Traveling with Firearms

[PhilLozano]

To All Hunters,

This dosen't only apply in traveling to Africa. I am getting ready to be off for Africa in a few months, thought I would mention traveling with firearms is not the same as it used to be.

Most of the air lines require advance notice that you are carrying firearms and ammunition. Some air lines will not let you travel with them at all! So best be a bit careful when traveling to Canada or Florida or Colorado, just everywhere you travel. Check first.

Also, as you most likely know, if you hand load your ammo, DON'T have your travel bag in the areas where you are loading. You may get some powder residue on it and you WILL BE DELAYED if they catch it (that is the check they do with the little patch that they put into the machine). So best be careful when reloading.

As I said, check with the airlines you are using, some of them won't let you check your gun case as luggage. Even if you have checked with them before, check with them again. A friend of mine, who was a frequent flyer on a particular airline, and had taken his guns before on their planes, took his gun case to the airport. The 'check in people' would not let him check his gun case as luggage, or let it on the flight.

Long story short, he was delayed 3 days. They did finally let him check them as luggage AND upgraded him to 1st class. But this airlines NO LONGER ACCEPTS FIREARMS AS CHECKED LUGGAGE AT ALL !

Best to look up the regulations for the Airline you are taking.

In GENERAL, you are allowed 5kg. (11 lbs.) of ammunition total. Ammo must be packaged in metal, wood, fiberboard or original cases ( I have gotten away with plastic after market ammo containers/carriers, but be aware, most regulations say the former).

Just thought I would mention this to let you know.

Best,
Phil