Hunting

As the state of Minnesota moves forward with a conservation framework that allows for the protection of our public lands and waters, as well as the responsible development of iron ore, taconite, logging, and other industries that have existed in Northern Minnesota for generations, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters remains committed to protecting the integrity of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its watersheds for huntable and fishable populations of fish and wildlife, now and forever through advocacy and education.

Today, in honor of Sigurd F. Olson’s 124th birthday, learn about Sig’s legacy to the Boundary Waters and make a gift to Sportsmen for the BWCA to ensure his legacy lives on. Sigurd F. Olson was a writer, conservationist, and wilderness advocate who played a significant role in protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). Through his writing and advocacy, Olson helped to raise awareness of the value of wilderness areas and the need to protect them for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

At the beginning of 2023, thanks to the conservation efforts of hundreds of thousands of people and years of tireless advocacy, we saw monumental protections announced across the country for three of our most iconic wild landscapes in the Boundary Waters, Bristol Bay, and Tongass National Forest. Thank you again to everyone that has stood shoulder to shoulder with us for years in defense of the Boundary Waters, each conservation group who has taken action to prioritize Boundary Waters protection, and our volunteers, donors, and supporters who have been on this journey every step of the way.

This legislation would ensure permanent protection of the Boundary Waters from any future sulfide-ore copper mining mineral leasing in the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest while excluding sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite mining, and also allows for the continued use of the Superior National Forest for ongoing mining and logging operations.

Department of the Interior orders 20-year mineral withdrawal in the Rainy River Watershed of Northeast Minnesota

As federal agencies complete another environmental review of proposed actions in the watershed of the BWCA, it's more important now than ever that supporters of the Boundary Waters let their members of Congress know: Now is the time to permanently protect America's most visited Wilderness.

A broad coalition of hunters and anglers today applauded an announcement by the Department of the Interior to cancel two federal hardrock mineral leases located in the Superior National Forest within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed, citing the importance of this move to sustaining the Boundary Waters’ recreational, economic and fish and wildlife values.

The review will allow Minnesotans to submit comments on whether or not the state's current mining rules are adequate for protecting the BWCA, its watershed, and the surrounding lands from potential pollution from proposed copper-nickel mining in the wilderness area.

On Oct. 20, 2021, federal agencies committed to complete a study of potential impacts of sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters Watershed and paused new mineral leasing in the area while science and public input is gathered.

Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today commended a decision by the Biden administration to protect the Boundary Waters Wilderness watershed from industrial mining. The action this morning by the Departments of Agriculture and Interior includes an application for a 20-year ban on sulfide-ore copper mining on federal public lands in the wilderness watershed. Called a mineral withdrawal, the process kicks off a comprehensive study of the potential effects of sulfide-ore copper mining in the Boundary Waters watershed.