Hello All.

I just came across this YouTube video while preparing for my upcoming BWCA trip. I know it's from a few years ago (2020), but the people in this video seem to be violating several BWCA rules, and I felt the need to bring this to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czFI77NczGg

Violations I saw:
- Spitting cigar (i.e. trash) into lake
- Using arig/umbrella rig (DNR Rule )
- Using a drone

I cringed at the cigar, raised my eye brows at the a-rig, and decided to make this post when I saw the drone footage.

Several violations including a fire on top of the grate along with the drone. The drone bothers me the most. They turned off the comments so I’m sure they’ve already heard a mouthful of their violations. I would forward this to the Forest Service nevertheless.

The cigars and fire slide with me. The drone I have a problem with.

I watched a little bit. The video is actually well done. Good shots, told the story well.

I just don’t understand how people visit areas and stay so ignorant on the rules though. Then make a video about it and post it :) None of it was world ending but you post a video of you catching a walleye on an umbrella rig. It’s possible for the DNR to track them down and fine them. It wouldn’t be hard to do. Anderson’s has all of their info. Maybe the rig had only one hook? Is that still legal? The same goes for the drone footage in the BWCAW. They could of deleted the evidence once people told them…but they ignorantly left it up? That arrogance bothers me more than the rules they broke.

I do pheasant hunting videos and I get hammered by people even though I don’t break any rules LOL. I can’t imagine the comments.

They were drinking beer on the tow ride in? Maybe it was the tow ride out and they just did different video sequencing for effect? I just could never do that. I like a beer like everyone else but it seems like it saps my strength.

I did like how they ate smallmouth bass. Saw some on the stringer. Good for them!

T

looks like they didn't understand both bwca rules as well as fishing regulations.

Sparkeh: "The cigars and fire slide with me. The drone I have a problem with. "

I pretty much agree with you, aside from the editing on the video basically highlighting the spitting of the cigar into the water. They seem like descent guys just having fun, just ignorant on the rules. That said, ignorance doesn't give them a pass.

My biggest issue is the drone as well. I would hate to be in a campsite near them, and hear that thing buzzing around.

Well made video and seem like good guys, generally respectful, just unaware of certain rules...which ya, I agree, learn the rules prior to going.

Anyone see the blue walleye early on in the video? One of the bluest i've seen.

I better never hear a drone when I'm in a canoe. I'd be happy to have a beer with these guys, but I'd never consider tripping with anyone that's OK with bringing a drone. This may seem contradictory, but I'm OK with float planes.

Plus, I mean Decoration Day is a great, great song, but it doesn't really fit the mood of this video.

Not too long ago there was a thread here about the BW rules so one question I now have is are the feathers in the hat legal?

The other would be, on a motor lake, is a drone acceptable in that case or no?

I was out fishing a small lake in western MN when a crew from the "Prairie Sportsman" show came out to film a segment with a guide. I had never really seen a drone before, and I was surprised by the amount of noise that thing put out. It flew around all afternoon and really brought out my "get off my lawn" aggressive dad vibes. I would be pretty disappointed to hear one in a canoe trip.

Everybody knows cigar butts go in the firepit with the half burned aluminum foil. Sheesh! :/

WapsiBanks00: "This may seem contradictory, but I'm OK with float planes.
"

It's a fair stance. Float planes are there to save someone's life or fight a fire. The ONLY time I would ever support a drone in the BWCA is if it was being used with thermal imaging equipment to locate a missing person, but someone who has been approved to do so, that's it.

Since drones are regulated by the FAA and because the BWCA is a no-fly zone under 4000' MSL, I'm curious if flying one would be a federal offense should someone get caught? I'm not sure how it would be any different than flying one in town near an airport, people have been charged for that on numerous occasions.

uqme2: "Not too long ago there was a thread here about the BW rules so one question I now have is are the feathers in the hat legal?


The other would be, on a motor lake, is a drone acceptable in that case or no?"

On a motor route within the BWCA I am almost positive the drone is illegal.

Pinetree: "

uqme2: "Not too long ago there was a thread here about the BW rules so one question I now have is are the feathers in the hat legal?



The other would be, on a motor lake, is a drone acceptable in that case or no?"

On a motor route within the BWCA I am almost positive the drone is illegal."

No different then a powered auger which aren't allowed in motorized zone either.

Drones are prohibited in the entirety of the BWCAW per Executive order 10092. The federal government has ruled this order from 1949 also covers drones. Regardless it is now in the BWCAW rules since 2017, highlighted all drones are banned in the BWCAW.

Drones are actually banned not only in the BWCAW but in the entire Superior National Forest and subject to Federal prosecution. So even motorized lakes within the BWCAW or even lakes with no restrictions within Superior National forest, drones are still banned and use is subject to Federal Prosecution.

The MN DNR has subsequently banned drones from all MN state parks.

The Federal Government has banned all drones from all National Parks.

It is possible to get a permit to use a drone in one of these locations. I assume there is a hefty fee and documentation.

T

adam: "

Pinetree: "On a motor route within the BWCA I am almost positive the drone is illegal."

No different then a powered auger which are allowed in motorized zone either."

Umm... so allowed or not either?

Oddly enough I still have the chisel my dad fabricated when I got into ice fishing. I've not used it in 50 years but I still have it, complete with the basketball sheath I made for it.

Anyway, there are all kinds of exceptions to rules. Even simple ones like no cans and bottles -except for these particular cans and bottles...

uqme2: "

adam: "

Pinetree: "On a motor route within the BWCA I am almost positive the drone is illegal."

No different then a powered auger which are allowed in motorized zone either."

Umm... so allowed or not either?


Oddly enough I still have the chisel my dad fabricated when I got into ice fishing. I've not used it in 50 years but I still have it, complete with the basketball sheath I made for it.


Anyway, there are all kinds of exceptions to rules. Even simple ones like no cans and bottles -except for these particular cans and bottles..."

Not allowed, I think Adam meant Not. The special permit is for outboard motors Only. All those routes are also closed for snowmobiles.

They listed Mark Anderson Outfitters in the description who could also be liable as an accomplice.

Pinetree: "

uqme2: "

adam: "

Pinetree: "On a motor route within the BWCA I am almost positive the drone is illegal."

No different then a powered auger which are allowed in motorized zone either."

Umm... so allowed or not either?



Oddly enough I still have the chisel my dad fabricated when I got into ice fishing. I've not used it in 50 years but I still have it, complete with the basketball sheath I made for it.



Anyway, there are all kinds of exceptions to rules. Even simple ones like no cans and bottles -except for these particular cans and bottles..."

Not allowed, I think Adam meant Not. The special permit is for outboard motors Only. All those routes are also closed for snowmobiles."

Yes, corrected. "aren't allowed".

uqme2: "Not too long ago there was a thread here about the BW rules so one question I now have is are the feathers in the hat legal?


The other would be, on a motor lake, is a drone acceptable in that case or no?"

The answer to your drone question is no.

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Drone operation is prohibited in the BWCA Wilderness

In 1949, Executive Order 10092 established an air space reservation prohibiting the operation of aircraft within and over the BWCAW.

The Wilderness Act of 1964 (Pub.L. 88-577) prohibits motorized equipment in designated Wilderness.

Violations punishable under federal law Executive Order 10092 36 CFR 261.18(a)

NotLight: "Everybody knows cigar butts go in the firepit with the half burned aluminum foil. Sheesh! :/
"

Ha! This sure seems to be th case for 50% of the BWCA firepits I've seen! Sometimes it's a surprise when you build a fire in the grate and then smell tabbaco burning a few minutes later from the last person's cigar.

Thought I would revive this old thread rather than posting a new one. Looks like the original video of the thread has been deleted, but I just came across a more recent (2022 trip) video with a lot of drone footage in the BWCA. Seems like a group of good natured guys otherwise, but the drone footage just really grinds my gears. What are thoughts on reporting something like this?

Are you sure the drone footage is in the BWCAW? It probably was…but sometimes people make videos and do the drone footage outside of the BWCAW.

T

timatkn: "Are you sure the drone footage is in the BWCAW? It probably was…but sometimes people make videos and do the drone footage outside of the BWCAW.


T"

Yes, although I had the same initial thought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkRonzwVfp8

shouldertripper: "

timatkn: "Are you sure the drone footage is in the BWCAW? It probably was…but sometimes people make videos and do the drone footage outside of the BWCAW.



T"

Yes, although I had the same initial thought.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkRonzwVfp8"

Video already removed

timatkn: ".....Drones are actually banned not only in the BWCAW but in the entire Superior National Forest and subject to Federal prosecution. So even motorized lakes within the BWCAW or even lakes with no restrictions within Superior National forest, drones are still banned and use is subject to Federal Prosecution....."

Are you sure about this? What is your source? I've understood they are allowed in the general forest outside of the BWCA. I've certainly seen them used during dog sled races at checkpoints in the SNF.

This link looks like a federal page, but shows SNF in the upper right.
SNF regs on drones?.

Jaywalker: "

timatkn: ".....Drones are actually banned not only in the BWCAW but in the entire Superior National Forest and subject to Federal prosecution. So even motorized lakes within the BWCAW or even lakes with no restrictions within Superior National forest, drones are still banned and use is subject to Federal Prosecution....."

Are you sure about this? What is your source? I've understood they are allowed in the general forest outside of the BWCA. I've certainly seen them used during dog sled races at checkpoints in the SNF.


This link looks like a federal page, but shows SNF in the upper right.
SNF regs on drones?. "

Drones are allowed in the SNF. It's on the SNF webpage.

Speckled: "

Jaywalker: "

timatkn: ".....Drones are actually banned not only in the BWCAW but in the entire Superior National Forest and subject to Federal prosecution. So even motorized lakes within the BWCAW or even lakes with no restrictions within Superior National forest, drones are still banned and use is subject to Federal Prosecution....."

Are you sure about this? What is your source? I've understood they are allowed in the general forest outside of the BWCA. I've certainly seen them used during dog sled races at checkpoints in the SNF.



This link looks like a federal page, but shows SNF in the upper right.
SNF regs on drones?. "

Drones are allowed in the SNF. It's on the SNF webpage. "

My bad, I got confused between National Forest and National Park. They have different rules. Thanks for the clarification.

T