So it looks like most hunters are able to bring back the horns and hide with them. I know most of the paperwork for export will be taken care of after the hunt and before the flights home. My question is... Do I need to setup an appointment with US Fish and Wildlife to meet with them as I come into the USA (and have import paperwork prepared ahead of time) I had to do this with trophies from Tajikistan. I was assuming I would have to do the same, even if its not a CITES animal? Any insight or suggestions on how to prepare?

thanks

Bobby:

That is a great question. I am in the same boat as you. I am afraid of the cape going bad on me. What do you plan to do to prevent damage to the cape?

The capes are typically salted and dried....they should keep forever.

so from what my outfitter tells me the trophies will be prepared and all export paperwork taken care of in Normal Wells on the way out. So looks like the export will be no problem.

Now to the import. Called Seattle and they told me the same as when I came in from Asia to LAX. have the declaration form filled out (form 3-177), all my permits/licenses from where I hunted to show it was legally taken, and have an appt to meet with FWS when going thru customs.
Now the only thing I am going to look into is the fact that Edmonton is a preclearance location with customs and border protection. Might be able to save me a step in Seattle? I'll post what I find out.

Yes, they will fill out your export permit and plug your ram in Norman Wells. You will be all set as far as getting out of Canada....not sure on your side of the border though. As these are not CITES animals and it should be pretty simple compared to your Tajikistan trophies.

thats what I am trying to find out exactly. Fish and Wildlife tells me the process is exactly the same. No CITES permit involved but still required to declare the trophy and go have them sign off on it at customs. Just seems a bit odd that I haven't heard of this step in any previous reports from sheep hunters coming back the US from Canada with trophies. Also outfitter says its all taken care of in Normal Wells... I just don't want problems or any surprises.

Bobby,
Last sheep i dod from canada was over 10 years ago, sad face, so this may be outdated. I just went to customs in the airport in Calgary or Edmonton, don't remember which, and they took care of the import there.
A dry hide would be what i think is important due to disease with split hoof animals.
In nov 2012, i brought a mule deer thru Calgary, also a clearing station for USA. Declared my animal and she sent me to customs area, they looked at deer, verified it was a mule deer, looked at license i think and sent me on my way, no sweat.
Hope this helps

Thanks Brent. I appreciate the info. So every person I spoke to (besides FWS) says that everything will be taken care of in Norman Wells and Edmonton. Even though they all seem to focus on the export side of things i'll trust that they know what they are talking about. So I'll take my import paperwork just in case and just go with the flow.

You will be fine,just allow an extra hour if you can for the custom guys, they can be busy during hunting season.
Have a great trip

quote:

Originally posted by bobby7321:
Thanks Brent. I appreciate the info. So every person I spoke to (besides FWS) says that everything will be taken care of in Norman Wells and Edmonton. Even though they all seem to focus on the export side of things i'll trust that they know what they are talking about. So I'll take my import paperwork just in case and just go with the flow.

So just got back from NWT with my sheep and sure enough... Needed to have a USFWS 3-177 Form filled out. Luckily I had one filled out just in case, so I didn't get sent to the back of the line.

So you'll get all your export paperwork in Norman Wells, but when you go thru customs in Edmonton (being that its a pre-clearance airport) you will be asked for the USFWS Declaration form as well.

http://www.fws.gov/le/declaration-form-3-177.html

Everything else went off without a hitch. Will post a report soon.