A buddy & I are making our first trip to Newfoundland for the opening week of moose season in September. I have reservations made for the ferry. I am looking for any experience you might have to share regarding Canadian customs, travel, etc. We are getting into the province the day before we are to show up at the outfitters, can we expect to find overnight accomodation wherever we end up that nigt, or, are reservations someplace critical? Appreciate hearing any thoughts you care to share!
I am getting pretty excited about this, hope the weather is friendly.

Your outfitter should be able to answer your arrival and overnight stay questions. The Canadian Government has a customs website that has all of the firearm regulations, pre-approval forms, and other information you may need.
If you ever run into a town that has all of the hotel rooms full because of a convention just ask about a bed and breakfast. They rarely fill up at convention time and you have the comforts of home for the night and a good breakfast the next morning.

You should also check with US Customs website about the forms you need to bring your firearms, cameras, etc. back into the US without paying duty on them.

Popgun gave you good advice. Check with your outfitter but also with both US and Canadian Customs. I heard that the US is now requiring that you have a passport. The web site to check form Canadian reg's and forms is www.cfc.gc.ca and their number is 1 800 731-4000.

My brother and I have talked about doing that hunt. The racks are typically smaller but you have a good chance of coming home with one. Good luck and be safe! That's a lot of meat for the freezer.

fishdog52,

What type of gun are your going to bring in ?? That is the first most important thing if its just a normal bolt action its non-restricted so you may hunt with it Restricted you can get in for the purpose of shooting competitions but not hunting (we cant hunt with them ether). And Prohibited well thouse are even more regulated as they include stuff with the "happy switch"

If your gun isn't a bolt action and its something like a M1A (semi-automatic non-restricted) then you cant bring in more then a 5rd magazine. This includes semi-automatic shot guns. But not semi-automatic rim-fires.

www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/inf...itin_e.asp

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You can declare your firearms in writing, in triplicate, using the Non-Resident Firearm Declaration (form CAFC 909). If you are bringing more than three firearms, attach a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Continuation Sheet (form CAFC 910). Please fill out the declaration form ahead of time to save time at the point of entry. However, wait until you arrive at the point of entry to sign the form because a customs officer must witness your signature. Once the customs officer has confirmed your declaration, it will have the same effect as a licence for you and a temporary registration certificate for all the firearms you bring to Canada. It is valid for 60 days. You can renew your declaration at no additional fee, if you renew it before it expires, by contacting the CFO of the province or territory where you are staying. To renew it, call 1 800 731-4000. A confirmed declaration costs a flat fee of $25, regardless of the number of firearms listed on it. It is only valid for the person who signs it and for those firearms listed on the declaration. If you come with others who will be using firearms in Canada, you will each need to meet these requirements.

Remember keep your gun locked and your ammo separate. I dont know about Newfoundland's selection of stores that sell hunting and fishing equipment but if you need something quick for automotive, hunting, fishing what ever go to a store called "Canadian Tire"

travel.state.gov/trave..._1170.html

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Current Requirements for Entry Into Canada Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Canada from the U.S. You will, however, need: 1. Proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with one of the regional passport agencies located throughout the U.S.) or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver’s license, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship. 2. Photo identification, such as a current, valid driver’s license. All U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called a “Green Card.” If you are a dual U.S./Canadian citizen you should always present yourself as a Canadian citizen when entering Canada. However, U.S. citizens should use their U.S. passports when entering or leaving the United States.

The passport requirement isnt in "effect" right now though:

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*December 31, 2006 – Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. * December 31, 2007 – Passport required for all land border crossings, as well as air and sea travel.

I suggest you carry a passport just to help the processing along. Plus maybe the fairy like the airlines now are saying "Passports required" for some reason.

Best advice is to contact your outfitter though

Dimitri

Thanks for the thoughts. I replaced my 35 whelen with a new Remington 750 with the 22 inch barrel in the same caliber. I had really wanted the carbine, but due to the Canadian restrictions on barrel length on semis, decided to go with the longer barrel to avoid any chance of a dispute at customs.
The Newest question to come up is related to bringing a moose back into the US. I have been told that it must be boned due to CWD concerns. I have not been able to confirm this, yet.
Getting excited as I will begin the trek to Newfoundland on the 6th of Sept. It is getting close!

Fishdog,

What was the lenght of said Carbine ?? Barrels of over 470mm or 18.5in are legal here. I know the carbine versions that are sold from Remington in 30-06 are legal here and unrestricted. But good choise to avoid that problem completly from the start

Also I dont know about the Remington but what is the magazine capacity ?? Anything over 5 rounds is a no-no. But there are legal ways to limit the magazine to comply with the laws Thats why if you go to a Canadian online store they will list 5/30 for example for 30 round magazines.

Dimitri

Clip holds 4 rounds, plus 1 in the chamber.
The factory carbine barrel is right at the Canadian spec, so if I ran into a customers agent, that did not know how to properly measure barrel length,.. well it can be difficult, and customs is not the place to get into an argument.
Since this rifle has turned out to be a very soft gun to shoot, & with good accuracy & reliability, I can live quite happily with the longer barrel
About 20 years ago I got into an argument with an agent at Windsor over a pump shotgun. To this day I believe I was right. However, at that point my choice was to leave the gun & pay a fine, or leave everything & including the car, and try to sort it out Monday morning. So my policy has ever since been to try and avoid a situation, wherever possible.

Good idea Fishdog, the customs agents maynot know how to do it right.

The Magazine is fine, techniclly in Canada it says only the magazine and thats a 4 round magazine, so its actually one less then the limit

What was the argument for the shotgun ??

Dimitri