When I fly into Vancouver do I even need to claim my bow? I don't fill any paper work out saying I am bringing archery equipment? Is that correct?? What do you say if asked going through customs??
I will have my bow and case visually inspected in Texas and then Wtap it in duct tape after they put a tag saying it was inspected.
--Jim
A firearm and ammunition is a "different animal". That comes under the category of "firearm."
Earlier this summer, RSA custom officials put a "firearm" label on my bow case as I was departing RSA for Namibia. When I arrived in Namibia I had to go to the firearms area. The official there told me that I did not have a firearm. I knew that, but I played the game with RSA Clowns because I know they know "what is best" and I just wanted to get thru the circus ASAP and get on Namibia to hunt. RSA officials stupidity caused me to lose time at the Windhoek airport, but the fun of the hunt overrode RSA stupidity.
Upon my departure from Namibia I routed my bow case to my final destination with no firearms label. USA Customs in ATL waived my case right on through without any problems.
When completing the custom's declaration entering Canada be sure you indicate you're carrying sporting equipment and specify it's a bow.
Safe travels
I prefer TSA locks over tape or regular locks for guns and bows. I've had more than one instance traveling with my dad, who's a rifle hunter, when we got called back to unlock the case after it'd been checked. It's never happened with TSA locks and I've never had items that turned up missing over 20+ trips.
TSA locks on bow case, regular padlock on gun case.
there are no airline policies only check in people policies and if you point this out to them you lose!
if you tell them they don't know their policies you will win that skirmish - maybe - but lose the war on the other end of the trip
Seriuosly not trying to start a debate but both times I was told, after I sprinted to the security area, that if we had TSA locks they could've opened the gun case, inspected it and they wouldn't have need me down there to unlock it. My real world experience differs from what your stating but that doesn't mean I'm right.
Lock a bow case it best be TSA locks, if they want in they will cut them off otherwise.
I hate duct tape or tape of any kind on my cases and coolers. The glue makes a sticky nasty gooey mess of residue after just trip or two. I have a couple webbing straps I use on my cooler.
Most of my stuff is unlocked anyway. In all these years and miles have never had anything stolen. But all the really valuable items I keep with me in my carry on.
kota-man's Link
From TSA: "You may transport ammunition and unloaded firearms in a locked, hard-sided container as checked baggage. THE CONTAINER MUST BE COMPLETELY SECURED FROM ANYONE EXCEPT THE OWNER" TSA locks are accessible by anyone with a TSA key.
The attached link is from Berretta's website and this same information can be found on ANY firearms website/blog by searching.
I was in New Mexico a couple years ago, and the gate agents correctly refused to let anyone on the plane with TSA Locks on their firearms. It sent tons of guys scrambling looking for regular padlocks and several missed their flights.
Now, the problem is most gate agents THINK everything should have to have a TSA lock on it when in fact they are dead wrong. TSA usually gets it right, but gate agents are all over the board on this one.
Take it from someone who travels internationally with firearms at least 3-4 times a year, the law says NO TSA LOCKS on firearms. I've found the actual law before and will post it up if I can find it again. I do however carry two TSA locks in case I meet up with an ignorant gate agent and tell them I'm happy to put the TSA locks on if they are willing to sign something saying I have to break the law to follow their policy. I've never had to change locks. :)
14 CFR 108.203(e) STATES: "The container in which the firearms is carried is locked and only the person checking bag retains the key and or combination."
I believe the FAA makes the laws for the TSA to follow Tilz but don't quote me on that one. The TSA is the "enforcer"...
I've actually had TSA agents come out to do my firearm screening and have told the gate agents..."He's correct, NO TSA LOCKS on firearms."
Yes, TONS of people travel everyday in the fall with TSA locks on their firearms, but they are actually breaking the law.
I apologize to the orignal poster as this one got "off topic" in a hurry.
Good to know and I don't think it's off topic at all is because my experience with one trip with a firearm was one where I was told I needed to surrender the keys so the case could be opened and inspected in Denver. I wasn't allowed to accompany the agent to the secure area. Also, I was told by TSA in three airports that TSA locks were fine on gun cases and had they been on I would've have had to come back for the case to be unlocked. These airports were Montreal, Denver and Reno. Reno doesn't surprise me but the other two should've gotten it right. That said it was about 7 or 8 years ago so maybe the laws changed but I doubt it. I believe the agents simply didn't know better. That was my dad's gun and due to his age and the fact he moves slow and was called shortly before departure I went to security both times he was called so we wouldn't miss the flight. They probably shouldn't have allowed that either...,
All that said the reason it's not off topic is the simple fact is that even if you know the rules and follow them that doesn't guarantee the various agents around the globe know the rules nor does it mean you'll have a trouble free trip. It also shows you might get away with breaking "the rules"....
I think it's good to understand that, smile, keep a good attitude and not start an argument you probably won't win even if you're right.
Sounds a lot like work or marriage!
Lot of great advice here, especially when it comes to dealing with gate agents. Tilz is 100% correct in saying that you need to "smile, keep a good attitude, and not start an arugment you probably won't win even if you're right". Because know if you do start that argument, your bow or gun may end up in Rhode Island regardless of whether you were right or not.
Also, almost everybody kept asking me if it was a crossbow; i.e., their eyes glazed over when I tried to tell them it was compound bow. I had to keep my fingers crossed at the final destination (Whitehorse, Ft. St. John, etc.) as to whether my case would show up at the luggage turnstile.
I'd make sure you have several hours between flights because the immigration and baggage process can take a while. (One time I BARELY made the connecting flight.)
Final note: The luggage turnstile is quite close to the exit, and nobody's there to check that someone doesn't take your luggage while you're waiting in the long immigration line, so I've always crossed my fingers (and my legs if I drank too much liquid that morning!) and hoped the luggage wouldn't "sprout legs" before I got to it.
Sorry to be such a downer about Vancouver, but that's been my experience on the last few trips through there. I've even been advised by some outfitters to allow an extra day at your final destination in case your luggage gets lost/delayed before you're scheduled to fly into the bush.
Good luck on your hunt!
Still when the customs guy asks you the purpose of your visit, you have to be forthright and tell him hunting. If you try to say "personal business" or "vacation" they'll ask you to be more specific. Then, if you haven't listed archery gear on your customs declaration, he most definitely will ask you what you're hunting with, because he'll notice you haven't declared a firearm.
The guy at Edmonton earlier this month informed me that "a bow is a weapon....just like a knife, it kills", and marked up my declaration accordingly. No other issues, and they waved me right in. From now on though, I'll declare archery equipment under the "weapons" category. Even though the custom form cites examples of weapons as "firearms, switchblades, explosives". Knives & bows are not mentioned. Like others have said, the agents each seem to have their own "policies".
