# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Travel Planning

How to Bring Crossbows Into Ontario for Hunting

The Canadian wilderness is rich with wildlife such as bison, whitetail deer and bears for the crossbow hunter. If you are an American hunter who wishes to test your skill with a crossbow against the inhabitants of Ontario's forests, you will first have to obtain permission to cross the border with your crossbow. Should you fail to declare your crossbow at the border and the Canadian Border Patrol discovers it, border guards will seize your weapon. Canada does not return seized weapons. Unlike firearms, however, crossbows do not need to be formally declared in writing to the border patrol. You can verbally declare your crossbow when traveling into Ontario to hunt.

Passport
Crossbow case

Instructions

- 1
  Be sure that everyone in your traveling party is free from a criminal record. Past arrests for indiscretions such as drug possession, driving while intoxicated and assault can result in the Canadian border patrol denying you entrance into Ontario. You don't want to plan your vacation only to be turned back at the border.
- 2
  Obtain a passport. According to the United States Embassy, every individual crossing into Canada for any reason must have a valid passport or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) document. And of course, you will also need the document to return to the United States.
- 3
  Obtain a case for your crossbow. Ontario law requires all individuals carrying a bow to have a case, and the bow must be in the case and on the ground by 9:40 p.m. each night.
- 4
  Inform the border patrol agent that you are carrying a hunting crossbow when he asks if you have anything to declare.
- 5
  Pull over, if asked, and allow border patrol agents to inspect your weapon. The agents may also want to inspect your hunting gear to ensure that your hunting attire is in compliance with Ontario's laws. All hunters, with the exception of those in tree stands, must wear bright orange vests and caps for hunting.