History of the Maine Professional Guides Association

The Maine Professional Guides Association (MPGA) has worked on many legislative bills, agency rules and policies over the years. Some of the notable milestones and achievements in our history include:

  • 1979 - Wayne Bosowicz & Finley Clarke meet at Katahdin Lodge to plan what might be done to enhance the outdoor experience in the State of Maine, particularly in hunting, fishing and related activities.

  • 1979 - Wayne Bosowicz & Finley Clarke organize first meeting of guides in Sebec to formally form the Association.

  • 1982 - MPGA adopts its Code of Ethics.

  • 1989 - MPGA resolves guiding industry insurance availability problem by arranging for liability coverage for members, with over 50 members immediately signing on.

  • 1992 - MPGA was instrumental in founding the Sportsmen Forest Landowners Alliance (S/FLA) to improve relations between these two interests and to resolve conflicts before having them become a political crisis.

  • 1992 - MPGA begins quarterly meetings with Department of IF&W Commissioner.

  • 1999 - MPGA successfully lobbies to add a professional experience requirement to the "Master Guide" designation.

  • 2000 - MPGA successfully lobbies to change the PFD requirements for fishing from a canoe.

  • 2004 - MPGA raised $250,000 to prevail against the referendum to end bear hunting.

  • 2005 - MPGA prevents the posting of many thousands of acres by supporting landowners and leading a coalition of other sporting groups to oppose Governor Baldacci's Sunday hunting proposal.

  • 2006 - MPGA and others join to form the Natural Resource Network, a coalition of forestry, commercial fishing, farming and recreation groups who support the sustainable use of Maine's natural resources.

  • 2007 - MPGA's deer committee participates in a yearlong review of deer population issues that resulted in recommendations for restoring northern and eastern Maine's deer herd.

  • 2007 - MPGA collaborates with the United States Sportsman Alliance to defeat a federal lawsuit filed by anti-hunters.

  • 2007 - MPGA participates in a review of public land management policies to protect access by hunters and other users, with one result being the creation of the Recreation/Conservation Landowner Forum similar to the SFLA.

  • 2007-2008- MPGA intervenes in LURC hearings for Plum Creek's Moosehead Lake concept plan in order to assure that public access and hunting are protected.

  • 2008 - MPGA participates in a yearlong review of deer predation issues that resulted in recommendations for increases in coyote population control.

  • 2010  - Cooperating with The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on a project that delivers information about specific bodies of water including member guides.

  • 2011 - MPGA expands the Pro-Plan emmber benefits program.

  • 2011 - MPGA launches MooseSwap.com

  • 2012 - MPGA lauches new website providing improved member acess and control of listings.  Membership grows to more than 1000 members.

  • 2014 - MPGA joins Maine Wildlif COnservation Council and raises $370,000 of a $2.7 million budget budget to defeat the Humane Society of the United Sttes in another state-wide referendum to stop bear hunting.

  • 2016 - MPGA is instumental in changing the Maine Wildlife Conservation Council (MWCC) into a non-profit organization. The first time in the county that a coalition has held together after a wildlife referendum.

  • 2018 - Changed the renewal period of guide liceses from every 3 years to 5 years to help offset the additional cost of the fingerprinting requirement. 

  • 2018 - 1st printing of the MPGA Membership Directory designed to enhance and promote our member's buinesses.

  • 2019 - Wedsite redesign.

  • 2019 - Instituted the Family Freindly Business Project designed to help our membership understand and move towards a more family friendly business model.

  • 2020 - 2021 - MPGA provided guidance and suggestions for a safe environment during the COVID pandemic and avoided long term restrictions that could hav had a negative effect on the guiding indusstry.

  • 2022 - MPGA got an excmption put into the Civil Trespass with Hunting Dogs bill to exempt clients and others as long as they were in the presence of a guide that had the required permit.

  • 2023 - Successfully led a coalition of stakeholders in opposition to a “High Peaks National Wildlife Refuge” in Western Maine, which would have likely limited access for guides, sportsmen, and motorized interests.

  • 2023 - Worked with and co-led a coalition of sportsmen to defeat anti-coyote hunting legislation.

  • 2023 - Participated in a Moose Hunting Stakeholder Group led by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in an effort to reduce conflicts among hunters and create new moose hunting opportunities.

  • 2024 - Submitted comments to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Maine Trappers Association advocating for an improved and accelerated plan to de-list Lynx in Maine.

  • 2024 - Protected the definition of “professional guide”.

  • 2024 - Advocated for private forestland owners to be eligible for storm damage relief funding to help repair damage from winter storms.

  • 2024 - Testified in opposition to local-option sales tax on rentals and lodging facilities.

  • 2024 - Opposed and submitted comments against the Electric Car manadate.

 

 

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