Varmint Hunter. I do not trust your lawyers opinion. If a State Of Emergency is declared like The attack on the World Trade Center. You may be on USA soil but in a holding cell. That happened to many Truck Drivers caught in Canada in 2001.
Things have changed a lot in crossing USA borders since 9-11-2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
I have traveled and hunted Canada and Alaska since 1980. Since about 2006,
You now must have a passport to travel across the USA border to Canada and return.
At one time all you had to declare leaving the USA was foreign made Cameras, guns and such. My brother and I had trouble a few years ago getting 2 Rem. 700's back because we had not declared them leaving the USA.
A CBP form 4457 is required to take Guns, Range Finders, Spotting Scopes and things of value out of the country and return with. I even declare my GPS sitting on my vehicle dash when driving. NO COST
Get on the internet and put the form number in it will come up, And you can fill it all out right on your computer. Do not date or sign it till you are in front of the CBP agent, Have every thing to be declared readily available at border on USA side.
The last time I took Guns into Canada (2017) an RCMP GRC 5589e form was required.
If you put that form number in Google search on your computer and located. It can be filled out, Saved and printed right on your computer. You must have a printer capable of printing 8 1/2" X 14" paper and proper size paper to print. PRINT 3 copies and staple together. Do not date or sign till you are in front of Canadian Customs Officer at the border. ( At the border they may only take 1 copy, Have you sign and date it in their presence. They will sign and make 2 copies and give you a copy. Be sure to take 3 copies, If their copier is down you will have to fill out a hand written 3 copy of form and cost you time.)
Last track I had was 25.00 Canadian Funds was the cost.
Have a Hunters Safety Card or a previous Hunting License with you. Some License agents in Canada has required the HE card or previous license to sell me a license.
Another tip, If you are taking food into Canada do not take Raw Fruit, Raw Vegetables, Buy them from stores when you get into Canada. Bon Voyage BDJ
Don't even know where to start:
Your reference to drivers stuck in Canada doesn't relate to what I posted. I said a US citizen, who is already on US soil, can not be denied entry. Holding US citizens in a cell without cause is ludicrous. If you are stuck in Canada during a National crisis then that's another story entirely.
Your claim that "You now (since 2006) must have a passport to travel across the USA border to Canada and return", is not correct. I regularly cross in both directions with a NYS ENHANCED Drivers License. I possess a Passport and a Global Reentry card but do not use them at the Canadian border or when returning to the US because they aren't needed. I have never even been asked for a passport when my drivers license has been offered at a crossing station. This includes this year as well. My passport was never requested.
As far as a Hunter Safety card or previous license; I have never brought either nor have I ever been asked for one. I am a state certified Hunter Ed instructor for 35 yrs but that's another story. I hunt in Canada almost every year, occasionally twice in a year. I guess your suggestion to carry one may be a good idea but in the decades that I've been crossing to hunt, it has never been requested.
Fruits, meats and vegetables at crossing come under ever changing regulations. I avoid that entirely. However, many Canadians travel to the US for less expensive groceries and bring them back regularly. Quantities per crossing seem to be restricted too.
The issue I've found is with the transport of alcohol. They are fairly strict about the amount of alcohol that you can bring in. Usually a single case (24 cans) of bear, 1 liter of wine or hard liquor. You can bring more but the duty they make you pay is ridiculous. You may just as well buy your booze in Canada and pay 3x the US price. "I'll have another MooseHead Lite please".
Regarding the 4457 form; while I understand the purpose of the form it hasn't been needed or requested for 30yrs so I was quite surprised by the CBP agents insistence that we produce one. FWIW, we had a truck fully loaded with guns, gear, optics and other expensive equipment. Their only issue was with the firearms.
If the rules continue to choke legitimate sportsman it will only hurt the Canadian hunting industry. I like hunting in Canada and enjoy the fellowship of the Canadians that I've met. I'd also be the first to admit that I've spent an awful lot of money there. But .... I can just as well hunt where I don't get hassled over nothing by officials who just want to break your _____.
Thank you for your input. Our collective experience should help others who follow in their journey to the Canadian woods.
