With summer nearly half over thousands of sportsmen and women are preparing for what may be there first adventure travel experience in Canada. Although a close neighbor, Canada is a foreign country with its own laws, customs and in the case of Quebec, language. Whether crossing into Canada or back into the US at the end of your trip, there is information you should be aware of and documents to be submitted. In this, the first of a two part series, we will look at what is required for getting into Canada.

Gun Declaration Forms: Hunting is big business in Canada and that business is heavily dependent on US customers. As a result, procedures for bringing your guns across the border have been developed to be relatively simple. The whole process hinges on the completion of a Canadian Customs "Firearms Declaration Form". This document available directly from a custom's office but more typically supplied by your outfitter or adventure agent, should be read carefully and filled out in advance. The form requires your basic address information along with the serial numbers of your guns. DO NOT SIGN the form, as a Canadian custom's agent must witness it at the time of entry. You will also be required to pay a submission fee of $50 Canadian. It is not necessary to bring your guns into the customs office unless requested. Pistols and fully automatic rifles may not be brought into Canada. Your gun declaration is good for 12 months and can be used at any time crossing the border to declare the same or additional guns. There is no set number of guns that can be brought over at one time. The form has spaces to declare 3. If you decide to bring in more than that you should probably anticipate some questions.

Personal identification and other documents: In addition to your gun decs you also need at least two forms of identification, one of which must be a passport or birth certificate. Typically your driver's license will suffice, however if you have an old style Vermont license with no photo you may be asked to show a photo ID as well. It is also a good idea to have trip papers from your outfitter or travel agent that specifically identify your outfitter destination, reservation dates, and show that your trip is paid for.

Restrictions on food and beverage: Regardless of how long your trip and providing you are at least 18 years old, you may only bring one case of beer (24 count) or 40 oz. of liquor. If you are over in these quantities you will be required to pay taxes and duty. Because European plan hunts require participants to bring their own food there are only minimal considerations in this area. For instance; you are allowed not more than 2 dozen eggs, 12.5 pounds of meat and 20 pounds of dairy products, per person. It might be suggested that this is way too much cholesterol anyway. And on the subject of "not good for you", you may also cross the border with one carton of cigarettes. More information on restricted items is available by visiting: www.asfc.gc.ca

Credit cards and currency: Variables such as how long you will be in the country and the type of destination you are visiting make it is impossible to suggest how much Canadian money you should have but you will be money ahead if you have enough for sundry items, tips, tolls etc. Use of credit cards is strongly recommended as you are guaranteed the exact exchange rate, this is somewhat complicated however by the fact that in remote areas some commercial establishments and even outfitters are not set up to accept them.

Other considerations: The showstopper that is often over-looked involves an individual's police record. You may be refused entry into Canada if you have been convicted of a DUI or DWI within the last 10 years or have assault charges on your record. If you have been convicted of a criminal offense that involved a firearm your chances of being allowed entry are non- existent. For more information on Canadian immigration restrictions visit: http://newyork.gc.ca

In reality most individuals crossing into Canada for a hunting or fishing trip experience only minor delay and in fact, if you don't have guns you will probably be waved right through. If you are flying into Canada you will pass through customs at the airport and be required to follow the same procedures as previously described.

In Part II of "Crossing The… Border" appearing in the August issue of Outdoor Magazine we will look at information and documents necessary to re-enter The United States from Canada.