Prince Edward Island’s first hunting guide courses are being offered this month as PEI prepares to welcome out-of-province hunters for the fall season.
About 1,000 sportsmen come to the Island each fall to enjoy the excellent hunting opportunities that the province offers. Under new Hunting Guide Regulations that came into effect last fall, hunting guides and outfitters must be licensed by the province, and non-resident hunters must be accompanied by either a licensed resident hunter or a registered hunting guide while hunting in Prince Edward Island.
Those applying for a Registered Hunting Guide Licence must pass a competency test that is offered at the end of a one-day training session sponsored by the PEI Outfitters Association. Gerald MacDougall, Fish and Wildlife Manager with the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, said the course ensures participants have an excellent grounding in all aspects of guiding.
“Sessions cover the fundamentals such as waterfowl identification, hunting techniques, and firearm safety in the blind. However, participants also learn about good client relations – how to work with people and provide a quality service that will encourage clients to come back again.”
Presenters at the workshop include representatives from the Tourism Industry Association of PEI, the PEI Outfitters Association, provincial Fish and Wildlife staff and Conservation Officers.
Mr. MacDougall said response to the courses has been strong with 44 guides participating in the two sessions offered to date. Two more courses are scheduled for August 24 in Kensington and September 7 in Charlottetown.
The PEI Wildlife Federation is handling registration for the hunting guide courses. For more information or to register, contact Karl McCormack at (902) 892-3332 or via email at peiwfft@pei.aibn.com The registration fee is $50. Additional courses may be offered, so if you are interested in taking the guide training but are not available those dates, you should still contact the Wildlife Federation. Guides who passed the national hunting guide certification test are not required to take the PEI competency test.
In addition to completing the competency test, those applying for a Registered Hunting Guide Licence must be 19 years of age or older; have a valid PEI hunting licence; have a valid firearm safety certificate; have a valid emergency first aid and CPR certificate; and they must not be prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
A registered guide may accompany up to four non-resident hunters. Guides may not actively hunt while guiding but may kill an injured bird for a client if necessary. A resident of PEI who has a valid hunting licence can accompany up to two non-resident hunters, but they may not accept payment or other compensation for these services.
Further information on the Hunting Guide Regulations and copies of the Registered Hunting Guide or Outfitter Licence Application Form are available from the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division, 4 Floor Jones Building, 11 Kent Street, Charlottetown; at Access PEI sites; and online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/huntingguides