Hunting in the US with a Muzzleloader

I was invited to hunt in Michigan during the M/L season on Dec 12 & 13.

According to the US border patrol site a M/L is considered an antique gun & does not require a temporary import form to be filled out.

However I am a bit nervous to show up @ the US customs to have to explain it is perfectly legal to bring it across with no paperwork other than my Michigan hunting license. Most customs officers lose there you know what as soon as you declare a gun for hunting & send you in for the long drawn out secondary inspection.


I am going to make some calls to the ATF & Windsor Detroit border to make sure it's not going to be a problem.


I can also use my cross-bow during the Michigan M/L hunt if it's going to be a hassle to bring the smok pole.


If anyone has had a recent experiance crossing the border with there M/L for deer hunting please feel free to respond as to how it worked for you.

Americans aren't nearly as anal as Canadians. IIRC,all you need is a US hunting license from any jurisdiction and you're good to go. Make sure you have a purchase receipt showing it was bought in Canada for CBSA. If you're going to get a hassle,at all,that's where it'll be on the return home. In case what I've posted is anti-dated,though,a call to US Customs or BATFE wouldn't hurt.

print out the document you got the information from and show it to them. It's not a big deal to declare it at the border, they just want to make sure you're taking it back with you when you come home. Also bring your PAL ( it won't hurt)

I have crossed with my muzzleloader many times and never a problem. I switched to the muzzleloader over the shotgun for that simple reason it's classified as a primative weapon and doesn't require any paperwork. Have a good hunt

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Originally Posted by gooseman

I have crossed with my muzzleloader many times and never a problem. I switched to the muzzleloader over the shotgun for that simple reason it's classified as a primative weapon and doesn't require any paperwork. Have a good hunt

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Thanks for the info. I am also wondering about transporting my gun powder through the Windsor Detroit Border. I am sue that is a no no...... :(

One catch to this scenario is it looks like Smokeless powder that I use in my Savage is illegal in Michigan. I think I will use my cross-bow... :)


Muzzleloading Deer Seasons
During the December muzzleloading seasons, muzzleloading deer hunters
can carry afield and use only a crossbow (except in the Upper Peninsula) or a
muzzleloading rifle, a muzzleloading shotgun, or a black powder handgun loaded
with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute. Only
certified hunters with a disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the
muzzleloading season in the Upper Peninsula.

Yea ML's don't require an FBI check a point of sale in the US....I bought one over the counter in NY state at a hardware store.

I thought that you could use BP in those Savages ..just pick up some T7 when you cross (cheaper there) and your good to go ?

I know guys that hunt every year in Ohio with MLs. They have no issue crossing the border. Just make sure you have a card from CBS to prove the ML originated in Canada, when returning.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Yea ML's don't require an FBI check a point of sale in the US....I bought one over the counter in NY state at a hardware store.

I thought that you could use BP in those Savages ..just pick up some T7 when you cross (cheaper there) and your good to go ?

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X2 on this

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Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

I was invited to hunt in Michigan during the M/L season on Dec 12 & 13.

According to the US border patrol site a M/L is considered an antique gun & does not require a temporary import form to be filled out.

However I am a bit nervous to show up @ the US customs to have to explain it is perfectly legal to bring it across with no paperwork other than my Michigan hunting license. Most customs officers lose there you know what as soon as you declare a gun for hunting & send you in for the long drawn out secondary inspection.


I am going to make some calls to the ATF & Windsor Detroit border to make sure it's not going to be a problem.


I can also use my cross-bow during the Michigan M/L hunt if it's going to be a hassle to bring the smok pole.


If anyone has had a recent experiance crossing the border with there M/L for deer hunting please feel free to respond as to how it worked for you.

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https://www.atf.gov/file/61721/download. It depends. Read page 3. Some are antiques are some are not. What version of the savage do you have??? I would call and double check.

you no longer need a hunting licence as long as you are from Canada .. if you fill out the form and fax it to them and have valid email it they usually get it back to you in about 10 days via email. call the atf (304) 616-4550 they will tell you all you need to know . don't let anyone tell you any different

Thanks for all the input.

I have decided to take the cross-bow and here is why.

Smokless powder in a M/L is illegal to use in Michigan (I don't have the time to work up a new powder load or want to mess with black powder substitutes again)

I called the ATF & they say all M/L guns are exempt however when I called customs in Detroit they say I may need it & it's up to the border cop in the booth to determine what they will need to see to let me pas that day????

Not enough time to get the form back from the ATF.

I will be hunting over bait & max distance for an ethical shot will be 20 to 25 yards so the bow will be a better choice.

So there you have it.

Truthfully I would rather hunt with my x-bow anyway & good thing Michigan allows the use of cross-bows during the M/L season. LOL

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Originally Posted by bellerivercrossbowhunter

Thanks for all the input.

I have decided to take the cross-bow and here is why.

Smokless powder in a M/L is illegal to use in Michigan (I don't have the time to work up a new powder load or want to mess with black powder substitutes again)

I called the ATF & they say all M/L guns are exempt however when I called customs in Detroit they say I may need it & it's up to the border cop in the booth to determine what they will need to see to let me pas that day????

Not enough time to get the form back from the ATF.

I will be hunting over bait & max distance for an ethical shot will be 20 to 25 yards so the bow will be a better choice.

So there you have it.

Truthfully I would rather hunt with my x-bow anyway & good thing Michigan allows the use of cross-bows during the M/L season. LOL

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When i inquired at the boarder in sault ste. Marie the guard told me that as long as the firearm was not capable of interchanging barrels it was a Muzzle loader. If you can interchange the barrel to a cartrige center fire barrel then it is considered a rifle and would require the ATF.
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Some of the state's have strange rules when it comes to hunting. Like open sights only some states you can only use a cross bow if disabled. No smokeless powder in muzzle loaders .no deer drives no more then 4 people may hunt together. It would be very hard for a Canadian to keep up with all the rules of each state ..good luck with your hunt ... Dutch

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Originally Posted by dutchhunter

Some of the state's have strange rules when it comes to hunting. Like open sights only some states you can only use a cross bow if disabled. No smokeless powder in muzzle loaders .no deer drives no more then 4 people may hunt together. It would be very hard for a Canadian to keep up with all the rules of each state ..good luck with your hunt ... Dutch

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General firearm season in rifle zones smokeless propellants may be used, but during the "primitive" season only black powder or its substitute may be used. Hunted many of states (Michigan resident) and and never heard of a cap on number of hunters. All states have online regulations posted along with a number to call for clarification.