Over one million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness contains hundreds of lakes and rivers and has 1,200 miles of canoe routes—a lot of ground to cover. It lacks roads and forbids motorized vehicles. So when CBP Border Patrol agents of the Grand Forks Sector monitored the area during a four-day patrol, they did so by dog sled.

Photo Credit: Patrick W. Barry

CBP Border Patrol agents and dog sled teams travel on frozen rivers and wooded trails in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Grand Forks Sector worked closely with the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, which has jurisdiction in much of these remote areas. The federal land management agencies recognize the Border Patrol’s authority to patrol along the border and respond to illegal crossings using motorized vehicles. However, to continue an excellent working relationship, the sector took the approach of being a good neighbor and elected to conduct this operation using a method of transportation that did not violate the no-motorized vehicle restriction.

Fulfilling the Mission
Grand Forks Sector Chief Glen W. Schroeder suggested this operation during a land management meeting in March 2005, where the Forest Service and others came together to foster a combined enforcement effort where public and tribal lands meet the border. “This is a pristine wilderness area that is vulnerable to illegal incursions by those who wish to do us harm,” said Chief Schroeder. “In conjunction with our partners we felt this would be an environmentally sound method to fulfill our mission without disturbing what is one of the few places where man’s machines are not allowed.”

Photo Credit: Patrick W. Barry

By using dog sled teams, CBP Border Patrol agents honored local restrictions, created no harm to the wilderness and still monitored activity at the border.

Four CBP Border Patrol agents, two outfitters and 43 dogs spent four days and three nights in this very remote area in sub-zero temperatures. They patrolled approximately 40 miles of border, identifying one recent illegal crossing by snowmobile and evidence of a gang at a resort located at the end of the trail. The agents were supported by CBP Air and Marine, which deployed a plane into the area to ensure radio communication and law enforcement support.

Lessons Learned
The agents involved enjoyed the unique experience. Supervisory Patrol agent Donn Gordon said, “the harnessing of the dogs can be time consuming and loud with all the barking and yelping, but once you’ve got the dogs running they don’t want to stop.”

The dogs and equipment were leased from Jorgenson Sled Dog Adventures, a local outfitter from Grand Marais, Minn. The outfitters trained the agents on the dog teams, provided equipment and accompanied the agents on the four-day patrol. The agents quickly learned to put the sleds on their sides during the rest stops to prevent the dogs from running away. Dogs find it harder to pull the sled when it's on its side. EC