If you have a hunt slated this year for a Yukon moose or a British Columbia bighorn sheep, you’re in luck as Canada announced that its border will be reopening to travelers. After 16 long months, the Canadian government is lifting its border closure to vaccinated Americans on Aug. 9 and other vaccinated international travelers on Sept. 7, according to CNN.

Nonessential travel has been prohibited into Canada since March 2020 in order to keep the spread of COVID-19 under control. Now, those who wish to enter Canada will have to show proof of the full series of a vaccine – or combination of vaccines – that are accepted by the Canadian government. These include Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Other vaccines “will not be recognized by Canada,” according to CNN.

Futher, while proof of vaccination is required, unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 will be allowed into the country with vaccinated parents or guardians without having to quarantine for 14 days. And those who are full vaccinated will no longer be required to take a post-arrival test for COVID-19 unless they are randomly selected at the port of entry; however, all travelers will be required to produce a negative PCR or molecular test within 72 hours of entry.

This is significant news for hunters and Canadian outfitters with scheduled hunts in 2021.

Regardless of Canada’s move to open its borders to Americans, the U.S. has not responded to requests to reopen its northern border to Canadians or other travelers from other countries despite the lifted travel restrictions to U.S. citizens by the European Union last month.

“We are continuing to review our travel restrictions and any decisions about reopening travel will by guided by our public health and medical experts,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further updates.