Permits - Looking for permit and license fee info, I saw mentioned that we need to get an "outdoors card". When I looked into what that is, the info there said it was only for Canada residents.
Which is correct?

Then I saw the $21.50/person/night Quetico camping fee.

WTF?
$129 each for the 3 of us I have to pay for = $387.00!!!
$23.00/conservation license = $69.00
So before we even get to any other expenses it is going to cost my 2 kids and me $456 to camp and fish for 6 days in the woods?
Did Canada import their politicians from IL?
What the heck happened?
If I had not been there before and didn't know what the Q was like, there's no way I'd do it. I can't figure out what they are trying to accomplish with that except screwing the Americans for every Loonie they can get.

Dogs - I have 2 small dogs. One Yorkie and one Brussels Griffon, both under 9 pounds each. Well behaved, I take them on camping trips on the WI river with no problems.
What is your opinion on bringing them along to Quetico?
The comment has been made that they would be good eagle food - any thoughts on that?

Firearms - I've never brought any before, but my brother is coming with and wants to bring one for "bear protection".
Any thoughts on that or arguments I could use either to discourage him from it or convince me that it's OK?

Any comments or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Can't help with current license/camp permit fees, as sadly I haven't been able to make a trip since some of the new requirements went into effect.

Guns, forget about it. No firearms in the Q and taking guns into Canada even for hunting trips, requires paperwork.

Get a couple of canisters of Bear Spray. Make sure you get a product that is labeled for Bears/Animals, NOT self defense. UDAP makes good ones, there are others as well. I'd get a canister for both adults.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Dogs, plenty of people take their animals. If the dogs are well behaved that eliminates the issues on portages with animals not staying with their owners. If they bark incessantly, that could be a problem, even in the Q.

I don't know about Eagles taking your little dogs. There are plenty of them and I suppose they could if they wanted, but I'd be more concerned with a wolf or maybe lynx, deciding they would make a good snack than an eagle.
Also, PFD's are not just for people. I'd invest in a couple of doggie PFD's with the lifting handle on back in case one of the dogs decides to exit the canoe and can't climb back in.
Pretty sure the dogs shots/papers have to be up to date as well.

Adults need Passport or an Enhanced Drivers License. I think you need certified Birth certificates for the kids, but not sure.
db is right, cheaper going in from North( Canada). Might be worth the extra drive?

Way cheaper to stay in BWCA, but you pay for what you get, and until the Q loses it's luster to you, then you'll have to decide if it's worth the price.

solotripper wrote on Jun 13^th, 2012 at 10:28pm:

Thanks for the responses.
No guns it is. Simple.
My brother has been up there twice before with me, his wife was instigating the gun talk I think. They are both Army vets and she has never been camping before outside of her enlistment.

My dogs bark very little, just usually at other dogs and I hope bears - that would help. They are the size of large rabbits, so the eagle food thought is a possibility. I am NOT bringing up the wolf snack angle, my daughter will freak out. I think they'll be fine, they don't usually wander more than a few yards from us during camping trips.

The Q is worth it to me, I was just shocked at the price considering it was under $5/night last time I went over a decade ago. It is a $300 expense I was not planning on.

We have our Agnes permit for Aug. 4 already, so I'll be biting the bullet and shelling out the dough. I've been on 17 trips in the Q and the BWCAW so far, and I do appreciate the differences. I was just surprised that the Canuks jacked the prices up to this level. Like the first time I saw the $2.80 toll that IL put up right over the WI border.
Except that the Q is worth it.

6 nights thru PP ... $331. I believe, not positive, but I believe your kids don't need fishing licenses if you're with them as they are basically included under your fishing license and count towards your daily/posession limit.

Does an RABC include whole families?

I don't ever remember fees being $5 a night. Maybe $6.50 off season in the early 80's and I've always wondered if BW trips were taxpayer subsidized. What would that same six night stay cost the three of you there? ~$32?

"I don't ever remember fees being $5 a night."

I remember when they used to call it a "firewood fee" at $2 per person per night, then it went up to $5 per, and kept climbing


so Pondo, you do get the deal on the RABC right ?  no customs stations at Prairie Portage anymore like there was when the fee was $5 a night, so you have to have the Remote Area Border Crossing permit or you can't cross the border (it is more or less a pre-approved clearance through customs)  and you still need the passports for legal re-entry into US as you are supposed to stop in Ely or nearest US Customs on your return.

also changed from the past, fishing lures you use must be barbless (mash down the barbs is ok) and no live bait

the Ontario Outdoors card is required for residents and non-residents alike - you can buy the card and your fishing licenses online ahead of time

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR LICENSE AND OUTDOORS CARD AHEAD OF TIME - THEY CAN NOT ISSUE THEM AT PRAIRIE PORTAGE ANYMORE - due to the electonic system that is being used for licensing now (same for Atikokan Office - you now have to do it online, or go to an outfitter that has the right machine)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)