Keep it Wild

In this segment of “Keep it Wild” Kit and Sig Shirley from Sawbill Canoe Outfitters share “Leave No Trace” tips and strategies for Wilderness travelers of all ages. They also share a few animal stories from Summer 2025 canoe trips in the BWCAW.
To learn more about “Leave No Trace” principles and other rules related to BWCAW travel, visit the Superior National Forest website.

In this segment of Keep it Wild, we talk to Sarah Bransford from Friends of the Boundary Waters, an organization that is collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners on a series of live streams for youth and educators across the United States.
The discussion centers around Live Stream #3: Water as Home, which focuses on “Leave No Trace” techniques and camping skills related to water and resource preservation, as well as living with wildlife in a wilderness setting. We also learn more about “No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters,” and other youth initiatives created by the Friends of the Boundary Waters.

Learn more about the Paddles & Pines live streams here.

Fern and Shelby are two of the interns embedded with US Forest Service Wilderness crews this summer as part of the ongoing partnership between the Superior National Forest and the Student Conservation Association (SCA).
In this fun conversation, they have recently returned from work trips into the Boundary Waters Wilderness, and share what they typically do to help maintain campsites and portages in the BWCAW.
Founded in 1957, the SCA’s mission focuses on equitable access to nature, providing green job opportunities for young people and teaching crew members how to become environmental stewards. To learn more visit thesca.org.

Keep it Wild is a regular feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

In this June, 2025 edition of “Keep it Wild,” we talk with Jo Swanson, director of the Friends of the Superior National Forest. Formerly known as the Minnesota Volunteer Connection, the Friends of SNF partners with the U.S. Forest Service on maintenance projects throughout the entire Forest, including the BWCAW, and area campgrounds and trails. The group is currently looking for volunteers to help with a number of projects this summer, including pulling invasive plants at the Pincushion Mountains trail system outside of Grand Marais, and trail maintenance work on the Moss and South Lake trails on the Gunflint Trail.

To learn more about summer volunteer opportunities in 2025, visit Friends of the Superior National Forest

(Photos courtesy of Friends of the Superior National Forest)

In this edition of “Keep it Wild” we talk with Dave Seaton at Hungry Jack Outfitters. An official Boundary Waters Collaborator and permit issue station, Hungry Jack Outfitters just saw “ice out,” and are ready for the paddling season. Dave explains the new permit pickup options and takes us through how to change the pickup location through your reservation at rec.gov.
An advocate for wilderness travel for over 35 years, Dave also provides some tips for a successful trip that promotes Leave No Trace principles.

Photo of Rainbows over Hungry Jack Lake by Dennis Chick.

In this edition of KEEP IT WILD, the Boundary Waters Podcast speaks with U.S. Forest Service Information Officer Joy Vandrie about the January 29th “Go Live” start of the 2025 permit reservation season. Joy emphasizes the importance of setting up an account on recreation.gov before the launch and highlights the 72 entry points with daily permit limits, including two new entry points created this year, for thru-hikers in the wilderness. Vandrie notes that over 11,000 permits were canceled last year, with 58% reserved in January or early February. She urges travelers to only reserve what you need and to cancel early so other travelers have an opportunity to plan a visit. Vandrie also stresses the importance of using a valid email for rec.gov accounts for emergency notifications.

Here are some key resource links to learn more about making plans for the paddle season ahead of securing your permit.

USFS Boundary Waters Trip Planning Guide

BWCAW Rules and Regulations

BWCAW Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/

BWCAW Issue Stations: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233396/cooperators

Keep it Wild is a regular feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

It’s self-permit season in the wilderness! Tim Engrav from the Lac La Croix District of the Superior National Forest, shares more about self-issue permits and the reasons why it’s important to fill one out, even if you are visiting for the day. Plus, a quick ice report and a reminder about ice safety.

Here’s a link to the MN DNR Ice Safety Recommendations.

In the October 2024 edition of “Keep it Wild,” Fire Staff Officer Nick Petrack reports on the prevailing, dry conditions in the BWCAW and shares insights about human-caused wildfires in the Superior National Forest, which account for about half of wild fire incidents in the Forest each year.

Cheron Ferland, forest wildlife biologist for the US Forest Service, shares the news that human-bear encounters were down 1/3 this year, compared to past years, in spite of it being a low-forage year. This is the fourth year of data tracking for the USFS, the agency that manages the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Staci Drouillard learns more in this segment.

Keep it Wild is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast

In the August segment we converse with Wilderness Operations Supervisor Chris Maher about some common, human-caused impacts to wilderness character in the BWCAW including: burning trash and the improper handling of garbage, building “furniture” on campsites, pounding nails in trees, and pruning or peeling tree bark and live branches. Chris also covers what the follow up to these infractions might be, and gives us the lowdown on how most visitors are doing, on our visits to the wilderness.
“Keep it Wild” is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

What’s a typical day like for a Wilderness Ranger in the BWCAW? Richard Pulsfus is in his 21st year working on the Superior National Forest, and gives us the lowdown on what he does to prepare for a trip, typical duties, like checking hazard trees and digging latrines and what to expect if you see a Ranger approaching your campsite while out on a Boundary Waters trip.
Keep it Wild is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

In the June 2024 edition of “Keep it Wild,” Tim Engrav, USFS District Wilderness Manager, covers wilderness travel from a safety perspective. Starting with planning and communicating your route to self-rescue on the water, Tim shares everything you’ll need to know for a safe and relaxing trip. “Keep it Wild” is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

It’s “Fishing 101” Boundary Waters edition, with USFS Biological Science Technician Hannah Hill. Learn about tackle recommendations, best practices for using live bait, rules about cleaning fish and why it’s good to use lead-free tackle if you care about the health of Eagles, Loons, Walleye and Lake Trout.

DNR Fishing Regulations: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html

Lead-free tackle info: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/leadout

Fishing info for the Superior National Forest (not just the boundary waters): https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/superior/recreation/fishing

This is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

The Superior National Forest is home to black bears, who are smart, have a good memory and most often prefer to keep to themselves. With increased human activity in the Wilderness, there is a chance that visitors to the BWCAW may encounter a wild bear. In this edition of Keep it Wild, Cheron Ferland, acting regional wildlife program manager for the Superior National Forest shares best practices and resources to help campers be “bear aware” as we move into early spring in the BWCAW. Keep it Wild is a Boundary Waters Podcast monthly feature.

Blue barrel destroyed by a black bear on Clearwater Lake. Courtesy of Rocco Bonello, SNF.

For bear-human conflict reports on the Superior National Forest contact the USFS: www.fs.usda.gov/main/superior/home (call one of the Ranger District offices or email the Tip Line: sm.fs.suf-tipline@usda.gov)

More information on living with bears and where to find bear-friendly food containers:

• Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Bear-resistant Products https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-resistant-products/
• MNDNR BearWise Living with Bears https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bears/index.html
• US Forest Service Bear Aware https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/bears
• Bear Canisters 101 https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bear-resistant-canisters.html

In this segment of Keep it Wild we talk with Carl Skustad, a USFS Wilderness & Recreation Program Lead out of Ely, Minnesota. Carl gives early spring travelers some tips on preparing for ice-out conditions, including being prepared for a variety of weather, making plans to store food safely, being fire-safe and sharing your trip plan with others, to ensure that your trip is fun, safe and relaxing.

Use the USFS_Trip Planning Guide, for more great tips on planning your Wilderness trip.

Keep it Wild is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

In the February 2024 edition of Keep it Wild, Tim Engrav of the LaCroix and Laurentian Ranger District fills us in on the use of augers in the Wilderness. He also shares information about two summer work opportunities in the BWCAW. If you are interested in being a USFS volunteer, or might like to work in the BWCAW or Superior National Forest through the Student Conservation Association, you’ll learn more about these summer job opportunities and where to find more information.

Keep it Wild is a monthly feature of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast.

Impacts left behind by careless winter campers.

The WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast talks with Megan McClanahan of the US Forest Service about “Leave No Trace” principles in the winter. She covers the “dos” and “don’ts” of winter camping in the BWCAW, including careful harvesting of firewood, where to build a fire, choosing where to camp and what to do if you find a mess that someone else has left behind.

“Keep it Wild” can be heard monthly as part of the Boundary Waters Podcast.

If camped at a designated site during any season, use the fire grate. These campers missed the mark.

(Photos courtesy of USDA Forest Service, Superior NF)

Pictured is Ada Igoe, co-owner of Tuscarora Lodge & Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. Check out Ada’s recommended ice-safety gear, to have with you anytime you venture out on the ice early in the season, or anywhere there might be stream current or unknown ice conditions.

In this debut segment of “Keep it Wild,” USFS Wilderness Operations Lead Megan McClanahan discusses early winter adventuring in the BWCAW, including monitoring the fast-changing ice conditions, preparing for your skating or fishing trip and why it’s nice to fill out a self-issue permit before you go.

Additional resources:

USFS Trip Planning Guide

MN DNR Ice Safety Guide

You can hear new segments of “Keep it Wild,” in each episode of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast, an informational, regular feature, found only on WTIP.