Hunting laws in america?

Question

I live in australia, I am a keen hunter and was thinking of going to america for hunting, The U.S. is famous for being easy to buy guns but what are the rules where would I need to go to buy a gun without licence and is there anyshops I can sell them back after I've finished.

P.S. Where and what's good to hunt at what times of the year, and what firearm would you recommend for your animals i.e you don't have kangaroos :)
Thnx

Answer 1

why not just bring your gun with you it would be easier than getting one here? You just have to check it through the authorities.
people do it all the time. Once you figure out where you want to hunt and what call that states game and fish department and find out what you have to do.
good luck

the guy above me is rambling I had guns way before I started hunting so no you don't need a hunting license to buy a gun and I have never been through a hunters education course but have had a license for about 15 yrs and hunted every year so that isn't required in ALL states some yes but not all so hes wrong on that issue also
and it would be cheaper to come over and buy one from a private citizen then just give it away before you went home than to go through a guide service. which in states such as AZ is perfectly legal. So hes done something right cuz he's made of money.

I'm not saying don't use a guide service if you want one thats fine go for it just don't do it to solve a gun issue.

Answer 2

Hey Sparky, wish I could give you better news. To purchase any firearm in America you need to have legal residency or citizenship. You do NOT need a license to purchase a standard defensive or hunting firearm. Having a concealed carry weapons license does expedit things by 10 minutes to three or four days. Before I obtained my CCW the background check never took longer than about ten minutes. I did hear of some horror cases that took as long as four days for the background check. With a CCW that is bypassed all together. You still have to fill out the paperwork though.

Next: We're coming up on deer season in Texas right now. Deer is really great hunting in Texas. My favorite deer rifle is a .25-06 Remington (an old Remington ADL with a 24" barrel). The .270 Winchester, 308 Winchester and .30-06 are all excellent deer calibers. The last two are suitable for any North American big game.

Bird hunting is also great here and runs somewhat currently with deer season: Anything from Wild Turkey to dove to quail makes for great hunting. For this you'll need a shotgun. The .12 gauge covers everything. I like the over-n-unders myself but there's nothing wrong with the pump actions and automatics.

Wild boars have become pesky lately due to over-population. For this anything .308 & larger will work. Since there are plenty of 400+ pounders I use either a .350 Remington Magnum (the new 673 Guide Rifle from Remington w/22" barrel) or a Ruger Safari Grade #1 in .458 Winchester Magnum. Yes, I know; its an over-kill but ever since I was a kid I wanted an 'elephant' gun and so now that I can afford one, I got one.

Like I said, wish I could have offered you better news. Decide where you'll visit in the USA & ask the Game & Wildlife commission in that State. Here is the info. for Texas:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744
Toll Free: [phone], Austin: [phone]

Best.

H

Answer 3

As a few others have stated, legally purchasing a gun for a visiting tourist is not possible. You are headed for trouble if you really try that.

Instead, think about the game you would like to hunt. Then do a google search for a Professional guide or outfitter in an area that has that game animal. You will have to pay more since you will be an out of state license buyer. But, you can do this all legally. Trust me, you don't want to run afoul the BATF on your trip to the states.

Also consider some other destinations.

Canada - Deer, bear, great fishing,
Argentina - Best bird hunting in the WORLD
Mexico - Great fishing. Some hunting too.

Best regards. I hope you do get a chance to enjoy the American outdoors. Safe travels.

Answer 4

Long arms (rifles, shotguns) are easy to buy and often can be purchased easily. Handguns are more regulated. A rifle hunt for Elk or deer is a lot of fun but some of the states have waiting lists to be able to buy a license , especially for Elk. Alaska has bear and caribou as well. Obviously the game would determine the caliber of rifle but a 30-06 is a good all around caliber but for Elk or grizzly you want a magnum. Buying and selling a rifle should not be to hard or find a place or person to just borrow or rend one. I would think a guide service would set you up with everything you need. Fall is a good time to hunt as the rut kicks in for big game.
Also there is lots of good small game hunting-pheasants, rabbits turkey etc.
Enjoy

Answer 5

Hey there,
If you click here on the link you can download for free Hunting Unlimited 2010: http://bit.ly/1BDAySX

it's completely free and it's very fast to install
You can choose between five locations in North America, or you can go on a Safari in Africa. Later, once you have chosen the territory, you will need to select a weapon among the 32 different ones available and then start hunting.
You should definitely try it

Answer 6

Um, the U.S. isn't THAT easy to buy guns in anymore, not since the crazy terrorists and all the school shooting have been going on. You can't buy them in the newspaper anymore. You have to go through a full background check first.

As for what to hunt and when, fall (now up in our hemisphere) is the time for lots of hunting. Right now my husband is gone on a 1 week trip to Montana to hunt antelope. He gets 3 every year. (But antelope meat is SUPER gamey and tastes really bad unless you don't mind the gamey taste). Other than that, Alaska has the best hunting for moose. I don't know the exact type of gun my husband is using, as he owns around 10 of them. They're large rifles, maybe 30.06 if that makes sense.

If you're into bird hunting, pheasant season is about to start everywhere.

Answer 7

to buy a gun in the U.S. you will need a hunting license, in order to get a hunting license you need to complete a hunters safety course, and also you would need to have a background check done....using a tourist visa for buying a gun will not work.....
being from out of the country your best bet would be to talk to a guide for say a mule deer hunt in Utah or New Mexico(that would probably have the terrain you are most used to/adapted to)

explain the situation and see if there is a guide service for Non-US residents where you could "borrow " a gun for the hunt..... you would have to come all the way over here, and then the guide would have to see how proficient you were with a rifle(if you flinch that bad you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.).......you are not going hunting......

Answer 8

A recently arrived foreigner is not going to have ANY luck with buying a gun from a dealer. No way, no how pal, unless you stay long enough to become a full citizen.

Game laws are controlled by each separate state. Which ever state you want to go to will have different laws and hunting seasons.

Answer 9

I think that wujoosay has it, use a guide service. I have been over from the UK hunting in the USA, it's the stress-free way to go. Guns supplied, laws and seasons explained, licences obtained on your behalf, you don't want to spend half of the time that you are there sorting paperwork, go for it!

Answer 10

I think you are going about it the wrong way...

I would connect with a guide service (email JD) and explain your situation to them. I have yet to use a guide that was not open to loaning a rifle or shotgun to better procure what is being hunted. They definitely want you to be succesful so it is in their best interest to insure you have the right tools.

Discuss it with them, you will be surprised at the outcome. And you won't have to fight any red tape.

Best of luck!