Crossing the Canada/US border with guns

[Dan Hiebert]

Border Patrol is green (Border Patrol Agents), works the border between ports of entry, Field Operations is blue (CBP Officers), works at the ports of entry. Canada Border Services Agency works the Canadian ports of entry, RCMP (Mounties) work the border on occasion. Canada doesn't have a border patrol like the U.S. (I'm one of the aforementioned green guys.) I mention that because someone in this thread said Border Patrol tossed their car at the POE. Canada has strict firearms and weapons laws, and even stricter firearms and weapons import laws. Most handguns are simply prohibited, you can't even get a transit waiver for any pistol with a barrel less than 3.75". Switchblades, folding knives with a blade more than 3", mace, pepper spray, batons, etc. are all prohibited import items. It is always best to do your homework for hunting or competition firearms and "weapons" before you get to the Canadian border. IdahoDoug is correct, neither CBP or CBSA will hold a weapon for your return, what's more, if you don't register firearms for import/export in either direction, that is illegal and it will be seized, and you could be prosecuted, depending on the circumstances. There is an intentionally discouraging fee to register firearms to take into Canada.

[Gauche1968]

[Mike Robinson]

Unless you are coming into Canada for a hunting holiday, you won't need your guns. Just leave them at home.

However carrying or 'packing' bear spray is a good idea (very, very unlikely you will need it)

M

[dobryan]

Yep.
Interesting comment on the bear spray. My version was actually labeled as a whoop ass home defense spray but it was the same size as the big bear spray canisters. They let me in with it. I do know that smaller size personal defense pepper spray is not allowed. But this thing was large enough that May West would have been glad to see me. 😀😂
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

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[AndyBees]

We have crossed the border numerous times since 1986 with our Vanagons. We were searched one time in 1999. I seriously believe the two very young employees (literally a boy and girl, probably under age 21) had nothing to do. So, they gave them something to do, search my Van. We talked with them the entire time they searched the Van.

Basically, before 9/11, all you had to do was declare your gun at the border (no handguns though). I took my rifle in 1986 and 1993. They never ask to see them.

Today, as Dan Hiebert stated, you must print off a form from the Internet, fill it out (do not sign or date), have cash ready for permit (or maybe pay in advance), declare at border and then when told, sign and date for the transaction. Several of my friends who go to Saskatchewan to hunt go through that procedure every year. Seems the fee is $50.00 per gun. It is all on-line.

In 2014, 2016 and this past summer, we pulled a pop-up camper with the Vanagon and were only ask the basic questions, no searches! I've never been ask if I have a conceal carry permit.
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[Gruppe B]

There are border stores on the American side (Minnesota) that offer gun storage while travelling to Canada. This may also be available in other states.

[Wildthings]

[Tobias Duncan]

I have only crossed once in a westy and I was searched.
When I pressed them, they said it was because I was dating a canadian girl and they wanted to check me out.
They even looked through my phone.
I do not do well with authority figures.

[Zeitgeist 13]

It's actually a Devil's Club leaf
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[turbotransporter]

My wife and I go to Vancouver BC from Washington State at least 4 times a year. We both have a NEXUS Pass/Global Entry/TSA Pre/"trusted traveler" status with the Dept of Homeland Security so between their license plate readers, cameras and the chips in our passports and NEXUS cards, I figure they know who we are well before we actually pull up to the booth. They ask the standard questions about where we are coming from and going to, sometimes ask where we are staying and ask if we have anything to declare. I've been ask only once if I had any firearms and I've never been searched.

I ALWAYS assume they already know the answers to most of their questions so being dishonest would be foolish... When we are returning to the US we keep all our receipts for things we buy in Canada and have them and any items to declare close at hand and ready for them to inspect. Hasn't happened yet.

Two years ago when I crossed at Blaine WA the first thing the Canadian Customs officer said was "nice van", then he asked what engine I had and we talked "Bostig" for a few minutes before he said "have a nice day, please proceed".

Last week I was asked by a State Patrol Officer with a German Shepard if I had a Concealed Carry Permit while waiting in line for the WA State Ferry in Kingston... She said her dog was "interested" in my van and continued to ask me a number of other questions about when the last time I had firearms, fire works and or ammunition in my van.
I looked straight at her and kept my hands on the steering wheel while being polite and truthful and finally she thanked me and told me to have a nice day. I don't think it was her dog that was interested in my van...

[photogdave]

[Abscate]

It's hilarious that people are fearful enough to carry a pacifier in the US then meekly surrender it to cross the border. One would think that would compute differently in the logic tree
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.ssS!

[IdahoDoug]

Abscate,

I agree. It's even remarkable that we "surrender" it when we go to states that are far more dangerous than our own state and a slew of other things.

I'm sorry in advance for starting this and taking his bait, but Mike above saying "you won't need..." is just preposterous. How about you let me decide that? How about we discuss how nice it would be to go backpacking around Revelstoke this time of year but the grizzlies are in their frantic "pack on fat" mode and since I can't bring appropriate protection my dollars will be spent in Montana instead?

I know there is no simple answer and I'm starting a fight here but as Abscate says it is ridiculous that 150 years ago we could go anywhere we wanted with personal protection in a world that was arguably much safer than the times we now live in.

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[Merian]

if you plan to use a handgun on a grizzly, be sure to file the sights off first
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....

[Zeitgeist 13]

If you're traveling someplace where you think you'll need guns for "protection", then perhaps it's time to revisit your travel itinerary.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[AndyBees]

The Mile Post (editions printed in the 1980s) suggested to have a rifle or shotgun if you planned to visit certain areas of Alaska due to bears. In fact, when I crossed the border into Canada at Portal, ND in 1993 I mentioned the suggestion of the Mile Post to the border agent. He laughed about it and ask if he could copy the page. When we were crossing back into Canada on the "Top of the World Road" going into the Yukon, the border agent also chuckled and said, you need a shotgun with buckshot, not a rifle.

After two trips without any bear issues, I chose to not ever take a gun again!

Of course, that was many years ago and obviously things have changed.

Side note: In August, 1997 (two weeks after we were there) a bear killed a couple of people at Liard Hot Springs, BC. Seems a tourist (Canadian) ran all the way back to the parking lot and got a gun and went back and killed the bear. There was a National Geographic documentary about the incident.

Here is the story but no details about the shooter.... http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/1997-08/aug22_97bear.html

Here is a story with more detail: http://articles.latimes.com/1997/aug/17/news/mn-23311

YouTube comments and photo of the lady who died: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVfO0XKbcdU
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[IdahoDoug]

Ah, I'd never revamp my itinerary or the places I travel just because the world's most beautiful carnivores live there as well. But I would revamp it if misguided humans prevented me from going there safely.

And yes, bring the big stuff. I favor a short barreled 12g pump with magnum slugs, pistol grips and the first round small shot, after decades of sharing air with bears. I'd rue the day I had to act with it - animals are by far my favorite thing to see, whether its in the remote woods, or my own backyard.

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[Zeitgeist 13]

Odd priorities.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[IdahoDoug]

Odd priorities? Why would you question AndyBees' choice of the "Top of the World Road"? I think that was a great call.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[Zeitgeist 13]

I love everything about mountain lions, but I would never intentionally put myself in a conflict position in which I might need to use deadly force against one just because I wanted to be near them. That's both dumb and selfish. I've been in grizzly territory near False Pass Alaska, where we had recently spotted them from the boat. My travel companion had a .306 rifle, and that didn't seem remotely adequate. Never again. Not worth it, as well as a pointless pursuit of potential conflict. Canada doesn't want our guns and for good reason. Honor their wishes, or STFU
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?