We are heading to Glacier and Bamff this week and some questions have come up about Bear Spray. We are wondering if you can bring it into Canada, if that is legal. Also does a person evan need it. We plan on doing alot of hiking and biking so we will be in the woods.
Also are there any issues about knives going into Canada? Length, type, that kind of stuff.
I thought I would ask people who have crossed into Canada to see if they know first hand. Tired of doing google searches.
Sad to say that my best Bear deterant (.44 mag. ) will be left at home.
GENECOP said
05:59 PM Jun 27, 2011
Shotguns are permitted in Canada as long as the rules are followed, I would think if you want Bear spray just pick it up there......
3fortheroad said
09:20 PM Jun 27, 2011
We have been to both Glacier and Bamff, we were lucky enough to get to see a Grizzly and her cubs in Glacier and alot of Elk in Bamff. That was a couple years ago. I have a friend that lives in Alaska, he says the best thing is to try and not surprise a bear. If you are out walking trails, make noise let them know you are in the area and they will most likely run off to avoid any contact. He also said that in his opinion, the only thing bear spray is good for is to make a bear really mad and the people who produce it rich.
I would check on the conditions at Glacier NP, last I heard was that they would be lucky to have much access to the park because of all the snow this year.
Good luck
-- Edited by 3fortheroad on Monday 27th of June 2011 09:36:34 PM
janieD said
08:02 AM Jun 28, 2011
Have friends there now and from the photos of Glacier he has posted, it is beautiful and open. Don't know on the spray.
nwtraveler said
02:55 PM Jul 5, 2011
I heard a story about a couple of greenhorns that flew into a remote area of Alaska to go fishing. The pilot dropped them off and then after taking off circled around to look for bears in the area. He noticed the greenhorns running around and throwing themselves on the ground so he landed to see what was the problem. It seems the greenhorns thought you sprayed the bear spray on yourselves like you would with bug spray.
Kim
Scubabeck said
07:44 PM Jul 7, 2011
ROFLMAO...that is the best one I've hear in a long time!
Priceless
MNdrifters said
06:29 PM Jul 15, 2011
nwtraveler, what a funny story. Just got back from Canada and the Canadian Rockies. What a trip! I wish we had more time than just 2 weeks but we are not fulltiming yet. I will answer my own question. No there is no problem getting bear spray into Canada. I just declared it at the border and went right in. Another option for some people is that they sell the stuff everywhere just like bugspray. So if you didn't want to carry it across the border you can purchase it there. We only had one close-up encounter with a black bear. But there were 5 of us and one of him so we looked at each other and he turned and ran. Most bear sightings where from the truck. We heard of many more sightings on the trails but we were like a pack of gypsies with all the bear bells jingling. A note to people traveling to the city of Banff in big rigs. Make sure you have fuel because they only have 3 gas stations and only one of those have diesel and none of those are big rig friendly. I couldn't evan get my dodge dually in with all the traffic. It was Unbelievable.
bubbadan said
07:36 PM Jul 17, 2011
Maybe chiming in to late but bear spray is good and very effective you can also use a small horn that uses compressed air you can pick this up at any boating store or sporting goods stores.
Wildrose Acres said
07:31 AM Jul 23, 2011
We had a close encounter with a grizzly in Yellowstone a couple of years ago. We were hiking Mt. Washburn and keeping an eye on it while it was on the opposite slope. As we came down the trail and were within sight of the parking lot it had worked it's way to within a hundred yards of us. We stopped to see what it was going to do next. It's a good thing we stopped because about a minute later deer ran in front of it and up the slope we were on, crossing the path about 100 feet in front of us. The grizzly followed the deer as far as the path and stopped in front of us. We did have bear spray, but didn't need to use it. Three of us linked arms and moved quickly back up the path. The bear moved on, but that was way too close. We did get some pictures though!
gpdshea said
04:19 PM Aug 4, 2011
we went thourgh canada on way to alaska,. container of bear ok, make sure the container states on it that ita bear spray, no mace---, we saw some bears, didnt need spray but it made us feel safe.
Bill and Linda said
04:55 PM Aug 4, 2011
MNdrifters wrote:
We are heading to Glacier and Bamff this week and some questions have come up about Bear Spray. We are wondering if you can bring it into Canada, if that is legal. Also does a person evan need it. We plan on doing alot of hiking and biking so we will be in the woods.
Also are there any issues about knives going into Canada? Length, type, that kind of stuff.
I thought I would ask people who have crossed into Canada to see if they know first hand. Tired of doing google searches.
Having done the Canada Customs thing several times, including just last night in Hyder / Stewart, Bear Spray is considered by Canadian Customs to be a “weapon.” You can’t transport it. We were asked specifically - twice.Anything beyond a small pocket knife is also a weapon.No go there.You might get through, but that was not your question.I wouldn’t take them and a knife won’t protect you from a bear.Yea, we’ve taken some training on the subject.
Do you need any Bear Spray? – No, based on our trips over 2 years assuming you don’t do something unwise, like get out of your car with the a Mama and two cubs 30 feet away like we have seen people do.Common sense and a little care is all that is necessary – along with a camera and a long lens.
We are heading to Glacier and Bamff this week and some questions have come up about Bear Spray. We are wondering if you can bring it into Canada, if that is legal. Also does a person evan need it. We plan on doing alot of hiking and biking so we will be in the woods.
Also are there any issues about knives going into Canada? Length, type, that kind of stuff.
I thought I would ask people who have crossed into Canada to see if they know first hand. Tired of doing google searches.
Sad to say that my best Bear deterant (.44 mag.
) will be left at home.
We have been to both Glacier and Bamff, we were lucky enough to get to see a Grizzly and her cubs in Glacier and alot of Elk in Bamff. That was a couple years ago. I have a friend that lives in Alaska, he says the best thing is to try and not surprise a bear. If you are out walking trails, make noise let them know you are in the area and they will most likely run off to avoid any contact. He also said that in his opinion, the only thing bear spray is good for is to make a bear really mad and the people who produce it rich.
I would check on the conditions at Glacier NP, last I heard was that they would be lucky to have much access to the park because of all the snow this year.
Good luck
-- Edited by 3fortheroad on Monday 27th of June 2011 09:36:34 PM
I heard a story about a couple of greenhorns that flew into a remote area of Alaska to go fishing. The pilot dropped them off and then after taking off circled around to look for bears in the area. He noticed the greenhorns running around and throwing themselves on the ground so he landed to see what was the problem. It seems the greenhorns thought you sprayed the bear spray on yourselves like you would with bug spray.
Kim
ROFLMAO...that is the best one I've hear in a long time!
Priceless
Just got back from Canada and the Canadian Rockies. What a trip! I wish we had more time than just 2 weeks but we are not fulltiming yet. I will answer my own question. No there is no problem getting bear spray into Canada. I just declared it at the border and went right in. Another option for some people is that they sell the stuff everywhere just like bugspray. So if you didn't want to carry it across the border you can purchase it there.
We only had one close-up encounter with a black bear. But there were 5 of us and one of him so we looked at each other and he turned and ran. Most bear sightings where from the truck. We heard of many more sightings on the trails but we were like a pack of gypsies with all the bear bells jingling.
A note to people traveling to the city of Banff in big rigs. Make sure you have fuel because they only have 3 gas stations and only one of those have diesel and none of those are big rig friendly. I couldn't evan get my dodge dually in with all the traffic. It was Unbelievable.
Having done the Canada Customs thing several times, including just last night in Hyder / Stewart, Bear Spray is considered by Canadian Customs to be a “weapon.” You can’t transport it. We were asked specifically - twice. Anything beyond a small pocket knife is also a weapon. No go there. You might get through, but that was not your question. I wouldn’t take them and a knife won’t protect you from a bear. Yea, we’ve taken some training on the subject.
Do you need any Bear Spray? – No, based on our trips over 2 years assuming you don’t do something unwise, like get out of your car with the a Mama and two cubs 30 feet away like we have seen people do. Common sense and a little care is all that is necessary – along with a camera and a long lens.
Safe travels
Bill