Okay, I think I've seen enough. The shotgun's staying home. I'll take my chances with the bears. Too many variables and unknowns. When I drove into Canada at the Kingsgate checkpoint (from Idaho on Hwy 95) both in 1986 and 2017, it was a breeze. Sounds like things are too uptight and risky now. I've got a strong sense now of Moore's law looming over it all: If I go unarmed, I'll breeze right through; if I take the shotgun, it'll all go south. Thanks again for the tips! Will let y'all know how it goes.
Bear spray and a small co2 air horn are great for getting you out of an animal confrontation on the trail.
I dunno if you'd find the border crossing any tougher than 2017, but crossing international boundaries can be problematic any time. Border agents have far more powers of detention, search and seizure than any regular cop...they can make your life miserable and there is little to no recourse for us plebs. That said, they don't always exercise their full powers and unnecessary detention, search and seizure is not common.
If it was me...this is what I'd do and have done for years (except the firearm part...never crossed a border with one)
- Make sure I had all my documentation in order.
- Make as many calls to the appropriate people as possible to make sure I'd covered my bases.
- Ensure the firearm is legal for import and abide by the rules for storage and transport in Canada.
- Travel in a vehicle and use luggage that has been purchased new by me to avoid the possible taint of past illegal narcotics.
- Have no criminal record or no criminal history of any kind.
- Immediately disclose the presence of the firearm upon pulling up to the border agent.
I have NEVER been pulled into 'secondary' for extra inspections by US Customs or CBSA. I have been delayed for hours while border agents give me the big, hairy eyeball or stare at paper or vehicles and talk in short, abrupt and mumbled sentences and generally make me feel uncomfortable. I have witnessed more than a few people having a really bad day at the border too. I gotta say though, that most of those folks were likely dumb as stumps and did something really stupid to get the attention of the officers. Like say having a vehicle reeking of pot or having some kind of criminal past and trying to hide sh#t from the officers...just fantastically dumb.
Forewarned is forearmed, but it doesn't necessarily mean don't do it. Just be aware and understand that none of us knows the day when we will pull up to the border and things might go sideways for us.
To my understanding and backed up by experience...proactive disclosure of anything that could be considered an offensive weapon is a good idea. Other than border agents finding illegal substances in your possession or sussing out that you're not going to be doing what you say you are...it should all be smooth sailing for you.