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 Balsam
Boughs: It's the scent of a season---balsam fir-- and boughs
gathered on the Chippewa National Forest find their way across the
country during the holiday season. State law requires a permit,
written consent or bill of sale to be carried whenever cutting,
removing or transporting boughs. Permits can be obtained from Chippewa
National Forests offices, Leech Lake Division of Resource Management,
DNR Forestry and county land offices. Permits are $50.00 per group
(up to five people may be listed on a permit) with no tonnage limit.
The Leech Lake Reservation Division of Resource Management offers
free permits to tribal members. When picking up your permit, you
will be asked to list all individuals who will be included on the
permit. Your permit must be in full view on the dashboard when harvesting
and transporting boughs. Bough harvesting generally begins after
the first hard frost. Harvesting the right way, including obtaining
a permit, guarantees long-term sustained yield of boughs for everyone.
 Birch
Bark: Birch bark is a very important material for the Anishinabe
people. In the past, people would carry the white bark with them
and use it year after year for different purposes. It was used to
make baskets, cradle boards, canoes, and in covering wigwams with
layers of bark. Today, Leech Lake tribal members retain the knowledge
and skills of their ancestors in using wiigwaas, or birch bark.
Beautiful birch baskets are still created today, and birch gathering
remains a traditional activity.
Birchbark gathering permits for non-tribal members are issued by
Districts and Supervisors Office. Bark can usually be gathered from
timber sale areas for minimum fee of $25.00 and written permission
from the timber sale purchaser.
 Wild
Edibles: It's our favorite way to mark the season! Search the
forest floor for morels in the spring, and move into the wild strawberries,
juneberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries thru the
summer. Finish the year with wild grapes for tasty jam. Berry gathering
needs no permit, just time and patience in picking through the brambles.
Wild rice is a traditional gathering item for the Anishinabe people,
but non-tribal members may obtain a permit through the Minnesota
DNR. Maple syrup tap permits are also available in the early spring
from all Forest Service offices.
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