Transporting bear hide from Canada into U.S.

[Labs4me]

Guys:

I do most of my hunting around the house so field care, preparation and transportation of the game I pursue - deer, turkey and various small game mostly- has never been a concern. For those who have hunted in Canada, how have you gone about transporting animal hides/meat back into the States? Isn't there presently a ban against transporting certain animal meat and hides from Canada back into the States? Are the meat and the hide from black bear on that list?

More specifically, how have you gone about bringing bear meat and the hide back into the States? Is the answer as obvious as using a big cooler (how big?) and lots of salt on the hide or are there some other suggestions you could offer to this rookie bear hunter?

[d. ward]

Big cooler,unless your gonna shoot a bear like the one's I shoot...that calls for the hugest of huge,12 can coolers of which usely fits the hide the head and the meat..... I take it as a carry on it's so small.No problems transporting across at all as long as you have your lic.tags and paper work in order...no gaul I bet thats spelled wrong blatters and everything else is frozen so no salt is needed generaly....bowdoc

[Ray Hammond]

you need to have your CITES permit filled out, which your outfitter/guide should provide or perhaps your taxidermist if you have a good one locally to you. Do not attempt to bring organs back- you must dispose of gall bladder specifically, where you kill the bear. Make sure its tagged properly...it isn't really that difficult unless one of your traveling companions plays a trick on you at customs.

[hunt it]

Rules vary from province to province just like state to state. Ray is on the money on a CITIES form you must have this to bring black bear into USA. Without this you will lose it ALL. Ontario requires you to have an export permit as well for US entry. Your outfitter should be on the ball on these topics, export permits generally available at license issueing locations. Cities permits from DNR,MNR or Game and Fish/whatever it's called where ever you are. A 300# bear boned out will fit in a 100ltr cooler no problem. Most outfitters not good on salting and prefer to freeze hides with skulls in them. If you get your bear early in hunt I would highly recommend you skin it out and remove skull and salt hide rather than freeze. You need good weather or a dry spot to do this and about 30 to 50lb salt to do this right. Your taxidermist could give you good advice and instruction. I would ask him what measurements he would like prior to skinning it. If he shows little interest and does not care about measurements find yourself another taxidermist quick! Best place to buy salt is at swimming pool supply place $8.00 for 40lb bag if your driving. If flying ask your outfitter to get you some.

[mnbwhtr]

The last 3 years I've brought back 3 bears from Manitoba without a cities permit. Just filled out the forms supplied at the US customs.

[doug77]

same as mnbwhtr but DO NOT salt the hide unless all fat is removed and nose, ears and lips turned. best thing to do is freeze the hide.

doug77

[Tom Phillips]

MY experience crossing border from Quebec into Vermont the last 3 years at least the CITIES permit was not issued to us and not needed.Like HUNT-IT says things may vary by areas.  Good Luck.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Yep....it must vary cause my '06 Sasketchawon bear had to have Cities permit......

[hunt it]

Unfortunatly what is happening is you are getting lucky once in awhile and getting border staff that don't know schnit about what they are doing. That's great until you get one that does know and you'll have a hell of a time. US Fish and Wildlife are the bosses on this one, if you want to be safe, always check with them.

[capt eddie]

Coming from Manitoba you must have a tag for the meat and the hide.  The hide most be whole.  Head tail, feet claws. If it is not whole you are in violation!!!Don't ask me how I know. Make sure that the fish are either whole or filets with the skin on and froze flat so they can see the type and number.  US wildlife went over everything.  Since I cooperated there was no fine. I saw guys get ticketed for balls of frozen fish. And froze in water.  They get the fish and your fine.