Alaska

We just made the trip through BC. This year there are areas to be aware of. The oil boom in the North along the Alaskan Hiway has made camping a little interesting. The man camps are everywhere and camp grounds are really full. Coming back on Hiway 37 was very interesting as the expansion of the electrical grid has improved the road half the way but the northern part is still needing work. The lodging is scares as there are many workers in the area. It would be interesting to make the trip again in a few years to see the improvements. The beauty is well worth the effort.
Ron

I find all the concern about handguns and Canada interesting. I have a lot of experience with rifles but my handgun use came only at a range in Vegas which was great fun. Having traveled coast to coast many times in my country by car and motorcycle I dont see the need to carry a weapon. I have also traveled quite a bit in the States with similar experiences. Been in bear country with lots of encounters and so far no negative ones. All I want to suggest is that avoiding the beautiful west coast of Canada over gun laws seems such a shame to me. I do want to come off as an anti gun person just as someone who encourages west coast travel. It is so beautiful. We are planning a trip to Alaska next July with our pod and have no concerns about negative issues. Besides as an old trapper once said always travel with someone you can outrun. Sorry Hunny. 

Unfortunately a common person cannot mail a handgun-
From the BATF -

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U. S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. A nonlicensee may not transfer any firearm to a nonlicensed resident of another state. The Postal Service recommends that longguns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

Originally posted by Budward   / .. Snipped to here: /   Still trying to figure out what to do about the pesky Canadian handgun laws....wife and I both carry 100% of the time where we are allowed, which is most states.  I could agree to not taking handguns into Canada, taking the trusty 12 gauge for that portion of the trip, but the big question is what do you do with them in the meantime so you have them when you return?

I and my wife are just returning from a round trip to Alaska with our 2010 177, R-pod. Try to take a hand gun into Canada will not end well. Stick with bear spray. The trip is great and will be long remembered.
Ron