I have a permit in June that I'm now not able to use. My brother in law would love to have it transferred to him, but I'm not sure if this is possible. Anyone know if this is legal?

My understanding is that, unless he was listed as the Alternate Leader at the time you booked the permit...no.

sns: "My understanding is that, unless he was listed as the Alternate Leader at the time you booked the permit...no. "

Correct.

I have actually witnessed conversations initiated by some folks who figure that they could arrange for the "transfer" of a permit -- for a fee -- by being in direct communication with another during the moment that they would cancel to "ensure" that the second party could pick it up via refreshing the screen on recreation.gov.

I wonder often if this may even already be to the point of placing ads to "sell" permits, perhaps explaining why so many have been taken this year...

Word has it that those running the reservation site have instituted an algorithm which releases cancelled permits after a random amount of time, up to hours after... figuring that they could frustrate the above behavior.

sns is correct. You can only transfer directly to someone you designated as alternative trip leader when you originally reserved the permit. So unless he is willing to impersonate you to a government agency, the best you can do is have him stalk the permit site once you have canceled and hope he nabs it.

Thanks guys, I figured this would be the case. I guess l'll cancel and have my BIL mash the refresh button on recreation.gov to see if he can grab it.

straighthairedcurly: "sns is correct. You can only transfer directly to someone you designated as alternative trip leader when you originally reserved the permit. So unless he is willing to impersonate you to a government agency, the best you can do is have him stalk the permit site once you have canceled and hope he nabs it."

What government agency are you referring to?

tumblehome: "

straighthairedcurly: "sns is correct. You can only transfer directly to someone you designated as alternative trip leader when you originally reserved the permit. So unless he is willing to impersonate you to a government agency, the best you can do is have him stalk the permit site once you have canceled and hope he nabs it."

What government agency are you referring to?"

I'm assuming the reference was to USFS at permit pickup.

tumblehome: "

straighthairedcurly: "sns is correct. You can only transfer directly to someone you designated as alternative trip leader when you originally reserved the permit. So unless he is willing to impersonate you to a government agency, the best you can do is have him stalk the permit site once you have canceled and hope he nabs it."

What government agency are you referring to?"

All permits are issued by agents of the United States Department of Agriculture, whether they draw a paycheck in Grand Marais or rent you a canoe in Ely. Only Mother Nature hates being lied to more.

How did this turn out? Looks like I will be stuck doing the same thing

Jerryland: "How did this turn out? Looks like I will be stuck doing the same thing "

You cannot transfer a permit.

Frenchy19: "

Jerryland: "How did this turn out? Looks like I will be stuck doing the same thing "

You cannot transfer a permit. "

A cancelled permit is randomly released back into the system anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours once it has been cancelled. This is by design to prevent the sale or "transfer" of permits. There are also other websites out there that have systems set up to search available permit "inventory" at 30 minute intervals and notify paid subscribers via an email when permits become available. It has been discussed on here already.