Crossing the border to Pa with a long gun

[rick_iles]

I do both, on my fall trip I am passing through and am not required to show my licence. During my spring snow hunt I am required to provide my state licence at the boarder. The form 6 is good for 12 months.

So, from what you have said, when passing through the States, no licence required. When actually hunting in the States, you have to show a hunting licence as well as Form 6 ??? I hunt a couple times a year in NW Ontario. I no longer need s hunting licence to pass through the States, nor do I need a Form 6.....The OP was regarding hunting in the States. Brent posted that a licence was no longer needed. Everything points to the fact that a licence IS needed to hunt in the States.....your experience posted bears that out !

[Gunner 38]

After retiring from the rat-race my wife and I transitioned into SNOWBIRDS . For 10 years in a row we travelled (by RV) through the temperate parts of the States . Always from Oct. to the end of March . --- In order to take my long-arms with me I was required to apply to ATF and send them a copy of a (then) current hunting-licence . Regardless of where I was going to hunt (and then buy the appropriate licence) they were satisfied as long as I showed them 1 licence . --- Soooo , it was prudent to hop onto the bike and scoot into Watertown/NY and acquire the cheapest hunting-licence . I had no intention to hunt in NY but this enabled me to bring my guns in . --- Generally I purchased licences in Florida and Texas ; whenever I felt like hunting . --- Before leaving Canada I recorded the pea-shooters at can. Customs . --- The whole undertaking was a bit time-consuming but never caused any problems .

[Dakota Creek]

As mentioned you need "some" state's hunting license to apply for the form 6 with the ATF for the temporary import of long guns.

Not sure if it is still true but just after the form 6 was required (post 911) North Dakota (?) even had a generic hunting licence .... Was not good for any game, but it was good for getting that form 6 piece of paper! It was $10 or $15 ... Cheaper than a true licence! Someone in that state was thinking as they made a lot of $$$$ from Canadians simply applying to the ATF! :-)

[krakadawn]

For clarification, a hunting license is no longer required to receive a form 6 as it was before. There are 2 of us currently in the US that received permits without the hunting licence. I would however suggest you purchase one for additional possession of ammunition beyond what you declared on the form 6.
Dakota Creek's suggestion is accurate....cheapest way to go.

[JoePa]

Ok, here is another question if I may? Skeeter, not trying hijack your thread, but I think this might fall into a similar situation?
A buddy of mine lives in Ohio and has invited me many times to come down for a deer hunt. It's shotgun only and since I don't have anything good enough to use, he has told me that he can let me use one of his. So I'm not entering the U.S. with a firearm or ammuntion, but I'll be carrying a borrowed one while there hunting. Where does this fall into the law? Anyone know?

All you would need is a non-resident license and you can hunt - that's one way to avoid the forms - have a buddy lend you a gun when you get here to hunt - I live in Pa. and if I wanted to hunt in another state I would also need the same non-resident license -

[dutchhunter]

so with scopes being a problem to bring back to Canada .could a guy not buy a new scope well done there with your hunting gun and put it on your rifle before coming back across the boarder .I am just wondering how much you could really save on say a luppy vxr shotgun scope.if you put it on your gun before you head home .would thy ding you at the boarder .even if you told them your scope broke and you needed a replacement ,just wondering ,Dutch

[Dakota Creek]

Dutchhunter .... Not aware of item specific limitations but depending upon the length of your stay you are allowed to bring the following home under personal exemptions - 24 hours is $200 CDN, 48 hours is $800 CDN, 7 days is $800 CDN

[Fox]

Dutchhunter .... Not aware of item specific limitations but depending upon the length of your stay you are allowed to bring the following home under personal exemptions - 24 hours is $200 CDN, 48 hours is $800 CDN, 7 days is $800 CDN

It has to do with US export laws, even range finders marketed for golfers are illegal for export unless you have a permit. This is all part of the Homeland Security laws.

[zoli 16ga.]

You DO NOT 'need' to acquire a U.S hunting license to bring a long gun to the U.S. I go there for friendly sporting clays shoots every year. Only ATF form required. Last year Canada customs did check our guns on the way back in, to make sure the serial numbers matched what was on the ATF forms.

D.

[Gunner 38]

You DO NOT 'need' to acquire a U.S hunting license to bring a long gun to the U.S. I go there for friendly sporting clays shoots every year. Only ATF form required. Last year Canada customs did check our guns on the way back in, to make sure the serial numbers matched what was on the ATF forms.

D.

That's probably true because you're competing in registered shooting-events . --- Joe Blow generally needs a proper reason (in their view) to cross the border with a gun . Alas , --- a hunting-licence .