aushunter

I'd really like to hunt Coues Whitetail in Arizona in the next few years. I'm from Australia and not sure of whether all coues whitetail hunting in Arizona is by draw and what are the chances of success in the draw? I would be going on a guided hunt. If someone could explain the system or direct me to where I could get the answer, it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

ATF replied to my second email: When a non-immigrant alien is transiting through the United States with firearms and/or ammunition en route to a destination outside the United States, the firearms and/or ammunition are not being imported temporarily into the United States for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes. Therefore, an ATF Form 6 NIA permit application would not apply to this situation. Unfortunately, there are not any regulations in place for this situation. ATF’s guidance for non-immigrant aliens transiting by air through the United States is as follows: the non-immigrant alien should have his or her complete flight itinerary the reason for having firearms/ammunition on the aircraft, i.e. registration confirmation of a sport shooting event is their final destination or a confirmation of hunting contract. the non-immigrant alien must make their flight connections out of the United States without leaving the airport or staying overnight. We hope the guidance provided with help the transiting process for you. Please remember this is not a guarantee that no issues will arise during the transiting process. This is good news and means that I will start looking at outfitters operating in Sonora. Thanks everyone for your assistance.

I have to fly to LA or Houston first. But you wouldn't have to clear customs until you get to Mexico I wouldn't think. I've flown with guns through chile and Argentina en route to Uruguay and never had to declare anything until the final destination country. I could be wrong however. I believe that I wouldn't be able to check my baggage through from Aus. to Mexico as the two different airlines would not have an agreement between each other to check baggage through at LA airport. I would therefore have to retrieve my baggage and rifle at LA airport and that's when I believe I would need the ATF form.

I have to fly to LA or Houston first.

It was mule deer hunting that was done from the high seat on a truck in Mexico. If I land at LA airport from Aus.,in transit to Mexico, will I need some in-transit permit from the US for my rifle? Normally a non-resident visitor to the US with a rifle needs an ATF form. To get an ATF form they need a state licence from any US state that they will hunt in. However, I wouldn't be hunting in a US state, but in Mexico. I emailed ATF about this issue and didn't get a reply.

I was interested in Sonora. Then I was told how they do their hunts mainly driving around in a truck with a high seat....not sure though if this is true. I want to do a spot and stalk hunt in the hills preferably on foot. Also, I understand travelling around the north of Mexico is not very safe. Lastly, I thought I might have trouble with my rifle at LA airport in transit to Mexico from Aus. So with all these issues (as well as reading about Jack O'Connor's and Warren Page's coues whitetail hunts in Arizona), I thought I would go to Arizona instead. I've hunted pronghorn in Wyoming and bear, caribou in Alaska. This November I am hunting mule deer in Alberta. I appreciate all the replies I've received.