Author Topic: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada  (Read 10151 times)

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« on: May 27, 2012, 05:07:22 PM »
I am planning a trip to Alaska (hopefully with my dad) for when I get out of the army.  My plan is to not have much of a plan that way I can kind of lose a little of the rigidity that the military has beat into me over the last 12 years.  There will be only a couple things that I will try to do.  One is to make the trip as inexpensive as possible, not the cheapest but I will be watching the bottom line.  The other is the fact that I will probably be taking a ferry from Washington (possibly Bellingham) to either Haines or Seward. The ferry websites that I have checked so far leave a lot to be desired in the area of ease of use.  I would like to avoid Canada due to the fact that I will be carrying a weapon and want to avoid the problems associated with taking a weapon into our northern neighbor's land.  I will try to camp as much as possible but if the weather is bad enough I wouldn't turn down a hotel with a warm bed.  Anyone made this trip before and have any advice or can't miss spots for me? 
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline Pokey

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2012, 05:09:54 PM »
Yeah I would look to avoid Canada too, and I feel the same as you. ;)
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Offline Bert

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2012, 05:38:37 PM »
British Columbia and Yukon Territory are breathtakingly beautiful, but if taking a gun is that important the ferry might be an alternative, although I don't know their rules about firearms.  But you aren't going to save any money by taking the ferry, taking a vehicle on a ferry is more expensive than riding through Canada. 

Offline andydude

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2012, 05:47:48 PM »
It would be a shame to bypass the rockies and Banff national park !!
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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2012, 06:04:41 PM »
Well, ya got a room when ya get here, pops as well.  Make sure you have a good camera and lots of SD cards and lose your time piece.

Offline Bert

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2012, 08:35:14 PM »
It would be a shame to bypass the rockies and Banff national park !!


And there's more, much much more. For example, the Yellowhead Highway between Prince George & Kitwanga, then onto the Cassiar Highway to Watson Lake, Yukon Territory with a side trip to be Hyderized.  I love that country.  I've done that route 3 times, it will never get old.

Offline C14PAINKILLER

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2012, 11:02:23 PM »
I'd call the border about the piece and see what they say. I used to know some long distance truckers that had guns, especially when heading for the notorious big cities.
There has to be some work around, would hurt to find out. Here is some info.


Firearms
You must declare all weapons and firearms at the CBSA port of entry when you enter Canada. If not, you could face prosecution and the goods may be seized. You need documents to prove that you are entitled to possess a firearm in Canada, and you must transport it safely.


Canada Firearms Centre
Canada Firearms Centre
Ottawa ON K1A 1M6

Telephone: 1-800-731-4000 (within Canada and the United States)
506-624-5380 (outside Canada and the United States)

Fax: 613-957-7325
Email: cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca
Web site: www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca


Transporting Firearms
Canadian law states that you have to transport all firearms unloaded. If you are transporting them in a vehicle, they must be kept out of sight in a part of a vehicle that is kept locked (the trunk, if there is one), unless the vehicle is supervised by an adult. You have to transport restricted and prohibited firearms in a locked case and equip them with locked safety devices to prevent firing. Antique handguns do not require a secure locking device, although all other transportation provisions apply.

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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2012, 06:11:22 AM »
Thanks for the info.  After seeing that it would cost $1470+ to take the ferry from Bellingham to Whittier I might try to find another alternative. 
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline Bert

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2012, 07:30:41 AM »
You can bring a 'long gun' into Canada, if properly stored.  Unless they've changed their law handguns are simply not allowed, and if they catch you with one after you've claimed you don't have one, they'll not only confiscate it, they'll prosecute you.

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2012, 07:55:31 AM »
You can bring a 'long gun' into Canada, if properly stored.  Unless they've changed their law handguns are simply not allowed, and if they catch you with one after you've claimed you don't have one, they'll not only confiscate it, they'll prosecute you.

I won't be trying to sneak any weapons through.  But I might ship my pistol to myself in Alaska and just ride through Canada feeling a little naked. 
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Offline Bert

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2012, 08:11:26 AM »
I won't be trying to sneak any weapons through.  But I might ship my pistol to myself in Alaska and just ride through Canada feeling a little naked.


That's a good plan for the pistol, I think quite a number of people do that.


The routes to Alaska through Canada are wonderful, I've done them 3 times round-trip. Be sure to visit Dawson City in the Yukon, and maybe a side trip to Skagway south from Whitehorse, you'll gain an appreciation for just how tough those Yukon gold miners were. 




Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2012, 08:18:53 AM »
I just checked and according to the operator that I spoke with, I will need to apply for a non-resident firearms permit through the BC CFO (Chief firearms officer) to get permission to carry along my designated route.  One caveat that was mentioned was that the barrel length needs to be longer than 4 1/8 inches otherwise it is considered a prohibited firearm.  Lots of red tape but it looks to be possible.  I just need to wait until the BC CFO office is open to clarify about carrying between BC and the Yukon to get into Alaska.
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Offline Bert

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2012, 09:39:54 AM »
I just checked and according to the operator that I spoke with, I will need to apply for a non-resident firearms permit through the BC CFO (Chief firearms officer) to get permission to carry along my designated route.  One caveat that was mentioned was that the barrel length needs to be longer than 4 1/8 inches otherwise it is considered a prohibited firearm.  Lots of red tape but it looks to be possible.  I just need to wait until the BC CFO office is open to clarify about carrying between BC and the Yukon to get into Alaska.


Enjoy your trip regardless.  Where would you be entering Canada?

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2012, 10:12:50 AM »

Enjoy your trip regardless.  Where would you be entering Canada?

I would like to ride through the Rockies in Alberta so I was thinking about entering around Glacier National Park southwest of Calgary.
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Offline andydude

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #14 on: May 29, 2012, 03:25:35 PM »
That is so cool !!!! Someday i hope i can do that as well !!!
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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #15 on: May 29, 2012, 05:00:30 PM »
That is so cool !!!! Someday i hope i can do that as well !!!

At this point I am also hoping that I can make this trip.  It will be entirely dependent on when the Army decides to release me and if I have a job lined up or not.  I am also looking into some other options for rides that wouldn't be so dependent on good weather.  I for one don't want to get into Alaska and take the chance of wiping out due to nasty road conditions, especially if I am riding solo.

Four corners ride anyone?   ;)
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Offline ZG

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #16 on: May 29, 2012, 10:18:21 PM »
Sounds like a fun trip Jeremy!  :chugbeer:
 
Maybe a dumb question but can I ask why you want to pack the pistol with ya?  :-\

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #17 on: May 29, 2012, 11:44:36 PM »
Sounds like a fun trip Jeremy!  :chugbeer:
 
Maybe a dumb question but can I ask why you want to pack the pistol with ya?  :-\
If he was 'spectin trouble he'd carry a long gun 8)  When seconds count, the cops are hopefully only minutes away.

Offline Rhino

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #18 on: May 30, 2012, 06:05:12 AM »
At this point I am also hoping that I can make this trip.  It will be entirely dependent on when the Army decides to release me and if I have a job lined up or not.  I am also looking into some other options for rides that wouldn't be so dependent on good weather.  I for one don't want to get into Alaska and take the chance of wiping out due to nasty road conditions, especially if I am riding solo.

Four corners ride anyone?   ;)

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Offline TJ

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Re: Trip to Alaska but I would like to avoid Canada
« Reply #19 on: May 30, 2012, 01:18:26 PM »
Visit Amazon and buy a book called the Milepost. It will give you a mile by mile description of the roads to Alaska. Going by Ferry is the easy way out. Do you really want to sit on a slow moving boat for a few days with nothing to do and pay outrageous prices for **** poor food? I have lived in Alaska since 1976 and the ferry would be my last choice. Did it once, never again.

It's your choice of course, but I think you are making to much out of carrying a weapon into Canada. I drove to Alaska and back from the lesser 48 states at least a dozen times and once on a bike and only experienced warm friendly Canadians. Always wanted to talk to me about my journeys and eager to share road information. Carry a big knife if it feels better.

As far as shipping a handgun to yourself in Alaska that's a big Federal NO NO. Only FFL dealers can mail handguns via USPS and if you mail from a dealer to a dealer you will have to be an Alaskan resident to have it transferred to you. FedEx and UPS only ship handguns via overnight mail at a cost of $75-95 each way. But even then not sure of the laws concerning it.

I am not anti gun by any means as I own many and carry them often. The entire highway to Alaska is paved and easy to drive. If thousands of 30-40 foot RV's can drive it every year doing it on a bike is a piece of cake. Only bad sections are where construction is going on or the last 100 miles before you reenter Alaska.

The most scenic drive is to travel through British Columbia up to the Alaska Highway. The terrain changes from mild to wild from forests to high desert. Lots of curves and long sweepers, especially through the area where they filmed the first Rambo movie.

Enjoy the ride, take breaks often, and don't plan on more than 400 miles a day otherwise you will get burnt out. Relax and enjoy the journey:)
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