I have been traveling through Ely and into the Quetico for the past 24 years and in the last five I have heard more and more rumblings about US Boarder Patrol officers busting paddlers as they enter back into the US.  The crime, not checking in at US Customs.

Has anyone else heard of this? Anyone fallen prey?

I personally think it's a bit absurd.

If you consider how much smuggling goes on, while a hassle it's a necessity.  I have no idea how the border in the parks is monitored.  What's to stop you from paddling/walking across the border and back?  If you do a loop, how would they know you left the country?

A couple years back some asshats with guns behaved like asshats, threatening campers, cranking off rounds.  They crossed the border.  They were charged on both sides.  A good use of the border imo, take asshats like this out of the park on both sides.

Last year Memorial Day weekend finished a trip with Yellowbird. We went to check in at customs in Ely and found the officer was out of the office and the posted instructions were to come back another time. Well, it was close to closing hours for the custom office so we went into Ely, had dinner, spent the night in a motel, picked up a purchased canoe at VNO and then returned to the customs office early the next morning when they opened. We found several other groups there and had to wait about a half hour to be "readmitted" to the United States of America. Absurd? You be the judge.

Kingfisher wrote on Jun 9^th, 2010 at 4:06pm:

Last year Memorial Day weekend finished a trip with Yellowbird. We went to check in at customs in Ely and found the officer was out of the office and the posted instructions were to come back another time. Well, it was close to closing hours for the custom office so we went into Ely, had dinner, spent the night in a motel, picked up a purchased canoe at VNO and then returned to the customs office early the next morning when they opened. We found several other groups there and had to wait about a half hour to be "readmitted" to the United States of America. Absurd? You be the judge.

Yes.  That does seem absurd.  Last year, my son and I exited on July 4.  We arrived Ely customs around 3:00 pm to find a note on the door informing us that the agent was in Ely helping with the parade.  At least he was kind enough to leave his cell number which we called.  He said to hold tight and he'd be back in about 20 minutes.  We waited and were soon on our way back to Ohio.
We usually spend our first night back in Duluth or Madison.  Not sure if we would have adjusted our plans to wait till the next day for customs as you did KF.  Would that mean we could be arrested/cited?  I'm guessing a call to Ely customs from Madison the next morning would not be received well.    

While I'm not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV, it seems to me that if you stop during their posted business hours, you have met your obligation. The fact that they were not home is their problem...

Old Salt wrote on Jun 9^th, 2010 at 9:48pm:

While I'm not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV, it seems to me that if you stop during their posted business hours, you have met your obligation. The fact that they were not home is their problem...

Old Salt don't quit your day job. I would not want you to argue my case with U.S. Customs

Presumed innocence...

I'm w. OS. I'd leave a note saying I was there and the date I'll return next year  ;D

Kingfisher wrote on Jun 9^th, 2010 at 4:06pm:

Last year Memorial Day weekend finished a trip with Yellowbird. We went to check in at customs in Ely and found the officer was out of the office and the posted instructions were to come back another time. Well, it was close to closing hours for the custom office so we went into Ely, had dinner, spent the night in a motel, picked up a purchased canoe at VNO and then returned to the customs office early the next morning when they opened. We found several other groups there and had to wait about a half hour to be "readmitted" to the United States of America. Absurd? You be the judge.

I should note that we did not spend the night in Ely just to clear customs the next day. We had already decided to drive home the following morning beforehand otherwise I'm sure we would have used the "Old Salt" defense and skipped. ::)

I wave as I pass the building.   :D

Tales of Barney Fife and his strip-searches haven't exactly given me great confidence in the process at Ely.  If I knew he was gone, never to return, and also knew that the new staff would act like normal Customs officials everywhere else I've ever crossed the border, I'd begin to stop in.

I guess I'm not overly concerned that US Customs and the PP Ranger will start comparing notes on who's entered and exited.  I'd be more concerned about U.S. and Canadian Customs comparing notes but I figure an RABC only gives me the right to cross the border and is not proof positive that I ever actually did it.

I always check in when I come out at Crane Lake since they don't hassle you unnecessarily.

Wait, you are supposed to check in to customs?  In the town of Ely?  So let me get this straight, you can paddle across, stash whatever you were smuggling in the woods, then check in with customs, and then go pick up whatever it is you were smuggling?  

Sounds like more of a hassle for regular people than anything else.  The whole notion that someone with something to hide is actually going to check in with whatever they are hiding in the hopes the customs agent doesn't find it is absolutely absurd.  They are better off doing random checks at Prairie Portage or something.  More annoying, yes, but at least it would be effective.

PP is on Canadian side, and US Customs would have to operate on US side, but you are on the right track... If they moved customs to Moose Lake and outfitters returning parties would stop at their station before disembarking passengers (like at Crane Lake), then they could realistically stop any violaters. But don't suggest this to authorities, they don't like any solutions that work or make sense...

Just leave Barney Fife alone... :D

We checked in at customs in Ely on our way back yesterday.  Showed our passports and THEN had to fill out a pieces of paper with name, address, etc., etc.  which we thought was redundant paperwork since the attendant also scanned the passports.  The officer took a cursory look in our car...didn't see much, it was so stuffed there was only minimal room for us three passengers to squeeze in.  ;D
I often have not checked in on past trips but have never heard from them that they missed me.  Once I checked in and they were not there, so I stuck my Canada permit copy to the door and left a note "I was here".
Once my dad did a Quetico "walk" and after he got back they called to see if he ever showed back up at home.  Again, no repercussions  :-?

I just checked in on Thursday after a trip and the process was relatively quick and painless (contrary to some of the stories I've heard from previous years). I think my only complaint would be that the customs officer could maybe use a little more sense of humor. When he asked if I had brought anything back with me, I replied, "Nothing but the dirt under my fingernails." He didn't seem to think that was particularly funny. :-?

wrote on Jun 19^th, 2010 at 7:55pm:

I just checked in on Thursday after a trip and the process was relatively quick and painless (contrary to some of the stories I've heard from previous years). I think my only complaint would be that the customs officer could maybe use a little more sense of humor. When he asked if I had brought anything back with me, I replied, "Nothing but the dirt under my fingernails." He didn't seem to think that was particularly funny. :-?

You're lucky that you weren't fined for importing foreign soil without a permit.

Old Salt wrote on Jun 19^th, 2010 at 9:54pm:

You're lucky that you weren't fined for importing foreign soil without a permit.

;D Yes, my wife pointed that out to me after I mentioned it to her. That could explain his lack of sense of humor.

Paddlemaker and I also had our vehicle "searched" upon our return to the U.S. on Saturday morning in Ely. We speculated that the officer on duty just liked the smell of funky old paddling clothes and camping gear after several days in the woods. There is no other reasonable explanation for a search in a situation like this.

...or, perhaps he was searching for 'consumables'...  :o :D

On this trip to WCPP, I passed through the U.S. Customs entry/exit to Canada at Pembia North Dakota (on I-29 south of Winnipeg).  On the way in, it was smooth sailing (of course) and took less than 10 minutes (and a few questions) to be on my way.

On the return, on Thursday, I had the nearest thing to a strip search I've yet encountered.  Of course, with the extra screening it took maybe 25-30 minutes of waiting in line to reach the first screening point.  I answered the typical questions and was then directed to "Bay 2" for further inspection.  I waited another 10 minutes for the bay to clear of the previous occupant (this was like a drive through garage with doors at both ends).  Once I was directed to pull into the bay, I was asked to step out, face the stainless steel table and empty the contents of my pockets onto the table and turn my pockets out.  After an expection of the contents of my pockets with additional questions, I was escorted to a waiting room with "one way" glass.  I waited approximately 20 more minutes until I was excorted back to my vehicle and was permitted to continue on my journey.

I can only summize that the staff needed something to do.  As I pulled into the bay, my vehicle was surrounded by 8-10 customs agents!    There looked to be 6-8  such bays, but I couldn't tell if all were in operation ... but any way you cut it, that's a lot of people!  Commercial traffic had its own, independent, screening facility.

The good news was that the agents were friendly and courteous and the surroundings were very nice and clean.

dd

Pembina is a major entrypoint for contraband.  You hit the random search and it was "your number".  As soon as they finished with you, they pulled in the next lucky sap.  That's what they are paid to do all day long.

I wonder if it's a waste of time, or if random searches really pay off on a daily basis?

I've been near strip-searched there twice.

Quote:

I've been near strip-searched there twice

Maybe you have a secret admirer ;D

Last time I was in the area, the stretch of Ont #17 between Rainy River and Fort Frances seemed to have more stores selling Cuban cigars than the rest of Canada combined, so I guess there is a lot of contraband going across the border.

Can't imagine it would give much satisfaction to the US customs officers even if they found anything though - it's probably like Wally said: you were just the 20th vehicle, or whatever their quota number is.

Given the number of customs agents and the facilities they seem to have in relation to the size of the border crossing, I would guess some congressman managed to get some homeland security pork (the part that didn't go to Wyoming), spent it here, and now they have to justify it.

Back to the original question, though: Has anyone ever not checked back in (in Ely) and then gotten a call at home from Customs?

-- kypaddler

Assuming no one ever has ... anyone want to become famous first by being used as an example?  :o

We came off the water on July 3rd. Went to Ely on the 4th. Our group of 6 scouts were well behaved and the only thing he wanted to know was if we were bringing any wood across the border.
Glad to know our border is so well protected.

Our most interesting incounter with the authorities came in the Quetico. We were cruising through the creek from isabella to Basswood. Some of us were wading as we had a couple beaver dams to cross over.
Up ahead we see a lone female in a very skimpy bikini top paddling towards us. We of course were anticipating a few more of the same but were dissapointed that her companions were both male. She seemed as surprised as we were and pulled behind some tall reeds and put her shirt on. She gets closer and introduces herself as a park ranger and that she needs to see our permits. Very nice exchange between us.
Have any of you met Holly the ranger?

Holly Armstrong.  We've met.  I was doing my "final rinse" after a sunshower one morning on Rawn Lake.  When I emerged from the water in nothing but the skin God gave me she was rounding the corner.  Thankfully she let me get my towel before I had to produce my permit.   :)

PhantomJug wrote on Jul 14^th, 2010 at 7:00pm:

Holly Armstrong.  We've met.  I was doing my "final rinse" after a sunshower one morning on Rawn Lake.  When I emerged from the water in nothing but the skin God gave me she was rounding the corner.  Thankfully she let me get my towel before I had to produce my permit.   :)

What????  PJ admitting to using a sunshower??  I did NOT just read this...

I was a gift - I promised to bring it and use it.  Rawn was probably 10 years ago.  I still have it.  Do you want it?   ;D

Naw,  "I hate sunshowers and the prisses that use them"  ;D ;D

Cold lake water is where it's at.  Heating is cheating.

Thats EXACTLY where that quote came from.  Pascanell would be proud.  In my attempt to be a greater steward of the resources I have learned that no shower is best.  I've got my personal hygiene down to 4 baby wipes.

PhantomJug wrote on Jul 14^th, 2010 at 10:07pm:

Thats EXACTLY where that quote came from.  Pascanell would be proud. I've got my personal hygiene down to 4 baby wipes.

This is too easy...
"I hate baby wipes, and the prisses that use them". ;D

Quote:

I've been near strip-searched there twice

So how much clothing did they make you take off?

PhantomJug wrote on Jul 14^th, 2010 at 7:00pm:

Holly Armstrong.  We've met.  I was doing my "final rinse" after a sunshower one morning on Rawn Lake.  When I emerged from the water in nothing but the skin God gave me she was rounding the corner.  Thankfully she let me get my towel before I had to produce my permit.   :)

Good thing they have that National health care plan ;D

I'm sure SHE needed therapy after THAT sighting :o

Preacher
1st time was the worst.  GF (now wife) and I were coming back late to Fargo from Winnipeg, probably around midnight at Pembina.  Heater core in my 80's Ford blew and spew antifreeze throughout the passenger compartment....about 6 PM on a sun evening in the Peg.  Spent 4 hours finding a successful afterhours patch...cut the hoses where they entered the firewall and spliced 'em.

....I'm sure I was filthy, tired a bit cranky...but those border guys were just plain mean.  Wife and I escorted under guard to seperate rooms in the main building.  Stripped to our underwear, clothes gone through, wallets and purses dumped, reclothed, questioned.  Left to sit in a locked room for near 1 hour.  About 1.5 hours later...we were released with nary an explanation.  Our car was pulled over to an inspection lane...every item in it and trunk including floor mats was laying haphazard on the ashphalt.

I objected several times through the process.  Was told rudely to "shutup" each time and pointed towards a sign on the wall.  Now I'm recalling this some 25+ years later....but it read something like this...

You are at an International Border crossing
You are between countries and attempting to enter the United States of America
The USA grants the US Border Patrol the right to hold you for 7 days...
(something along these lines)

After reading the signage I pretty much shut up.  Of course we were clean.  I never saw the GF until I was released.  As we drove off we compared notes and had nearly identical experiences.  Did the usualy outrage thing...about how we were going to call our congressman...blah, blah, blah.  Cooled off by GF and stopped around 3 AM or so for a hotel room.

I still think all these years later...they were just jerking our chain as I'm sure I was a bit of a smartass.  Also was a longhaired hippy looking type, filthy and in a broken-down vehicle.

Similar experience in 1994 with our group in I-Falls.  4 of us were hauled downstairs, placed in separate rooms with a stainless steel bench and instructed to place everything but our skivvies in the plastic box outside the door.  No one ever questioned me but 2 of the guys were grilled.  About an hour later someone kicked the box of clothing back into my room and said "Get dressed!"  We all got back up to the parking lot and the Chevy Blazer was emptied on the asphalt; packs, canoe un-done, floor mats, glove box contents, etc...  If it wasn't nailed down in the car it was on the ground.  As a participation gift, the German Shepherd kindly pissed on the rear tire.

Back then I don't think they cared whether or not you were a US citizen.  They were just looking for the good Canadian Pharmacy.  ;)

You guys are making it sound like a wise investment to get the RABC.

Wow thems some pretty awful stories.

Only once have I been hasssled, driving a car my Mother In-law gave us from Florida back to Toronto.  Shortly after 911.  They insisted I had to pay duty.  The car was made in Canada & bought in Canada.  I had notorized Power of Attorney over the car.  After about an hour of them saying I gotta pay duty and me saying I don't the supervisor came by and looked at my paperwork.  Supervisor muttered to the subordinate, "He's right, we can't touch him."  Subordinate said, "We're going to let you off...this time."  I bit my tongue, smiled, thanked and drove off.  Never felt so happy to be back in my home country.

That was my last 20 hour drive.  From North Carolina to Toronto.

jjcanoeguide wrote on Jul 16^th, 2010 at 2:18pm:

You guys are making it sound like a wise investment to get the RABC.

In fairness jj, we haven't had an issue since then.  I think it was the hair-cuts, age and intimidation factor, along with the issues of the day/year/month that the feds were "on guard" for.  We've been asked to "pull up under the canopy" with minimal delay a few times but never an interrogation like '94.

Last year, coming back the officer did ask us this; "When was the last time we hauled your ass downstairs?"  In unison, we replied; "1994".  He smiled and said; "have a nice day."

PhantomJug wrote on Jul 16^th, 2010 at 2:44pm:

Last year, coming back the officer did ask us this; "When was the last time we hauled your ass downstairs?"  In unison, we replied; "1994".  He smiled and said; "have a nice day."

Heehee.  Turning 40 is the best thing that ever happened to me.  I'm no longer hassled by The Man.

I've only had one other "incident" like that....at the border crossing into NW N Dak about 1979-1980.  And I can assure you I deserved that and much more.  Imagine 4 teens under some type of influence, come around the corner and there is the border with the guard staring at us 1 block away.  We took a 30 min detour through town...cleaned up ourselfs and the car.  Then proceeded back threough the border.  Gotta say we spent near 3 hours there.  But no contraband!

I always figured I might have been "flagged for life" after that incident.  But like PJ says, different time and values.  They didn't give a rip about teens back then drinkin, druggin....at least not like they do today.

While it doesn't sound that much fun, I'm guessing that appearances are everything.  In '99 I had a couple of U.S. buddies going to Canada to guide for the summer.  With hair down below the shoulder and beards over 8 inches in length, they looked the hippie/druggie type.  Saw the Canadian border patrol pull all their door panels off, open up the headliner, and take all the tires off.  Fun times.  I guess it pays to vac out your car seats before crossing the border, as they found out later that the border police found a small seed, that appeared to be a marijuana varietal.  Good times!

jjcanoeguide wrote on Jul 18^th, 2010 at 2:31am:

Good times!

Did you mean; "High Times"?   ;D

In 31 years of paddling Quetico I have not once checked in at US customs in Ely or Grand Marais.  Until this year.  With unmanned drones watching the border for the hordes of illegal immigrants and drug smugglers paddling across the border, I won't be taking any chances!   ;D

That being said, I guided long canoe trips for a camp in eastern Ontario for a few summers while I was in college, and went through car searches, interviews, etc, on both sides of the border.  >:(

What fun!

This month, Canadian Geographic has a special on the U.S. - Canada border. Here's a link to one article on the way things operate out west ...

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Maybe it's about time we armed those Predator drones on both our borders and send a message the bad guys would understand :(

Illegal aliens, smugglers, or God forbid terrorists are criminals, simple as that. I'm sure I'm in the minority with my harsh opinion.

The next 9/11, or Drug War massacre that spills over into the Southern Border states, we'll take a poll and see how many will have changed their minds :question

 A nation/nations that can't control their borders and have no idea who's merely a " businessman" or a terrorist will never be able too provide the security it's citizens deserve and expect.

Smugglers I'm a little more leanient on, depending on the contraband.  There are stupid prohibitions.  Any true libertarian doesn't believe in smuggling, for a true free market to exist there isn't any such thing as smuggling.

Illegals are definitely a concern, especially on the W coast where containers of people from across the Pacific it's a real issue.

Terrorists?  I'm not sure there are any reasonable concerns in this arena.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just that I don't believe it happens enough to be worthy of the same attention as illegal immigration.

Shoot first ask questions later?  That's an uncivilized policy.
Armed drones?  That's just plain cowardice.  If you're going to get violent then you should have the cojones to put your cojones behind the gun.  When you take the horror out of war, you take away an incentive for peace.

Quote:

Armed drones?  That's just plain cowardice.  If you're going to get violent then you should have the cojones to put your cojones behind the gun.  When you take the horror out of war, you take away an incentive for peace.

You can't make peace with people who see you as Infidels and little more than lambs to be slaughtered.

Drones, Border agents, Military snipers, whatever it takes to secure the borders is okay by me.

As for cowardice? That's a government that refuses to do what needs too be done and when American bodies pile-up, will look to lay the blame on someone other than themselves for their lack of cajones.

So I'll end my rant, the way I started it. When the next 9/11 happens, we'll take a poll and see how/if opinions have changed?

Sometimes people need too be bitch slapped more than once to get the message :(

I'll say no more, you either get it or you don't.

pj say.   "  I've got my personal hygiene down to 4 baby wipes.[/quote]


Damn........there oughta be a law to protect them 4 babies that from that kind of treatment.... :P...... [smiley=thumbdown.gif]... ;)


don't worry pj.....it's all in fun....... ;D

Quote:

You can't make peace with people who see you as Infidels and little more than lambs to be slaughtered.

Wow, that reads like the old WW1 & 2 propganda posters used by the allies.  Thanks for restoring 100 year old concepts of Us vs. Them.
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You certainly can't make peace with armed drones.  You can't even surrender to them.  Damn that pesky Geneva Convention.


Quote:

Drones, Border agents, Military snipers, whatever it takes to secure the borders is okay by me.

I trust you're prepared to have those same methods used on you and your loved ones.


Quote:

I'll say no more, you either get it or you don't.

I get it.  When it happens to you it's unjust and cruel and cowardly.  When you do it to someone else it's right and good and deserved.

Sorry for the highjack to what is clearly OT.  Some of us just can't keep our mouths shut.   :D

So what does this have to do with fishing, camping and canoeing.  If you must discuss your beliefs take it somewhere else.  This is called quiet journey, not ranting journey.

I get to go fishing, camping and canoeing in 4 weeks with my wife and I'm sure crossing the border both ways will be a snap.

Westwood

solotripper wrote on Aug 4^th, 2010 at 11:09pm:

Quote: Armed drones?  That's just plain cowardice.  If you're going to get violent then you should have the cojones to put your cojones behind the gun.  When you take the horror out of war, you take away an incentive for peace. You can't make peace with people who see you as Infidels and little more than lambs to be slaughtered. Drones, Border agents, Military snipers, whatever it takes to secure the borders is okay by me. As for cowardice? That's a government that refuses to do what needs too be done and when American bodies pile-up, will look to lay the blame on someone other than themselves for their lack of cajones. So I'll end my rant, the way I started it. When the next 9/11 happens, we'll take a poll and see how/if opinions have changed? Sometimes people need too be bitch slapped more than once to get the message :( I'll say no more, you either get it or you don't.

In an ideal world, Minnesota could leave the sinking ship behind and join Canada.  We have more in common with our neighbors to the north (politically, and ethnically) than with much of the rest of the USA.

jjcanoeguide wrote on Jul 18^th, 2010 at 2:31am:

While it doesn't sound that much fun, I'm guessing that appearances are everything.  In '99 I had a couple of U.S. buddies going to Canada to guide for the summer.  With hair down below the shoulder and beards over 8 inches in length, they looked the hippie/druggie type.  Saw the Canadian border patrol pull all their door panels off, open up the headliner, and take all the tires off.  Fun times.  I guess it pays to vac out your car seats before crossing the border, as they found out later that the border police found a small seed, that appeared to be a marijuana varietal.  Good times!

I recall hearing anecdotes and rumors regarding this episode.  Yeah, the individuals involved set themselves up for this sort of treatment more or less, I think.  It has been used as an example to other staffs at a certain Canoe Base.  

On my recent Quetico trip, I followed my typical procedure of checking in with US Customs in Ely ... only they were closed.  The posted notice said that the office was closed on September 15 (I came by on the 25th).

Since this was my first fall trip, is this normal or a consequence of service cut-backs?

dd

seasonal employee - I think you are supposed to phone in your return info - wasn't there any notice telling you to do that?

Mad_Mat wrote on Oct 7^th, 2010 at 12:13pm:

seasonal employee - I think you are supposed to phone in your return info - wasn't there any notice telling you to do that?

I didn't see anything like that.  What was posted were check-in locations that WERE operational ... including International Falls and Grand Marais.

SURE, I'm going to take 4+ hours (there and back) to travel to those spots to "check-in"!

Why didn't they just stay with the previous procedure ... self-service document to complete and place in a drop box?

So, if it has any relevance to border security ... this ain't happenin'.

dd

With some dread, we too checked in with Customs in Ely on our way out on the 25th ... and we too found it closed.

Sign somewhere said to call one of several other places. Guy in our party did that and we were finished within a couple of minutes. I think  they requested just names and birth dates.

-- kypaddler

(and I'm very positive that any terrorist who decided to infiltrate the United States by flying or boating into Canada, renting or building a canoe and paddling through Quetico and out into Ely ALSO checked in.)