Traveling With Your Own Rifle to Europe; Bad Idea or Terrible Idea?

[Sabre]

I am starting to plan trips to European areas to hunt. This is new for me and I would appreciate input from people who have done it.

I have noticed most people seem to rent rifles from the outfitter on these hunts. My first hunt will come up rather quickly and I will not be taking my own rifle for ease of travel and getting there quickly as a person who doesn't know much about hunting there. This makes me slightly uncomfortable as I've always taken my own rifles even when traveling to other countries.

My concern is that I have seen many people on forums complain about snags while having layovers or travels through Europe with firearms. Maybe those were inflated?

For reference, the areas I will be looking to hunt first are: (Not all super fast or soon, but these are areas that hold interest at the moment)
Slovakia
United Kingdom
Czech
Hungary
Poland
Romania

What is the advice of the more seasoned European hunter, take your own Rifle, or rent from the outfitter?

 

[DieJager]

I am starting to plan trips to European areas to hunt. This is new for me and I would appreciate input from people who have done it.

I have noticed most people seem to rent rifles from the outfitter on these hunts. My first hunt will come up rather quickly and I will not be taking my own rifle for ease of travel and getting there quickly as a person who doesn't know much about hunting there. This makes me slightly uncomfortable as I've always taken my own rifles even when traveling to other countries.

My concern is that I have seen many people on forums complain about snags while having layovers or travels through Europe with firearms. Maybe those were inflated?

For reference, the areas I will be looking to hunt first are: (Not all super fast or soon, but these are areas that hold interest at the moment)
Slovakia
United Kingdom
Czech
Hungary
Poland
Romania

What is the advice of the more seasoned European hunter, take your own Rifle, or rent from the outfitter?

Everything can be done. That said. Use a rental if you want to do a multiple country tour. Much more ease of mind. Storing regulations and travelling rules are different per country.

They have all great rental rifles. If you still want to use your own rifle my advise would be keep it to one country,.You do not have an European Firearms Permit. For us Europeans it is much easier to travel between EU countries.

 

[Sabre]

Everything can be done. That said. Use a rental if you want to do a multiple country tour. Much more ease of mind. Storing regulations and travelling rules are different per country.

They have all great rental rifles. If you still want to use your own rifle my advise would be keep it to one country,.You do not have an European Firearms Permit. For us Europeans it is much easier to travel between EU countries.

Thanks for the input and great point about traveling between countries.

On the first trip I am flying into one country, driving into another to hunt, and flying back home from a 3rd country. On this trip two countries are a necessity, but the 3rd one was just to travel through another country to see some of it.

That was great advice, thank you. Look forward to hearing more from you or anyone else if you think of it. Thanks.

 

[Sideshow]

For the UK you get a visits permit found here

https://www.met.police.uk/ar/applyregister/fao/af/fal-v2/firearm-shotgun-explosives-certificates/certificate-to-travel-with-firearm-to-uk-from-country-outside-eu/?tid=821304&lid=&cid=&rid=1110391&stepid=1-5-2

 

[ofbiro]

All the mentioned countries, with the possible exception of U.K. welcome hunting tourists but, maybe
they are not be happy to have an armed visitor not locally spending any money.
Better you get in touch with all the embassies of the planned countries to know the conditions to enter with firearms.

 

[Sideshow]

All the mentioned countries, with the possible exception of U.K. welcome hunting tourists but, maybe
they are not be happy to have an armed visitor not locally spending any money.
Better you get in touch with all the embassies of the planned countries to know the conditions to enter with firearms.

Don’t know why you think the UK won’t welcome you any less than other countries in Europe?

 

[spike.t]

Don’t know why you think the UK won’t welcome you any less than other countries in Europe?

Also for UK from memory there are companies that will organise a visitors permit for you

 

[Muskox]

You can not currently rent a rifle in Poland. I know it can be fringe legally done.

The rest it will be a heck of a lot easier to just use their rifle.

My outfitters in Hungary, Slovenia and Austria have good rifles.

 

[Muskox]

I would add that Sweden and Spain probably suck the most for this.

Sweden is currently ignoring the EU weapons pass, so I wonder what kind of shenanigans they would get up to for someone outside the EU. The bureaucratic butt rape could be a lot and rapid.

UK it can be done but isn't worth it.

As DieJager and I get to drive and have the European weapons pass, our lives are a lot easier.

One problem is if you want to do some tourism stuff, then you have this problem that can't be ignored or left alone.

You can't just leave it in your hotel room.

I am driving to Slovenia in a few weeks.

I am staying on the other side of Germany near Salzburg in a hotel on my way down. That rifle will either be with me in my hotel room or with me in the car 100% of the time. Other than paying for gas, and a quick lunch stop, when it will be in the car. I will have 100% accountability of it all the time.

I am stopping near Salzburg and picking up a rifle barrel from my gunsmith.

Hunting with two different outfitters in Slovenia and driving home.

The rifle has to be secured. This is the problem with hunting in Europe and bringing your own rifles.

 

[mark-hunter]

What is the advice of the more seasoned European hunter, take your own Rifle, or rent from the outfitter?

For non European, I really do not know.
But here are some bullet points.

- Make sure that for every outfitter, you have a letter of invitation or hunting contract.

- All EU countries' gun laws have a legal requirement for guns to be kept locked. And most likely, some of the venues you visit, or some local hotel, will not have a safe. So, in that case keep the gun locked in a gun case when not hunting. The gun case is not safe, but it is better than nothing. When I am a few days in another town for hunting or competition, and need to go around, or for shopping, etc... I take a locked gun case in my car's trunk. Neither is a car safe, but at least I can keep an eye on it. Worst worst-case scenario would be to have a gun stolen. Take all preventive measures to protect the gun from being stolen.

- Germany is very strict and complicated. I know of a case when a person bought a rifle legally (I think in Poland), and was transiting through Germany on a way back home. He was pulled over by police, a routine check, one paper was missing, of all the papers Germany requires, and a gun was confiscated, and he spent a day in the police station. So, either avoid Germany for transit, or make sure you have all papers that they may require.

- check all gun transport procedure for every country you will visit.

 

[Odinsraven]

As you will not have a Euro Firearms pass - unless you are staying in one country - avoid bringing your rifle - if UK I can warn of one "Services company" that organizes the rifle/shotgun - for you -they are a disaster ! PM me if you want to know who they are.

Crossing borders - would be a nightmare - why the Euro firearms pass was developed.

However it is far from perfect - for example I can have a gun on my Icelandic Euro firearms pass which is illegal in most Euro countries! 12-inch-barreled 12ga coach gun! So is what it is!

 

[gcbailey]

Firearm regulations vary by country.I look at the EU the same as US states. Some states recognize others policies while others don't. There also quite a few European countries that are not part of the EU. I think it will come down to how much you want to bring your own firearm(s).

Poland requires you to bring your own firearm. Romania is friendly towards hunters, but their firearm storage requirements are very impractical (hunter's having to leave their firearms locked in a vault that cannot be accessed until going to the hunting area, which is often 3-5 hours away), then locked in vault when not actively hunting).

I ended up renting rifles from my guides. The rifles and shotguns were all quality firearms- Beretta 686, Krieghoff Hubertus .243, Blazer R8 .330 Win Mag, Blazer R8 .308, and Mauser 9.3x62. The process was the same for pheasant, stag, chamois, bear, and roe buck. The guide showed up in the morning with the firearm, we hunted, then the guide would take them back and store them until the next day.

 

[mark-hunter]

In some countries in EU, silencers are legal. In some countries, silencers are not legal.
Conclusion: do not take a silencer.

 

[375Fox]

For what you describe traveling between multiple countries it’s a bad idea. However, there are European countries I’d be willing to take my rifle to as an American. A major difference with European hunts though is they are short. Typically 2-5 days. When hunts are short, most shots are relatively close, and the normal rental rifle is a Blaser with an illuminated Swarovski scope renting makes a lot of sense. The paperwork and process is the same in Spain whether you bring your rifle or not. It’s easy, You obtain the permit from the consulate in US before you leave. Austria is apparently extremely easy to bring your own rifle. France is supposedly not a problem. Romania can be done (if I remember right @WAB had to leave his rifle in airport for some issue and pick up on return). Even in countries where bringing your rifle isn’t a problem traveling with it will be. I’m not familiar with all European firearm laws but you will likely be technically breaking some at all times because you won’t have a gun safe. Some hotels don’t want firearms on their premises. Gun ownership isn’t a casual thing like in US. If I was hunting a single area from one hotel and only going there to hunt I’d consider bringing my own rifle but if any traveling is involved during hunt I’m renting. I likely bring my own rifle to Spain next year.

 

[DieJager]

The problematic part is the traveling with and the storage of your firearms through different countries. Especially when you are not hunting. Anything is possible with good preparation. The question is do you want all the extra stress and difficulties of figuring out what to do, interpretation of the law by different government entities and not speaking the language if something is not right.

If it is a hunting only trip with multiple countries from one hunting area to the other it is less difficult still lot of things to take care of. You do not want to get caught with a weapon in some hotel, not speaking the language etc and then have a day long "interview" . Takes away the joy.

A rental is the best option. If you still want to do it make a schedule and a definitive list of places and countries you want to visit. Then we can give a more detailed advice. You have to prepare this way in advance to have the time to ask the right questions.

 

[Muskox]

Reminds me, I need to look at my WBK and make sure everything I am bringing is listed on the WBK I have in my possession and not with the one that is in Koln waiting on the beaurocrats to put my new barrel on it.

 

[Muskox]

Firearm regulations vary by country.I look at the EU the same as US states. Some states recognize others policies while others don't. There also quite a few European countries that are not part of the EU. I think it will come down to how much you want to bring your own firearm(s).

Poland requires you to bring your own firearm. Romania is friendly towards hunters, but their firearm storage requirements are very impractical (hunter's having to leave their firearms locked in a vault that cannot be accessed until going to the hunting area, which is often 3-5 hours away), then locked in vault when not actively hunting).

I ended up renting rifles from my guides. The rifles and shotguns were all quality firearms- Beretta 686, Krieghoff Hubertus .243, Blazer R8 .330 Win Mag, Blazer R8 .308, and Mauser 9.3x62. The process was the same for pheasant, stag, chamois, bear, and roe buck. The guide showed up in the morning with the firearm, we hunted, then the guide would take them back and store them until the next day.

Wow a Krieghoff Hubertus? Wow!

 

[DieJager]

I take a locked gun case in my car's trunk

That is for example not allowed in my home country if you are not in the vehicle present or within a few meters. Penalties are real harsh. Confiscating of all weapons and loss of hunting license ( multiple years up to 8). If I stop for gas I'm legally required to take the gun case with me to pay in the gas station. Seeing my car is not enough.

Some countries require a trigger lock. The list goes on and on.

 

[Rimbaud]

Firearm regulations vary by country.I look at the EU the same as US states. Some states recognize others policies while others don't. There also quite a few European countries that are not part of the EU. I think it will come down to how much you want to bring your own firearm(s).

Poland requires you to bring your own firearm. Romania is friendly towards hunters, but their firearm storage requirements are very impractical (hunter's having to leave their firearms locked in a vault that cannot be accessed until going to the hunting area, which is often 3-5 hours away), then locked in vault when not actively hunting).

I ended up renting rifles from my guides. The rifles and shotguns were all quality firearms- Beretta 686, Krieghoff Hubertus .243, Blazer R8 .330 Win Mag, Blazer R8 .308, and Mauser 9.3x62. The process was the same for pheasant, stag, chamois, bear, and roe buck. The guide showed up in the morning with the firearm, we hunted, then the guide would take them back and store them until the next day.

Hi GC. I was planning on bringing my rifle to Romania but am now reconsidering based on your post. We land in Cluj, and we are renting a car to drive Transylvania before meeting our guide in Deva. Sounds like I should borrow Antal's rifle and limit a hassle?!

 

[wesheltonj]

I took my SAKO 308 to Slovenia and Croatia. Really easy entering and exiting with it through Slovenia. Slovenia the ammo went into the gun case and only one airline firearms charge. Had I flown into Croatia, the ammo would have had to travel separate and another airlines firearms handling fee, that would have been too expensive. Luckily the booking agent, picked me up and took me to the various areas to hunt. The problem was lugging around the Pelican 1750 case until he picked the gun to store while sightseeing before hunting. After problem was the 1750 barely fit into the back of his Toyota Truck. I will not carry the 1750 again in Europe.

Next year I am head to Spain and some other counties to sightsee (Portugal, Andorra and maybe maybe a couple of others), so I will be renting a gun (outfitters Blaser). If I were to take a gun back to Europe, it would have to be a takedown rifle, so I could use a smaller more portable case to travel with the firearm. Hope this helps.