Recent stories have created lots of interest in how to not get lost in thet woods and, more importantly, what to do if it happens. Being lost might seem like an unlikely concept, given that our cell phones can tell us where we are. But not all areas of Maine have cell service, and unexpected things can happen.

I am reminded of the first time I really needed the GPS I was carrying.

On a mackerel fishing trip with a young family, I could clearly see the fog bank approaching and was confident in my ability to easily find our way back to the harbor using the new GPS.

It was time to go, and the fog had really settled in. I reached down and turned on the magic device that simply did not come to life even after several tries. Luckily I had been in that spot many times and found my way home using only a compass and landmarks, so the trip was uneventful even if momentarily unsettling for me.

I tell clients all the time, “How hard could it be to hit North America?” Of course hitting the right spot matters.

What to know

How do guides and others who regularly spend time in remote parts of our state keep from becoming a lost-person news story? Thinking ahead and planning for the possibility can go a long way toward keeping you out of those stories.

First, tell someone where you are going. I guide grouse hunters for Libby Camps in T8R9 in the fall, and clients frequently hear the guides telling each other the general areas they will be hunting that day.

Why do we do that? First, while we don’t share the exact location, we want people to know a general area or road system, so if for some reason one of us isn’t at the supper table in the evening the rest of us know where to begin looking. In fact there is a general tracking of who is back in camp as the afternoon fades into evening. It’s not a formal system, but we all know who is in camp and who is not, and in what direction they headed in the morning.

Knowing what will likely happen weather-wise will help you plan the day. Forecasts aren’t perfect, but they do give a good frame of reference for what to expect and prepare for.

It has been interesting to see the transition as technology has improved. It is quite a sight to see several guides watching the latest weather radar images on a computer monitor or even a cell phone screen. The improvement here is remarkable and very helpful.

It is important to have a sense of the general lay of the land. Where are the rivers and streams, mountains you might be able to see, and the nearest roads? What are the bodies of water you are likely to come to, and in what direction do they flow? For instance, if you were to head downstream where would you likely get to? Relative to certain landmarks, in what direction are the roads? If you hear a truck on a road, where might it be?

Spending at least some time getting familiar with the landscape can not only add to your knowledge of where you are but serve as a handy reference if you get turned around.

It is worth looking at a map before you go to get a sense of the nearby road systems. It is now pretty hard to travel any distance in the Maine woods without coming to the signs of a wood-cutting operation, which will lead you to a logging road that will eventually lead somewhere. It is handy to have an idea of where it will lead.

If you fear you’re lost, one of the most important things you can do is take a minute to calm down and think. I tell folks that the first rule is not to make any situation worse than it already is. The feeling of not being in control can lead to a feeling of panic that can then lead to doing exactly the wrong things.

What I carry no matter what

Knife: I do not go many places without a knife in my pocket, and when I do I feel only partly dressed. A knife can perform a variety of functions, and one of those multi tools can do many more. While I do keep a multi tool in the trip boxes that I take along, I find it too heavy to carry along all day. A sharp two-bladed pocket knife has stood the test of time for me.

Matches: I also keep matches in waterproof containers in various coat pockets and all of my first aid kits. Starting a fire can make a cold rainy morning seem less uncomfortable. Not to mention the other benefits a fire can produce, from hot coffee to smoke for a signal.

Compass: I keep a compass in all of the jackets that I wear when in the woods. Nothing fancy — just one of the simple ones with a base plate that would let me set a direction of travel if needed or orient a map.

Whistle: Something to make loud noise can also be helpful; I use a whistle when working bird dogs and always have one around my neck in the fall. A horn is required on my boat, but a whistle still makes sense to have along.

Don Kleiner of Union runs Maine Outdoors guiding service and is executive director of the Maine Professional Guides Association.