There have been oodles of permits available for almost all Quetico Entry Points.

So if you think that you waited too long, CALL FIRST!!!! I have gotten 3 permits this year for 1-3 days before the entry date and never had a problem with availability.

I just returned from Quetico and the receptionist from Prairie Portage told me that permits are way down this year.

Chuck

Wonderful! Our 2008 trip to Quetico should be in solitude!! No live bait, no barbed hooks and great fishing in solitude, who could ask for anything more.

Notice that traffic was down on our July 1 - 7 trip. Put in at
Beaverhouse and did not see another group for two days and we were camped at the point on Quetico were you make the turn south to Conk. Only saw one canoe two days later on Jesse. Then on our second to the last day on Pickerel & Batch, we saw a few more groups.

Seemed traffic was way down, don't know if it is the dollar being down or gas prices or what. But it was nice to have the park to ourselves.

The outfitters I've talked to say it's the live bait ban. They are getting cancellations due to it.

Yea, some sure don't like it. But those people just don't know how to catch fish.

It's got to be a combination of prices, permiting, RABC issues, and all the other paperwork that some people need to slog through to get into the park.

Oh well, their loss.

I agree, I don’t think it’s any one issue for fewer permits being issued. Higher gas prices, do or don’t I need a passport, the $20 per night camping fee at Prairie Portage compared to about $5 less at the other entry points, fishing issue and the fact you have to plan ahead in getting a RABC.

Last year, I returned to the BWCA after several years. There seemed to be a lot more people there than when I’ve gone in prior years. It was a disappointment. I know there still are places in the BWCA that don’t have that many people, but I’ve been through a lot of them in my past travels. I like to see new areas. Most of the time you still have to go through the masses of people on the first day or two and hope to find a campsite. Yes, that may be a generalization, but there are three fourths less people that visit Quetico than the BWCA. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not asking people to go to Quetico instead of the BWCA, I enjoy the solitude.

I really enjoyed my time in Quetico this year. The only time I had a problem finding a campsite was on my way out and that was on the North Bay of Basswood. I did see some people in my travels, but I did cover 150 miles.

Chuck
I guess I would had one more generalization and observation, the Quetico is a much more rugged experience compared to the BWCA. I feel it's a much better accomplishment. I know that all people are different and want different things in a trip and that's fine. I do hope everyone who does a trip to have a good one and a safe one. That's really the most important things. Chuck

OS, interesting they would say that as it was put off until next year. I guess it was the confusion earlier in the year they are referring to. Not taking live bait would not discourage me from going. In fact it would save me $50 in leeches and it would be one less thing to portage and worry about.

Still think it is an economic deal (US $ down & Gas prices) plus the border crossing isssues. We had a weird experience crossing back into the US. Don't know why they hassle a family (all with US Passports). Not like I handed them Saudi Passports with Student Visas.

It would be interesting to know for comparison if BWCA permits were up or down. Anybody know?

tourism to canada is down across the board this year, not just ontario, not just paddlers, and not just a little. Fuel, passports, USD parity, border hassles are always mentioned. 2007 may end up to be a watershed year for some outfitters unless more europeans show up to take up the slack. interesting that your worst border crossing was back into the states-it was the same with us and we had passports also. our 3 canadian crossings so far in 2007 have been friendly and smooth.

on a side note, in june we saw a father and son turned back at the canadian border. more specifically, the son was denied entry because of a DUI. we only had our documents run once in 3 crossings, but if you have things like a DUI, they must be getting better at picking it up.

I am glad I read that last post. I am headed to quetico with a group of 5 buddies of mine in august. I know one of them had a dui in 2004, should I plan on changing our trip? We are crossing in thunder bay, do you think they will let him across?

Speaking of being hassled crossing the border back to the U.S., the Customs (now Homeland Security) guy in Ely hassles everyone. It's ridiculous. You can drive over the border lots of places barely stopping, but in Ely you have to pull out your prescription drugs for inspection and show the rental agreement for the car that didn't even cross the border. If you were smuggling or a terrorist you wouldn't even stop there in the first place, since 99% of the traffic going by is intra-United States. It would be nice to be able to do something to get a change there.

"do you think they will let him across?"

if they find a DUI(felony), he's not going to cross. so what you're really asking is what are the chances of having his documents run through the database, and if run, what are the chances of the DUI popping up. i can't answer that one. from waiting in some lines and watching what's going on, it sure looks like they profile like crazy, right down to the license plate. we had our stuff run because i got a 60 day firearm permit.

It's a dam shame what 911 did. Seems like there are levels of alerts. I know early June was orange and it seems like it stays around awhile. A dui interfering with a fishing trip 5 years later; who would have thought? There are jobs to do, but it's still a dam shame.

after turning over a few rocks I found that his dui was a misdemeanor, not a felony, and still pending conviction after a 3 year probationary period. One of those "keep your nose clean and it stays off the record" offense's. must of had a good lawyer.

TRIP ON!!!!!!!!

Better check on it. I believe canada considers a DUI/ DWI a felony, not what it is in the USA.

Chuck

CIIcanoe is right.

Not to burst your bubble but a DUI in the US is a misdemeanor but the same US DUI is considered a felony in Canada. You still are at risk of him being turned away at the border. If it is truly not in the system you are fine, but I doubt that is the case-more likely it gets wiped clean after his probation period is over.

If you had more time he could apply for amnesty with the Canadian consulate but you won't have enough time for this years trip and seeing it was only three years ago unlikely to be granted. You do run the real risk of him being turned away at the border. This is something you need to discuss what you will do if it happens.

" A dui interfering with a fishing trip 5 years later; who would have thought? There are jobs to do, but it's still a dam shame. "

911 has nothing to do with this rule, In Canada it has been considered a felony to Drive while intoxicated for quite a while---as far as I know No other country (including the U.S.) is going to let you cross their border if you have a felony conviction---I don't know if there is any grace period---like after 10 years it is okay--usually though a felony is a felony--whether it was committed 1 year ago or 20.

The only way to get around it the issue--is to do what Bogwalker suggests or take your chances at the border.

Tim

Here's more on the topic from a governemt website

Canada and a DUI Conviction
Canada regards DUI / DWI as an extremely serious offense. A conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI or DWI) will qualify you as a member of the Inadmissible Class. Those non-Canadian citizens with such convictions will not be allowed to enter Canada freely.

The Inadmissible status can be removed, after a period of many years, by applying for a Minister's Approval of Rehabilitation. Although, you can visit Canada before the Inadmissible status is removed. This requires you apply for a Temporary Resident Permit. The Temporary Resident Permit allows you to visit Canada for a single purpose or for a limited period. This process requires completion of forms and paying fees.

Persons may apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, Approval of Rehabilitation, or Permission to Return to Canada either in Canada or at one these Canadian visa offices in the United States:

The Canadian Consulate General in Buffalo, NY
The Canadian Consulate General in New York, New York
The Canadian Consulate General in Detroit, Michigan
The Canadian Consulate General in Los Angeles, California
The Canadian Consulate General in Seattle, Washington

More stories and links

SF Chronicle Story

Details on process