British Columbia

Guide and Outfitters Association of British Columbia

By the mid 1800s, the world’s hunting fraternity had learned that British Columbia harbored one of North America’s most magnificent big game populations. Local hunters started guiding services to meet the demand for quality big game hunts. Guiding territories were established in the late 1940s and in 1961 legislation provided guide outfitters with the exclusive rights to guide non-resident big game hunters in a specific area. This exclusivity of the guide outfitter certificate became the foundation of the guide outfitting industry in BC.

Guide outfitters are the founders of the tourism industry and an important part of the outdoor heritage of British Columbia. They enjoy showcasing “Super, Natural British Columbia” to their clients. BC is blessed to be home to 18 of the North American 29 big game species The Guide Outfitters Association of BC (GOABC) is a nonprofit society that was established in 1966 to represent the guide outfitting industry to government, and advocate for science-based wildlife management. Currently, the industry directly employs approximately 2,000 people in rural communities and our industry generates over $116 million annually.

GOABC is a strong supporter of The North American Wildlife Conservation Model. Guide outfitters have a rich tradition of sustainable hunting practices and are conservative in their use of wildlife. The role of the outfitter and hunter conservationist has helped many wildlife species. In British Columbia, successes from this model include whitetail deer, Rocky Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk and black bear. All of these populations were nearly extinct in the early 1900s, but are now healthy and growing.

Our vision is for a province with a strong and stable guide outfitting industry and abundant big game populations for all to enjoy, both today and in the future. As passionate advocates for wildlife, the GOABC is the recognized voice for outfitting.

Suite 103, 19140 – 28th Avenue
Surrey (British Colombia) V3Z 6M3
Canada
T. 604-541-6332
info@goabc.org
www.goabc.org