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The Forest Service has had several inquiries from visitors and media outlets, specifically citing ‘confusion’ from the BWCA Recreation. gov Go-Live FAQ regarding dog leash rules, published in January 2024.
Found on the BWC FAQ page #16, it asks what responsibilities do you have if you bring a dog?
Answer: Dogs must be always under human control on a six-foot or shorter leash. Dogs endanger wildlife and barking intrudes on the experience. Dispose of dog waste 200 feet from water, campsites, portages, or put it in a latrine. Annually, visitors lose dogs within the BWCAW due to a run-away or wildlife encounter.
The regulation is consistent across the National Forest System (nationwide) and applies to ‘developed recreation’ sites, including those within the BWCA. ‘Developed recreation sites’ include campgrounds, campsites, boat landings, hiking trails, portages, fishing piers, etc.
Some inquiries asked if their dog needed to be leashed in their canoe in the middle of the lake? No, your canoe is not considered a developed recreation site. Once you are landing at a portage or boat ramp you are then considered in a developed recreation site.
The most consistent inquiry since January - What if a person is actively hunting, can a dog be off leash for hunting purposes? Yes.
“With respect to hunting, if you are participating in an active hunt, you can have your dog off-leash,” said Cathy Quinn. “If you are engaged in an active hunt and you’re out with a hunting dog that’s going to retrieve birds or point birds, you can have your dog off-leash.”
The regulation is in place to reduce accidents and liability from unleashed pets towards other pets, people recreating, and wildlife.
The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) may help clarify the rules and regulations for dog owners visiting the Superior National Forest.
1. Does the SNF have a “leash law?”
The following is prohibited within Developed Recreation Sites: Bringing in or possessing an animal, other than a seeing eye dog, unless it is crated, caged, or upon a leash not longer than six feet, or otherwise under physical restrictive control.
In addition, the BWCA rules and regulations state: “Dogs must be on a six-foot leash or shorter at all times. Dogs can endanger wildlife and barking intrudes on the experience. Dispose of dog waste 200 feet from water, campsites, portages, or put it in a latrine.”
2. What is the legal consequence, if any, if someone is in the SNF including BWCA Wilderness and does not have their dog on a sixfoot leash or shorter? (a ticket, fine, asked to leave the wilderness, etc.?)
The minimum fine is $50. 3. Does the leash law for dogs apply to duck hunters and grouse hunters in the BWCAW?
Hunting with a dog off-leash is allowed if taking place outside of developed recreation sites (campsites, campgrounds, boat landings, portages, trailheads, etc.). If on a designated trail, hunters may have dogs off-leash while actively engaged in hunting.
