enjoy knowing that at any moment I might spot a moose, deer, bear, or whatever.
My sidearm helps to assure that any negative experience will be decided in my favor! A friend who is a forester for one of the larger paper companies in ME has started carrying a sidearm after some recent experiences.
Those with much more experience and knowledge than I state that a 357, with heavy jacketed (or preferably hard cast) bullets will suffice for anything in the ME woods. I alternate between the 357 and 44 Mag calibers and feel comfortable with either.
My neighbor (1/2 mile away), a ME trooper, recently had a rabid skunk kill another skunk on his front deck. That skunk was living in a culvert on our road. My wife and I often walk our dog on our road past the skunk's former home.
The Northwoods Sporting Journal recently had an article where one of its editorial writers encountered a moose on the snowmobile trail twice on the same trip. The moose didn't charge, but did block his way twice, and could have easily charged.
Several black bear attacks in the U.S. and Canada have been documented this (and in the past) year, more than one resulting in death. Google bear attacks. ME has between 20 and 30,000 black bears, depending on who you ask.
Another neighbor has twice seen a mountain lion and I and yet another have heard its scream on two occasions.
Coyotes abound in ME- including the occasional rabid one.
All of the above should NOT make one afraid of the wilderness- their presence, in IMO, adds to the experience (except for rabies!). I enjoy knowing that at any moment I might spot a moose, deer, bear, or whatever.
My sidearm helps to assure that any negative experience will be decided in my favor! A friend who is a forester for one of the larger paper companies in ME has started carrying a sidearm after some recent experiences.
Those with much more experience and knowledge than I state that a 357, with heavy jacketed (or preferably hard cast) bullets will suffice for anything in the ME woods. I alternate between the 357 and 44 Mag calibers and feel comfortable with either.
Thank you, Mountie......that was exactly the info I was looking for. I am thinking that based upon the helpful replies here, I may just open carry the Smith 686 and bring along the Walther G-22 for plinking, bearing in mind and obeying the 'un-loaded rifle in the car laws'.
SSN Vet
Member
We were sledding from Jackman to the Pittston Farm (love that all you can eat dinner buffet) for an overnight in a pretty good sized group (8 sleds) and came upon a Bull Moose on a narrow stretch of trail. He showed no interest in us, but also showed no interest in moving off of the trail for us, as the snow was really deep off of the hard packed trail. Worse part was that we missed the buffet! They were nice enough to save sandwiches for us though. Took quite a while to thaw out by the fire.
What do you do? Stop and wait. No way I was going to try to pass him on that narrow trail.
Eventually he tromped off into the woods. But he took his sweet time.
At no time did we fee threatened. But we didn't get to close either.
It is awesome country up there. You can easilly get into places where the neares "civilization" is a LONG ways away.
I won't sled up in those remote regions unless I'm in a group, so we could tow out a dead slead, or at least ride 2-up and get all the people out. Walking 20 miles to the nearest road isn't my idea of fun.
On another overnight sledding trip from Greenville up to the Pittston farm , we got a late start, had some sled problems and had to detour aroung a closed trail. After the sun went down, it got wicked COLD. My BIL has a low windshield on his "hot rod" sled, and he was covered with ice when we got in. We were getting a little worried that we would take a wrong turn in the dark and get lost, and in fact, we came accross a guy who had got seperated from his partner, and was backtracking to look for him. It was sobering to realize that walking out of those woods in the sub zero dark was no sure thing.
Stick with the two jeep plan and bring tow straps.
Have a ball.
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