Fall paddlers to the Boundary Waters should be prepared for the sounds of shotguns and other things associated with hunting in the wilderness.

Hunting is allowed in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and across Superior National Forest. This includes everything from larger animals like deer to waterfowl hunting. Deer hunting is common on the Ely side of the wilderness.

In addition, up to 60 bull moose in northeastern Minnesota could be harvested this year during a moose hunt by three Chippewa bands.

The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa can take a combined total of 30 bull moose across the approximately 5 million acres of 1854 Ceded Territory lands of northeastern Minnesota. An additional 30 bull moose could also be harvested this year by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

The moose hunt will take place this fall and the early part of winter. The 1854 Ceded Territory includes the BWCA Wilderness.

For more than a decade, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has not authorized a state moose hunting season, following a severe drop in the moose population. However, since 2017, as the moose population has stabilized, the Grand Portage, Boise Forte, and Fond du Lac bands have allowed limited hunts.

Moose provide an important source of healthy, subsistence food for band members, according to the 1854 Treaty Authority. The hunts also continue a longstanding cultural tradition for band members.

According to the Minnesota DNR, Minnesota’s moose population remains relatively stable, following the results of the 2024 moose survey that took place earlier this year.  The DNR says the state’s moose population estimate is 3,470 animals. The firearm and archery season for moose starts later this month.

Other dates of note for the upcoming hunting season for all user groups to the BWCA Wilderness include:

—Bear: Sept. 1

—Grouse: Sept. 14

—Waterfowl: Sept. 21

—Archery Deer: Sept. 14

—Firearm Deer: Nov. 9