When anyone asks me for anything at 9 am on January 25th…


Good luck to everyone, especially those of you trying to lock down those hard-to-get entry points.

Tony

Good luck Tony, I'm a little worried about getting mine.

GopherAdventure: "When anyone asks me for anything at 9 am on January 25th…


Good luck to everyone, especially those of you trying to lock down those hard-to-get entry points.

Tony

"

Love your coffee cup! Good Luck!

Is it really necessary to get your permit as soon as they're available? I was late to the game last year and didn't get mine until May, but I still got the EP and date I wanted. Granted, I was going in during September, so that made a difference.

NEIowapaddler: "Is it really necessary to get your permit as soon as they're available? I was late to the game last year and didn't get mine until May, but I still got the EP and date I wanted. Granted, I was going in during September, so that made a difference. "

Very much depends on the popularity of the EP & the date. Last year I got the last permit for my date/EP at 9:02 on permit day.

NEIowapaddler: "Is it really necessary to get your permit as soon as they're available? I was late to the game last year and didn't get mine until May, but I still got the EP and date I wanted. Granted, I was going in during September, so that made a difference. "

In most cases it’s not necessary at all. For people who have a very specific entry date and/or entry point, it can be a challenge. Certain permits, like Mudro or Little Gabbro are gone for May and June weekend dates almost immediately on the day permits open up. One of the permits I’m trying to get is Little Gabbro for a weekend in June, so I’ll be on the Rec.gov site right at 9 am. I’m doing three or four other trips during the open water season and I won’t get those permits until later as they will be more flexible regarding points of entry and date of entry. Hope that helps.

Tony

Voyager: "Good luck Tony, I'm a little worried about getting mine."

Good luck to you Voyageur! Hopefully you land what you’re looking for and have an enjoyable trip. How many trips are you doing this year?

Tony

Why not on this on a weekend? Many people don't have the privilege of hanging out online during the week. And yes, I know others work on the weekends also.

Voyager: "Good luck Tony, I'm a little worried about getting mine."

Same with me! Good luck to you, unless you're looking for an early July Mudro permit

GopherAdventure: "

NEIowapaddler: "Is it really necessary to get your permit as soon as they're available? I was late to the game last year and didn't get mine until May, but I still got the EP and date I wanted. Granted, I was going in during September, so that made a difference. "

In most cases it’s not necessary at all. For people who have a very specific entry date and/or entry point, it can be a challenge. Certain permits, like Mudro or Little Gabbro are gone for May and June weekend dates almost immediately on the day permits open up. One of the permits I’m trying to get is Little Gabbro for a weekend in June, so I’ll be on the Rec.gov site right at 9 am. I’m doing three or four other trips during the open water season and I won’t get those permits until later as they will be more flexible regarding points of entry and date of entry. Hope that helps.


Tony"

That makes sense. I'm looking at either Homer Lake or Lizz Lake for late May/early June. I'm a procrastinator, so I haven't nailed down the EP or dates yet lol. From what I've read Homer doesn't sell out very fast, but Lizz is more popular, so I probably should make up my mind.

I love your YouTube videos, btw! You make great content.

Tomorrow will be my 1st time booking on opening day. I finally get to see what all the excitement is about. LOL

In fact, the earliest I’ve booked is in April twice, and the other 20+ times I’ve booked less than a month before the trip. Sometimes I get my first choice that way, sometimes I don’t, but I always get to go somewhere that I’m interested in.

But this year my daughter has a specific EP she really wants to go to that only has 2 permits per day and I actually already know some dates we can enter in June. Usually I don’t know my open dates until later.

Plus, I’m sitting in a hospital room at Mayo with my mom this week so sitting on the computer at 9:00 won’t be a problem and it gives me 1 fun thing to do this week. ;)

ducks: "Tomorrow will be my 1st time booking on opening day. I finally get to see what all the excitement is about. LOL

In fact, the earliest I’ve booked is in April twice, and the other 20+ times I’ve booked less than a month before the trip. Sometimes I get my first choice that way, sometimes I don’t, but I always get to go somewhere that I’m interested in.

But this year my daughter has a specific EP she really wants to go to that only has 2 permits per day and I actually already know some dates we can enter in June. Usually I don’t know my open dates until later.

Plus, I’m sitting in a hospital room at Mayo with my mom this week so sitting on the computer at 9:00 won’t be a problem and it gives me 1 fun thing to do this week. ;)"

My best to you and your mom, Ducks. Hope everything turns out okay. Hopefully you get that June permit for your daughter's preferred spot too!

YetiJedi:


My best to you and your mom, Ducks. Hope everything turns out okay. Hopefully you get that June permit for your daughter's preferred spot too!"

Thank you. Surgery went well yesterday and the 1st day of recovery went well. Hopefully that continues and the cancer hasn’t and/or doesn’t spread elsewhere.
I’m going to send you an email about your planned Baker trip.

Any one know if the "no refunds" on permits is something new this year?

Tony, Probably just 1 trip, the September Border Challenge. I have 2 big races planned, the Mississippi 150, and the Ausable Canoe Marathon. I have a Savage River JD Pro boat ordered.

MrFeesh: "Any one know if the "no refunds" on permits is something new this year?"

It's never been refundable as long as I can remember.

boonie: "

MrFeesh: "Any one know if the "no refunds" on permits is something new this year?"

It's never been refundable as long as I can remember."

Now I'm really confused, last year we took an Isabella permit as a second choice and then a week before our putin our first choice, hog creek came available, we snagged the hog creek and canceled the Isabella and were given a refund minus a booking fee.

MrFeesh: "

boonie: "

MrFeesh: "Any one know if the "no refunds" on permits is something new this year?"

It's never been refundable as long as I can remember."

Now I'm really confused, last year we took an Isabella permit as a second choice and then a week before our putin our first choice, hog creek came available, we snagged the hog creek and canceled the Isabella and were given a refund minus a booking fee.

"

Here's what it says on the recreation.gov website:

Cancellation & Change Policies

Permits are not transferable (permit holder, alternates, entry date and entry point cannot be changed once the permit reservation is made).

You may cancel online anytime up to two days before the entry date for overnight permits.

If you cancel your reservation two or more days prior to the entry date, all recreation fees paid will be refunded. If you cancel a reservation on the entry date or one day prior, you will be charged a penalty of $32.00 (two adult user fees), and any additional recreation fees paid will be refunded.

Day Use Motor Permits may be canceled anytime during the motor week. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it.

Walk-up permits cannot be canceled once they are issued.

The $6.00 reservation fee is non-refundable.

Just opened up the computer.Reset my password.Got locked out last year,when i logged on...Hopfully all goes good this year.

Good luck everyone! I remember someone, awhile back, posted a "cheat sheet" with the EP #'s and names...anyone have that handy?

Son is working at Sawbill this summer, so I've got a few headed that way planned, less pressure for me for once.

Voyager - if you're unlucky we'll team up if I get one. We'll just tie a tow-rope to your stern so we can keep up.

GopherAdventure: "When anyone asks me for anything at 9 am on January 25th…


Good luck to everyone, especially those of you trying to lock down those hard-to-get entry points.

Tony

"

Any idea where I can acquire my own mug?

What YetiJedi said re: permit cancelations is correct. I had taken a Brule permit last year as a second choice, but then Hog Creek opened up and I got that instead. Got a full refund minus the $6 fee.

Kendis: "

GopherAdventure: "When anyone asks me for anything at 9 am on January 25th…



Good luck to everyone, especially those of you trying to lock down those hard-to-get entry points.


Tony


"

Any idea where I can acquire my own mug?"

I believe my wife picked that up on Etsy for me.

Voyager: "Tony, Probably just 1 trip, the September Border Challenge. I have 2 big races planned, the Mississippi 150, and the Ausable Canoe Marathon. I have a Savage River JD Pro boat ordered."

Best of luck for the races! That new canoe is going to be one slick boat! I looked it up, and damn that boat looks slick, and fast! Does it come with a Batman emblem embedded in the Kevlar? Looks like the bat boat.

Tony

I took the morning off, then lucked out with a snow day so I don't have to use it. That chicken I sacrificed seems to be working.

Got my permit for early July in Lake One! I know it will be a zoo, but planning to get to Insula day one and escape some of the crowds. Hope the system was kind to everyone else! Looks like Little Gabbro and Clearwater are filling fast.

I got mine! I didn't think I would have too much trouble with an August Skipper entry, but it is for a Friday and there are only 2 permits.

Process was very smooth, no site crashes.

Hope everyone else has the same experience! Good Luck!!!

I got mine (Meeds, mid-June). Last year I had to get kids to school so I waited an hour and got shut out on Moose/Portage River on my chosen July day. Looks like that's a popular one, so just 20min in this year it might have happened again. Also Mudro and LIS North. But I'm glad to see that maybe I don't have to be so diligent about 9am next year for most EPs.

Good morning

Voyager: "Tony, Probably just 1 trip, the September Border Challenge. I have 2 big races planned, the Mississippi 150, and the Ausable Canoe Marathon. I have a Savage River JD Pro boat ordered."

Were you successful Voyager?
I got mine, there was one left 14 mins in...

Voyager: "Tony, Probably just 1 trip, the September Border Challenge. I have 2 big races planned, the Mississippi 150, and the Ausable Canoe Marathon. I have a Savage River JD Pro boat ordered."

Were you successful Voyager?
I got mine, there was one left 14 mins in...

GOT IT!

Got mine, no issues, but see EP 14 and 16 went very fast for the end of July. Hope you all got what you wanted!

Thanks everyone for the info on cancellations, here's what brought up my interest,
Recreation.gov sent an e-mail as a reminder of upcoming permit day, here is a quote from the note;

Bear Awareness – Plan ahead to protect yourself and the wildlife. Take all precaution to discourage bears from visiting your campsite by hanging your food pack or using a bear resistant container.  

Please note, permits are not transferrable and are non-refundable.

Check out the BWCAW Trip Planning Guide from the U.S. Forest Service to help you plan a safe and successful trip, and learn more about Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area permits with Recreation.gov!

Scott, Yes, I got 1 for LIS north. I looked 5 minutes later and they were gone for my date.

We have a bingo.
Wood Lake in mid June with little duckling for some fishing.

My alternates of 2nd and 3rd choices of EP for that Date and my 2nd choice of Date for Wood were gone by the time I finished booking so I'm glad I was on at 9:00 and got my 1st choice.

I hit my first choices (solo and family), so now I get to spend the next few months looking at routes and portages and daydreaming about them repeatedly.

Got our spots! One for the family and one for an old man church trip.

My staff knows not to come to my door at 9 on this day!

Woo hoo!!!!

just took 1 basswood via Prarie day motor. also snagged a Seagull,Snowbank day motor for week of June 10th. Gonna think outside the box this year.

No issues - I booked 5 permits and the availability was there for all of them. A co-worker down the hall however, missed on one of the 4 he was shooting for. It showed 4 of 5 available, clicked it and they were all taken. He just moved it a weekend later and it was available.

Boy, those motor permits were gone in like 9 minutes.

Ever since I helped an Outfitter in 2009 prior to ever being in the BWCA I’ve wanted to see the Little Gabbro area. When I picked customers up there they said it was nice.
My plan was to get a Little Gabbro permit for August today because I noticed nobody ever cancelled them that I could see and I checked often in August.
So I was ready to pounce at 8:57. Then I get a text from a guy asking if I was going to get a Moose Motor like I usually do in September because he no longer can paddle or walk well. I said I wanted to get a Gabbro before getting the Moose. I thought they would go fast. Then I started to think that if I don’t get a Moose he is going to be disappointed and not have anything to look forward to. I think he’s 78.
So at the last second I thought the right thing to do was to get the motorized permit first which I did. I didn’t know you could load the cart, go back on the mobile and get another permit so I filled it out all the way screwing around with alternates emails and looking at all the Voyager permit stations looking for North. It took about 3 minutes.
I then returned to Paddle Permits to see gray boxes of Goose Eggs for Little Gabbro.
I was disappointed but I knew I did the right thing. I waited a while and refreshed hoping someone would release a Gabbro but the odds aren’t good. I did that until 8:45 still feeling a little bad and then gave up hope. I texted the old guy and told him we got a Moose and he said he wished it was a week earlier and maybe someone would cancel his preferred date later. Lucky I like him.

Not giving up I hit “next four days” from my date expecting to see the solid gray row between all the blue when there it was, a blue 1. Six days later than my preferred date but after it was in my cart I figured I could make it work.
Permit Day Frustration turns into Permit Day Fun!

I agree not necessary - I just like the excitement of the day to think about a trip this summer while the snow flies here near MKE.

One time I thought it would be fun to just show up at the ranger station and just take what was available. Sort of a where the wind blows me adventure. The ranger seemed a bit put out to have to go over available permits with me. Otherwise I liked that trip too.

Was able to get my permit no issues. Decided to go LIS North at the end of August, since it was open for the date we wanted. That was our very first trip and we only made it to lynx for that trip. Hoping to make a loop this time to see the lakes north of there.

That’s the difference. I thought I’d be ok to wait this morning for an hour or two while my son made sure he could get entry day off. Zero left 1 hour and 10 minutes after it opened! Fortunately we had an alternate plan and got that.

Got Clearwater Lake for May 21 and Wood Lake for July 9 within five minutes.

Mike

yogi59weedr: "Boy, those motor permits were gone in like 9 minutes."

Yup! I switched it up this year too. Booked an overnight motor for moose to basswood for September, as I’m kind of done with the hustle of running all the way out there and back on a day permit. I want to fish walleyes on basswood at dawn and dusk so this gets me there. And for our main trip we are staying at Sagonto on the Canadian side of Sag in mid-June, so no permits required( you get a special permit for travel that doesn’t come out of the quota).

I finished at 907 and started looking back to moose, fall, and Clearwater and seeing mostly zeros.

I got my permit for second week of June. My son and I will be heading up to Knife lake for a few days. His second trip and he put a lot of thought into the destination.

Heading up through Lizz/Swamp in July with my daughter, and a solo booked at Missing Link in August. It's going to be a good paddling year!

I SEE Duncan Lake went faster than I had ever seen. I see it 2 permits a day. Did that one use to be 3? A lot of short-trippers go to Duncan and stay there.

ThreeRivers: "Got mine, no issues, but see EP 14 and 16 went very fast for the end of July. Hope you all got what you wanted!"

They sure did go fast. On line when it opened. We get only 1 week up there each year, hoped for EP 14, dates were very flexible- as in ANY date in July - and did not get one. Luckily we did manage to get one of the last permits for 16.