I am heading to British Columbia to spring bear hunt with Doug McMann and his hounds. Yes, I looked at his pictures in the discounted hunt forum and it got the best of me. Of course I am looking forward to it, it should be a great hunt. I have hunted in Canada several times, but always drove. Flying with guns is a new travel challenge to me. I have looked at flights, but haven't booked yet. I am thinking that I might benefit from the services of a travel agent who specializes in helping hunters book flights. Who do you recommend? I'd welcome any additional recommendations on flying from the U.S.A. to Canada with firearms. Thanks.

Steve @ Travel With Guns.. 210-858-9833

Has saved my bacon more than once...

Ski+3

Thanks SkiBumplus3

Read my thread on Air Canada and guns.

Mark

Mark,

Lots of good info in your thread. Thanks

Steve,

I just did a little investigating for my clients transiting Toronto this year. I'm recommending they engage a meet/greet service. You can have someone meet you on arrival, walk you through the whole arrival procedure and get you checked on to your connecting flight for about $100 per person. I certainly will use them on my next trip. Arranging the actual flights is pretty straight forward.

Mark

Can the M&G service join you going through Customs in Toronto? I'd be shocked if they could.

do not sign the firearms declaration before being in front of the custom officer.

Mark - Is that like an “escort service”? All kidding aside, that would be $100.00 well spent based on my experience connecting in Toronto on a return trip from Winnepeg to USA, with or without guns and meat. Thanks

So is this meet and greet service something unique to Toronto, or is it available other places such as Vancouver?

simangus,

I believe it is available in any International airport. Do a search for Meet/Greet assistance (fill in the airport) and check out the details.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by SkiBumplus3:
Steve @ Travel With Guns.. 210-858-9833

Has saved my bacon more than once...

Ski+3

Steve Turner is the best. I have had his help with trips to four continents. +1.

Two recommendations for Steve Turner...sounds like he will treat me well.
Mark, I googled meet and great for Vancouver and sure enough it's available.
Thanks guys for helpful advice.

I went from DFW to Smithers in the fall of ‘16 and Terrace twice in the fall of ‘17, all with firearms and through Vancouver. It was very simple and straightforward. Sure, you could use a meet and greet, but personally I’m not sure if the expense is really necessary.

I had a great trip. I used Travel with Guns to book my flights. I flew United from Omaha through San Francisco to Vancouver. I flew Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver to Williams Lake, BC. Airline personnel, TSA, and both Canadian and USA customs agents were all friendly and helpful. Vancouver is a big airport, but everything went smoothly both going and coming. Doug and Julie McMann treated me fabulously. The British Columbia landscape is quite stunning. I had a very enjoyable time hunting bears with Doug and his hounds. I ended up shooting a chocolate colored boar with a very pretty coat. Thanks for everyone that gave me helpful suggestions on flying internationally with a gun. It went so well, I wouldn't hesitate to try it again sometime.

Lori at Travel Express is fantastic. Handles hunters booking travel all over the world and a hunter herself.

Steve,

Glad to hear all went well. Did you engage a meet/greet in Vancouver and was it beneficial?

Mark

Mark,

I did not engage a meet and greet in Vancouver. I decided that I had plenty of time to make my connection in Vancouver and I could handle it myself. Everything went so smoothly in Vancouver, I wouldn't hesitate to use Vancouver again as my port of entry when flying with a firearm.

Steve