TxGearhead wrote:
From Canada Border Services Agency website:
protection against wildlife in remote areas.
Jaxdad and Gary are correct upon their posts regarding this portion of border crossing topic as Orion also posted the clear regulation link of "protection against wildlife in remote areas" which is under the jurisdiction authority of the RCMP, not the CBSA....
To add a clearer perspective on how Canada tends to enforce "protection against wildlife in remote areas", this regulation and law pertains to
residents of Canada.
A "
visiting non resident" of Canada does not fall under this criteria, (namely one without a PAL, the mandatory license in order for any individual to legally possess a registered firearm in Canada)....
As clearly noted, a visiting non resident of Canada (namely a US citizen) entering a land or sea port will normally get a green light on transporting declared long rifles or shotguns (legally entitled citizens to possess) thru Canada if heading to another US destination, such as Alaska or vise versa....you're good to go.
Also clearly noted, any visiting non resident of Canada with a non resident hunting license in possession- tag and other criteria with proof of destination area and hunting grounds can import long firearms....you're good to go.
If a visitor leaving the United States entering Canada is other than a US citizen with possession of a long firearm - they better have some documentation of legally possessing that firearm within the United States or it will be considered unlawful possession, transport and illegal importation in Canada.
For a visiting non resident of Canada, the definition of "remote areas" will generally mean wilderness that is well far away from any roadway or civilization that is not accessible by any motorized vehicle....a legal non resident hunting license in a remote wilderness area will fall under this criteria as well as a work permit of sorts such as a mammal biologist or researcher working in remote locations.
However for a visiting non resident of Canada with a long rifle while declaring to visit some friend living in a very remote wilderness cabin in Canada that is only accessible by four wheeler or foot or what have ya, will not fly....the CBSA just might inform that person to have your Canadian friend meet you fully armed and to escort you to their cabin.
And most certainly a visiting non resident of Canada entering the country in an RV that is declared just vacationing while hiking in remote places will not be allowed entry with long firearms either....
Personal protection, theft deterrent, and crime deterrent regarding reasons for possessing firearms for law abiding US citizens is certainly legal in the United States, these same laws do not pertain in Canada.
CBSA's main authority is reference to the enforcement and compliance upon the importation and possession of firearms (and anything else) when entering Canada under their crown (federal) guideline statutes and criminal codes.
For the CBSA to immediately determine on what set of rules is pertained to any non resident visitor, they always ask :
What brings you into Canada today-
Where is your primary home-
What is your citizenship-
What is the purpose of your visit in Canada-
What is the planned entire length of stay while in Canada-
What destination(s) are you headed to or from while in Canada-
Once these questions are answered (while pending confirmation), the questions regarding declarations are next and other questions they feel to ask upon permitting entry or denying entry into Canada.
