Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Canada border crossing

I’m headed to newfound this fall to go moose hunting. I was wondering what forms I need to fill out for firearms coming across the border going there and coming back? What’s the usual delay at the border because of a firearm?

obie,

You'll need to fill this out but DO NOT SIGN/DATE until you're in the presence of the customs officer at the border crossing.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/2347/original/d369a605ac3363b569af5ea5dc40c88d.pdf


Depending on volume and where you're crossing, it can be as fast as 20 minutes.

No felonies or DWI, yes?


Nice buck in your avatar BTW!

Nothing on my record. 20 minutes would be great I was expecting way worse. What about coming back to the US?
Thanks, that buck was taken in Greene County NY in 2010. Not a normal representation of the deer around here. It was pretty much a dumb luck hunt that worked out in my favor. Better lucky than good I guess.

Depends if you're bringing a critter home and the mood of the folks. I've had it be nearly as quick crossing back as entry into Canada and also had my vehicle completely gone through on one occasion making for a long delay. I mention that one because it was an exception but more to illustrate there isn't a cut and dried answer.

Know before leaving exactly what you need for tag/paperwork etc. to cross back (if bringing an animal home) - don't take for granted an outfitter will square you away with i's dotted and t's crossed.

It's really rather painless - just have your paperwork in order.

My trip into Canada at the border was quick. Showed my passport and Firearms sheet. Paid them the money and went on my way. Now crossing back in the US took a little longer they wanted to look over my license and check the meat and antlers. Had to unload some of my stuff to get to the coolers. Took probably 15 minutes going into Canada at the Roosville Port and probably 30 minutes coming back into the US at the PortHill Port in Idaho. Just be polite and courteous and don't talk anymore than you have to.

About 8 years ago a bunch of us went to northern Ontario in June on a DIY wilderness fishing trip. We camp about 18 miles past civilization and fish up to 15 miles by water from there. Since June is bear cub and moose calf time.....and the wolves.......AND our boats are a half mile walk through the bush from where we camp, me and another guy took a 1# gauge pump gun and 20 rounds of ammo each. My buddy also brought his German Shepherd. Took me under 10 minutes and $25 CD at customs to get my gun in (and no one even LOOKED at the gun). Took a half hour to get the dog in.........

Hunted up there several times, easy leash, didn't even look at my rifles

Friendly reminder:

Be sure there are no undetected/overlooked rounds or components of any UNDECLARED or RESTRICTED firearms in any of your vehicles, gear or persons accompanying you when entering ANY border crossing.

As a Canadian , we would not dare US customs, no reloading components or shooting related equipment can be brought through. It is to bad because we made regular trips for these items.
Canadian customs is far more forgiving to our American friends, just no handguns or assault type firearms.

I'm thinking of driving through Canada to Alaska from the lower 48 perhaps next summer. Not looking to linger in Canada - just transit - drive a lot and look at the view on the way.

Looking the form over several questions pop up on what a person can permissibly carry through Canada:

1) A revolver with a barrel of 6" (this would be for bear protection while fishing in Alaska)
2) A 10/22 for meat for the pot. These have a barrel of about 16 inches. (Small game for the pot...in AK)
3) A pump shotgun that comes from the factory with a short barrel and pistol grip handle BUT which has not been [i]altered[/i] in any way. In other words: bone stock. These are similar to what fishing guides in AK often carry.


Are these no-go's?

Thanks in advance!

obie458;
Good morning to you sir, I hope that this 21st day of July finds you well.

Near the top of the Canada section there's a stickied thread entitled "Planning a hunt in Canada" in which there is all manner of links to government sites on both sides of the border.

The thread is dated, however the sites linked therein are updated, so one can get a pretty fair idea of what you'll need to cross the medicine line with arms - both directions - as well as hopefully bringing meat back with you.

Hopefully that proves to be useful information to you, good luck on all your hunts this fall and all the best to you and yours until then.

Dwayne

Blu Cs;
Top of the morning to you sir, I trust the morning is as clear and fine in your part of the world as it is here.

As I've mentioned to the OP, there's a thread near the top of the Canada section which deals with the questions you've posed - and a few more which might come up after the fact as well!

In a nutshell however to answer your question, if it's a stock 10/22 the barrel length will be 18.5" which is the legal minimum for a semi-automatic firearm in Canada to be not considered in the "Restricted Weapons" class.

The revolver - any pistol or revolver - is a Restricted Weapon and as such will be nigh onto impossible for you to carry through Canada. Most folks headed to Alaska wanting a sidearm mail or freight it up there and back.

The short pump action shotgun is a staple up here - but - if you get the wrong Canada Border Services agent and they believe it's been altered your crossing will be anything but smooth and speedy. It might however be memorable....

If it were me and I were crossing into a foreign country - which we absolutely do quite often by the way - I'd go directly to the source and make triple sure I'm legal before crossing.

As comerade mentioned - we Canucks will be arrested and detained if your US Customs/Border Patrol/Homeland Security folks find so much as a primer in our vehicle, much less a single round of ammunition and heaven forbid a firearm. So we tend to maintain a "belt and suspenders" sort of approach when crossing the medicine line anymore.

I suppose it goes without saying that I wish is was like the old days, pre 911 when we could easily hunt Wyoming and Montana, were able to purchase reloading equipment and supplies and even firearms with the requisite paperwork - but alas those days are long, long gone.

Hope that helps somewhat, good luck with your trip whichever way you decide and all the best to you folks regardless.

Dwayne

Be sure to stop at US customs to register all the firearms you are taking into Canada. There is no charge, and it usually takes very little time. This will expedite your return to the US.
I don't care what anybody tells you, under NO circumstances do you want to take a handgun into Canada. Attempting to do this is guaranteed to ruin your day.
My partner & I hunted Newfoundland last fall. By luck of the draw, customs coming and going, was relaxed and congenial.
Having said that, you never know when the experience is going to be sticky. So... the solution to that is to make sure, very sure, your paper work is in order. It is pretty straight forward, and the websites for both the US and Canada lay it our pretty clearly, as well as allow you to download the latest edition of the appropriate forms.
Good hunting! I have very much enjoyed my times in Newfoundland.

I've hunted Canada once or twice a year since 1991. Have the form for the Canadian gun permit filled out but not signed. Stop at US Customs and fill out the form for items taken abroad for your guns . They will ask for it on your return most times. Hang onto to it because it never expires and will save you a stop if you go back with the same guns. Have your Canadian hunting license handy when you return. You will have go fill out a USDA form for the game meat you are bring back and the number goes on the form. I've seen US Customs turn back hunters that left their hunting license back in camp. What you experience at the border depends on how well prepared you are and the agent you have contact with. Older agents can size you up in a minute. Its new ones that recently started that may be unrolling your socks. I've noticed that the Canadians are always extremely polite even when they are being a pain.

Lots of good information on this thread.

1) Ensure that you have any forms the ATF or State Department or Customs wants filled out for your firearms.
2) http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/wam/media/2347/original/d369a605ac3363b569af5ea5dc40c88d.pdf Filled out, but signed at Canadian Customs.
3) Doesn't hurt to have your Newfie hunting licence with you.
4) If successful hunting, you may need a Newfie export permit to leave the province with your trophy/meat.
5) Show all your documentation when re-entering the USA.

All good advise. Be squeaky clean. and answer questions polite, direct, and honest. If you taking something not allowed, if you declare it, the worst thing should be you lose it, not worse.

I've been to Canada several times for job related trade shows. Every time I entered I was given a hard time by their customs and I have never done anything wrong to cause a problem entering Canada. I live near Exit 44 on I-77 South and they fly the Canadian flag at the hotels and they have a huge sign stating "Canadians Welcome".

I'd certainly take the crossing seriously.

This video helped me quite a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFcIH2tK2iM

What goods are you taking to the show? Are you giving some vibe or answers that make them suspicious?