Traveling To Canada
Commercial Airlines
Most of you will enter Canada via a commercial airline. Even with connections you should be able to accomplish the trip in one day. Whitehorse Yukon has good service with multiple daily flights into the airport. Once you’ve arrived in Canada, most of the flights are direct from Vancouver, BC via Air Canada. Air Canada may be charging an additional fee for flying with a firearm this year. We recommend using a professional travel agency to book your flights, unless you are quite experienced with the process. If you have questions about airline travel within the US, call or email TSA at: (866) 289-9673 or www.TSATravelTips.us. You will need to fill out the gun form.
On arrival in Whitehorse hunters will rent a car (which can be shared with other hunters on the same hunt date) and travel 5 hours south to our main camp near Watson Lake YK. There are options to Charter a wheeled plane directly to basecamp from Whitehorse saving you time, but with an added expense of around $2500 per trip. From there most hunters will then take a charter bushplane out to hunt camp or use trucks and four wheelers to access the area they will be hunting depending on the hunt style and location.
We use a 3rd party charter company to fly in all our clients and have to work with them throughout the season. Weather is the main issue and can lead to delays in getting hunters in and out of the field. This is out of our control and a regular challenge no matter where you hunt in the north. We expect patience if this becomes an issue on your hunt. Everyone wants to get you out and we will do our best.
Once you book a hunt with us, we will provide more detailed information on travelling to our area, maps, and requirements for firearms, Gear list and a hunt contract.
Airport Security | TSA Travel Tips
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Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance
If you don’t have travel/health insurance protection, I strongly suggest getting coverage through someone. A couple companies I really recommend are, Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance www.ripcordrescuetravelinsurance.com
Global Rescue / Med Jet
Or Global rescue www.globalrescue.com and Med Jet www.metjetassist.com. If you are injured in Canada or overseas, they will fly you back to the US for medical attention.
Driving
Canada is a beautiful country. If you are driving please let us know in advance, as you wont have to go all the way to Whitehorse. It’s much easier to take home moose and caribou meat and horns in your vehicle then by plane. Our base camp is located just west of Watson Lake Yukon (about 10 minute drive) if you need directions to Watson just ask Google maps!
Make sure you have 2 forms completed before leaving the U.S. CBP form 4457. This must be done with U.S customs BEFORE you leave. It will prove you left with the valuables listed and you will need to show them on return to USA. Its good for life, and its also good to put anything with a serial number on it as well. Ie. Spotting scope & binoculars.
Canadian Customs will require you to fill out a NON RESIDENT FIREARM DECLARATION form. Here is a link to find it Firearm Declaration Form . (it will be included in the info pack). You should have this pre-filled to save time. This is all a very simple process and not stressful at all. Just be prepared with the correct documents and there won’t be any issues. (DO NOT SIGN IT BEFORE THE CUSTOMS AGENT ASKS)
Important: When flying to Canada, obtain a Passport. A passport is valid for 10 years and can be obtained online, www.tds.com or by going to your local courthouse or police department. You’ll also need several passport photos (these can be taken at a photo or print shop). A passport is required for all travel to/from Canada and the U.S.
Another option is to use a travel website (Sidestep, Expedia, Travelocity or Cheapest Fare) to buy tickets. Make sure that the tickets you purchase have some flexibility regarding cost and convenience of rescheduling flights should weather cause us any delays, which does happen.
Also, in the event the airlines loose your luggage, arriving early will give hunters another day to get your gear to the destination. Book your flight departing Whitehorse for the day after your hunt is completed, or even one day later. Late in the day as possible is best. If you need help, or have questions in arranging flights, please let us know. Allow several hours between when you land in Vancouver, BC and your connecting flight to Whitehorse, so that you have time to clear customs. This is where you’ll present your Firearms Declaration listed below.
The following should be kept in mind regarding baggage and taking trophies home: Due to high fuel prices, many airlines are charging a fee for all checked baggage, plus a fee for overweight baggage. If you wish to take some meat and your antlers/cape home the commercial carrier will charge extensively for it. Some airlines permit antlers as baggage as long as there is no blood/hair/skin & if all points are covered to prevent damage to other luggage. They will also require you to sign a liability release form. It is common to split the skulls on animals such as moose, caribou to facilitate easier shipping. If an animal is record book size, this should not be done. We recommend using a local taxidermist and broker, or our recommended taxidermists to mount or transport your trophies back to the US. Sheep and goat horns and bear hides/skulls are easier to take with you, as they will fit into small duffels, However getting permits and Compulsory Inspection is sometimes not possible before you leave. You’ll need to obtain a CITES Permit before exporting any Grizzly to the US, so you’ll have to leave it with the taxidermist to have it shipped for sure.
Most hunters will leave it with us and have the taxidermist/broker ship it to them at the end of the season. He cleans everything (beetles the sculls) and take Extremely good care of skins and the entire process to your destination of choice. (your home or your taxidermist). This will cost, but it will actually save you money in the long run, and the hassle of all the luggage and fees. We do recommend taking some meat with you. You can purchase a cooler from the local store and most of the hotels have freezers to use, so it is frozen for your trip home. This is our recommendation for all hunters. Take some meat (50lbs) and let us take care of the rest.
Driving
Destinations is Watson Lake, Yukon. Google maps will get you there!