Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Another Question on Traveling to Canada

I spoke with a guy that has went with the outfitter I am hunting with a couple times and he said he was advised by the Canadian workers that process the firearms for entering into Canada that the bolt should be removed and placed in a separate check bagged not in the rifle case. This concerns me, is this what you guys do?

Also I think I remember hearing to complete the firearm declaration prior to flying out but do not sign it, you will sign at Customs entering Canada, is that correct?

1 more week to wait.

Canada has a website that spells everything out in very good detail. When I moved and drove from Alaska to Colorado I looked up everything there and didn't have a problem with anything.

Yeah, check out the website.

The removing-the-bolt advice sounds like BS to me, partly because there are too many rifles (and shotguns) that don't have a removable bolt. It might be an airline regulation, but it ain't Canada's. You might recheck with the outfitter on that.

I hunted in Canada for five years (SK and AB), and their government and hunting group sites are excellent. They are great for killing FUD like the bolt thing. I have cleared customs flying and driving, with no problems either mode, although driving in seems more laid back.

If you have convictions in your past you want to do something about that before trying to enter Canada by the way.

jim

Here you go - open this link. It will answer your questions.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/information/visit/index-eng.htm

I compete in rifle matchs in Canada and spend a lot of time there, the firearms laws are not as difficult to deal with as commonly thought.

drover

Send rackmastr a PM, he's a Canada Customs guy. If you are driving through Saskatchewan or ALberta you will probably meet a reasonably guy at the border.

I'm originally from Alberta, now live in the U.S. (for the last 10 years) and head back up there every year to hunt whitetails with my brother. When crossing the border all you need is the firearms declaration form filled out (don't sign it until you in front of the customs officer) and pay the fee. The guys at the border often don't even open the gun case to look in. Make sure you have the "Certification of Personal Effects Taken Abroad" form filled out by on the U.S. side and signed by a U.S. customs officer before you leave so when you come back into the U.S., you can bring your rifle back in with you without any hassle. Removing the bolt is not necessary.