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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Lost and found best practices
 
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BWCA
05/12/2025 10:36AM
  

I thought it would be a good discussion of the best practices in dealing with found items in the BWCA. When do you leave an item based on the possibility that an owner my be backtracking to retrieve essential gear or when do you assume the items should be carried out?
 
timatkn
05/12/2025 11:02AM
  
That's a really good question that probably can't be answered definitely.


I generally leave items unless they look like they might be older.


For example I found a small pack on a rock at a portage. In it was what appeared to be medication for diabetes. It was on the rock prominently. I was pretty sure it was left recently. I did not know which direction the person who left it was going so I left it. I was sure they would be back.


As we caught up to other groups we talked to them, then ran into a couple who was indeed doubling back to get the Meds. At that point I wish I had picked them up...but then what if they were going the other way? What I don't know is if anyone picked them up, what if some good Samaritan picked them up and went the other way???


I once left my camera in it's case at Louisa Falls, figured it out a few hours later and went back but it was gone.


That's why I tend to leave stuff.


T
 
Ausable
05/12/2025 12:10PM
  
If the item is at a portage or a "tourist spot" (there has to be a better term, but I am thinking of places like Ribbon Rock, Eddy Falls, etc.)I will leave it where I find it. If the item is at a campsite where I will stay overnight, I will pack it out.
 
portagerunner
05/12/2025 12:04PM
  
There are a few variables I take into account, but more often tend to leave items.


On portages I usually leave the lost items in an easily viewable spot at one of the landings. If I'm doing an out and back and the items are still there close to a week later however, then I'd be more likely to bring the items back and post in the lost and found.


I've had gear fall out of a pack pocket on a portage before to find someone had used this method. Came back later in the day and someone had left the items on a rock at the portage landing.


For items in a campsite, I'm more likely to pack it out. The longer I stay at a site the more likely I am to pack out gear that someone would want back.


Location plays into the equation as well. The recent thread on furthest point into the boundary waters makes me think if I'm in a more remote area I'd also be more likely to bring it back for the lost and found.

 
Sunburn
05/16/2025 11:39AM
  
If it was a "critical" piece of gear and clearly recently left behind, I would definitely leave it in case someone is returning to retrieve the item.


Anything else I would pack out (LNT).
 
moray
05/13/2025 07:15AM
  
I was base camping on a lake and decided to day trip to another to fish. When I got to the other lake I found a tent at the portage. I left there and fished for 8 hours without seeing anyone. When I was ready to leave I was trying to decide if I should take the tent. It was spring and very buggy and I was thinking that poor sole was going to suffer without it. In the end I took it. When I returned to outfitter I gave him the tent and he told me it had been reported there 2 weeks earlier so I felt good about taking it.
 
Savage Voyageur
05/13/2025 10:24AM
  
You might as well take it and turn it in to the proper channels for return. If you decide to leave it I can guarantee that eventually it will be packed out. So you might as well pick it up if you can.
 
JimmyJustice
05/13/2025 07:48AM
  
Ausable: "If the item is at a portage or a "tourist spot" (there has to be a better term, but I am thinking of places like Ribbon Rock, Eddy Falls, etc.)I will leave it where I find it. If the item is at a campsite where I will stay overnight, I will pack it out. "


+1
 
HayRiverDrifter
05/13/2025 02:03PM
  
I found a bag of live leaches on the portage to Polly one time. We were on the way in, so I grabbed them knowing they would simple die if left in the Sun. We later caught up with the rest of our group and they were the ones who left the leaches :-)
 
Ausable
05/13/2025 09:02AM
  
moray: "I was base camping on a lake and decided to day trip to another to fish. When I got to the other lake I found a tent at the portage. I left there and fished for 8 hours without seeing anyone. When I was ready to leave I was trying to decide if I should take the tent. It was spring and very buggy and I was thinking that poor sole was going to suffer without it. In the end I took it. When I returned to outfitter I gave him the tent and he told me it had been reported there 2 weeks earlier so I felt good about taking it."
"Use your best judgement" is always good advice.