Hi everyone,

If this has been done to death, please point me to appropriate threads on the subject.

I'm a US resident living in Texas and have the opportunity to hunt black bear this May in BC. I will be flying in, and would like to know what steps I need to take in order to legally import and hunt with my rifle.

Any hints, tips or suggestions are welcome.

AP, British Columbia is a great place to hunt Black Bear. There's no baiting, so it's all spot and stalk. I've been a number of times, and never failed to score on a nice bear. Just print and complete the Canadian form, pay at entry, and it was good for 2 years last time I looked.

Take your gun to US Customs and get Ownership documentation completed. I find it harder to return to US then get out of US.

MAKE SURE, MAKE SURE, MAKE SURE YOU DECLARE ALL FIREARMS WHEN YOU CROSS INTO CANADA!!!
Also make sure mags are pinned to 5 for affected centerfire rifles. Don't show up with mags that are not pinned and state that "you're only going to put 5 in". If it's a .303 Lee Enfield it's a different story....does not have to be pinned due to collectible value if I'm not mistaken, but check RCMP website.
Any other members whom have experience can "chime in" if I've made a mistake.

You can use whatever size detachable magazine you like on a bolt action.

First: Get a U.S. Customs Form 4457. Off the Internet or from a U.S. Customs agent. Get the US agent to fill it out showing any expensive thing you are taking into Canada. I include firearms and binoculars. It's not exclusively a firearm form, it proves upon return to US that you did not purchase these items in Canada. If you fly out of US you should get this done at airport prior to departure. The airline will not suggest it. Do it. Like the other guy said, coming back is usually harder then going into Canada. At Ca customs present them with an unsigned, undated Canadian Firearm Form 909. It goes much better if all other appropriate info is filled in before you get to Canadaian customs. They are usually really good folks that are used to processing hunters with guns. Get the 909 form from the 'net. Many Canadian outfitters show the link to the 909 on their websites. Have a ball

Thanks for all the help, everyone. I'm really looking forward to this trip.

analog, I'm glad you brought this up as I'm going to BC next year with a rifle. I have the 4457 from last years SA hunt and I will be using the same rifle. I was more curious of the wait times between customs and the next flight. Does anyone know if two hours is enough?

I've gone from New Zealand to Vancouver / BC twice with a rifle for hunting. Both times I was off the plane, claimed bags, claimed firearm in the special baggage area, cleared customs, paid for and obtained the Temporary Firearms License and was on my way in not much more than 1 hour. Had all my paperwork pre-prepared and may have been lucky but the whole process was incredibly smooth and uncomplicated. Found the Customs inspectors really friendly and happy to chat about hunting.

As has been stated here several times, bringing your rifle on a hunt to Canada is usually a breeze and in reality it is far less annoying than what is required for a Canadian to get the required work from the BATFE for a hunt in the US.

Anyone can run into a border official from time to time in any country that got up on the wrong side of the bed and causes you a little grief, but all in all if you have your ducks in a row things go smoothly. The biggest complaint I hear from my clients that live in the US is the attitude they get at US Customs on the way home.

Be sure to do that form 4457. That usually improves your wait times on the way home.

And keep the US 4457 form. As long as you leave the US with the same firearms listed on it, it will still be good for future trips. That will save time.

Take a soft case with you if you are doing a fly in hunt. Hard cases take up a lot of wasted space in the float plane or helicopter.

Guys,

FYI: Crossed into B.C. from Washington State last December. The Canadian Customs told me they could require a letter of Invitation from the outfitter. The letter should be on the outfitter's letterhead and have all pertinent info related to his outfitter's license, dates of hunt etc. The agent said that often people cross and say they are hunting with an outfitter and end up hunting with a relative or friend which is illegal according to him. I honestly felt at one point we might get turned around right there and not get to hunt.

Mark

Mark in BC and Alberta your friend or family member can take you hunting they just need to get the licence to do it. In Alberta its call a hunters host, can't remember what it is in BC. I don't know about the other provinces.

Never have come up against any "outfitter letter requirement" in Ontario, Quebec, or New Brunswick.

Anyone going to Canada this year please check the African hunting forum about new requirements for "international" transfers of rifles. My buddy got nailed coming back from Mexico in January so it appears it will apply to Canada as well.

Calgary customs is good to deal with guns on.

Last year coming back from Africa with my guns, I was sent over to secondary inspection once I had picked up my bags. I told the officer that I had guns and before I could get out my permits from my backpack he had the forms out and wanted me to fill them out. Cleared up that I was Canadian and returning with guns and gave him my temp export permit and was on my way in no time.

Of course this was in the fall when lots of American hunters were coming through.

I hunted black bear near Williams lake / 100 mile junction - Tinmusket creek in 2007. Got a very nice colour phase bear in Sept.

I did not take a rifle - just used a camp rifle.

Beautiful country - saw about 5 bears on 6 days total. Missed one on first evening. I got mine finally at last light on last day - literally right on dark. Totally dark by the time we loaded it in the truck.

Now the U.S. has screwed it all up. Www.ice.gov/cpi/faq One more regulation from the Obama evil doers.

quote:

Originally posted by Skyline:
As has been stated here several times, bringing your rifle on a hunt to Canada is usually a breeze and in reality it is far less annoying than what is required for a Canadian to get the required work from the BATFE for a hunt in the US.

Anyone can run into a border official from time to time in any country that got up on the wrong side of the bed and causes you a little grief, but all in all if you have your ducks in a row things go smoothly. The biggest complaint I hear from my clients that live in the US is the attitude they get at US Customs on the way home.

Be sure to do that form 4457. That usually improves your wait times on the way home.

Kelly,

BATF seems to be better but i will confirm how is it when i have to renew soon ...

I saw something recently, where they were going to a pre-authorised computerixed application system for temporary export out of the U.S, apparently, in the transition, they will still use the form 4457.

https://www.nraila.org/article...hunters-and-shooters

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answe...0firearm/suggested/1