Flying international bow hunting. Help

[Blinginpse]

I need some input to those who have flown to Canada. I really don't know what to ask cause I've never done this. So can y'all please just give me insight on what need to do and not to do.

Should I pack cloths in bow case? Where would you put broadheads. Dang I don't even know where to start just don't want to get caught up in whatever it's called where you get held up. I've never done this. Help please

You use United or delta? I see that United does take archery but delta doesn't. Also read I can't take but quiver full of arrows? Id like to have extra to practice with.

 

[elkguide]

When I went to New Zealand last year I was allowed one checked bag and one carry on, unless I wanted to pay $300 for a second bag. Needless to say, I packed a lot into my bow case. I had my bow, 18 arrows, 6 field points, a dozen broadheads, 2 knives, a spare set of strings, most of my clothes etc. inside my SKB case that weighed in at 49.8 pounds, and yes they did weight it carefully! I carried an extra jacket, my binoculars and range finder, and some clothing with me.

When, where and for what are you going to Canada foe bling?

 

[Blinginpse]

Looking at a Plano all weather case. With packing it full and a carry on bag I should be good to go. Will have washer and dryer

 

[Jpeaston]

In October last year I flew into Calgary with a hard double bow case, with one bow, quiver full of broadheads, and packed full of clothes to 49.5 pounds. I bought locks at my local US airport and checked the baggage. When I got it in Calgary, the locks were cut off, but everything was there and it appeared that they just took a look and closed it back up. No hassles, no problems, I never even thought twice about it. Didn't even lock it on the way back to the US.

 

[Blinginpse]

Well that sounds easy enough. What airline did you use

 

[charvey9]

I've flown Air Canada and Alaska to Canada with archery equipment, and probably all other airlines within the states with my bow. As far as customs is concerned, they really are not too worried about archery equipment, just firearms. On both occasions I flew to Canada they did not even ask to see my bow or open my bow case. TSA or the airlines in the states also will not need to inspect your bow. Canada does have some stricter regs against crossbows, so may ask you to verify that it is a compound bow and not a crossbow. They may also ask how many arrows you have, and if you have any other weapons such as knives, etc. Pretty simple. Just put all your archery equipment in a good hard case and you are good to go. No worries.

My only tip when traveling with hunting equipment is to give yourself some extra time if you are trying to make a connecting flight once in Canada. At your port of entry, you will need collect all your bags on arrival and then re-check them through customs. If there are any delays, or they do want to inspect your hunting equipment, you could miss your connecting flight. I almost missed my flight in Vancouver last year on my way to hunt Mt. Goat in BC because I had to go back out through the gate and re-check / re-declare my firearm and ammo.

 

[Blinginpse]

I've flown Air Canada and Alaska to Canada with archery equipment, and probably all other airlines within the states with my bow. As far as customs is concerned, they really are not too worried about archery equipment, just firearms. On both occasions I flew to Canada they did not even ask to see my bow or open my bow case. TSA or the airlines in the states also will not need to inspect your bow. Canada does have some stricter regs against crossbows, so may ask you to verify that it is a compound bow and not a crossbow. They may also ask how many arrows you have, and if you have any other weapons such as knives, etc. Pretty simple. Just put all your archery equipment in a good hard case and you are good to go. No worries.

My only tip when traveling with hunting equipment is to give yourself some extra time if you are trying to make a connecting flight once in Canada. At your port of entry, you will need collect all your bags on arrival and then re-check them through customs. If there are any delays, or they do want to inspect your hunting equipment, you could miss your connecting flight. I almost missed my flight in Vancouver last year on my way to hunt Mt. Goat in BC because I had to go back out through the gate and re-check / re-declare my firearm and ammo.

I hope it goes that smooth. Looks like I will
Have 1 stop but when get into Canada that will be my destination. So I'm lucky for that.


Anyone have any input on getting meat back home?

 

[traviswdalton]

For any hunt I highly recommend taking a spare bow. It really saved my trip.

http://traviswdalton.com/2015/09/27/yukon-moose-hunt/

 

[Jpeaston]

I can't remember.

Well that sounds easy enough. What airline did you use

 

[Blinginpse]

For any hunt I highly recommend taking a spare bow. It really saved my trip.

http://traviswdalton.com/2015/09/27/yukon-moose-hunt/

There will be 2 already there that I can use as backups.

 

[charvey9]

Best thing to do for meat is to take a good sized rubbermaid container. On the way up there you can pack all your hunting gear inside it. When you get lucky, just get the meat frozen and put that in the rubbermaid container. Pack it with your clothes, sleeping bag, and other soft goods for insulation. Depending on how much gear you have left over you can either take in in your carry on or check your backpack for the return trip. I've done this successfully with a bear and a goat. Check the max weight allowable for your airline. I know Air Canada is only 75lbs but Alaska lets you go to 100lbs.

 

[larryschwartz]

There will be 2 already there that I can use as backups.

Well then, I hope that you will make time to practice with them before your hunt so they are not totally unfamiliar in terms of shooting and aiming to you.

 

[Blinginpse]

Well then, I hope that you will make time to practice with them before your hunt so they are not totally unfamiliar in terms of shooting and aiming to you.

Yes sir I would do so.

 

[Blinginpse]

Best thing to do for meat is to take a good sized rubbermaid container. On the way up there you can pack all your hunting gear inside it. When you get lucky, just get the meat frozen and put that in the rubbermaid container. Pack it with your clothes, sleeping bag, and other soft goods for insulation. Depending on how much gear you have left over you can either take in in your carry on or check your backpack for the return trip. I've done this successfully with a bear and a goat. Check the max weight allowable for your airline. I know Air Canada is only 75lbs but Alaska lets you go to 100lbs.

If I read it right with United airlines it is 99lb

 

[TXCO]

Look at SKB cases too. Put your broadheads in a protective container in order to avoid cutting your string. Arrows will fall out of the organized inserts and at this point, I just rubber band them all together in one bundle and pack clothes around them. If youre taking two bows, I recommend 2 cases in case one gets lost (split your arrows up too) and divide your gear/clothes between the two. Always use TSA locks.

ALWAYS: WEAR YOUR BOOTS ON TO THE PLANE GOING THERE. Pack your binos, spotting scope, rangefinder, cameras and other expensive and necessary items in your carry on. Nothing is worse than your basic gear not getting there, in particular boots. I always wear or carry on at least one days worth of clothing, but I always try to avoid wearing camo in case you get a greenie. If youre going someplace cold, keep a warm hat and jacket handy too. I was able to use my Stone Glacier pack as my carry on to Alaska for goat hunt.

There is no guarantee any of your gear will arrive on time or ever. I always divide and conquer and its saved me many a time.

 

[TXCO]

Oh and its usually cheaper to make sure it doesnt weigh over 50 lbs. Check your airline dimensions too, you dont want to get docked twice for oversize and overweight.

I and friends used duffle bags for many years but last year I popped a string. I may not do it again but I liked how it didnt draw as much attention.

Another tip is to put a bunch of music/band bumper stickers on the hard case. Baggage handlers seem to treat instruments with more respect.

 

[Blinginpse]

Look at SKB cases too. Put your broadheads in a protective container in order to avoid cutting your string. Arrows will fall out of the organized inserts and at this point, I just rubber band them all together in one bundle and pack clothes around them. If youre taking two bows, I recommend 2 cases in case one gets lost (split your arrows up too) and divide your gear/clothes between the two. Always use TSA locks.

ALWAYS: WEAR YOUR BOOTS ON TO THE PLANE GOING THERE. Pack your binos, spotting scope, rangefinder, cameras and other expensive and necessary items in your carry on. Nothing is worse than your basic gear not getting there, in particular boots. I always wear or carry on at least one days worth of clothing, but I always try to avoid wearing camo in case you get a greenie. If youre going someplace cold, keep a warm hat and jacket handy too. I was able to use my Stone Glacier pack as my carry on to Alaska for goat hunt.

There is no guarantee any of your gear will arrive on time or ever. I always divide and conquer and its saved me many a time.

Oh and its usually cheaper to make sure it doesnt weigh over 50 lbs. Check your airline dimensions too, you dont want to get docked twice for oversize and overweight.

I and friends used duffle bags for many years but last year I popped a string. I may not do it again but I liked how it didnt draw as much attention.

Another tip is to put a bunch of music/band bumper stickers on the hard case. Baggage handlers seem to treat instruments with more respect.

Man thank you for all the info in both posts.

From what I'm seeing 62" is the max length of the luggage and don't think it can exceede 99lb. He has extra bows and sorts so think I'm going to pack a hard bow case full of archery gear and cloths then carry on what valuables and spare cloths I can.

 

[tuffcity]

Canada does have some stricter regs against crossbows

That used to be the case before the firearms registry was dumped. Now they are no longer deemed a "firearm" for federal purposes but some provinces still list them as such for the purposes of their wildlife reg's- doesn't affect your import of them, just your ability to use them in archery seasons. Reg's by province vary on that.

Some one mentioned wearing your boots... not only can you guarantee they'll show up but they also save some weight from your checked bag.

If you take a cooler for meat/capes also take some heavy food grade plastic bags to put your meat/capes in before they go in the cooler. The airlines I've flown with prefer that especially if there is a delay and it starts to thaw. That being said, last spring I brought 50 pounds of bear meat home from YT to BC as my checked bag and it was just in a big ziplocks and then in a heavy duty dry bag. (and they never asked so I never told...)

RC

 

[Blinginpse]

That used to be the case before the firearms registry was dumped. Now they are no longer deemed a "firearm" for federal purposes but some provinces still list them as such for the purposes of their wildlife reg's- doesn't affect your import of them, just your ability to use them in archery seasons. Reg's by province vary on that.

Some one mentioned wearing your boots... not only can you guarantee they'll show up but they also save some weight from your checked bag.

If you take a cooler for meat/capes also take some heavy food grade plastic bags to put your meat/capes in before they go in the cooler. The airlines I've flown with prefer that especially if there is a delay and it starts to thaw. That being said, last spring I brought 50 pounds of bear meat home from YT to BC as my checked bag and it was just in a big ziplocks and then in a heavy duty dry bag. (and they never asked so I never told...)

RC

He's told me to bring my hiking shoes for hunting and my Normal everyday shoes. I wear slip ons for everyday use. I have access to washer and dryer

 

[Dos Perros]

Question: with a bow in a hard case, are you guys worried about someone stealing it or otherwise screwing with it? I've got an SKB and thought about putting the TSA locks on it but figure any thief wouldn't be deterred. Also thought about including a small pistol in the bow case just so I could put my own lock on it (flying domestically). Maybe the lock would draw attention to the fact it has a firearm and maybe then more desirable to thieves?

Also, a tip, I've heard of people putting a zip tie around the bow string to keep inspectors from screwing around and trying to draw the bow and dry fire it accidentally.