Has anyone had any encounters with the Rangers that work the BWCA to keep everything as it should be? I have never seen any and was just curious.

Not until about my 15th trip and then I saw them 2 trips in a row. Aug 2015 solo I had one come into camp and check permit etc. and May 2016 solo I saw 2 clearing portages. Actually, the May trip was prefishing opener and only a week after ice out and they were the only 2 people I saw on my trip. I had great conversations with them on both occasions. They work hard and I don't think they get paid much. The guy I saw on my Aug. solo was putting in new latrines by himself, checking permits, and had put out a fire earlier in the day when someone had left a fire going in a firegrate when they left a campsite. When he got there the fire had spread outside of the firegrate.

Only once, that was on Poohbah in Quetico. Probably 15 years ago.

Yes, I got checked on the water 4 years ago on SAK. I was solo, trying keep up to the other two in my group in a tandem from Eddie Falls back to our campsite. I had two trout on my stringer and I was still fishing. He lectured me about fishing for trout while I already had my limit, even though it was the only 2 fish between the 3 of us. He didn't come to our campsite.

A few times. One male one female each time. Checking permit, latrine, camp condition, chatting it up a bit. Very cordial. Hustling off to check the next site. Once it was a crew of 4 loaded down with fiberglass latrines and shovels...

Ran into a few of them but every time it was because there was a fire going nearby.
It always seems you can spot them from across the lake. Usually in tandem and they always have a very purposeful and usually matching stroke.

Yup, about 10 times over 50+ trips. They seem to check in the busier areas and do site maintenance. In the more recent years it has been a Ranger with a volunteer doing latrine digging and erosion maintneance on portages in the Moose Lake - border and Number Lakes. Haven't seen a Ranger over on the Echo Trail side in years. The Ely busy entry points see lots of folks, just the Northern Tier trips alone are a ton of people.

On portage to Tin Can lake. Very professional and checked everything. They were almost apologetic, but I was glad to see them doing their work. Those tempted to skip the rules do so at their own peril.

Boulder Bay, Agnes, and Basswood River, never in Quetico. This is over the last ten years.

Boulder Bay LLC, Wed. Bay Crooked, and Agnes but never in Quetico. That's in the last ten years approximately equal number of trips.

A couple of times in the BWCA. A hand full of times in the Quetico.

SImilar - once in BWCAW and once in the Q - about 25 trips of half and half. BWCAW was at site in Snow Bay, Q was north bay.

Never seen an FS ranger but once had a new firegrate when we got back from a daytrip. Also, once got checked for fishing permits, canoe reg, and pfds by MN DNR. We don't fish and so it was just a chat as they could see the pfds and the reg sticker. That was between the Lake One EPA and the actual lake.

quote Wild_Bill: "Has anyone had any encounters with the Rangers that work the BWCA to keep everything as it should be? I have never seen any and was just curious."

Only once and that was on Brule two summers ago in mid-July. Two strong young ladies came paddling up to our site on the north shore of Brule and cheerfully asked to see our permits ( I was with my family). They explained that the lake entry was fully booked and they wanted to make sure that everyone was legit. Very nice. Very professional.

in 30 trips , checked once, came into camp and commented on my brook trout fillets not having skin on them , that were in the cooler and camp was set up , i think i said its supper, were not traveling. i think he was just trying to educate ;)

We meet rangers on our very first trip and a few years later. Encounters were very nice and received some great info :-)

In eight trips I've been stopped by rangers 3 times and DNR once.

Yes, I've passed a few work crews on portages/at entry points and had permit checked a couple of times at campsite. They work hard when they are out there and are around if you need help.

We went many years without seeing any rangers. Then we had a trip where we were checked twice. (Mueller Lake and Lujenida Lake). We were checked again the next year and now we have gone several years without seeing them again.

Yes different times and they acted very professional and very friendly. It made you feel like you belonged up there.

Out of 30 or so trips just once. It was on a portage on little used area. Very fast but good encounter.

In about 50 some trips I have seen only 3 rangers. I wish there were more out there patrolling the area.

Once on Koma lake, two Rangers came in early in the morning and did a spot check.
Once in Quetico, just checked our documentation and went about their business.

Once ten years ago on iron just after a fire ban went to a partial one. They were polite, thorough, and VERY efficient cadence paddlers.

Three times. Twice in the BW and once in Quetico, always very friendly and all of them women

Caribou, Kawishiwi, Fourtown, Ottertrack and Agnes. Very cordial and pleasant every time.

1st trip ever on Lake 3.

Saw another one on a busy lake 2 portage later same trip.

Another year on Adams lake, was nice to run into them as the fire ban was lifted they informed us.

Raven Lake once...checked our camp made sure we had the PMA designation to camp.

Quetico:
Ted Lake: they came in late we offered to share our site but they refused. We helped them find another decent site, funny thing is they didn't check us, then first thing in the AM as we broke camp and left they were on us. I asked why they didn't check us last nite, and they said we were so nice they didn't want to ruin the night so they waited the next day.

Another time in the North Bay, Burke Agnes area...can't remember for sure, they were checking people to make sure you went where your permit said you should? I guess people pull a Sara Lake permit but head to Agnes instead?

Crooked Lake: float plane landed and checked us. That was MNR not a Q ranger. They were looking for illegal fishing/border crossing. Sounded like they got a few people that day, our license and RABC were good...they seemed surprised.

T

Yes, on several occasions.

Most encounters have been very pleasant to the point of enjoyable. One pair was grateful for the campsite we were leaving near Lower Basswood Falls so they'd have a place to stay. These guys offered us their bait that they were not going to use and gladly showed us around at the Forest Service boathouse that's below the falls on Crooked Lake.

One exception to the "nice" was once on Fairy Lake between Boot and Gun. There was a crew working on portages and one guy wanted to see our permit as we came through, which was all in order. He was not in a FS uniform but with others who were and looked like maybe this was just a summer gig for him. The way he came across just seemed a little demanding--like he was enjoying being the bad-a** with a bit of power.

Again, this was the exception to our otherwise pleasant encounters. Unfortunately that is the one that sticks with you.

Couldn't say how many times, but it counts up as 'several'. All times have been cordial and pleasant. Of course we keep a clean camp and are obviously rule-abiding old folks. :-)

just once, I had just paddled across the large open area of Saganaga on the way to Cache Bay, they asked to see my permit which I had to dig out while on the water from my pack. He asked a bunch of questions about where I was going, when did I enter, where did I camp the previous night...

I have never seen one in my journeys. I tend to trip in the shoulder season, so maybe they are less active then?

Once in BWCA, was checked on Seagull Lake July 2010. Two times in Quetico, 2 of the last 3 years in May: once on Elizabeth Lake portage (was checked), once on Sturgeon Lake (was not checked).

What rangers...not in a dozen trips. I generall go straight to the Northern tier entering Mudro or Nina Moose.

38 trips into Quetico and have only been checked once. We were leaving our campsite on Kawnipi and a tandem canoe with 2 Rangers approached us when we were about a quarter mile from where we based camped for the week. They asked how we left our campsite and I said "better than when we got there". They said let's go back and see. They complimented us for leaving such a clean camp and after checking our Permit and Rabc ... they let us go on our way.

Two years ago on the portage from Poplar to Lizz. I can't recall if they were rangers or DNR. They checked our permit and praised us for keeping our gear off to the side of the portage. They were pleasant and professional.

quote unshavenman: "Two years ago on the portage from Poplar to Lizz. I can't recall if they were rangers or DNR. They checked our permit and praised us for keeping our gear off to the side of the portage. They were pleasant and professional."

Must be a popular route to "Check?" I've seen rangers 3 maybe 4 times if I recall, tripping since 1984? Twice was on Horseshoe. The one time I was frying up a walleye shore lunch and invited them to join and you could see they wanted to, but they reluctantly declined!

I've had many encounters with rangers but none in recent years. The rangers have always been pleasant and never wanted to be too intrusive to my campsite.

Have seen a couple of different trail crews and site maintenance crews. One crew was using chain saws after the '99 blowdown on the Seagull - Alpine portage.

We have had our permit checked a couple of times on portages or out on the water; never in a campsite.

One check I am sure the ranger regretted. We were on Insula, headed out. After she had looked over the permit, I reported that our site had a quad chair stuffed down into the latrine (not by us, obviously). The ranger winced and her young summer intern shuddered.

Maybe it's still there - fish it out for some real comfy campfire seating - NOT.

OtherBob

Not yet - but only 6 trips in

In over 30 years of outdoor hiking/backpacking/camping/canoeing, the only Ranger I've ever seen not in a Ranger station was in the San Juan mountains in Colorado. They were very nice and were just doing a trail maintenance survey hike. We didn't need a permit to be where we were, they just wanted to match us up with the trailhead registration info.

I think I've always harbored a semi-secret desire to be a USFS or NPS Ranger, and I work in law enforcement and have multiple family members in law enforcement so I feel an affinity with them.

There's been only one time where I wouldn't have been happy to see a ranger or warden - once on a backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon we camped within National Park boundaries without a permit because we were exhausted and it was dark (don't need a permit for camping in the National Forest - but it's needed with the National Park.)

Once on Isabella and once on Nina Moose on the way back from LLC. As others have stated, extremely efficient paddlers in almost perfect sync. On Nina Moose, we were heading to a campsite to eat lunch and they came flying across the lake at warp speed. I bet they closed a 1/2 mile gap on us in 10 minutes. My partner and I thought they were trying to race us for the site. Turned out to be a male/female USFS team checking permits. They were very nice and stopped to chat for a few minutes before they took off.

7 trips, no sightings or visits yet, not that I have anything to hide. Starting to think they may be avoiding me. Maybe I need to shower more.

Never saw them in 4 years. Have saw several groups camped illegally though when we get up early morning for our trek out, not trying to hide it or anything

One trip on the number lakes route we were checked 3 times by the same 2 rangers. We invited them in for coffee (early morning) and they were pleasant, just doing their jobs. I'm not sure they really wanted to check our permit the third time or if they just liked our coffee.

We also got checked one late afternoon on Alice. We asked if they were fishing and they said not, just doing campsite maintenance so we offered to bring them a fresh walleye for their dinner. I think they were surprised when we showed up with the fish and cleaned if for them.

Twice in the BWCA and once in Quetico since 1985. about 35 trips.

Yes always friendly and doing a good job.

I always go to Quetico and never been checked on the water. About 8 years ago I was checked by border agents for my RABC at Prarie Portage as I was returning from my trip. They only wanted to see my permit and asked where I camped and what day did my trip start.

They also admired my canoe "Old Town Canadienne" and gave me a lesson on how to properly pronounce Canadienne.
~JOE~

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I was just curious. I hope the wind is always at your back, although if you have my luck, it never will be!

We have been checked 4 out of the last 5 trips.

Been checked twice over the last 4-5 years. Once at camp and once while on the water while we were fishing on a day trip. Both times they were very friendly. They did their work, we chatted about whatever for awhile, compared some notes, and they were off.

They are people who went into that type of work because they love the outdoors and care.

Once, on Poplar. Poplar isn't even in the BW, but we were at the portage to Lizz and the only thing to do on Lizz is to enter the BW. The ranger was in the area going to check out a small wildfire on Gaskin, if I recall correctly.

I've taken 7 trips, I think.

In late June 2014 my canoe party was on its way to Saganagons in Quetico . We stopped at the Cache Bay Entry to check in with Ranger Janice ... and as we were getting out of our canoes at the dock we saw 6 armed men who appeared to be the Canadian version of a US SWAT team. They had packs on and bullet proof vests and each had automatic rifles.

They were not interested in our canoe party at all but they looked to be quite serious and were obviously " meant business." They would not tell us what they were looking for ... drugs, illegal firearms, illegal border crossing ?

Janice never offered up any info as to who the Armed Canadian guys were. We figured it best not to ask.

They were still hanging around the dock area when we shoved off for Gons.

Got checked once on Crooked lake(little).

Got stopped on Lizz and told to make sure my packs were at the side. He wasn't what I'd describe as friendly and the portage was very busy as everything funnels through so I felt like the middle of the portage wasn't the best place to permit check everyone. I have no problems with the rangers this one just had a power trip persona. He proceeded to harass several scouts.

4 or 5 times in about 25 trips. Never any problem. They have always been very nice.

Checked for the first time 2 years ago on Polly in August. 2 young men paddled up to our campsite, checked our permit, and then did a walk through to check on trees that they were looking to cut down after we moved. Very nice and professional.

The next year there was a ranger (DNR?) checking boat licenses as people were putting in and pulling out on the busy Memorial Day weekend at Lake One.

We were just packing up camp on a large site on Cherokee in 2014 when two rangers (One dressed in ranger attire) paddled up in one canoe. There were larger than wrist size logs laying around that a previous group had left, so the ranger did point them out along with going through all the points on the back of our permit, speaking to me since I was the primary permit holder. Then they asked if they could put up their tent before we left, saying that they wanted to give this highly used site a respite from larger parties camping there. He was pleasant about it. My oldest son thought he was a little condescending, but I guess I wasn't miffed about it. Just doing his job.
Only time in 5 years.

Ran into one on Iron Lake. A pair had paddled in from LLC moving to Crooked. Checked license and permits.

Years ago we saw some Canadian rangers paddling the Canadian side of Iron while we were paddling the same stretch of water just on the American side.