Guiding has enjoyed a long and colorful history in New York State. Early surveyors and sportsmen needed help in traversing the northern wilderness so they engaged the services of old woodsmen.
Many of these first "guides" were trappers, hunters, or loggers who "hired out" to occasional visitors for extra cash. As tourism flourished, guiding became a full-time profession and resulted in the Adirondack Guides Association being formed in 1891. Following World War II, the lure of the wilderness waned and the Association all but dissolved.
By the 1970's, the public showed a renewed interests in the outdoors, but had difficulty locating reliable guides. Thus the old tradition of "guiding" was revived in 1981. when the informal New York State Outdoor Guides Association was formally incorporated.
THE PURPOSE OF NYSOGA
- The purpose of NYSOGA, established by its Board of Directors, is to:
- Promote safety in guiding for guides and their clients
- Provide educational and marketing services for NYSOGA members.
- Increase awareness of the professionalism of guiding with the public and with the land management agencies.
- Participate in legislative reform for the betterment of guides, the profession of guiding, and the health of our natural resources.
Please click on the membership hyperlinks below to go right to that topic or just scroll on down and read about each one to find the one that best fits you.
NOTE: To join NYSOGA you must have a New York State Guide license.
If you do not have a license guide please go to our General Information page to find out how you can receive your NYS guiding license.