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Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Yahoo Message Number: 68987
Does anybody have first-hand knowledge of the current requirements to transit Canada to Alaska? I am looking for what food items are restricted going up and coming back down and also for firearms restrictions. I haven't done this via coach before, but have driven my truck and flown my airplane many times.

Thanks to all,

Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260

Re: Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68991
Jim,

We went in 2009 and I had intended to take a handgun for protection while hiking in the parks, etc. A number of years ago if you were going to Alaska you could have your gun sealed at the Canadian border and have it checked when you got to the Alaska border. However, when I started looking into it for our trip in 09 it became very cumbersome for any kind of waver. There are conditions that you can transport a weapon and of course for hunting but I elected to forgo the security because at that time any firearm had to be in a locked container and required a permit issued prior to entering.
Here is a web page that you can start with. http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/planning/border/border.htm
John

05 Inspire

Re: Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68996

Hi Jim:

As we are planning a trip this summer we've done a lot of research on these matters. some answers are easy, others not so much.
Firearms: Extremely difficult to get the right authorizations for a hand gun. It is actually possible for some models but it is very time consuming and difficult. If it is a "restricted" model (they have lists of acceptable models and types), which covers most common models not designed for concealment or large capacity magazines, while it is possible to get permission to bring it into Canada you would need to obtain Canadian approved training, take a test, be issued a license and register the firearms just like a Canadian citizen. Doing this from the US is not a trivial matter. "Controversial" handguns are "banned" and there is no way to get them into Canada. Barrels of the lengths for concealed handguns and large capacity magazines are examples. I would forget about handguns, period unless you are willing to make a serious investment and I would bet there is no guarantee of success.
FWIW I looked into shipping across Canada. Bottom line is assuming you found a cooperative shipper (you must declare them to UPS/FedEx/USPS and they may not accept them whether it is legal or not) you cannot receive them in Alaska. Regardless of the fact you would already own the firearms, on the Federal dealer's (you would need to use an FFL dealer) books he would be delivering to a customer. It would legally be a sale and he cannot sell to no state citizens. This information I obtained from FFL dealers who should know the rules. Unless you are a legal citizen of Alaska, he can't do it. So, that won't work either. (Mad yet?)
Long guns are a different matter and much easier although not without some hassle. Most rifles and shotguns are OK, but there are limits on magazine capacity for semi-auto, no "military" configurations so forget the AK-47 or M1 Garand. Commercial sporting designs only for all intents. There are several websites including by Canadian and US officials on how to do it - I can't give all the details here, but, in short, at the US border you MUST have your long guns, for all intents and purposes, registered. The US Customs agent will generate a form that describes the firearm and list the serial number(s). You will not be able to re-enter the US with your firearms if you do not have this form!
This form is also helpful with the Canadians. It and a form you must get from Canada - it can be downloaded as an Acrobat fill-in form, must be presented at the border. This will register your long guns for a set period - 60 days I think, don't hold me to that please. One very important point and I have no idea why but DO NOT sign the form until you get to the Canadian official.
Failure to comply can cost you your guns and the Canadians will not give them back. If they are of the forbidden kind you could spend some time as a guest of the Canadian government and I am told the US Government has no sympathy, or even if they do it's worth nada to the Canadians. Remember, it is another country.
We have talked with many people who have done this recently. Do it right and there should be no problem for long guns. Don't even think about trying to hide something. Like any good cops they can smell a liar. One friend, an MD no less, had his rig fairly well disassembled by the Canadian authorities looking for firearms. They found nothing and that's what they got for an apology too. Don't even think about lying to a Canadian official. Look them straight in the eye and tell the truth.
As for food, best idea is don't bring any produce, fruit or raw meat. They may give you the option of consuming it on the spot. Cooked or frozen may be OK. Frankly, we have been told it depends on who you get and what mood they are in - some are real SO-'s. The rules also apparently change day to day or on the mood of who you get. Best bet is don't bring anything fresh.
If you want to contact me off list we can discuss more of the details.
Both Canada and the US have websites on this and that is the best place for form numbers, instructions, etc. I'll be happy to share what info I have.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69001
Don't know about all states but in Arizona a gun dealer can ship a LEGAL handgun to a dealer in TOK, AK. for a fee. You pick it up there.
My 357 model 19 S&W was a LEGAL handgun.

Jw

06 inspire 51544

Re: Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69005

I would check that out again. Two FFL dealers have told me they cannot deliver to a nonresident of the state you take delivery in. When you arrive in Alaska you are not a legal resisdent so the FFL can't deliver your gun to you.
Would that it were so. If you know of a delare in Tok who eill do this please let me know.
It seems rediculous but apparently that is the law. I really, really want to be wrong about this.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69013
It is true that a gun dealer in any state can ship to a gun dealer in Tok, Alaska. The problem is, by law, only a resident of the state (Alaska) can take delivery of a handgun in that State. Federal law folks and if a dealer tries to work around it his license could be yanked.

S Brandt, '06 Intrigue #11964

Re: Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69058
The name of the dealer is "BULLSHOOTER"? Phone number- 907.883.5625
TOK, AK.

In my case it was 3 years ago.
Jw

06 inspire 51544

Re: Traveling to Alaska via Canada

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69082
If you have a hand gun sent to Alaska you still have to have it sent back to the lower states when you leave Alaska. Remember, that you might go back into Canada when visiting Hyder, Alaska to see the bears and you will have to leave the gun with someone else. I spent four months during the summer of 2009 managing four campgrounds in Moran, WY where the 27 miles of wilderness area just below Yellowstone Park has the highest concentration of bears in the (lower) US even more than in Yellowstone Park. The area had a ratio of four black bears to every grizzly. My responsibility was managing the campgrounds for bear safety and advising campers and wilderness travelers on bear safety and sightings. I worked closely with the Forest Service personnel there and did a lot of research on my own regarding bear safety. I hiked and fished the area so I was always concerned about my own safety. I can tell you with certainty that all the bear experts (biologists who study bears and keep track of bear attacks in Canada and the US) will tell you that your chance of being mauled while defending yourself with a hand gun are very high. However, if you carry bear spray your chances of escaping without any or serious injury are in excess of 95%. Canada does not allow pepper spray, but does allow you to bring in bear spray if the canisters are marked "Bear Spray".
I have spent two entire summers in Alaska and am an avid fisherman. I also fly-fish in Wyoming and Montana and while I have firearms in my coach, I carry bear spray when I am concerned about bears.
I strongly recommend you carry a good quality bear spray and if your companions also carry it, you will be well protected. Also, learn how to hike in bear territory safely, there is a lot of information about it written by biologists who spend most of their time actually observing bears in the wild. (If you do want to carry a firearm, they recommend a shotgun for many reasons.) Stephen Herrero is one of the best known authors with his book , Bear Attacks, Their Causes and Avoidance.

Gene Merryman

2000 Allure #30496