Canada and Alaska Travel

Oldengineer

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We've been camping since mid-May. We left Arizona heading north to Canada and Alaska, enjoying a leisure pace. While we have witnessed some outrageously beautiful places, what stands out is how civil absolute strangers have been. Montana, Alberta, Yukon, and of course Alaska has some of nicest people. Truly they are a credit to the human race!

Tom H.20250702_150452.jpg
 
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Do you have to pre-arrange clearance to take a shotgun in to Canada from the USA by vehicle?

I can’t imagine you can roll up to the border, tell them you have a 12ga with you and they tell you to have a great day and enjoy your trip…?
 
Do you have to pre-arrange clearance to take a shotgun in to Canada from the USA by vehicle?

I can’t imagine you can roll up to the border, tell them you have a 12ga with you and they tell you to have a great day and enjoy your trip…?
There are certain requirements that need to be met but yes you can literally roll up to the border with a 1955 Winchester Model 12 shotgun, fill out the required paperwork which will need an explanation what the purpose of the firearm is. For example, we are planning a hiking, camping trip in known bear habitat and would like the bring the shotgun for defense only if required. The firearm has to be well secured and packed away from the easy access by the driver or other occupants of the vehicle, there is a fee. While hiking up at the North end of the lake we had property on I ran across a group of hikers coming back from the old mining camp at the head of the trail where we were headed. They had a 12 gauge pump shotgun slung up on one of the guys, I asked about it and they said "We never go on a hike in this drainage without a shotgun, plenty of grizzly in this part of the country, you guys make sure you make plenty of noise."
One thing to be wary of is that Canadians do not take kindly to DUI's. If you have ever been charged and convicted of a DUI you will/can be denied entry. Their studies have proven that if you will drive in an altered state and been caught, fined, etc. odds are you will do it again. They have enough drunks in their own country to let others in. If you have any felony on your record you will/can be denied entry.
 
Sounds like a great trip! Memories for a lifetime. Have fun!

Just curious but any issues traveling with a shotgun into and in Canada?
When we went in 2007, I got a permit for my shotgun from the Canadian government online. When we crossed the border, I showed them the paper, but they were more concerned about whether our dog had his shots. Canada has a list of legal/illegal firearms online. I would avoid a handgun as they are pretty touchy about them.
 
.. I would avoid a handgun as they are pretty touchy about them...
Yep. As in, "No way, José." We can't even buy or sell/transfer 'em any more. Wilderness carry (residents only) requires a special permit for those actively working in the bush. I believe that if you are going through to Alaska, you have to ship handguns (and other "scary/undesirable" firearms such as AR-15 etc.) to the destination. Officially, we're terrified of such things :eek:
 
I called the RCMP firearms office before we left Arizona and inquired about TRANSPORTING a 6 inch barreled revolver through Canada to Alaska. I was told to apply in advance for a permit and that while it was ultimately up to respective province, he thought that it would be acceptable. Allow at least 2 weeks.
Tom H.
 
I called the RCMP firearms office before we left Arizona and inquired about TRANSPORTING a 6 inch barreled revolver through Canada to Alaska. I was told to apply in advance for a permit and that while it was ultimately up to respective province, he thought that it would be acceptable. Allow at least 2 weeks.
Tom H.
That's good to know. "Up to the respective province" could be the sticking point.(And a bit odd since firearms regs are federally, not provincially regulated here.) You'd likely have no problem in Alberta as they have no use for the Feds' attitude re firearms and are inclined to go their own way as much as possible. Similar in Saskatchewan. Here in BC, with our NDP government ("leftest" of our 3 political parties) I dunno...
 
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