TrAveling To AlberTA
AlbertA regulAtion info
Traveling to Alberta Travel to Alberta is smooth and easy — especially if you remember these useful pointers:
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1. Entranc EntrancE into canada
Yo u w i l l b e r e q u i r e d to c lea r Ca nad ia n Customs regardless of whether you f ly or drive. You will need to present a valid passport at the border crossing. At Canadian Customs you will be asked several questions about the purpose of your trip, the length of 34 | APOS | 2013
your stay, where you live, who you are hunting with, etc. It is a very good idea to have some written verif ication (like a contract or at the very least a brochure from your outfitter) to show the address of your destination. At this point, all alcohol, tobacco and firearms must be declared. (See
“Importing Firearms.”) This process usually goes quickly and you should soon be on your way. 2. FirEarms rEgulations
You are, of course, allowed to bring your personal hunting firearms with you — this includes rif les and/or shot-
guns (some restrictions apply, please refer to the Canadian Firearms Program website for definitions of non-restricted, restricted and prohibited firearms, www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ cfp-pcaf ). Archery equipment does not fall under these requirements and therefore has no declaration form. For your firearms, a simple one-page form must be filled out to obtain a temporary Canadian Firearms permit. Your Outfitter will provide this with your Hunt Contract. This form (CAFC 909) can also be downloaded or mailed to you well in advance from Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian Firearms Prog ra m (www.rcmp-g rc. gc.ca/cfp-pcaf ). Follow the links on the left hand side for visitors/non-residents, and then download the “Non-Resident Firearms Declaration” (form CAFC 909). Completing this in advance should reduce your time clearing customs. A confirmed declaration costs $25 (at time of press, please confirm this), regardless of the number of firearms listed on it. It is only valid for the person who signs it and for those firearms listed on the declaration. If you are coming with others who will be using firearms in Canada, you will each need to meet these requirements.
photo by apos
This information current as of 2013, and while the information below is a helpful general summary, it should not be considered official regulations, and is only meant to assist you in preparing for a visit to Alberta. For more information about Alberta, visit www.alberta.ca and www.travelalberta.com.