Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Lac la Croix, pictographs on Canadian side
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plander |
Or what about getting a permit for one entry point and entering at another entry point same day but close by or simply delay entry by a day, is that ok? I mean in the grand scheme of things it’s not really like the number of people entering BWCA would be different. If I burn a bunch of garbage, that I should be packing out, in the fire grate when it’s dark is that ok? I’m sure no one would even notice. |
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billconner |
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timatkn |
bottomtothetap: "timatkn: "Pinched : "So all of the stories of stopping and arresting people or issuing fines for being on the lake on the “wrong” side of the border for even a brief time don’t seem to be abiding by the international treaty that was cited earlier. Has this treaty been suspended after 9-11 or now because of the pandemic?" I can’t really argue with your interpretations of the treaty...all I can say in practice and implementation there is precedent for people getting fined, charged, or even temporarily jailed. The U.S. Government isn’t backing citizens that get busted...in that case it is practice and precedent that matter not our interpretation. You aren’t going to fight the Canadian government...at least not at a prohibited cost. T |
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mgraber |
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tumblehome |
As spring turns to summer and the chaos resumes, we will once again hear about the shenanigans a special few Americans pursue along the border, thus tightening the international noose on us all once again. For some reason, manifest destiny still reigns in our blood. Sad. Tom |
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tumblehome |
We had a lengthy discussion about this last fall. I'll look for the thread. Edit: I searched 'warrior Hill' and found a bunch of threads. Here is but one. I picked this search term because a lot of Americans want to paddle across the border to see Warrior Hill. It's just a little bit inside Canada. Illegal entry Last year the Canadian rangers were getting pretty fed up with Americans crossing into Canada. Too many people breaking too many laws. Tom |
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schweady |
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irishluck |
Can U.S. citizens legally paddle to view the pictographs on the Canadian side of the lake without a permit on a day trip? Could this be done before the border was closed? I'm assuming the border will be open at some point soon. |
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schweady |
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cyclones30 |
I recall a trip report last yr from someone having a not so great encounter with some Canadian rangers while a BW tripper was floating in this area. Does it mean there aren't people out there that don't know better or will risk it for the half hour they're across the line? Sure. Probably also leads to higher patrols in that area |
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sedges |
That said, there was a time when it seemed OK to paddle over and view the pictographs. Quetico paddling rangers toured through there regularly and if you were respectful when they queried you about your permits they were friendly enough and asked you to move on. As I have not been there in a long time. Such friendliness may have faded. |
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timatkn |
There was a time where this was no big deal. Since 911 this seems to have changed for both countries. With that said...people do it all the time. The chances of getting fined or caught are relatively low...if you do it and get fined just don’t complain. Potentially you could be charged by both the Canadians and the U.S. Governments. Once again little chance of getting caught but it is possible. Not advocating breaking the law just trying to reply realistically. T |
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timatkn |
Blatz: "billconner: "I guess it depends on when do water communications become sightseeing. I can tell you from personal experience this thought process is common but totally incorrect. Back in 2015 or 2016. We did a spring trip and one lake over from crooked we saw a plane all day long over Crooked lake. Eventually flew over and landed on our lake and checked our Quetico permits...they were more than happy to tells us they spent the entire day fining Americans that were over the border on Crooked...They do this sting every year...usually in May...especially targeting fisherman, they gotta pay for that plane they charter somehow ;) T |
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LindenTree |
billconner: "When you answer the border agent, maybe an "eh" between every other word. Eh?" Not necessary, they will know you are simply paddling and are, "Oat, and aboat, in a boat." |
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GraniteCliffs |
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cyclones30 |
GraniteCliffs: "I would not place much faith in what the park super has to say. There has always been, in my experience, quite a disconnect between customs/border staff and park staff. Different job responsibilities. Just not sure if the border folks would give any credibility to a park perspective on a border issue. " Agreed, that would be like someone in Mexico asking a Texas county park ranger if it was ok. Border patrol/customs isn't going to care what the park person said or didn't say |
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timatkn |
Does anyone know if Lake of The Woods is included in the treaty? If so, there is your precedent...run one foot over that border and they are on you...every outfitter/resort up there will warn you don’t go near the border and that the Canadians don’t accept excuses that you did not know where the border was at. I know people have posted on this website of being fined for siteseeing over the border but still an on adjoining border lake—so there is precedent there as well. TGO—who unfortunately is no longer with us, would preach do not cross the border and he is a life long resident of the area with a lot of personal experience... From posts on this thread and previous...it just appears you getting fined is up to the whim of the Canadian that finds you. You can’t fight it...it will cost more to go to court than to fight it...so I guess it depends on whether you want to risk it or not. The other thing you could do...but this would put you on their radar...is email the Quetico Park Superintendent and ask his interpretation? If he says it is okay...keep the email on you to show an authority if you get stopped. It might not stop a fine, but would make it less likely. T |
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Pinched |
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timatkn |
Pinched : "So all of the stories of stopping and arresting people or issuing fines for being on the lake on the “wrong” side of the border for even a brief time don’t seem to be abiding by the international treaty that was cited earlier. Has this treaty been suspended after 9-11 or now because of the pandemic?" I don’t think anyone posted the entire treaty? So not sure you can really make that statement? T |
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timatkn |
GraniteCliffs: "I would not place much faith in what the park super has to say. There has always been, in my experience, quite a disconnect between customs/border staff and park staff. Different job responsibilities. Just not sure if the border folks would give any credibility to a park perspective on a border issue. " You make a great point...I guess I was thinking customs agents rarely are enforcing the border between the BWCA and Quetico. All the fines I am aware of are...and I am sure I am not aware of most cases...have been Park fines, which are about $250/person. Now if you are caught by customs it could be thousands per person, but I wonder if customs would really grab you if you never touched ground? I’d be surprised if they did for just looking at pictos. In this case you are correct, customs would not care what the Park Superintendent said. T |
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lookout! |
and the Queen to use it last summer. No border thing as a portage goes has changed, you can use any international portage, just don't go touring into foreign waters. Period.. Hassles, yes There are no RABC permits, or Quetico permits Like Eddy Murphy would say "Coming From America".. |
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Wharfrat63 |
Some people on this board, love to "Judge the whole world by the sparkle they think it lacks". Well, to be fair, that seems to be the trend everywhere these days. I think you will be fine. Don't get out of the canoe; don't have your fishing poles out; don't carry a firearm or drugs...and don't hang out long. And if stopped, just tell them you are passing thru to Iron or coming from Iron going to Fishskate Narrows....because you are, right? Here is the post from last fall, people have mentioned here... Have fun and enjoy. Wharfrat |
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billconner |
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bottomtothetap |
timatkn: "Pinched : "So all of the stories of stopping and arresting people or issuing fines for being on the lake on the “wrong” side of the border for even a brief time don’t seem to be abiding by the international treaty that was cited earlier. Has this treaty been suspended after 9-11 or now because of the pandemic?" But the part of the treaty that WAS posted on this thread is the section that deals with the body of water being discussed here. If one does read the entire document, treaty text multiple uses of the terms "free and open" and wording like "shall in no way be obstructed by either party" in reference to the navigation of common waters would be noted and would support the guest paddler's observation. As mentioned in an earlier reply, the treaty itself does not seem to have any language about restricted use of these common waters. Granted, the treaty was written in a time of many circumstances different than those in play today and indeed there are sections that seem to have been permanently suspended (for example, the requirement for both parties to maintain a naval force of "no less than eighty guns" aimed at the African coast in order to suppress the slave trade). In fact, there are specific provisions written into the treaty as a means for suspension of certain clauses (again, slave trade suppression). This would seem to make the guest paddler's wondering about further suspensions of the treaty a valid question. |
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billconner |
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marrowoflife |
lookout!: "I own a cabin maybe 500' into Canada on Saganaga, it was an act of parliament I love this - can't imagine the hassle, but would venture to guess that in the end, it is well worth it. |
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Blatz |
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woodsandwater |
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plander |
mschi772: "The idea that Americans can cross the border on the water so long as they don't get out onto land or fish is and American invention and is not legal. This is a "tradition" that needs to die as it is extremely disrespectful to Canada and makes us look like entitled a-holes. I agree with this and the previous comment by mgraber. What makes this a breakable rule but not other rules that pertain to the BWCA or Quetico...or general laws for that matter? One thing is for sure last year there was a significant uptick in violations of the LNT policies and many have shared their concern in various posts on this message board on the matter, and rightly so. People learn by example. I guess now more than ever we should be modeling the behaviors we want to see in others. I certainly hope all users of the park(s) adhere to the rules and regulations, regardless if they agree with them or not. |
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billconner |
"It being understood that all the water-communications, and all the usual portages along the line from Lake Superior to the Lake of the Woods; and also Grand Portage, from the shore of Lake Superior to the Pigeon river, as now actually used, shall be free and open to the use of the citizens and subjects of both countries." I'm pretty sure taking the shortest and easiest paddling route is an intent. Taking the English Channel on Basswood or hugging the Canadian shore in high waves from northwest seems quite within the spirit and intent of the treaty. |
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cyclones30 |
billconner: "I guess it depends on when do water communications become sight seeing. Hugging a shore in high waves due to safety is different than sight-seeing. Paddling into Canada though I wish it was legal to see some awesome sights isn't legal. Rebecca Falls, these Picto's, etc. Can the Canadians come see the Isle of Pines? Not legally....could they come look @ something on the south end of Thursday bay or south end of Iron? No. Will someone catch them? Who knows.... Will someone catch a farmer in north dakota if he steps across the fence line? Who knows...but it's your risk and I agree w/ the other posters. Seems like a good way to further ruin stuff for the future if we abuse it. |
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bottomtothetap |
Agreed that abuse of these understandings may ruin stuff for the future. But what is abusive? For a long time it seems that it was "understood" that abuse did not not include being on the water but included purposely stepping on land unless it was necessary to do so in the course of continuing travel (the treaty does address and allow for that: "usual portages") Granted that I'm doing a lot of interpretation here myself but that seems all any of us CAN do in the absence of wording to the contrary, which I have not found anywhere. ALSO...Does anyone know the the exact coordinates of the water border? It seems to be shown slightly different on various maps. Would it be wise, under current understanding, that if you plan on travelling along a border route to only do so with a GPS or, better yet, just plan a different route that avoids any border water? |
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billconner |
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Blatz |
billconner: "I guess it depends on when do water communications become sight seeing.It was always my understanding that you can stay on the main body of water of border lakes, but not go into inlets or land your canoe on the Canadian side. I'm guessing once the pandemic is gone it will go back to that. |
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billconner |
I guess the problem is even if you are right, and would prevail in the long run, pretty inconvenient to get picked up and have your trek interrupted by over zealous enforcers. I will admit the times I have gone far along the border, its been on a Q permit, so RABC, Q permit, US passport, and a BWCA permit to get in and out - covered. I understand that can't happen for a while now. |
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GraniteCliffs |
Can you do it and get away with it? Yes, of course. Has it been done for years? Yes. Have I done it over the years? Of course. However, it is 2021. It is not legal. Do it at your own risk. But don't complain if you get nabbed. I could live with a fine. Not so much being carted off to a jail cell somewhere(which I would doubt very much.) But my largest fear is kissing my future RABC permits goodbye. That would be horrendous. |
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lookout! |
you just broke how many laws? No travel to Canada in a pandemic, No RABC, no permit.... Good luck in a Canadian jail, since you will be held, because you can't return to the US. Plenty of patrol on the border, ever heard of drones? Enjoy your extended trip! Just saying. |
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scotttimm |
I think this is innocently misunderstood by many, and it would be helpful if outfitters were on the same page, as many visitors rely on their advice on trips. If we go in the future, I will look into the appropriate permits. |
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woodsandwater |
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billconner |
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timatkn |
billconner: "There's a bar on the border a little north if me - border line painted on floor - kind of wonder how that works. " What’s the name of the place? There is a library in Vermont that straddles the line...this article is from 2017 and already things were tightening up...there was also an incident where someone used the library to smuggle across the border...my guess these nuanced places will disappear unfortunately. Library border |
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irishluck |
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mgraber |
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mschi772 |
If they every allow it again, if you want to cross the border from BWCA into Canada, have your passport, and RABC, and a Quetico day pass or permit. |