aussie bowhunter travelling north america

ozy clint · September 30, 2008, 05:04:00 AM

can anyone give me the website or email of the appropriate authorities in regards to the importation and possesion of a bow in U.S.A & canada? travelling in canada soon (bring it on!) and maybe entering through U.S.A. any help would be great. thanks.

doctari · September 30, 2008, 07:12:00 AM

I would start with your airlines, I would not think that you would have any problem.

j yenney · September 30, 2008, 08:42:00 AM

There will be no problems at all. I just took two
bows, plus broadheads and arrows to New Zealand. So long as they are in The cargo and not a carry on, you'll have no problems.

Rick McGowan · September 30, 2008, 08:46:00 AM

I've never had any problem anywhere in the US or Canada with bows, you'll probably find that no one can give you any regulations, there aren't any. Of course, you cannot carry bows or arrows onto commercial airlines. I DID get questioned once flying into BRISBANE on whether I had the proper permits for my BOW, I stated "there are no permits required or available" and the customs agent had that deer in the headlights look, since obviously, he didn't know, I also pulled out printed copies of the airline regs with the pertinent passages highlighted. This is always a good idea, for bows, guns, ammunition etc..

madness522 · September 30, 2008, 08:50:00 AM

Another option is mailing them to your final destination.

tradtusker · September 30, 2008, 10:24:00 AM

like Rick said there no permits or anything required just stick em in your hold luggage and you'l be sweet. Where you going in Canada got any hunts planned?

Shaun · September 30, 2008, 10:46:00 AM

If you cross into Canada from the US they will ask, "Do you have any weapons?" If you try to tell them about your bow they will get impatient and say. "No. Weapons, guns." Bows are not controlled in Canada or the US.

Naphtali · September 30, 2008, 10:47:00 AM

Go to Accuratereloading.com. Search for Kathi. This is a travel agent specializing in arranging hunts in foreign countries. I believe you'll get what you need efficiently.

Hope this helps.

Rick McGowan · September 30, 2008, 11:04:00 AM

I always stop and think about it when I come to that question on the customs forms, about do you have any weapons? I don't want to give anyone an excuse to give me a hard time(antihunters work in airports too), so I always check YES, knowing full well, they are going to say, "What kind of guns do you have? A BOW? Bows aren't weapons! Of course for 20,000 years or so, bows were THE weapon, but I don't bring that up!

ozy clint · October 01, 2008, 06:19:00 AM

thanks very much for all the info guys. most probably will be heading to cranbrook first. a mate of mine has hunted with an outfitter in the kootenay's. he has been in contact with him on my behalf. said we are welcome to go there and find our feet and help him out with the outfitting operation, skinning, packing meat, etc. sounds like my dream job, the experience of a lifetime! might get some hunting in to. any gangers in that area??? you won't meet a keener hunter.

Rick McGowan · October 01, 2008, 09:37:00 AM

Clint, it will be a big change for you, not much flat land in BC. I live on the opposite side of the continent, but have driven to Cranbrook and hunted mountain goats in the Kootenays, beautiful country. Riding horses on goat trails is an experience you won't forget. Saw, grizzlies and wolves there as well and had a wolverine raid our camp. What outfitter are you working with?