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:
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