Guide Training?
- Thread starter Rotaxpower
- Start date
- Location
- Lakes District BC
there used to be a school of sorts in smithers BC that did guide/outfitter training for horses etc, I couldnt tell you if they still exist or not, most of the guides I know including myself just went for it, find a outfitter in need of a guide and ask for the job, if your a good hunter and can deal with people on a 24hr basis you will be fine
bone-collector said:
This is the Wilderness Guiding Skills program from Northwest Community college in Smithers. It's a great program with very experienced instructors/guides. RT, if you're looking for a guiding school this is the one. It's a very LONG program so be prepared. Pretty much guaranteed a job after grad, hunting, fishing, or eco-tourism guiding which is all taught there. Good times for sure.
-grad 94'
http://www.nwcc.bc.ca/programs/wgs.cfm
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Rotax,
Without spending the money on a guide school (which isnt a bad thing it that interests you) I would find an outfitter who needs some help and work as a grunt/wrangler/cook and make your way into the outfitter. You'll make money, learn in the bush, and have fun doing it. Best off, you'll have a good reference and you'll learn the way they want it done.
Just my opinion. If you have some good hunting experience, you'll be fine and learn the 'guiding' part of the biz from an outfitter. I would suggest starting in a bear camp in the spring and then workin over the summer and then into the fall.
Send me a PM or an email if you're interested in taking this route as I've worked for a few outfitters in Alberta and BC and have some contacts if you want.
Without spending the money on a guide school (which isnt a bad thing it that interests you) I would find an outfitter who needs some help and work as a grunt/wrangler/cook and make your way into the outfitter. You'll make money, learn in the bush, and have fun doing it. Best off, you'll have a good reference and you'll learn the way they want it done.
Just my opinion. If you have some good hunting experience, you'll be fine and learn the 'guiding' part of the biz from an outfitter. I would suggest starting in a bear camp in the spring and then workin over the summer and then into the fall.
Send me a PM or an email if you're interested in taking this route as I've worked for a few outfitters in Alberta and BC and have some contacts if you want.
Take Rackmastr's advice.........yes the schools will teach you alot but there is nothing like being there and doing it.......if you are good with people and have a sense of humour, you are well on your way. Feel free to give me a shout if you like and I will do what I can to help you.
Adrian J Hare
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NewLowell On. Can.
One thing to keep in mind with your plan is wether or not your married. When taking on this sort of job , families tend to get ignored and problems start to rise at the home front. It is only fair to yourself , your family and the Outfitter you plan on working with. Its a great idea if your single , but just talk it over before jumping to much into this sort of picture...BT
- Location
- Lakes District BC
you cant be a assistant guide in BC without holding a valid BC hunting licence for 5 years
and hard on the family ??? its a camp job of anywere from 7 to 10 days in and a couple days out for 2-3 months of the year if your lucky , camp jobs tend to pay a pile more cash as well wether its a hunting guide or a logger or a miner
and hard on the family ??? its a camp job of anywere from 7 to 10 days in and a couple days out for 2-3 months of the year if your lucky , camp jobs tend to pay a pile more cash as well wether its a hunting guide or a logger or a miner
Age to start?
Hello Bone-Collector,
My hunting pals and I have a young friend who is 14 and would be a good candidate for a start as an assistant guide, judging from his enthusiasm in the bush, energy, and wood-cutting, cooking, camping and amiability skills.
How could he get a summer job in the field? Know any guide-outfitters names you could pass on?
Hello Bone-Collector,
My hunting pals and I have a young friend who is 14 and would be a good candidate for a start as an assistant guide, judging from his enthusiasm in the bush, energy, and wood-cutting, cooking, camping and amiability skills.
How could he get a summer job in the field? Know any guide-outfitters names you could pass on?
Bone-collector,
I'm an Alberta resident and I have never had a problem getting my BC assistant-guide license. I know several Albertans that head to BC for work every year, so non-residents are fine. The outfitter has different restrictions, but I'm not sure on these.
As for being a tough job on the family, it really all depends on where you live, what type of lifestyle you're used to, and where you decide to guide. Some bush-guiding you can be gone for up to 6-8 weeks and possibly never get flown out to town. Some camps you'll be out after every hunt for a day or two. It really all depends. In Alberta doing whitetail hunts you may be at the hotel every night enjoying a fine meal, satellite tv, and all the joys of being at home....
I'm an Alberta resident and I have never had a problem getting my BC assistant-guide license. I know several Albertans that head to BC for work every year, so non-residents are fine. The outfitter has different restrictions, but I'm not sure on these.
As for being a tough job on the family, it really all depends on where you live, what type of lifestyle you're used to, and where you decide to guide. Some bush-guiding you can be gone for up to 6-8 weeks and possibly never get flown out to town. Some camps you'll be out after every hunt for a day or two. It really all depends. In Alberta doing whitetail hunts you may be at the hotel every night enjoying a fine meal, satellite tv, and all the joys of being at home....
- Location
- Lakes District BC
you are righht, I was under the impresion for some reason you had to hold a BC hunting licence but thats for the permit to acompany hunt
