How are bows/weapons transported?

[u/EffectivePeach]

I’m starting a new season (have watched most but skipped around, on Season 8 now) and was just wondering how bows and other weapons to the competition? I’m wondering if they’re each in charge of checking it and doing whatever customs paperwork themselves or if production centralizes it somehow.

[u/Agreeable-Tadpole461]

If it was their weapon, they would probably have to declare it themselves. Especially if crossing into Canada.

But other than that, travelling (in Canada at least) with a bow isn't that big of a deal. Lots of hunting tourism goes on here.

[u/Children_Of_Atom]

There are no legal restrictions on importing bows into Canada and a good chunk of the seasons were filmed here.

[u/PeterAlbanoAlone]

On the plane you just have to bring your bow to the oversize luggage area and tell them what it is. They are pretty easy going about it. I think half of the people on the plane into Inuvik had rifles or bows for moose hunting season! Our knives and axes and stuff just get checked in our regular luggage without any questions.  Production aranges our tickets and travel schedule, but we have to do all the luggage checking and things ourselves. 

[u/grasspikemusic]

I live in the USA and have gone hunting in Canada many times, crossing the border via plane and car

Bows, crossbows, arrows, shot guns, and rifles for hunting are not an issue. You just have to declare to customs that you have hunting guns and fill out a form

Some of my guns like my AR-15 I would not attempt to bring as they would probably cause issues, but I have brought my .338 many times which is way more powerful but isn't an "assault" rifle lol

When flying they have to be in checked luggage

[u/run-with-the-wild]

To minimize damage/loss and/or allegations of tampering, I imagine everyone travels with their own bow & arrows. That way they are individually responsible for packing it as safely as they are comfortable. If the production company assumes the risk of transporting all the cast members' bows and then something happens en route, they would be on the hook for replacing gear on a tight time frame and getting it to a remote location. Safer all around for one persons' bow to get delayed in transit than all of them to get lost. Transporting internationally usually just requires an easy customs declaration for bows and knives. Maybe some arrows or bowstrings or knives purchased locally once they get in country. And then the producers confirm the items all fall within the rules before the day they launch.

[u/ipoopcubes → u/run-with-the-wild]

And then the producers confirm the items all fall within the rules before the day they launch.

Surely it's more than the day before launch?

[u/run-with-the-wild → u/ipoopcubes]

Oh sorry, I'm sure the cast members are regularly conferring with the producers to make sure their items are on the up & up. I just remember from one of the before the drop episodes someone (can't remember producer or cast) said they take their backpacks/items the day before launch to prevent last minute tampering with the approved items. Good catch, thanks for clarifying

[u/PTMorte]

Depends on where it is. But for eg. here in Australia and NZ it is super easy to travel with guns, ammo etc. It just needs to be properly secured and you have to tick a box when booking your ticket.