CANADA-CROSSING the BORDER
When hunting, fishing or traveling to Canada, you need to make some basic preparations.
Get a passport if you don’t have one and make sure your passport is current. There are also FAST cards, but they have limitations. Children need appropriate documentation. Passports are recommended. I take a permission letter from the parents of grandchildren when crossing the border.
You can bring either 24 cans of beer, 1 quart of spirits, or 1.5 liters of wine.
Gas is expensive in Canada; to save money fill your vehicle before crossing the border as well as the gas you plan to use with your boat. You can only bring extra gas necessary for your boat while you are on your trip.
There is a limit on cigars, cigarettes and chew.
Handguns are not allowed. Rifles and shotguns are required to be registered and cost a $25 fee when crossing the border. To speed up your crossing time order the required firearm forms on line. Your bow does not required to be registered and is free to enter.
Currency exchange can be a problem. As of this writing the Canadian dollar is worth $ .75 to our $1.00. A way to handle this is to use a charge card for all purchases, which assures that you will get the best exchange rate. This way you can avoid exchanging into Canadian monies.
Driving in Canada can be a problem. Stay within the posted speed limits (kilometers) and wear a seat belt. Driving at night can be dangerous dangerous when you are in areas of moose. Be careful!
If you or anyone in your party has a felony or misdemeanor conviction you will not be allowed to enter Canada. This includes a DUI. If you have any questions contact the Canadian Border Services Agency at 1-204-983-3500
At certain times, some food products are not allowed across the border. At present it is eggs or chickens. In the past it has been beef or potatoes.
Licenses to hunt or fish are available on line. Everyone who fishes or hunts must have an Outdoors Card which costs $10.00 and must be renewed every 3 years. Non-resident hunters must have an old hunting licenses when applying for a new license. Fishing licenses are either a 2 fish conservation license or a 4 fish regular license.
WARNING! When returning to the U.S. have each fish packed separately with an identifying piece of attached skin visible on the package. Have your fish labeled with your name on it.
DON’T CHEAT! The fines are huge.
Animal parts and horns (bear, deer, moose, etc.) will need an export permit of $35 before you enter the U.S. Buy in Canada before you reach the U.S. customs.
You can’t bring any live minnows or leaches into Canada. Night crawlers must hot be packed in any dirt from the states. Contact your bait store to order them to be packed in paper ahead of time. I have a system of pouring canning salt on the minnows . Then we freeze them for the trip in covered containers. It works!
I hope this information will help you in your trip north. We have been crossing for over 40 years and have had little problems. We have had our vehicles fully searched over the years, but it is in Canada not the U.S. so be prepared. If you have questions check on line. The Canadian Border Services Agency tele: 1-204-983-3500 at: www.cbsa.gc.ca.