I received an e-mail from someone today asking about bear mace, and thought maybe I should write a blogpost for all of you summer campers, hunters and fishermen out there. (And in case you didn’t know, bear mace is more effective than a gun, as bullet wounds usually just make bears more aggressive)Summer is here and people are heading for the sticks. (Via a jetliner) You either like to rough it like me and pack nothing but a loincloth and flint & steel, or you go to your local sporting goods store and max out your card on all the latest camping gear.
So listed here are some popular camping items with a quick note as to whether or not you can take them on a plane:
Animal repellants can go in your checked luggage if the volume is less than 4 ounces and its active ingredient is less than 2%. Bear Mace usually exceeds these limits.
Camp Stoves can go in either your carry-on or checked bag. Oh yeah, you do have to empty the fuel first. (It has happened)
Insect repellents that are sprayed on the skin are considered a personal use item and are permitted in carry-on (3-1-1 applies) and checked baggage.
Insecticides that are used to kill little creepy crawlies (Ant killers, cockroach killers, spider killers etc) are prohibited altogether."
Empty Gas Cylinders are allowed in checked or carry-on bags as long as the regulator valve is removed and we can see inside.
Flare Guns are allowed in your checked baggage, but they have to be stored and declared just like a regular firearm. The flares are a no go and have to be purchased at your destination.
TSA allows fishing poles, but if you’re taking them as a carry-on, you might want to give your airline a ringy-dingy and see if the pole exceeds their carry-on limits. Tackle is OK as a carry-on, but just be sure that you don’t have any knives or large deep sea fishing hooks. Also, tools can’t be larger than 7 inches.
Spear Guns. Umm…yeah Captain Nemo, these can’t go in the cabin, but you can check them in the belly of the plane.
Bow & Arrows. See Spear guns…
Guns & Ammo are allowed to be checked in the belly of the plane as long as you follow the proper procedures.
Safety Matches are allowed in your carry-on luggage one pack per passenger per FAA safety regulations. Strike anywhere matches (I love to light those from my boot heel) are not allowed at all.
Lighters were once banned, but are now permitted in your carry-on as of August, 2007. Torch lighters are still prohibited.
Hatchets and Survival Knives are permitted in your checked baggage, but not permitted in your carry-on.
If you’re planning on participating and camping out at a renaissance festival this summer, we ask that you kindly not carry your broadsword through the checkpoint. Suits of armor are also frowned upon. Did they have jets in the renaissance period?
I hope you have a great time this summer and feel free to use this blog, check out our Web page, or use the Got Feedback? program if you have any additional questions as to what you can or can’t take on a plane.
Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team
***Update 6/11 @ 3:20 PM***
The original line that read “Bug Spray along with insecticides are not allowed in your checked or carry-on bags” has been edited to:
Insect repellents that are sprayed on the skin are considered a personal use item and are permitted in carry-on (3-1-1 applies) and checked baggage.
Insecticides that are used to kill little creepy crawlies (Ant killers, cockroach killers, spider killers etc) are prohibited altogether.
Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team
