Agricultural Careers Hunting and Fishing Guide

1. Agricultural Careers Hunting and Fishing Guide By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Katie Murray Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. Job Responsibilities • Responsible for the survival and success of the clients • Educate the client on rules and regulations and ensure that they follow those rules • Teach clients how to correctly use the proper equipment • Assist the client in routine activities such as cooking, making fires, dressing the animal, and cleaning around the campsite • Provide advise to the client regarding proper hunting and fishing techniques and standards • Arrange and organize all necessary items and equipment needed for the success of the trip

3. Skills and Qualities Hunting and fishing guides should enjoy nature and being outdoors. They should meet people easily and enjoy being around others. Strong communication skills are important as a guide. A solid understanding of the habits of wild animals and fish is helpful. Knowing how to use firearms and fishing equipment properly and with ease as well as the ability to survive in the wilderness is necessary. Hunting and fishing guides should have a pleasant personality and be able to think quickly and calmly. It is also imperative for guides to be patient, yet firm with clients.

4. Education There is no specific education required to be a hunting and fishing guide. Most skills are learned through experience, not through formal education or training. The best way to gain experience as a guide is to become an apprentice to a more experienced guide. After joining with that individual on guides for several years while observing and helping with the mundane tasks related to leading a trip, an individual should be ready to lead their own trip. Those planning on owning their own outfitting business, should probably take some courses in business management.

5. Additional Requirements To be a hunting and fishing guide, an individual must have a valid hunting and fishing license and be licensed by the state where they are leading trips. Some states have very strict requirements for licensing guides and some only require that the guide applicant be able to pay the licensing fee. Some states also may require a hunter education course, a course in medical care, or certification in CPR before issuing a license to the applicant.

6. Salary Starting pay for a hunting or fishing guide begins around $40 a day. Those with experience can earn $200 to $300 per day. The income for a guide depends on the type of game and the length of the trip. Guides who provide excellent service may also receive tips. Income also depends on whether or not you are the owner of the business or simply the guide. Those who own the business will make more or less profit depending on how much they promote and market their business and how satisfied their customers are. Some guides work a separate job to supplement their income, especially during the slow season.

7. Other Careers to Explore • Alternate Animal Producer • Game Warden • Game Animal Farmer • Fish Farmer • Forest Ranger • Park Ranger