Canadian Travel recently

fullcry

Active Member
Messages
860
Howdy
I am going to Alberta pretty soon and I need to
Figure out the Covid testing requirements.
Also heading back to Alaska for a month or so after that.
Anyone been their lately? Any tips?
I need to get the firearm paperwork but I can look that up.
 
I drove up thru Coutts into Alberta, from Maryland for last 2 weeks of November. Just needed a negative test 72hours before arrival. Get your firearm paperwork offline. Went smooth for me.
 
A buddy went up for a Sheep hunt in August, and they were required to be fully Vaxed, and tested. Is that not the case anymore? I’ve completely written off the socialist republic of Canada for that….
 
I know it’s terrible but I am going to bite the bullet and go.
I’ve been putting it off for several years.
I have the vaccine for Europe travel but it’s the
Testing.I can’t get a straight answer on 14 days or 72 hours and what test is approved or not.
LOL
I was in Seattle airport last month and the check in agents were grinding all the Canadian arrivals.
 
Back in September it was a PCR test within 72 hrs of your flight to Canada plus proof of vaccination. Then a rapid test within 72 hrs of arrival in the US.

Now I think a rapid test within 24 hrs for arrival back to US is the only change. I am heading back up in Feb for a goat hunt and have a rapid test that is done via a zoom call. It worked perfectly last time.
 
I went to BC last August and then to Alberta in September. Both times going in I just needed to show proof of vaccination (2 shots, no booster). Coming back to US I didn't have to show anything COVID related. Negative test was not required in both cases.

My rifle paperwork was good, but they did tell me that although I could drive through them, I wasn't allowed to stop in any of their National Parks as long as it was in my vehicle. That was a bit of a bummer because Jasper National Park looked absolutely stunning and I would have loved to be able to stop and take a few pics and explore it a little.
 
I was just there and did not need anything either direction. They did not ask for card and no test required. Flew into Calgary and out of Calgary.
 
So how could they prove you stopped in a national park?

The officers at the border don't prove it. They're just advising a traveller that it's illegal to visit the national parks with a firearm. Same rules as a resident and traveling through the parks. A lot of non residents are unfamiliar with the laws and could end up in trouble with police or parks officers. Because it's a temporary firearms permit, officers at the border will advise travellers of relevant rules and regulations about traveling with them.
 
I travel frequently for work including this week. There are no vaccine requirements or testing requirement. Don't need to fill out ArriveCan app anymore either. All was dropped this fall.
 
Has anyone here driven through Canada to Alaska for a hunt?

I'm thinking about driving to Fairbanks this August where I'll catch a bush plane to the Arctic National Reserve for my dall sheep hunt. I'm wondering what the process is at the Canadian borders to first take a rifle through (not otherwise planning any stops in Canada), and then (hopefully) bringing back a dall sheep from the other direction.
 
Stop on the US side at the Border and get the US paper done on your rifle. Generally takes 10/15 minutes. Proceed to the Canadian side, get the rifle paper work processed there. Might take, 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy they are, they are never in a hurry on your behalf. ?

It’s something both US and Canadian border crossing people do everyday. They are good at it, just do “Exactly” what they ask you to do, don’t express frustration or be unusually friendly or grumpy. Be as placid as possible and try to listen as carefully as possible to each question they ask you and answer as specially and directly and briefly, in as few words as possible. They are NEVER happy with small talk, humor or chit chat. They don’t want to be your friend.

I NEVER ask any questions unless I’m confused about what they want to know or I need to know something specific to my crossing into and traveling through Canada.

Now, you may, on rare occasion encounter one that’s having an exceptionally good day, that demonstrates some pleasantries…….. but that definitely is not the norm.

Getting through is 99% of the time, easy to do, without any trouble, as long as you’re submissive and business like. I’ve crossed two to four times a year, for the last 48 years and witnessed countless exchanges, both coming and going.

Kill a monster sheep moz!
 
Thanks for the update Yellow labs and the tips
2lumpy.I am going back up in a couple weeks.
Not sure what you need to have to bring a Sheep into Canada from Alaska and then back out.I’ve only brought them straight out from Canada which wasn’t to bad.
 
Moz
I have brought other big game back into the US without any problem but you do need to tell the US Border crossing people you have it, so they can look at it when you come back into the US.

Also, I have never brought a sheep in.

When you go into the US Customs office on your way up, to get your gun permit, ask the agent what you need to bring a sheep into the US, on your way home.

When you need to come into Canada from Alaska, I would ask the agent at Alaska/Canadian Border, when you go up……..in the Canadian Customs office, what Canada requires to transport a sheep thru Canada as well.
 
I have brought both a moose and a stone directly back from Canada, so I'm confident about that part. The parts I'm not confident about is taking a rifle through Canada when I don't actually have a hunt there (last August the Canadian officers at the border also wanted to see my hunting contract and made comments about how much it was costing me), and actually bringing an animal back from Alaska into Canada. I think I will be following your advice there and probably stop and ask the Canadian Customs side what will be required. I may end up figuring a way to ship it from Fairbanks if it's going to be too much hassle, but I'm the type that hates letting something like that out of my sight until I actually get it back home...
 
I have brought both a moose and a stone directly back from Canada, so I'm confident about that part. The parts I'm not confident about is taking a rifle through Canada when I don't actually have a hunt there (last August the Canadian officers at the border also wanted to see my hunting contract and made comments about how much it was costing me), and actually bringing an animal back from Alaska into Canada. I think I will be following your advice there and probably stop and ask the Canadian Customs side what will be required. I may end up figuring a way to ship it from Fairbanks if it's going to be too much hassle, but I'm the type that hates letting something like that out of my sight until I actually get it back home...
I’m of the same mind set…….. if something can go wrong, it will. I try to minimize surprises.
 
I have brought both a moose and a stone directly back from Canada, so I'm confident about that part. The parts I'm not confident about is taking a rifle through Canada when I don't actually have a hunt there (last August the Canadian officers at the border also wanted to see my hunting contract and made comments about how much it was costing me), and actually bringing an animal back from Alaska into Canada. I think I will be following your advice there and probably stop and ask the Canadian Customs side what will be required. I may end up figuring a way to ship it from Fairbanks if it's going to be too much hassle, but I'm the type that hates letting something like that out of my sight until I actually get it back home...

One of the main reasons a non resident firearms permit can be issued is for "in transit" travel through Canada to Alaska or vice versa. Valid for 60 days so you can use the same permit on the way home as well. No issues there and a daily routine at a lot of border crossings with main routes.

For in transit wildlife movement (capes, horns, etc) make sure you stop at US customs and follow all USFW export requirements. If following all USFW requirements you'll be fine through Canada. I can get you a number for a really good USFW officer to speak with that deals with border crossings every day. Shoot me a PM if you want
 

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