Representation

Photo Credit: Dave Conley

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

MPGA fights and wins victories 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 fights for guides are:

  • We keep watch on the issues, so you can keep watch on your own business – 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 for pro-guide & pro-sportsman agendas – MPGA organizes grassroots activists made up of guides, sportsmen, and supporting businesses to protect and maintain Maine’s outdoor and guiding heritage.
  • We fight anti-guide proposals – Maine is now confronted with a constant barrage of anti-this, anti-that, initiatives from radical 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 maintain close relationships with major landowners – MPGA founded the Sportsman/Forest Landowner Alliance in 1992 and maintains a very active role in working with small and large landowners on forestry practices, recreational access, habitat management, land conservation and management, and common business and economic issues. It is vital that landowners know what guides need for their business activities, and that guides respect the land-owners’ rights and understand their business needs.
  • We hold a Banquet where Maine’s leaders meet – You can join over 200 members and guests at our Annual Banquet. Guests include legislators, agency experts, and landowners. The banquet is attended by the Department heads of Inland Fish & 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!