A question I hear a lot, both from people interested in coming out here to hunt as well as from folks looking to go check out other states (or even other countries) is, “how hard is it to travel with my firearms?”

The short answer to the question is, “it’s not hard at all.”

But everything has its catches, right?  The trick to travelling well and safely with firearms is to make sure and do your research before you go, and then prepare accordingly.  Not paying attention to the rules and policies can make for delays, inconveniences, and worse, it can even get you into legal trouble.  Here are a few tips to help with your planning. 

Packing
First of all, it’s a fact that baggage handlers around the world are notorious luggage crushers.  You can build the toughest, most resilient suitcase, and these guys and gals will do their damndest to tear it to pieces… often with some success.  Anybody remember that 1970’s American Tourister commercial, where they toss the suitcase in with the gorilla?

When it comes to packing up your rifles, shotguns, or even handguns, keep that commercial in mind.  That is exactly how your gun case will be treated on most airlines.  With this in mind, it pays to get the very best hard-side gun case you can afford.  A few hundred bucks spent on a gun case can save you the cost of a scope, or even a new gun.   And if you’re travelling someplace out of the way for your hunt, replacing a gun may not even be an option.

For my budget and purposes, I settled on a case from SKB.  This is a double-gun roller case that ran me somewhere around $250 a few years ago.  The rollers are great, because even with only one rifle, a gun case can be an awkward thing to be carrying around an airport… especially if you’ve already got a couple of other bags.  The added benefit of such a large case is that I can pack other gear in it, such as coats and coveralls, although you do have to be conscious of maximum weight limits at most airlines.  These limits vary, but it’s not often you can carry something over 50 lbs without paying an arm and a leg for the privilege.  (We’ll get to this in a minute.)

Something I really like about the SKB cases is that the hardware is all interchangeable in the field.  If a hinge or lock gets busted, you can get a replacement and put it in yourself without sending your case off to a shop somewhere.  The locks, by the way, are TSA locks, which means that the TSA inspectors have keys to fit it.  This way, I can lock my gun case when I drop it off, rather than leaving it unlocked for inspection.  They can open the case, do their inspection, and then lock it back up for me.  So far, I haven’t received an unlocked case, although I swear the latch looks like someone has been using a screwdriver on it, instead of a key.

One other tip to consider is carrying on particularly fragile equipment.  I always put my video camera and rangefinding binoculars in my carry-on bag.  While the binos are supposed to be shockproof, it’s just too easy to stick them in my laptop case or overnight bag.  Why risk it?

Many travelling hunters will also pull their riflescopes off as well, but so far I’m not convinced that’s worth the extra trouble.  If I had quick-release mounts, I probably would, but the effort to remove the regular mounts, and then re-attach them and re-zero the rifle is too much.  It’s up to you, though.  I suppose if I were packing Swarovski optics, I’d put them in with the binos and camera.

I would also consider removing the scope if I were travelling internationally, because while the US baggage apes are bad enough, some of those guys in the third world can be downright brutal.  It’s your call.

Laws and Regulations
What about regulations?  This is where things get real grey, real fast.  My very first piece of advice here is to call ahead and find out, for yourself, first hand.  Don’t rely on someone’s brother’s cousin’s experience.   I haven’t travelled a lot outside of the US, but even here, the TSA and the airlines seem to be constantly making it harder and more complicated to fly.  Rules change without notice, and what went over just fine 10 years ago may not be the case today.

In general, the TSA requires that all guns be flown in a locking case, and all ammo be transported in a separate case.  You’ll have to fill out a form at the check-in counter to declare that there is a firearm in your luggage, and that it is unloaded.   Personally, I always remove the bolt from my bolt-action rifles, and lock open the action on pump guns and semi-autos.  Do yourself a favor, and make DAMNED sure that rifle isn’t loaded before you arrive at the airport.  At best, it’ll make you look like an idiot.  At worst, you could find yourself face-down on the floor under the knee of an overzealous airport cop.

Different airlines have their own rules for transporting your ammo as well.  Some want the ammo in an original, factory container.  Others merely require that the ammo be in some sort of secure container, so that they don’t have bullets or shells rolling around the cargo deck.  Believe me, it DOES make a difference… at least to the lady at the counter.  Don’t push your luck, or your ammo may well be sitting in some administrative office while you’re off on your trip.  Again, the only way to find out is to call the airline you will be flying with prior to your trip, and verify their rules.  That’s the time to ask questions, not when you’re standing in line with fifty impatient vacationers waiting behind you.

Remember that some states also have fairly strict firearms laws that may have an impact on what you can bring or use, and how you need to address transportation.  Hawaii is a good example.  In the Aloha State, you’ll need to register your firearm within 72 hours of arrival, and there are also specific restrictions on how you can transport the gun.  New York City and some others have strict restrictions on handgun possession.  The bottom line is, know before you go.

If you’re travelling internationally, it’s even more critical to make sure you have a clear grasp of the regulations… both in the country you’re visiting, and for your return trip.  Canada, for example, requires visitors to register firearms (and to pay a fee), and handguns are completely tabu.  Mexico has very strict firearms laws, and many outfitters down there actually recommend using ranch guns instead of bringing your own.

Hunters travelling to Africa often have the option of using a local service (usually arranged through your outfitter) to handle the customs forms and registration required for bringing guns to that country.  From a couple of friends who’ve been there recently, it sounds like this service can definitely be worth the extra charge, as it gets you in and out of the airport pretty quickly.  Speak to your outfitter or booking agent to find out more about the availability and costs of this service.

Other Considerations
Ammunition can be a pain to deal with while travelling, but in some cases it’s best to be sure you can provide your own.  This goes without saying for handloaders, but it’s also important for folks who shoot less common calibers.  Don’t take for granted that you’ll be able to find ammo in your destination, even within the US.

On the other hand, if you shoot a really common caliber and standard rounds, you may do well to leave the heavy boxes at home, and pick up a few when you arrive at your destination.  In the US, 30-06 is pretty darn common, for example, and you can get this ammo almost anywhere as long as you’re not looking for some oddball bullet.  Likewise, the .375H&H is pretty much an international standard for big game.

For trips into remote locations, I like to make sure I’ve got some basic cleaning and maintenance tools along.  A cleaning rod or the Allen wrench for your scope rings can save a trip.  Thinking ahead about little stuff like this is just a smart move.  The same goes for bowhunters, by the way… or moreso.   An extra string, release, and even a spare sight (if you’re gonna be way back there).

Conclusion
So really, travelling to a hunt with your gun (or bow) isn’t rocket science.   It just takes some planning and homework prior to your trip.  In my travel back and forth across the country, I have never had a problem with my firearms (I’ve had much worse issues with my suitcases).

Later, I’ll take a look at coming back home after a successful hunt.