My brother married a Russian woman. Her uncle has invited them to come over and go hunting w. him - may they bring rifles w. them from the US, if they are going hunting w. individuals, or only if they are hunting w. professionals?

Your host will issue the letter of invitation and organise your firearms permit in Moscow.

If he owns one of the official recognised company who can issue these invitations then it makes life much easier. The rules as I understand changed 01/01/2010 only recognised companies can issues these letters.

With that you will then go to your russian embassy to get your visa

I suggest DON'T list your reason as hunting but as a tourist

The embassy does not get involve with firearms

They only process your letter of invitation.

Since you are from Texas so Houston will be your nearest emabassy ( Right K.R. ?)

Remember after you landed there are 03 agencies to satisfy, they are all independent of each other and worse they don't talk to each other.

There is NO precedent and every entry is an experience and poses new problems.

Bringing firearms into Russia is NOT the NORM

A bit of advice

On entry your have to make a written custom declaration

Remember to declare how many round you are bringing in in addition to anything else

Oh yes NO silencers and no pistols

They will count all your rounds in front of you - stamp it and ask you to counter sign it.

Keep your empties

They will count all your rounds on your way out.

If there is a discrepency then BIG problem ......

I have seen on 02 occasions hunters accused of "selling rounds to local hunters" or "leaving live rounds in Russia" even though you are shooting something ridiculoulsy rare

I don't know where your "Araslanovskoye" is ?

What kind of conservation activity are you into and where are you landing ?

I am informed that Eastern Russia is like the wild west and they make their own rules so I cannot help is tha's your destination.

The 03 agencies are

Border security
Police
Customs

They all have big families know what I mean ..........

Have a good hunt

Just play the game and you will be fine worst thing you can say is "I came through here last year and you did not do this"

Just a short video from Armenia ( I know technically it is not mother Russia) to give you a flaour of what to expect

Remember don't ask you uncle or friend to be a bait

Do it yourself

Bloody exciting

Beats a Cape anyday.

A bear will ALWAYS charge but a Cape will rarely do so

Don't apply western ethic and dont give them a lecture.

It might be the last time you will be invited back



NO that's not me in the video ..............

Do post after your SAFE return .............

On second thoughts

You better pack a flap jacket or DRAGON SKIN if you are flying through Moscow .

Ask profyhunter from this forum. He knows what's possible.

Really

can he get dragon skin ?

I really like the fashionable way the hunters dress.
One in a dark blue suit and the second in a white tuxedo
The third guy was obviously the "running bate",
and good at it as well

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:
Really

can he get dragon skin ?

Yes,we can...

London Hunter is correct in his statements about Russia. I have been to Siberia and Sakhalin Island with my firearms several times.

It is easiest just to borrow firearms when you get there, and hassle free that way.

If you go there you will need an invitation letter and a visa. There are several services that will do this for you in case you are not near a Russian Consulate in the USA. They charge a nominal fee, but it is well worth it.

Your hunt sponsor needs to get involved early to draw up the papers for your firearms while in the country and they need to provide you copies prior to departure and need to meet you at your first point of entry into Russia. The best hunting companies will leave a liaision with you throughout your hunt to help with papers, travel issues and language barriers.

You need to account for your rounds and they will be checked coming and going. Avoid, semi-auto type firearms and stick with bolt-action long guns or single shot Blaser/Merkel/Ruger types. Do not leave a bunch of ammunition there without a good excuse.

Also, do not forget to get a form 4457 on your rifle/rifles prior to leaving the USA. Russian Customs often, not always, will ask for this form, indicating the firearm left the USA with you. On your return most often, but again not always US Customs will want to see this form to make sure you did not purchase a firearm abroad.

Make sure you have locks for your case and be prepared to pay excess baggage fees in Russia for your hard gun case. If you are hunting bears for example and are coming home with them, they limit you to 40 pounds on their interior domestic flights. The fees for a gun case, gear and a bear hide cost me in excess of $300 extra dollars one-way in country, plus whatever fees your US carrier deems fit. Also, be prepared to pay these fees in Rubles, not US dollars and not with a credit card generally.

If you travel to a remote place like Sakhalin Island you must also check the flight to see what countries you stop over or connect in. Flying from my home in California to Sakhalin is most direct through South Korea. In order to legally do this though I had to make special arrangements with the airport police in Seoul and advise them what flights we would be coming and going on. We were also escorted by the police to the baggage transfer point and escorted to our gates.

Having done it both ways, I prefer to use their guns and avoid the fees, hassles and possible legal pitfalls. If you feel strongly about having your own firearm this is the way to do it.

Remember too, places that experience a huge influx of hunters each season (Kamchatka) are better at dealing with tourist hunters and their firearms than those more obscure places, like Sakhalin Island.

Enjoy your hunt.

Wade Derby
CrossHair Consulting
www.crosshairconsulting.com
925-679-9232

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
My brother married a Russian woman. Her uncle has invited them to come over and go hunting w. him - may they bring rifles w. them from the US, if they are going hunting w. individuals, or only if they are hunting w. professionals?

I am able to you allows to only advise the weapon home...

There is only a possibility that you can take the weapons to Russia - if you have a contract with the local outfitter or travel agency. If the uncel from the wife yours brother has the good contacts with the local travel companies.

The Derby and London Hunter are right. There is easiest just to borrow firearms when you get there.

Just as a caveat

My first trip to Russia I brought along a double 416 Rigby for the bear.

After border security I had to go through customs separately.

The custom officers took a look at my rifle and import permit and started to laugh and speak in Russian which I did not understand.

After we are through my host explained to me what they said.

Bloody foreign fool, want to hunt our brown bear with a small shotgun.

I don't think he will be coming back alive....let's have a bet

(or something to that effect)

Bottom line in Russia

"left hand does not know what right hand is doing"

Count yourself lucky if you come back in one piece with your wallet and a good trophy.

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:
Really

can he get dragon skin ?