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Longer guide outfitter certificate terms now in effect

Amendments to the Wildlife Act have come into force that more than doubleg the maximum term of a guiding territory certificate

As of July 1, 2012, Guide outfitters benefit from greater business certainty now that amendments to the Wildlife Act have come into force that more than doubleg the maximum term of a guiding territory certificate.

Guiding territory certificates allow guide outfitters to exclusively ply

their trade and hire themselves out to non-resident hunters in a defined

area. The duration of these certificates will now increase from a maximum

of 10 to a maximum of 25 years, giving guides increased business

certainty.

A certificate issued after the changes are implemented can be renewed

after more than 60 per cent of their certificate period has elapsed (15

years). Guide outfitters that renewed under the old system before the

amendment was in place, can renew after five years have elapsed on their

old certificate.

This change to guiding territory certificates follows on confirmation

earlier this year that as of April 1, guide outfitters were provided

triple the amount of time available to provide a hunting report to

government from 10 days following conclusion of the hunt to 30 days.

"So much of our work relies on business certainty now and in the future.

The changes confirmed today allow guide outfitters to make the long range

plans necessary to continue to provide a first rate wilderness experience

to our clients, " commented Scott Ellis, executive director, Guide Outfitters Association of British

Columbia.

* There are approximately 245 licensed guide outfitters in the province

employing over 2,000 people.

* Roughly 5,000 non-residents hunt in the province each year.

* The guide outfitting industry brings an estimated $116 million in

economic activity to the province each year.

Visit the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia online at:

http://www.goabc.org/

For additional information about regulations relating to guide outfitting

in British Columbia, visit:

http://wwwd.env.gov.bc.ca/pasb/applications/process/game_guide.html

To learn more about on non-resident hunting in British Columbia, visit:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/non_resident/#GuideOutfitters