Turkey Htg in Montana??

Suka

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Anyone ever head S for turkey to Montana? I just quickly perused the mt regs, an over the counter tag is 115.00.

If not for turkey, I know guys commonly go there for antelope, any problems at the border? What about transporting guns/ammo within MT?

I'm checking out the options, as we are planning a spring turkey hunt and MT is looking like a safer place than BC. You may think this is a lark, I assure you this is not. Thank you for your replies.
 
You have to buy your Montana hunting license then apply to ATF for a permit to take your gun into the States. It can take 3 months to get the permit so if you're going to go you had better get started. I applied last year for Kansas and I never did get a reply from the ATF. I phoned US customs, told them I had my Kansas hunting license, that it looked like I was not going to have my ATF permit and was told if I showed up at the border with a gun and no permit I would lose my gun.
 
Anyone ever head S for turkey to Montana? I just quickly perused the mt regs, an over the counter tag is 115.00.

If not for turkey, I know guys commonly go there for antelope, any problems at the border? What about transporting guns/ammo within MT?

I'm checking out the options, as we are planning a spring turkey hunt and MT is looking like a safer place than BC. You may think this is a lark, I assure you this is not. Thank you for your replies.

what makes turkey hunting in BC unsafe? is it all the guys with red and white licence plates driving up and down the roads?
 
It sure wouldn't hurt to establish some contacts down there. I can't comment on Montana but I do know about Kansas. Hunting there is totally different than what we're used too. In SE Kansas there is very little "crown land" and virtually everything is private, and everything is posted. In Kansas if you were to hunt with a guide and you kill a bird the going rate is $750.00 of which the land owner gets $450.00 so unless you're ready to cough up some bucks the land owner is not likely to give you permission. Also in Kansas it is not uncommon for a quarter of land to be subdivided to 6 - 8 different land owners so it is difficult to know whose land you're on. Virtually every landowner leases his land to deer hunters and up until the last 10 - 12 years they never cared about turkey hunters so you could get permission but with turkey hunting getting more popular landowners throw the turkey rights in with the deer hunting. And down there everybody poaches. It is the way things are done and nobody gives it a second thought. They've done it for generations and they will continue to do it for generations. I mentioned this thing about Foiles to my buddy in Oklahoma and his comment was the prosecutor must not have had anything else to do that day. I know people where I go but even then it is not easy for them to get permission. In Arkansas you hunt more in the bush for turkey and Montana may be that way but for sure I would find out before hand what you are up against.
 
Suka, I talked with a fellow a few years back who mentioned he heads to Idaho every year for Turkey (and often Black Bear). He stated the price was actually a touch lower then BC and he was allowed 2 turkeys. This was about 5 years ago, so what things are like now, I have no idea.

FWIW, I know people who have had their N6a - whatever form back in as little as a couple days. Buy a license (can be for any state, I believe Alaska is the cheapest IIRC) and fill out the application and fax it in. I would be very surprized if you did not get it before hunting season.

I have to ask as well, what is "safer" about Montana?

ETA, this was all self guided on State/Federal lands
 
Never even thought about Idaho, I'll check that out, thanks.

I am reminded of the NFA warning about rcmp targeting of legal gun owners. Ont. had a turn for awhile, last few months it appears BC is getting a taste.

Not saying we Won't go to BC, just checking the options in case the "isolated incidents" start looking more like a trend.
 
Never even thought about Idaho, I'll check that out, thanks.

I am reminded of the NFA warning about rcmp targeting of legal gun owners. Ont. had a turn for awhile, last few months it appears BC is getting a taste.

Not saying we Won't go to BC, just checking the options in case the "isolated incidents" start looking more like a trend.

please elaborate, any links to information?
 
"...than BC..." Non-resident licence there too.
"...problems at the border..." State laws aren't the problem/issue. U.S. Federal laws might be. Read questions 13 and 14.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/nonimmigrant-aliens.html
You'd best rummage around here too. Montana's non-resident licencing isn't cheap. A turkey will cost you a bundle of money. You may find that a guide is required too. http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/
 
By proof do you mean something like official policy? Of course not. A few months ago this forum was rife with tales of what amounted to at best questionable search/seizure incidents in Ont. Nothing from there lately.
Last few months there have been some pretty questionable stories out of BC.

This is my opinion only, drawn from the news.

A couple yrs ago rental cars were the preferred target of carjackers in FL. At that time I wouldn't have thought it prudent to go to S FL and rent a car either.

Pretty simple math guys.
 
ONly "funny" thing I have heard in BC is that some guys who challenged the PAL course when they were minors are getting letters saying that their PAL is invalid now and that they must re-certify. I am not sure what law they are using to do this, it seems that they are using resources in a pointless fashion.

The other stuff I hear is typical of RCMP that dont' know gun laws trying to seize hunting rifles because they are being transported without a trigger lock, which is rare but has happened a few times in BC over the last few years. I advise all our club members to carry the RCMP firearm transport guideline pamphlet in their glove box to give to the officer.

I'm not sure what the OP is referring to as BC being "unsafe" for firearms owners.:confused:
 
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