hunting in canada/ border - firearms

[moooose102]

i was thinking about this, if you go to canada to hunt deer, or moose, how do you get your rifle or pistol through customs? do you have to have a hunting license when you get to the border? i know anytime you enter or exit they ask if you have any firearms, and when i was a kid, they pulled us out of line and searched our camper and truck. they didnt find anything but it was kind of scarry when your 8 years old and the police tear apart everything asking all kinds of questions.

 

[Ottoshot]

Its a sad thing my friend, that they will tear your truck apart. I dont cross over into the states for fear of both sides crucifying me cause im a 23 year old male.

I'll try and help you as much I can.

As far as I know nobody asks for a hunting liscence if you are carrying firearms. But it is possible, if you say you are coming to hunt and then have no hunting permit, well what then.

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/visitin_e.asp

This link should help you. Be warned, you will encounter some pretty frustrating laws up here.

Your rifle may hold no more than 5 rounds of centerfire ammunition. :banghead:

Sorry. Dont judge me based on the retarded laws set by my elected representitives.

Good luck on any future hunts and border crossings.
-Otto

 

[SDC]

It's illegal to hunt with a handgun in Canada, but as Ottoshot says, all longarms that are brought in for hunting must be registered (and a fee paid); this can be done through the above link. Also, since some designs are declared "restricted" or "prohibited", you wouldn't be able to hunt with them in any event (for example, no varmint hunting with an AR, no moose hunting with an HK 91, etc.)

 

[moosehunt]

It's really pretty simple (for a rifle--don't even think of taking a pistol into Canada. They are just plain illegal). You declare your gun, fill out a form, pay a fee ($50 Can last I checked), and that's really about it. When you return, you declare your gun, show your permit, and go home.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I've shot with competitors from Canada that bring their hand guns into the states quite often. There is a means to do it. But that's if you're a Canadian citizen. Don't even think about it as a U.S. citizen. International pistol shooting competitors have a means, but you have to be part of a military, Olympic or other team that has made arrangements.

I do know of U.S. residents that take long arms for hunting over a route from northwestern Washington to eastern Washington via Canadian road system that do fill out the paperwork in advance that don't get their truck taken apart. The prior paperwork IN ADVANCE, does work. I've never done it. But I hear that it's not all that bad. I think the link above gets you there. I would have a guide, hunting permits and such all in order.

I live right near the border and cross once in a while for vacation and shopping and such. Once a agent found a spent pistol casing in my console. I showed them my CCW permit and assured them that I wasn't carrying any firearms or munitions. Gave an honest explanation for the spent case. My children were separated from me for a time being, but there was no problem. I know others that have not faired so well. But if you're flying, and have guide picking you up, I hear it's really not a big deal.

Blackbear hunting is a big deal. Shooting it there is fine, but transporting it back can be a hastle if you don't have the proper U.S. paper work in advance. Blackies are actually on a controlled/protected list for the feds. If you have the proper papers in advance, then you'll do fine. So, I advise checking with both sides before you book a hunt.

-Steve

 

[Ottoshot]

Jack, are you saying black bears are a protected species in the states?

I didnt know that. We have so many of them up here they are like pests. Its even worse now since they put the shut down the spring bear hunt. Black bears dont bother me one bit, but if i saw a brown or a grizzly, Id probably crap my pants.

 

[Bowtie]

Black bear body parts are coveted by some Asian cultures and are traded on an animal parts black market. I believe black bear Gall bladders are used in eastern medicine for something and are actually quite valuable. It is illegal to import bear body parts for these uses.

 

[SDG]

Many times, US persons who go hunting in Canada will purchase firearms in Canada and then give them to the guide as a bonus when they kill their animal and get the picture.

 

[Savage3006]

You can easily bring your rifle to Canada. Just do the paperwork as indicated before, declare when you cross the border and you are all set. You must not have a criminal record (I am not sure what criminal means in this case) and you cannot bring in a handgun.

 

[moooose102]

thanks guys, as far as black bear goes though, we have a season to hunt them here in michigan. so if there is a problem bring it back it would have to be some kind of weird federal govenment thing.

 

[Ottoshot]

As far as I know it is illegal to posses a bears gallblader in canada.

 

[Sunray]

"...US persons who go hunting in Canada will purchase firearms in Canada..." Not any more. You can't buy any firearm without Canadian permits. In any case, guides don't want firearms for tips. Cash is preferred.
You can't leave a rifle you brought with you behind either.
Leave your handguns at home. You cannot bring them in for CCW or hunting purposes. You can, with the proper Canadian permits, for attending matches.
Go here for the How-to.
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/visitin_e.asp
You wouldn't need to have the hunting licence with you. Having a written, confirmed, reservation with an outfitter(required for non-residents in most places anyway. Although, some Provinces will allow you to hunt with relatives.) will prove you're coming to hunt. Most non-resident hunters buy the licence from their outfitter.
You no longer need an export permit(CITES) for taking bear meat and trophies(fresh, frozen or salted) out of Canada to the U.S. You can't ship it without the CITES permit though. Even if it's in the cargo hold of the aircraft you're on. It has to be part of your 'accompanying' luggage. Having just a bear's gallbladder in your possession will get you arrested. Leave it in the bush.
I believe you still need a USDA import permit for any meat though.

 

[nosualc]

As others have said, typical hunting long-arms are no problem.

When you stop to talk with the guard they'll ask you why your coming to Canada. After you tell them you're there for hunting, tell them you have a firearm(s) to declare. They'll ask you to pull over, and have you fill out a form and pay a tax. On the form you need to list the type of action, make, model, barrel length and serial number. They will look at your firearm(s) to verify this info, so have them unloaded, cased and easy to access. You can also save yourself some time and get the forms ahead of time.

My experience is that this is a very easy process. The border guards are professional and pleasant. Let them tell you what to do, and be cooperative, honest and pleasant. In areas where hunting is common, especially during hunting season, they do it all the time. 5 minutes.

Once you're done with the form and have payed the tax, they'll give you a piece of paper that needs to be on your person whenever you're afield with your gun. Make sure that whatever gun you have in your hands is listed on that piece of paper. I believe that "borrowing" somebody else's gun is frowned upon.

Handguns and other firearms the canadians classify as restricted are much more difficult to bring across the border.

If you have a successful hunt, bringing your game back to the US is also easy, but you are subject to the US customs officials. You'll have to declare your animals at the border, and fill out an import form, and of course pay another small tax.

I've only done this with deer, and only by driving. If you're traveling by air or bring back other game, YMMV.

-nosualc

 

[Savage3006]

Yes the process is very easy. If you fill out the form at home, DO NOT sign it. You have to sign it in front of the officer.