Camping during gun season near the BWCAW area

[uptracker]

Last year I went on a week long canoe in deer hunt in the BWCAW. This year I can't make it and I have no idea if I'll go with the same group again in the future. Therefore, I am planning on buying a wall tent and heading up for the 2011 opener. I am wondering about camping areas though (road camping, not canoeing). I don't really want to get up there two days early and "steal" someones spot they've been camping in the past few years.

I am planning on a shed hunting trip in May 2011 and another scouting trip in October 2011. I'm sure I'll have no problems camping during those times, but what about just before the gun season of 2011?

I wish I could at least go up a couple days this season to see where everybody is camping/hunting, but I just can't get the time off of work this year.

P.S. I'm thinking about the area between Buyck and Ely.

Thanks in advance...

[DooWap]

There are a few National Forest campgrounds that come to mind along the Echo Trail like Echo Lake, Lake Jeneatte and Fenske Lake. Also, since it is all Superior National Forest up there, you can use dispersed camping practices and really camp anywhere that is not private land.

[uptracker]

Yeah, I know, I'm just wondering who crowded it's gonna be since it's a first come first serve basis. Hoping to not run into any trouble.

[reinhard1]

i put my 16 ft camper on public land every year and i believe you can do this with a tent as well, and it doesnt have to be a campground. there is a limited time you can camp with a camper outside campground areas, i believe its up to two weeks in one spot. you might also want to check if toilets are open to the public at this time. i bring a pail with a toilet seat with plastic bags and bring all garbage and waste home with me for disposal. i usualy stay 4 days. good luck.

[uptracker]

Hypothetically speaking reinhard, is there a few places to camp within a couple miles of you? I'm just trying to feel it out....could I find an area without stepping on anybodys toes?...that's the main point of this thread.

[reinhard1]

we have been hunting "our" area since the 60's when i was in jr. high school. the same spot. one block from me is a hunting shack on land leased from the county that was put there much after we started hunting in "our"spot. at first it was a little irritating even though both us and the shack guys have a perfect right to hunt were they please on public land. we have kind of a unofficial boundary with our stand areas and we get along well. usualy if you know the area and there are logging trails nearby or some sign of hunters you can expect neighbors. its good to scout an area out during small game hunting season for example and walk the trails and old logging roads and look for orange tape or some kind of marking showing a trail for a stand. in all this time we have never had anyone in anyone of our stands during firearms season. we know there is a bowhunter there but he is welcome as well. it would upset me if someone would sit on my stand that i did not know but there is little one can do about it. find a spot were you see no vehicles for a mile strech or more and park off the road and check the area out and set up camp. otherwise camp on one of the campsites you have mentioned, i realy dont think campgrounds are busy at this time of the year, but i could be wrong. i know my area, and for best results go somewhere you are familiar with and scout the area. there is plenty of room up north for everyone that hunts. good luck.

[DooWap]

You could also call the LaCroix District Ranger station in Cook at (218) 666-0020 and ask them about the typical demand at the campsites that time of year. They would also tell you more about the type of camping that is allowed up there. The Kawishiwi Ranger station in Ely could probably help you too, (218) 365-7600.

[uptracker]

I don't really wanna stay at a campground and that's the reason I'm afraid to come up two days early, set up a camp and then have a group move in and say "We've camped here the past 25 years, pack it up". That's my whole worry.......seems my posts are misleading I guess.

I actually won't pack up a 14x16 tent and all the entrails and wood actually. It takes a few hours to get it organized.

[NoWiser]

UP,

From what I've seen, most deer camps are set up a few days to a week before opener. Chances are pretty decent that if you find a spot the day before opener that doesn't have a camp set up, it probably will be fine.

What you could do is just bring a small tent thats easy to pack up, stay in that the first day or two until you find where you want to hunt, and then set up the wall tent. The first year is really going to kind of be a crapshoot.... Also, if you get out there a couple days early, just find a camp that is already set up and talk to them. Most are very friendly, and would probably be willing to let you know where other hunters in the area will set up their camps.

[uptracker]

Thanks Wiser....I already know the area I'm going into. I don't relly mind if I have to camp a few miles away. Guess I'll just wing it and take your advice.

[uptracker]

NoWiser,

You got an email address? I can't send you a PM. Or just email me...

[NoWiser]

Uptracker,

What's your email?

[uptracker]

[email protected]

Let me know when you got it, I'll delete this.

[NoWiser]

Got it.

[echotrail]

Opening week on the Buyck end of the Echotrail is like nickel day at the state fair... BUSY....just like everywhere else. But, no one is going to tell you to have to move becasue they have "Seniority" on public land. If you find a spot two days before the opener and you like it, use it. You will have no trouble finding a place to camp on one of the secondary logging roads. The water in the Echo Lake and Lake Jeanette campgrounds is shut off. There are several new "Cadilac" outhouses the forest service built this summer and they should be open. Someone said they were built with Federal Stimulus money. The big cities got the jobs, but Northern MN got the outhouses! Have some fun!