The recent SCI newsletter has an article advising effective 4-29-10, ammunition will be prohibited in checked baggage. The article has an attachment of the actual regulations and it is very long (many pages). I have asked my travel agent to get a better handle on U.S. airlines and their position on this.

No doubt, if enforced, it will create major problems for hunters transiting thru European countries on their way to somewhere else.

Anyone in the travel business, please give us your input on this potential problem. First the volcano, now THIS!

Geoff

Geoff,

Does checked baggage include your gun case as well?

If so, this will be a major blow to the hunting industry.

I just spoke to Shawn at Gracy Travel and she said this has been a policy for about 4 weeks but all it means as far as traveling hunters go is making sure that all ammo is declared and a note is in your record. Gracy has sent several clients this season through London and Frankfurt with no issues at all.

Mark

Any word about going through Paris?

Yes, most airlines consider gun cases as checked baggage. I know that Air Namibia has made exceptions in the past and allows your gun case without extra charge. Hopefully, they will not follow the trend and start charging for every piece in excess of the allowed.

Doug at Gracy travel indicated that they are well aware of the new regulations and that American based airlines only need to know that you declare firearms and ammunition with your ticket and checked baggage, and that they have been doing this for some time.

First the World Cup tournament, then the Icelandic volcano and now this. It's becoming very difficult for hunters to get around. I and group are scheduled to do a black and blue wildebeest and red hartebeest cull hunt in Namibia immediately after the World Cup. It's too late to try to ban volcanos and the European Union is too focused on their problem member, Greece. I doubt if idividual countries will spend the effort to modify or decline to participate with this new ammunition regulations, at least for this year's hunting season.

Geoff