So before the big day tomorrow, I just wanted to double-check with the hive mind...

I see that we can go the normal route by picking up at an outfitter.

But they way I am reading the recreation.gov site, you can select one of the Ranger Districts as the cooperator. And for the ranger stations, the site says "VIRTUAL ONLY - PERMIT EMAILED BY USFS UPON COMPLETION OF LNT REQUIREMENT."

So unless this is old info, this would make it would appear you can print your permit at home as they did last year.

However - this seems like it could be at odds with this, also from the website:
"-Permits can only be picked up on the entry date or one day prior."
"-Reserved permits must be picked up at issue station specified. Office hours vary, see "Cooperators" tab on this page for issue station hours of operation. "

Does anyone know the real scoop?

From what I understand things are going to look exactly like last year with one change, the LNT requirement. I’m not sure how they’re going to ensure people watch the LNT required media, but I’m guessing maybe an email “quiz” similar to the one that cooperating outfitters and ranger stations have done in the past in person. They could require that you take the quiz to validate your permit. I’m guessing in-person pickup may be expedited, but they’ll probably still quiz you before issuing to ensure you understand LNT principles. Just my thoughts...

Tony

However - this seems like it could be at odds with this, also from the website:
"-Permits can only be picked up on the entry date or one day prior."
"-Reserved permits must be picked up at issue station specified. Office hours vary, see "Cooperators" tab on this page for issue station hours of operation. "

This is the pre-Covid way of doing things. Last year you could print your own, but it seems too many LNT violations have made them alter the process. This year you will apparently have to validate that you've watched the videos before they will issue yr permit. I don't know exactly how that is going to work, but I'm sure we'll find out. You could also pick it up at a cooperator if they have chosen to issue them in-person. They would probably be required to do the LNT validation as in the past. Some cooperators have elected not to issue permits in person and to be virtual only. That is noted in the info in the drop down under each cooperator. See Beartrack outfitting for one example of a virtual only cooperator.

So my best guess is you can go "the normal route of picking up at a cooperator" IF they have chosen to "issue in-person with social distancing". If they have chosen to be "virtual only" then you will go the same process as if chose the Ranger District. We may know more tomorrow. ;)

Looks like I was able to select a ranger district as the cooperator...

I got mine. Little Gabbro, May 23-28, Solo.
This will be my first time in the BW, first time solo, One week. Call me silly but I want to see the portage through the burn area north of Bald Eagle Lake to Lake Two.

I've done Quetico and Wabakimi so I'm not a complete greenhorn but not taking any unnecessary risks.

you'll see a lot of but between Bald Eagle and Clearwater.

I think the info about "picking up" permits is just the general info they post to make sure people picking up in person know the scoop. However, all the info I have received after selecting a ranger station is that I will receiving the permit via email after watching the videos. Not sure how they test that I watched yet, but I always do anyway so I am going to trust that the system will work.