BillConner wrote on Jan 16^th, 2015 at 12:32pm:

And to clarify, if you rent gear, is the crown land permit free or do you not even need a permit?

Trying to figure out is much is CA side of Rainy River from Lake of the Woods to the Quetico is crown land.

When I traveled to Opasquia, a non-operating Ont. Provincial Park, we had to purchase a crown land camping permit. Since we rented an accommodation -TENT- from an Ont. Outfitter we did not need the Crown land camping permit. If we had needed one we were told we would have to go to the proper MNR office in person to get the permit.

I have found that the interpretation of the "'Accommodation" exemption language varies depending on who you talk to. In our case Opasquia  was under WCPP's management and they confirmed that renting the  tent accommodation was a valid exemption from the Crown land camping permit which is required for non-residents in non-operating Ontario Parks.

"The purpose of Green Zones is to better
regulate the number of campers in certain
Crown land areas, to prevent crowding, and
over-use of campsites, improve the quality of
campers’ outdoor experience and, in some
cases, distribute anglers more widely to
prevent over fishing on some waters."

That came from here : (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
But it would be the same in the Rainy Lake district the Q is in.

I think that's a nice way of saying they don't want self-equipped non-residents from using these zones to access whatever or hunt.
I'm pretty sure you have to go thru an outfitter for certain types of game ( big), because that's how they control how much game is taken, especially by non-residents.

I think it's probably political/financial becasue the local outfitters want you to get some gear from them. I'm not sure how much "gear" you have to rent before you can get a "rate" on that Crown Land permit.
I did a little looking on-line and no matter the area/Green Zone, it looks about the same in that those Zones are set to "block" access to well established camping areas and "funnel" people toward access points that you have to have camp permits to get into and leave a vehicle.

It is confusing to say the least. I think I'd call the park in Atikokan and get the info first hand.

IC, Try calling the same number you'd use for reserving a back country permit for Q, and ask about Sag instead.

I got an odd response some years back when I was trying to see what kind of permits I needed for the Steel River PP. This might have been before the "Green Zone" plan came into being. But back then I was told since it wasn't an operating park, but it was still nesignated a park, I needed nether a park permit nor crown land permits. I explained I was from the US and not a resident too.

ST, I think Ontario Parks has perfected writing confusing rules. No idea what Green Zones are. I had always thought it was a way for keeping freeloaders out of areas that outfitters had paying customers renting cabins, i. e. Turtle River  area. Thought you had to be a fully outfitted customer. But that's just my guess.

I think this will help explain why they have designated Green Zones.

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BillConner wrote on Jan 9^th, 2015 at 2:18pm:
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I don't know why they have the Green Zones. But if your not a Canadian Resident you can't even buy your way there. The land on the East side of Woodland Caribou is a good example. You can't stay anywhere along there because it's a Green Zone.

I wouldn't think even a non operating park would be a green zone and you should be able to get crown land permits at any Canadian outpost on Sag.

I thought about that too...several outfitters (US) at the end of the Gunflint Trail which that rule MIGHT include.  I'll let you know what I find out. 

Quote:

From Ontario rules link for non-residents:

Quote:


I wonder IF that would apply to American Outfitters that do business there? Might want to talk to some of your BWCA outfitter friends?

Thanks ST for the Crown Lands links.  Have to say I am still confused after looking at the maps.  Guess I'll have to call someone in Canada to get more info.

Perhaps I CAN have a "free lunch" if I were to rent a tent from an Ontario outfitter.