Join The Maine Professional Guides Association

Photo Credit: Dave Conley
3 hikers at the top of Mount Katahdin
Photo Credit: Candace Sabol

Why Become a Member?

Connect with other professional guides and clients! Stay updated on the latest legislation, news, events, and special offers from the Maine Professional Guides Association. See your business expand as we actively promote you on our platforms!

Become a member today and unlock exclusive discounts, resources, and networking opportunities.

Join the MPGA Today!

Learn more about all of the benefits of joining the MPGA below

Closeup of an MPGA patch

What We Offer Our Members

Pro-Program Offering Gear Discounts to Members

The Maine Professional Guides Association has worked with many outdoor brands to develop our current selection of discounts known as the MPGA Pro-Plan.

The list of deep discounts is growing as we continually add new vendors to our plan and make it even better. Here is a list of some of our current participating businesses:

  • Aleka Sports LLC
  • Altus Brand, LLC
  • Big Woods Bucks
  • Boarmaster
  • Burris Scope
  • Cabela’s Business Sales Program
  • Canis Outdoor Apparel
  • Crestliner Boats
  • Duren Knives
  • Esquif Canoe VIP Program
  • Filson
  • Fly Deal Flies
  • Forloh
  • Fort Kent Power Sports
  • Garmin
  • Guidefitter
  • Havalon Knives
  • Henry Repeating Arns
  • IPA-Connect Multiple Pro Deals
  • Kenetrek Boots
  • KUIU
  • L.L. Bean Corporate Sales Program
  • Minus 33
  • Moultrie
  • Old Town Canoe
  • OnX Hunt
  • Orvis
  • Outdoor Edge Knives
  • Patagonia
  • Rungu Dualie E-Bikes
  • Seaspray Kayaking
  • Sitka
  • Summit Tree Stands & Blinds
  • Tactacam
  • Trophy Tree Stands
  • Zamberlan Boots
MPGA yeti cups
Join the MPGA Today!
MPGA members at a legislative meeting
Join the MPGA Today!

Legislative Representation

The Maine Professional Guides Association’s (MPGA) overall mission is to protect and enhance the profession and outdoor heritage of Maine guides.

MPGA works for members and the guiding industry through its lobbying efforts and advocacy programs. MPGA is the voice of the guiding industry at the state legislature, at the Department of Inland Fish & Wildlife, other branches of state government, and with other statewide associations and interests. By becoming a member of MPGA you are helping support these efforts and giving us strength in numbers.

Some of the specific ways MPGA works for guides are:
  • We keep watch on the issues – MPGA has a full-time legislative representative working to keep an eye on hot legislative and regulatory issues, land conservation, and wildlife management developments. We take our case directly to the legislature, state agencies, and to our partner associations.
  • We fight anti-guide proposals – Maine is now confronted with a constant barrage of initiatives from activists who would like nothing better than to stop hunting, trapping, boating, and even fishing, or to “preserve” land and wildlife in ways that would prevent guides and sportsmen from pursuing their activities. MPGA is instrumental in fighting these interests and has been successful in opposing efforts to restrict bear hunting, trapping, land access, forestry practices, and fishery management.
  • We hold a banquet where Maine’s leaders meet – You can join over 400 members and guests at our Annual Banquet. Guests include legislators, tourism industry representatives, landowners, and more. The banquet is attended by Department heads from Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, along with leaders from other partners like the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the Maine Bowhunters’ Association, and the Maine Trappers Association. A night of fun and a chance to meet and greet, and win big!

Business Growth Opportunities

You need customers to stay in business. Customers and lodges need guides. Often, all of these entities connect through the MPGA. Being listed with an association like the MPGA gives you an advantage when it comes to connecting with customers. 

  • Promoting your Services by Website and Social Media – Being listed on the association’s website directory can be beneficial in more ways than one. It promotes your services to fellow members of the association; it is visited regularly by many potential customers looking for guide services. Your listing will include a link to your own business, and this makes it easier for interested customers to learn of your services. We are also constantly featuring our members’ businesses and services in our social media posts on Facebook and Instagram. 
  • Free Publicity – Publicity can be very powerful in attracting customers and employers alike. It’s publicity that you are trying to achieve by displaying your business name on your vehicle, boats, and equipment.  Being a member of a large association helps get your name recognized.  You’ll benefit from a better online presence through your listing on our website and our social media. We are constantly promoting our members and their businesses online.
An MPGA patch
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Information, News & Alerts

A bi-monthly e-newsletter contains relevant information on all the topics that affect guides, such as industry news and trends, legal updates, rules & regulations, government activities, environmental, wildlife and legal issues and job opportunities. We bring you breaking news on legislative decisions, upcoming meetings, new standards, and business opportunities.

Join the MPGA Today!

Networking

One of the best parts of a Maine Professional Guides Association membership is networking with other outdoor professionals. Not only does it provide the opportunity to meet others who share a common interest; it can also spark the beginning of new business relationships and job opportunities.

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The MPGA banquet
3 people smiling
Photo Credit: Mike Tuminaro
A Maine professional guide at the annual banquet
Photo Credit: Mike Tuminaro
The MPGA tradeshow booth
Photo Credit: Mike Tuminaro

Special Events

MPGA hosts an annual banquet that is attended by over 400 guides and their families, government representatives,  industry experts and includes many auction items and raffles! Sign up online for this event!

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Committee Involvement

Several Committees that members might become involved in are:

Help is needed to identify opportunities for major donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. This committee actively looks for ways to raise money through raffles and other means.

The Membership Committee is vital to MPGA’s existence. It develops member recruitment and retention plans and meets with prospective members and groups.

MPGA’s annual banquet is held in April. Over 400 members and guests attend every year. Help is needed to organize the event, contact sponsors, and obtain items for a fundraising auction.

We currently place a booth at three sport shows in Maine. These weekend events are an opportunity to influence the public, recruit members, and raise funds. Help is always needed to staff the booth as well as transporting and set up our displays.

The Committees review issues that affect the hunting of these species, especially rule changes, game management, and landowner relations. Access to land for hunting is potentially at risk due to conservation land purchases and easements. These committees keep tabs on these and other issues to work with landowners and more in hopes of minimizing the effects of the changes.

The Fishing Committee consists of guides from the far-reaching corners of the state. Regional coordinators work with other local guides and regional Fisheries biologists to improve fishing opportunities.

This committee works to bring more recreational opportunities to the state and protect the ones we already have.

The members of this committee work directly with our lobbyist to review potential bills and strategize to support or oppose bills affecting guides.

Join the MPGA Today!