Guiding and Outfitting in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan offers a wide variety of fishing and hunting experiences in prairie and forest environments. Outfitters and guides employed by outfitters can assist both residents and visitors to the province to access these experiences.
Over the past few years Saskatchewan has experienced an increased interest in the outfitting industry. This has benefited both outfitters and their clients. The outfitters benefit because there are more people using their services and the users benefit as a result of having a greater choice. At the same time the industry has significantly reduced the availability of unused resources for new outfitter applicants.
1. Overview
An outfitter provides or organizes the services of a guide, equipment and accommodation for their clients and is responsible for the actions of guides who are in his/her employ and direction.
A guide provides direction, assistance or expertise about angling and hunting.
Outfitting opportunities for big game, migratory birds and angling are currently fully allocated.
An operating outfitter is required to:
- display the outfitter licence number or name in a visible location and in a legible manner on all water vessels, vehicles, motors, stands and tents used in connection with the outfitter's business;
- ensure that all wildlife and fish taken by his/her clients are identified as belonging to the client or group of clients who took the wildlife or fish;
- keep a written record of the name and address of all clients;
- retain the records mentioned above for three years;
- ensure that every guide employed or retained by the outfitter carries identification, evidencing the guide's authority to act as a guide for the outfitter; and
- ensure that he/she, and every guide employed or retained by the outfitter, does not guide more than three clients at one time.
A conservation officer may request a written record of:
- the number of each species of wildlife or fish taken or caught by his/her clients; and
- the location where the wildlife or fish were taken or caught by his/her clients.
A guide is required to:
- be an outfitter or employed by an outfitter to provide a guiding service on behalf of the outfitter; and
- carry documentation showing their authority to act as a guide for the outfitter but does not need a provincial licence.
2. Eligibility
To become an outfitter in Saskatchewan, you must legally purchase an existing business by contacting existing outfitting businesses, the Saskatchewan Commission of Professional Outfitters or checking local advertisements.
3. How to Apply
To buy an outfitting business
If you wish to buy all or part of an existing outfitting service, contact the provincial licensing specialist or call 306-953-2518 before making purchase arrangements.
To sell your outfitting business
An outfitter licence is not transferable. Outfitters wishing to sell their business must surrender their licence to the Ministry of Environment. Prospective purchasers may then apply for the licence, which may be awarded, subject to eligibility requirements and an allocation review.
To change the location of your outfitting head office
If the holder of an outfitter licence changes the location of their head office to another location within Saskatchewan, he/she must advise the Ministry of Environment in writing within 30 days, and submit the appropriate fee for an amended outfitters licence. If an outfitter sells or otherwise disposes of any of his/her out camps, the outfitter must advise the Ministry of Environment within 30 days of sale or other disposition.
5. Further Information
The provincial outfitting specialist can provide information on licensed outfitters in Saskatchewan, where they operate their business and what species they are allowed to hunt.
The Saskatchewan Commission of Professional Outfitters represents the provincially licensed outfitting industry and can be reached at 306-668-1388.
First Nation outfitters are governed by individual First Nations bylaws to operate on their reserve lands. For more information, contact the First Nation directly.