Canadian firearm laws

[Seraphim]

Have been looking atbearer protection, and considered a handgun, but realized if we spend several months in Canada next year we won't be able to take a handgun with us. &nbsp;Looking at a rifle or shotgun, which I believe can be transported across theborders for sporting purposes (legally), I was curious what legal limitations Canada places on these firearms, specifically , but not limited to,<br /><br />Barrel length<br />Feeding system<br />Magazine capacity<br />Caliber<br />Platform (assault weapon, etc)<br />Any other limitations Ihavent thought of.<br /><br />For example, an AR15 platform &nbsp;with a "12 barrel chambered for .458 SoCom. &nbsp;Im assuming such would not be legal in Canada. Am I incorrect?

 

[Guest]

Hi guy,<br /><br />Here are a couple sites to go to for straight info:<br /><br />http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5044-eng.html<br /><br />http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/faq/im-ex-eng.htm<br /><br />My suggestion after the experience I just had crossing into Canada and back a week or so later, is that by carrying any firearm into Canada you would be adding a big load to the headache factor since they are about as ramped up about terrorists and terrorism as we are on our borders.... <br /><br />Of course, if you really think you need one, then maybe the hassle is worth it to you...<br /><br />Best of luck,<br />Bri

 

[Seraphim]

Thanks Bri. It's not something I'm paranoid about, but have to consider a possibility. I felt more secure in a van, but a truck camper is mostly wood or lightweight construction. &nbsp;To a bear looking for food, it's not much of a barrier. Fortunately, there's an escape route over the bed.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Go to a sporting goods store and buy a big ol' can of bear spray. that's what I've got. Last time a bear got curious and kinda up on my truck, I just yelled at it to GTFO.. and it did, taking off at a rapid rate of speed. ..Willy.

 

[Guest]

<span id="post_message_1274529353"> Go to a sporting goods store and buy a big ol' can of bear spray. that's what I've got. ..Willy.</span>

<br /><br />Willy, I don't think that is allowed into Canada either....the best thing is to camp smart and you won't have bear problems...if you remember you are the visitor, follow the suggestions about food, etc. you will have a good experience....I have camped extensively in bear country and in Alaska lived summers in major bear country and never had a problem...avoidance rather than confrontation.<br /><br />I just realized that you live in BC.....can you buy bear spray in sporting goods stores there? Maybe that is a good idea if you have the source for it.<br />Bri

 

[Rollin]

I know I posted this in another thread but I felt it was&nbsp;relevant&nbsp;here.<br /><br />http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/bear spray.pdf<br /><br />Like Bri, I too have spent time in bear country. I used to do a lot of backpacking when I lived in Idaho. The only trouble I remember is waking up one night to something sniffing my face through the tent. I guess&nbsp;during the night I had pushed my face hard up against the side of the tent.<br /><br />What ever it was it sounded like a horse breathing. I just&nbsp;slowly moved closer to the center of the tent and&nbsp;remained&nbsp;still and he went away.&nbsp; The spot we were camping in was on a ridge top and was very rocky so no tracks in the morning could be seen.<br /><br />A couple things I remember doing was tying all of our food up in a tree about 50 or so yards from the tent. Also we would&nbsp;urinate about the same distance&nbsp;in a&nbsp;circle around the camp. Guess bears hate our smell.<br /><br /><br />

 

[lampliter]

I use this.

 

[Trout]

i did see (on discovery or natgeo) a solar electric fence they used on Kodiak Island to keep the bears away from the base camp. &nbsp;Might work for you as well.

 

[Seraphim]

I appreciate the suggestions. I suspect I will never have problem with a dangerous animal, and most encounters could be walked away from,&nbsp;but that's no reason not to plan for the worst, imo.&nbsp; I'm also sure, in most cases, a chemical spray might be a satisfactory deterrent, but I also want to be prepared for that one-in-a-million situation. Mama bears,&nbsp;I understand, aren't that forgiving lol.<br /><br />Besides, I like to shoot handguns and haven't owned a thumper in many years. lol

 

[Seraphim]

I found a good compromise weapon - pricey though. It can be used as a self defense or loaded for bear. It's a S&amp;W .460V - a high velocity round which can be had with 400 - 500 grain rounds. The V is the 5" model, and there's a VXR with an 8" barrel. A flat trajectory round which doesn't lose energy quickly like similar sized rounds. It can also chamber a .45 long cartidge for personal defense, as well as the .454 Casull. Don't know if you're still interested, or would be willing to save up fo something like this, but it has the advantage of versatility, and the .45 rounds haven't all that recoil.

 

[Willy]

<br />I just realized that you live in BC.....can you buy bear spray in sporting goods stores there? Maybe that is a good idea if you have the source for it.<br />Bri

<br /><br />&nbsp;Yup, Canadian Tire sells bear spray and probably Wal-Mart too. Costs around $30.&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

I've always been a fan of Ruger since my Blackhawk .44 magnum. &nbsp;I had no practical need for an 8" barrel, but it lured me into the larger bores. Lol<br /><br />Thecompact version is a good choice for your needs, I think.

 

[Guest]

<span id="post_message_1274539450">Yup, Canadian Tire sells bear spray and probably Wal-Mart too. Costs around $30. </span>

<br /><br />Well that's weird since I have been told you cannot take it from the US into Canada....must be another border absurdity...<br /><br />Bri

 

[Wild_E]

since I am from Canada I will chime in as well.<br />Buy your firearm, leave it at the border in a Bank Vault or a friends house in a gun safe.<br />Go back to the US and voila.. your firearm, no hassels.<br /><br />If you go to Alaska, want one, buy one there, sell when you leave.<br />I live in Bear Country, there are all kinds of things to do to drive them off;<br />Firecrackers,<br />Bear Spray - OR.. Wasp/Hornet Spray shoots out a good 10-15 ft, costs only $6 and is nasty nasty to get in eyes<br />bang loud pots together, etc etc.<br /><br />I live in my vehicle, camp all the time in the bush, never had an incident. They will harm people sometimes, so learn protection.<br />Never had more than a passing incident in Canada with anyone as well and you can drive away right!

 

[lampliter]

The guy at the gun store told me a Mossberg pistol grip shotgun chambered for 3 inch magnum using slugs would bring down a griz'. I'm thinking of getting one---it fits the outside pocket of my backpack.

 

[yesican]

I use to carry a 44 mag pistol when I first moved to Alaska...now I carry nothing but feel a bit risky doing that.&nbsp; Last week Pita the dog and I saw 4 black bears in less than a mile...I think the Kenai Peninsula has more black bears than people.&nbsp; We have tons of brownies too.&nbsp; I've ran into them as well.&nbsp; Every situation varies, but keeping your cool is your best advantage.&nbsp; Moose can be quite dangerous as well...lots of those down here.<br />Rae

 

[Guest]

Rae, <br /><br />I am sure you have heard the old Alaskan saying that the only reason to carry a pistol for bears is to shoot your hiking partner in the knee so you can get away...<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br /><br />I carried a 12 gauge loaded slug, buckshot, slug, buckshot for bear at first too. That is the NPS and USFWS standard for bear when needed. A few trips lugging that around was enough though...lol.<br /><br />It was the same for us in Sterling....so many bear that you would often see them and often come across a steaming pile of scat on hikes if we didn't see them. We hiked a lot...esp. my wife and dog did. Never a problem with them tho. <br /><br />She did have a lone yearling moose stalk and charge her and the dog one day out in the swamp behind our place where we walked the dog every day. <br /><br />We had the state fish and game guy come out and do some research and we found out that it had some festering wounds on one flank and that was what made the poor critter all grumpy.<br /><br />When we lived in Denali Park almost 30 years ago...where we met as employees....she was also chased by a moose cow and calf one day when she was walking between the employees housing, "C Camp", where she was living and the headquarters office. Needless to say she is way more wary of moose than bear. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Bri<br /><br />

 

[Guest]

As a side note...and to maybe allay some bear fear....my youngest son who was 7,&nbsp; 8, and 9, the years that I was a mechanic out at Toklat River road camp in Denali Park had several bear experiences with the inland grizzly that lives and roams there. He never was in real danger though since they are not much interested in humans.&nbsp; (In those days the naturalists never carried weapons and the backcountry rangers only carried a service handgun.) <br /><br />In our very protected society today it might be called something else...yikes! We always figured that the tourists did such stupid behaviors that the bears would eat them first...lol<br /><br />I had to leave him in camp most days and when everyone was working there were hours that no one would be in camp. My oldest son was staying with a friend in headquarters while volunteering with the park dog ranger and dog team...<br /><br />I came home one day and his eyes were pretty big...I guess he had ridden his bicycle out to the main road to watch the tourist buses go by and on his way back there was a sow and two cubs sitting in the middle of the camp road. He had to push his bike out into the river bed and cross a couple of river braids to get around them and back to camp. I just about sh-t when he told me...then he told me how often that bear and moose came through camp...lol. <br /><br />Since he grew up through all his early life in rural Alaska, he has had many experiences kids here don't usually have. His mom lived out 10 miles or so from Haines and they had lots of wildlife experiences there as well.&nbsp; She worked with and was pretty close with the local Tlingit band of people and they learned much from them as well.<br /><br />Bri<br /><br /><br />

 

[Seraphim]

Thanks. I appreciate all the voices of experience.<br /><br />