doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Dove Hunting 101

Actually it is possible legally to purchase amunition in the US with the right paperwork. The Canadian guys in the Cabela's parking lot probably haven't any idea they need an export license or some other type of permit/license. One legal option is to temporarily bring a gun into the US and that requires an ATF Form 6 NIA and any current hunting license in the US. On that form it states how much and what type of amunition you are bringing into the US. You are allowed to replenish that amount while in the US and leave with that amount. The grey area is do you need to replenish with exactly the same type and brand you brought into the US. Arguable I would think.

Tamid, that is correct. One can buy ammo under the right circumstances down there, it's the bring back that's a problem. And by bringing back, I'm not meaning replacing exactly what I brought down. The point would be to acquire something that one can't get up here.

I know guys who have bought large quantities and made it back. Canadian law says up to 5000 rounds. But those who have done it have been lucky. I like going to the US and I like my career and company as an importer. The risks are not worth it to me to mess around even slightly.

It's a whole different kettle of fish than in the pre 9-11 days.

Late last year I was searching for some obsolete waterfowl ammo, and I located a large batch at a dealer in Canada. They would not sell it to me because they said they were prohibited from shipping it to the U.S. True? They would not even ship it to an FFL here.

True. Shotshells are explosive devices. Strictly regulated In international trade, especially in and out of the US.

If you are not a individual or company bonded and licensed to import or export ammunition, then you will not be allowed to do it.

Frankly I'm amazed at the naivetivity of so many of you about this sort of thing. Have you heard of Homeland Security and do you have any idea what they do? Are you aware of the international agreements covering trade in arms and explosives? You don't just ship this stuff.

I would not have thought that international trade between two countries, and more specifically, a licensed distributor such as Gamaliel Shooting Supply selling ammunition to a licensed retailer, and then sold with all due process to a bonafide customer, would be considered illegal activity in Canada. Where do Canadians buy any ammunition, and where does it come from?
JR

Sorry, but I live near the southern border, or what used to be the border. There is no security at this border, homeland or otherwise. Arms and explosives seem to come into the country with impunity. Holder and his crew seem to move arms south with impunity. Have not paid much attention to Homeland Security since Janet Napolitano told us the borders were more secure than they had ever been. It's harder to drive from Yuma to Los Angeles (up to five Ag and Border Patrol checkpoints, depending on your route) than it is to smuggle drugs and illegals from Mexico.

Besides, Canada is more like a northern suburb than a separate country.

Canvasback: I admire your pluck, but it sounds like it would be much easier to just come south of the border and hunt the little rascals down here. Survey your friends and family down in the lower 48 for an appropriate location and either bring a gun or borrow one.

I assume Canadians can buy out-of-state small game licenses? If you ever find yourself on the American side of the Rainy River in early October, let me know. It will be a little late for doves, but I'm sure I can find appropriate ordnance and some form of game for entertainment.

John, it is not illegal activity in Canada. It is illegal in the United States. I don't know how much clearer I can be about this. I have tried to be explicit in this thread.....The Canadian authorities are fine with individuals importing up to 5000 of properly documented shotshells. It is getting the authorization from the American authorities to export them that is the difficulty.

We buy ammunition made by the companies that have either set up shop in Canada or from those in the US that have spent the money and jumped through the regulatory hoops demanded by the US government. Those that come to mind are Winchester, Remington, Federal, Kent and Rio. Sadly neither RST or Polywad has seen fit to join that club. Now, just because a specific load is available in the USA from one of these brands does not mean the same load is available up here. It is a smaller market (think California with more restrictive gun laws) and the laws of commerce mean smaller markets get less selection as the more esoteric and specialty markets may not have enough volume to support a specific product.

When consumers do go to buy ammunition in Canada, like you, we go to our hunting and fishing stores, some general sporting good shops, big box guys like Cabelas and Bass Pro, etc.. But remember Cabelas for example, can't take ammo from a store or One of their distribution centres in the US and ship it up to Canada. They source from distributors in Canada.

This is now a little off topic and I appreciate everyone's attempts to help me out with getting useful loads but just bringing some in from the easily accessible pile in the USA does not work.

Lloyd, LOL, you may be onto something there.

It's quite easy for me to both hunt in the US and to get my guns across. Hunting licences for anyplace I have wanted to go in the past are on line so almost instant. And once a licence is bought, an application has to be made to ATF for authorization for the specific guns I want to bring with me. That is simple to do although it will take a few weeks.

Replacement, perhaps we law abiding Canadians are less dangerous and easier to scare than some of our Mexican friends. An easier target for the current administration.

The border used to be a snap. I've crossed with no ID. I've rolled up in a motor home...

"Where are you boys going?" "Pollock, SD"
"What are you intending to do" "Hunt"
"Got any guns" "Yup"
"Have a great trip!"

Sadly those days are gone.