Welcome to Maine Wilderness Guides Organization
 

Mission
Maine Wilderness Guides' mission is to provide a unified voice for the profession of wilderness guiding while maintaining the highest ethical, educational, environmental standards, and to advocate for the conservation of remote woods and waters.

History
In 2004 a group of conservation minded wilderness guides and sporting camp owners began meeting to discuss ways to protect the remote areas we depend on for our business. It quickly became apparent that no one was representing our interests and concerns so we decided to form the Maine Wilderness Guides Organization. We are a respected membership organization with a strong advocacy voice for the needs of wilderness guides and the conservation and restoration of remote places required for their profession. Through cooperation with landowners and land managers, both public and private, MWGO is striving to establish a reputation of inclusiveness and integrity. Many of our individual programs are already nationally, and internationally, recognized as models for high standards of education, instruction and quality wilderness experiences. We are primarily, but not exclusively, engaged in people-powered trips, fishing for wild populations of native fish, and “heritage hunting”. We require areas large enough for multi-day, non-motorized trips, areas that support wild populations of fish and game that are not readily accessible by motorized transportation. We are not against motorized forms of recreation. We believe that the Maine Woods is a big place; providing areas of non-motorized wilderness experiences is in the best interest of every outdoor enthusiast. We are committed to sharing that experience with those who cherish the outdoors. We encourage any guide who is concerned about the development pressure on Maine's North Woods to join our organization. Professional Guides will also be interested in our ongoing Guide Training opportunities designed to help guides maintain and improve their skills in a variety of specific areas. However, you do not have to be a guide to join. Any sportsman / sportswoman or outdoor enthusiast who shares our vision for a wild undeveloped Maine woods, with public access for traditional outdoor pursuits, may join as a supporting member.

*Heritage hunting is defined as the way your grandpa did, on foot in remote areas without the use of any hi-tech aids.

Founding Principles
• Today’s registered Maine guides are licensed for many specialized interests and skills, but through membership in MWGO share a common vision as stewards of Maine’s incredible inland and coastal wilderness environment, safety for all using that environment, and upholding the highest professional standards and traditions of guiding as an occupation.
• Maine is big enough to accommodate large undeveloped habitat for heritage hunting, fishing, and multi-day backcountry trips that do not have motorized access.
• Wildlife and fisheries management should reflect the conservation of all native species, not just the game species that we hunt and fish.
• Unwise development in Maine’s unorganized territories is a potential threat to guides and sporting camps livelihood.
• As professional guides we should continually strive to improve and maintain our skills.
• Promote members’ businesses and services as  “Maine Wilderness Guides Organization” professionals who are environmental stewards and safety compliant businesses.
• The traditions and culture of the registered Maine guide profession are greatly enhanced through public and community educational programs

Goals

• Provide a powerful voice for wilderness guides and camp/lodge owners
• Represent our members’ interests with various state agencies and private landowners that manage land we use
• Advocate for large scale fish and wildlife habitat conservation
• Offer Professional Guide Training  and Development opportunities in a variety of disciplines
• Maintain the “traditional skills” and knowledge of the “Maine Guide”
• Provide safe, educational and meaningful outdoor experiences for our clients.
• Promote quiet backcountry areas and trails that do not have motorized access

“Traditional skills” are defined as those skills that were essential to a Maine Guide before the development of motors