Traveling in Canada With Firearms

[Jfet]

Princess Bride and I will be in Vancouver Island British Columbia the first week of June for her black bear hunt. Pacific Rim Outfitters has sent us all the paper work needed to get our two rifles into Canada. However, being teachers we have a lot of June left over that could be spent touring Canada, fly fishing and even visiting Canadian National Parks.

I know that if I drove into a U.S. National Park and a park ranger saw in my truck a Pelican case that could contain a firearm that ranger would become very inquisitive and definitely throw a fit when he opened the case and saw two rifles. I have a sinking feeling that the Canadian national parks aren't much different. I would welcome any suggestions on traveling through Canada for a week after PB's bear hunt with firearms. Another option would be to ship the firearms back. Any exploration on that idea would be welcomed as well.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Many of the National Parks have highways going through them and they no longer even check vehicles for firearms. Going through the parks with a firearm is just fine.
Do not take the case out of the vehicle. Obviously.
If you happen to be stopping inside for a bit make sure it is buried and out of site, as required by firearms law, you should be fine. (You are not allowed to have firearms inside a Park)
In some parks in the north you can actually use firearms for protection.

Shipping the firearms home should not be an issue at all.
We are allowed to ship by mail and there are no issues with Canada Post.
Have your paperwork in order and you'll be fine.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I drove back from my AK hunt last year, went through two parks, zero problems. The Canadian authorities were very good people to deal with. I simply filled out my forms online, had them ready to cross the border check, they didn't even want to look at the guns. I did a 4457 at US Customs on the AK side. Your permit is good for quite some time all for 25 CAD. You will be much more aggravated by our side of the fence!
Cody

 

[CAustin]

Good to know these things Wayne as I may want to do a bear hunt with you folks up north.

 

[caddman]

In addition to the previous info, don't forget your trigger lock on your firearm while travelling in Canada.

 

[BRICKBURN]

In addition to the previous info, don't forget your trigger lock on your firearm while travelling in Canada.

Good point.
or LOCK the gun case.

 

[rookhawk]

I find the Canadians to be very cordial and very reasonable at the border and in law enforcement. If you have your rifles properly documented/permitted and the case is padlocked and inaccessible to a driver at all times, I think you'll be just fine. Ask them before you enter the park and if they object, they may even store it for you at the entrance to the park.

Disclaimer: My experiences have been in New Brunswick, Ontario and Montreal which may have different provincial standards.

Overall Canada is a classy place and I've always been treated with kindness in my interactions with their government workers.

 

[sheephunterab]

Traveling around Canada with a firearm is easy. If you are not in the vehicle, the firearm must be out of sight and the vehicle locked. There are no Federal trigger lock requirements despite what some of our LEOs believe. National Parks are another story. Technically, you are not permitted to leave the main highway with a firearm in your vehicle and the firearm must be fully encased.