How to Take Your Hunting Guns to Canada
Bob McNally 03.02.15
Some of the best international travel advice I ever received came from the late Bob Cloaninger, who for over 40 years ran one of the world’s largest hunting travel agencies, Trek Safaris in Jacksonville, Florida.
“Never forget it’s THEIR country,” he told me as I packed guns and gear for a foreign trip. “They make ALL the rules, and we Americans have no input in how they were made nor how they’re enforced.
“Follow their laws, and their enforcement, to the L-E-T-T-E-R. Be nice, polite, and smile as you carry your firearms across their border.
“And never forget, preparation for travel with firearms is worth a ton of cure when you’re in a foreign land.”
Cloaninger’s words are as true today as then, and they’re spot on even when crossing the border to America’s close friend and democratic ally, Canada.
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While the large country to our north is a remarkable nation with some of the best hunting opportunities in the world, its laws concerning firearms are significantly different then the U.S.A. Moreover, American outdoorsmen who travel to Canada for hunting with their sporting long guns (leave the handguns at home) had best be well aware of how to pass through customs if they want smooth sailing with authorities on both sides of the border.
Some of the recent nervousness of gun travel to Canada stems from gun registration there. National firearms registration was a big deal in Canada a few years ago, and it got plenty of attention in the U.S., especially among hunters. All Canadians were required to register their guns, and strict controls loomed. But there was some push back by Canada’s gun owners, and the law has been largely dropped since 2012.
Nevertheless, the Canada gun registration issue underscored the need for Americans bringing sporting arms into Canada to be careful in following all rules required for lawful entry, as well as exit going home. But do what’s required, and toting rifles and shotguns into Canada is not a big ordeal.
“It’s actually easier than ever going into Canada with hunting firearms, especially when flying into popular hunting destinations like Edmonton or Saskatoon,” says Eddie Stevenson, a long-time hunting industry member who for many years was with Remington firearms and has traveled to Canada countless times with a multitude of guns. “My last few trips have been super easy. Just complete the Canadian firearms declaration form [PDF] prior to arriving at the border. But do not sign it until you go through the firearms section at the customs office. They want to watch you sign it.
“Pay your permit fee and keep a copy of the stamped Canadian gun declaration on your person at all times, especially when afield.”
Get a Canadian PAL Card
While crossing into Canada with firearms and getting proper gun declaration paperwork is rather straight forward. Tennessee hunter and outdoor industry insider Tommy Akin says acquiring a PAL card (Possession-Acquisition) for Canada has made it even easier for him when traveling with guns.
“I’ve been traveling to Canada for over 20 years and have had no problems, especially with my PAL card,” he says. “I took a test in the U.S. in Nashville that’s very much like a hunter’s education test, and the Canadian government issued me a PAL card.
“I show my PAL card at Canadian customs and walk right through. There’s no charge for bringing a gun in. Yet my friends who don’t have this card must wait in line, have paperwork filled out at customs, and are charged a $25 fee for entry into Canada.”
Bring Your Own Gun
One avenue some hunters use to avoid crossing the Canadian border with their firearms is to borrow long guns from an outfitter once in that country. I’ve done this often since using my Remington 870 or an outfitter’s 870 is of no consequence to my shooting, nor is putting the crosshairs of an outfitter’s rifle scope on a caribou, bear, or moose.
But Alberta outfitter John Rivet of “Living The Dream Productions” advises otherwise.
“I tell my hunters to bring their own firearms because it’s easy, and actually customs officials sometimes get suspicious when a hunter crosses the border without bringing in a gun,” he says. “We’ve had hunters get a much bigger hassle when coming without a firearm.
“Rules for bringing in a gun to Canada are very straight forward and easy to follow by checking Canada’s website on the subject.”
Have Proper U.S. Customs Forms for your Return Trip
Some American sportsmen traveling with their firearms have learned to their chagrin that returning home with those guns to the U.S. is a much bigger headache than entering Canada with them.
“The biggest hassle-saver for hunting in Canada with your own guns is having the proper U.S. customs form with you prior to traveling that details all valuables you possess, including firearms,” says Eddie Stevenson. “This is your proof that you departed the U.S. with the guns and did not obtain them out of the country.
“I’ve been asked for this form [PDF] by overzealous agents in the past, and I’ve also traveled dozens of times with no one ever mentioning it.
“But it’s smart to have the U.S. form in your possession before leaving the country because it makes it much smoother coming back in with your own hunting firearms.”
