Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
We are heading to Glacier and Bamff this week and some questions have come up about Bear Spray. We are wondering if you can bring it into Canada, if that is legal. Also does a person evan need it. We plan on doing alot of hiking and biking so we will be in the woods.
Also are there any issues about knives going into Canada? Length, type, that kind of stuff.
I thought I would ask people who have crossed into Canada to see if they know first hand. Tired of doing google searches.
Sad to say that my best Bear deterant (.44 mag. ) will be left at home.
__________________
ND Air National Guard/Retired 2014 Cardinal Fifthwheel by Forest River/2009 RAM 3500
We have been to both Glacier and Bamff, we were lucky enough to get to see a Grizzly and her cubs in Glacier and alot of Elk in Bamff. That was a couple years ago. I have a friend that lives in Alaska, he says the best thing is to try and not surprise a bear. If you are out walking trails, make noise let them know you are in the area and they will most likely run off to avoid any contact. He also said that in his opinion, the only thing bear spray is good for is to make a bear really mad and the people who produce it rich.
I would check on the conditions at Glacier NP, last I heard was that they would be lucky to have much access to the park because of all the snow this year.
Good luck
-- Edited by 3fortheroad on Monday 27th of June 2011 09:36:34 PM
I heard a story about a couple of greenhorns that flew into a remote area of Alaska to go fishing. The pilot dropped them off and then after taking off circled around to look for bears in the area. He noticed the greenhorns running around and throwing themselves on the ground so he landed to see what was the problem. It seems the greenhorns thought you sprayed the bear spray on yourselves like you would with bug spray.
nwtraveler, what a funny story. Just got back from Canada and the Canadian Rockies. What a trip! I wish we had more time than just 2 weeks but we are not fulltiming yet. I will answer my own question. No there is no problem getting bear spray into Canada. I just declared it at the border and went right in. Another option for some people is that they sell the stuff everywhere just like bugspray. So if you didn't want to carry it across the border you can purchase it there. We only had one close-up encounter with a black bear. But there were 5 of us and one of him so we looked at each other and he turned and ran. Most bear sightings where from the truck. We heard of many more sightings on the trails but we were like a pack of gypsies with all the bear bells jingling. A note to people traveling to the city of Banff in big rigs. Make sure you have fuel because they only have 3 gas stations and only one of those have diesel and none of those are big rig friendly. I couldn't evan get my dodge dually in with all the traffic. It was Unbelievable.
__________________
ND Air National Guard/Retired 2014 Cardinal Fifthwheel by Forest River/2009 RAM 3500
Maybe chiming in to late but bear spray is good and very effective you can also use a small horn that uses compressed air you can pick this up at any boating store or sporting goods stores.
__________________
Bubbadan
Speak your mind but ride a fast horse, don't look back someone may be shootin and don't miss the stirrup gettin on.
We had a close encounter with a grizzly in Yellowstone a couple of years ago. We were hiking Mt. Washburn and keeping an eye on it while it was on the opposite slope. As we came down the trail and were within sight of the parking lot it had worked it's way to within a hundred yards of us. We stopped to see what it was going to do next. It's a good thing we stopped because about a minute later deer ran in front of it and up the slope we were on, crossing the path about 100 feet in front of us. The grizzly followed the deer as far as the path and stopped in front of us. We did have bear spray, but didn't need to use it. Three of us linked arms and moved quickly back up the path. The bear moved on, but that was way too close. We did get some pictures though!
we went thourgh canada on way to alaska,. container of bear ok, make sure the container states on it that ita bear spray, no mace---, we saw some bears, didnt need spray but it made us feel safe.
We are heading to Glacier and Bamff this week and some questions have come up about Bear Spray. We are wondering if you can bring it into Canada, if that is legal. Also does a person evan need it. We plan on doing alot of hiking and biking so we will be in the woods.
Also are there any issues about knives going into Canada? Length, type, that kind of stuff.
I thought I would ask people who have crossed into Canada to see if they know first hand. Tired of doing google searches.
Having done the Canada Customs thing several times, including just last night in Hyder / Stewart, Bear Spray is considered by Canadian Customs to be a “weapon.” You can’t transport it. We were asked specifically - twice.Anything beyond a small pocket knife is also a weapon.No go there.You might get through, but that was not your question.I wouldn’t take them and a knife won’t protect you from a bear.Yea, we’ve taken some training on the subject.
Do you need any Bear Spray? – No, based on our trips over 2 years assuming you don’t do something unwise, like get out of your car with the a Mama and two cubs 30 feet away like we have seen people do.Common sense and a little care is all that is necessary – along with a camera and a long lens.
) will be left at home.
