One question what do I need to pick up my permit?
Is driver license enough or do I need receipt?

As written inmy reservation email:

BWCAW Permit Requirements

Permit is valid to enter BWCAW only on entry date at entry point specified.

Permits can only be picked up on the entry date or one day prior.

Only Permit Holder or verified Alternate can pick up permit (photo ID required). Leader must stay with group for entire trip and ensure that all BWCAW rules and regulations are followed.

Reserved permits must be picked up at issue station specified. Office hours vary, so plan ahead and allow extra time to discuss wilderness preservation and current conditions.

Cooperators may charge a service fee for issuing BWCAW permits (up to $2.00 per permit). The new platform has stronger security controls, better protection of Personally Identifiable Information and increased fraud protection. Service fees help cover the cost of technology upgrades that encrypt and protect your credit card information.

Senior/Access Passes must be presented for validation at pickup or discount is forfeited.

Permits are not transferable (Permit Holder, Alternates, entry date and entry point cannot be changed once reservation is made).

Pretty easy just to make sure I have our confirmation email - either paper or electronic - although I've hardly ever shown it. Usually, I just walk up to the desk at VNO and Lynn grabs my folder. :-)

schweady: Usually, I just walk up to the desk at VNO and Lynn grabs my folder. :-)
"

Does she then charge you to watch the BWCA video? This still erks me.

We'll be picking up our permit at a different issuing station in Ely tomorrow.

frlu0501: "Does she then charge you to watch the BWCA video?..."

No. We have been customers for 10-15 years, staying in their bunkhouse, renting some canoes, buying some bait. A separate charge for issuing the permit or viewing the video has never been mentioned.

schweady: "
No. We have been customers for 10-15 years, staying in their bunkhouse, renting some canoes, buying some bait. A separate charge for issuing the permit or viewing the video has never been mentioned.
"

On this specific trip we didn't rent a canoe but we did buy nalgenes, t shirts, and last minute items. She still charged us to issue the permit. We typically bring our own canoe but often bring friends/relatives who are renting canoes.

This was not a way to make life long customers. I refuse to step foot in the store and steered last weekends spring trip partners away from VNO. In a small town niche market, customer services goes a long ways.

Something so simple but something I will never forget.

Well if you aren't using their services at all and just buying a few things from the store it makes sense they would charge you the extra fee for the permit. And if you normally bring your own canoe would you ever be a "life-long customer anyway? We just used VNO this past weekend and everything was great. They were super helpful and the customer service was superb.

frlu0501: "

schweady: "
No. We have been customers for 10-15 years, staying in their bunkhouse, renting some canoes, buying some bait. A separate charge for issuing the permit or viewing the video has never been mentioned.
"

On this specific trip we didn't rent a canoe but we did buy nalgenes, t shirts, and last minute items. She still charged us to issue the permit. We typically bring our own canoe but often bring friends/relatives who are renting canoes.


This was not a way to make life long customers. I refuse to step foot in the store and steered last weekends spring trip partners away from VNO. In a small town niche market, customer services goes a long ways.


Something so simple but something I will never forget. "

Is $2 that big of a deal to you? They are providing a service with no guarantee that said customer will spend a dime. Look at it this way, they may be taking time away from a paying customer to facilitate someone's entry to the BWCA. Surely that's worth at least $2.

I am a life long customer to the area. Given I have all the gear and more experience than trippers I bring with me, I often suggest which outfitter to use. I can't remember one time we picked up a permit from an outfitter without purchasing anything.

She charged us the $2 on our way out the door after we spent around $50-100. The no guarantee of purchase didn't apply here, she chose to charge us. The $2 isn't the problem, it's the principle.

VNO is always top notch in my book.

To each his own I guess.

I've been picking up permits through outfitters for years and I've NEVER been charged to issue the permit until last fall at VNO. I've used many different outfitters throughout the years as we try hit different areas as much as possible.

Last spring we brought a group of four, both groups brought our own canoes. We didn't rent a single item or bunkhouse and the outfitter never questioned it. We bought last minute items, hats, t-shirts, snacks before AND after the trip. You get my wife into any outfitter, she's be buying something. Isn't the point of offering such a service is to get people in the door to buy more profitable items?

My fall permit is currently sitting at the ranger station, I could keep it there and bypass all outfitters. Keeping my wife out of an outfitting store would save me a tank of gas or two but cost me the experience my wife enjoys.

We try to make it up to the BWCA at least twice a year, their loss I guess. To each their own.

frlu0501: "I've been picking up permits through outfitters for years and I've NEVER been charged to issue the permit until last fall at VNO. I've used many different outfitters throughout the years as we try hit different areas as much as possible.


Last spring we brought a group of four, both groups brought our own canoes. We didn't rent a single item or bunkhouse and the outfitter never questioned it. We bought last minute items, hats, t-shirts, snacks before AND after the trip. You get my wife into any outfitter, she's be buying something. Isn't the point of offering such a service is to get people in the door to buy more profitable items?


My fall permit is currently sitting at the ranger station, I could keep it there and bypass all outfitters. Keeping my wife out of an outfitting store would save me a tank of gas or two but cost me the experience my wife enjoys.


We try to make it up to the BWCA at least twice a year, their loss I guess. To each their own. "

Are you aware of the changes in the permitting system this year that are directly impacting the outfitters bottom line? Should the outfitters have to pay money out of their pockets for the privilege of issuing your permit? It's not the $2 it's the principle? What principle is involved other than someone being a tight ass?

Sorry....DP.

Reading posts critical of outfitters charging $2 to issue a permit is one of the reasons I now prefer Canada over the BWCA. I take trips to get away from such cranky, whiny folks. I am sure outfitters such as VNO actually lose money to process and print a permit, just as they do to issue a fishing license. Unbelievable.

Well, I can say that I have gone through VNO for the vast majority of my trips. Sometimes just a bunkhouse and some bait, and sometimes renting a canoe. My experiences have been, without fail, phenomenal. I find their service to be efficient, friendly, and knowledgeable. Just have to throw that out there.

climbmda: "Well, I can say that I have gone through VNO for the vast majority of my trips. Sometimes just a bunkhouse and some bait, and sometimes renting a canoe. My experiences have been, without fail, phenomenal. I find their service to be efficient, friendly, and knowledgeable. Just have to throw that out there."

Same here!

I'll pile on just to drown out the negativity. VNO is great! I can't wait to see them in a couple weeks. I think I have $2 worth of loose change in my desk...

I'd be fine if they charged $10 to issue a permit! It's not like they're getting rich off you!

nooneuno:
Are you aware of the changes in the permitting system this year that are directly impacting the outfitters bottom line? Should the outfitters have to pay money out of their pockets for the privilege of issuing your permit? It's not the $2 it's the principle? What principle is involved other than someone being a tight ass?"

I am aware of the changes in the permitting system this year. I am speaking to my trip last fall.

I'm not a "tight ass." If I was I wouldn't allow my wife into an outfitter in the first place.

If good customer service is charging the OPTIONAL $2 fee to issue permits after the group spent $50-100 in your store, then I must refresh my knowledge on the definition of good customer service.

I have all the gear and have no need for an outfitter, as with many regulars to the BWCA. If they wish to keep us out of their store or recommending their business for trippers we bring along, keep charging us optional fees after we just purchased a bag full of items.

I had never been charged the $2 issuing fee prior to my visit to VNO last fall. Obviously all of you have been charged and paid the fee? Sounds like most haven't but are willing. It honestly caught me off guard when she insisted we pay the $2 fee, I didn't even realize what the fee was for and I initially thought she was joking.

WelL, when i go through CCO, mostly lodging and maybe a miscellaneous item or two, shutyle on very rare occasions, they add a "outfitting fee" on the account IIRC. I'd say any permit issuing fee is buried in that. Never asked, don't care. They provide great service is all i care about and seems like a bargain.