A buddy and I are considering going up north for a sheep or bear hunt. He's a shooter who has never hunted, so he doesn't have a hunting license in any of the US states.

Does anyone know if he can get a hunting license in BC or ALberta without having a previous license? Does each province handle their licenses like states in the US.

Thanks for any help.

I don't know the rules in B.C. or Alberta, but each Canadian province has it's own rules for hunting. Firearms are a Federal matter.

Bye
Jack

A buddy and I are considering going up north for a sheep or bear hunt. He's a shooter who has never hunted, so he doesn't have a hunting license in any of the US states.

Does anyone know if he can get a hunting license in BC or ALberta without having a previous license? Does each province handle their licenses like states in the US.

Thanks for any help.

When I hunted in BC 2 years ago, I bought the licenses directly from the outfitter and was not asked about a previous license. I would however recommend that he attend a hunter safety course and get a hunter safety certificate. Even if he is an experienced safe shooter, the courses contain useful information that he might not have considered.

When I hunted in BC 2 years ago, I bought the licenses directly from the outfitter and was not asked about a previous license. I would however recommend that he attend a hunter safety course and get a hunter safety certificate. Even if he is an experienced safe shooter, the courses contain useful information that he might not have considered.

thanks for the info. I doubt he will attend a course. Here in WA they are conducted over many weeks at inconvenient locations and are geared for 10 year olds. Plus you have to spend a day at the range having to shoot a variety of firearms, including learning to shoot muzzleloaders. Nothing against muzzleloader hunters, but why waste everyone's time for a small minority? Adults with jobs don't have time for this.

I attended a few of the courses when my son went and nothing against the great volunteer trainers, but 1/2 of the course curriculum was propaganda and impractical info.

How many of us will actually unload our rifle before passing it over to another hunter before crossing a small barbed wire fence?

The basics of safety and ethics could be taught in one or two short sessions, but the bureaucrats in Olympia know best what we unsafe hunters need to know.

Alberta hunting regs require that you have held a hunting liscense previously or have a hunter training course. You may hunt in Alberta only with an outfitter or hunter host [usually a relative] This must be applied for in advance, and takes near to a year to obtain.
Google "hunting in Alberta"for complete regulations

Plus you have to spend a day at the range having to shoot a variety of firearms, including learning to shoot muzzleloaders. Nothing against muzzleloader hunters, but why waste everyone's time for a small minority? Adults with jobs don't have time for this.
Don't have time for shooting? Oh dear, a fate I hope I never suffer! I wonder if all the volunteers finding the time to run the course and the range time are adults with jobs?

Frankly, anything that gives people the opportunity to try shooting handguns, muzzleloaders, "assault rifles", shotguns,etc - an experience they might otherwise find they "don't have time for" - is a good thing. In a day and age of hunter numbers dropping in many places, firearms ownership decreasing in many places, and some groups of firearms owners saying "but nobody needs a <fill in="" the="" blank="">", anything that helps to broaden people's horizons and show them the fun in different types of firearms is a good thing. I don't consider exposing people to other types of firearms to be a waste of anybody's time. Furthermore, I doubt anyone will be able to guarantee that they will never in the future purchase a muzzleloader or be hunting in a group with muzzleloaders present. Ditto for any other kind of firearm - why should we waste the time of those who hunt only with shotguns making them learn about lever action rifles?

I was a hunter safety instructor for many years in a jurisdiction that didn't allow handgun hunting - but all my students got an opportunity to shoot a handgun and a pistol at the range if they wanted to. Funny how many of them went on to buy a handgun of their own. Also telling was how many bought a muzzlestuffer after trying out the one made available at their range day, even though there was no requirement for them to even touch it as they weren't tested on it.

Your chosen guide/outfitter will have all the information you require pertaining to the licensing requirements in his jurisdiction.</fill>

Don't have time for shooting? Oh dear, a fate I hope I never suffer! I wonder if all the volunteers finding the time to run the course and the range time are adults with jobs?

Frankly, anything that gives people the opportunity to try shooting handguns, muzzleloaders, "assault rifles", shotguns,etc - an experience they might otherwise find they "don't have time for" - is a good thing. In a day and age of hunter numbers dropping in many places, firearms ownership decreasing in many places, and some groups of firearms owners saying "but nobody needs a <FILL blank="" the="" in="">", anything that helps to broaden people's horizons and show them the fun in different types of firearms is a good thing. I don't consider exposing people to other types of firearms to be a waste of anybody's time. Furthermore, I doubt anyone will be able to guarantee that they will never in the future purchase a muzzleloader or be hunting in a group with muzzleloaders present. Ditto for any other kind of firearm - why should we waste the time of those who hunt only with shotguns making them learn about lever action rifles?

I was a hunter safety instructor for many years in a jurisdiction that didn't allow handgun hunting - but all my students got an opportunity to shoot a handgun and a pistol at the range if they wanted to. Funny how many of them went on to buy a handgun of their own. Also telling was how many bought a muzzlestuffer after trying out the one made available at their range day, even though there was no requirement for them to even touch it as they weren't tested on it.

I figured my sour remarks would get a response. I repeat...the course is geared for 10 year olds and is not worth that much of an experienced shooter/outdoorsman's time, despite the dedication of the volunteers (most of whom were retired).

Just because something is "good" or "worthwhile" doesn't mean it should be mandatory. God forbide someone never gets to shoot a muzzleloader after standing in line for 15 minutes waiting!

God forbide someone never gets to shoot a muzzleloader after standing in line for 15 minutes waiting!
God forbid more of those "experienced shooter/outdoorsman" out there should volunteer some of their time and presumed knowledge so it doesn't take that long...

I've been volunteering at various things having to do with fish & wildlife, fish & game clubs, etc for about the past 40 years. Funny thing I've noticed about that:
I have never yet seen a the time when we had to turn away volunteers because we had too many of them; in fact, the usual state of affairs is not enough volunteers.
It always seems to be the same faces teaching the courses, showing up for range work parties, etc.
The ones complaining about what they see is wrong in what/how the volunteers re doing things are never the ones doing the volunteering. To bad they wouldn't simply just volunteer themselves and show us how it's done.

Alright - you two have had your say.

How 'bout cooling it and let others comment without fear of someone jumping down their throats?

leverite,
I don't know what Canada requires, but make sure you have a 4457 form filled out and stamped with you for transit back to the U.S. side.

To get one, you will need to take the firearm you wish to travel with to a Custom's office for verification and have it filled out and stamped there. You can fill it out ahead of time, but it will be verified at Customs.

http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_4457.pdf

For more info: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/forms/