Guide Resource List

The following materials can be used as study guides in becoming a registered Maine Guide.

Laws, Rules and Other Study Materials

Fishing

Ice Fishing

Open Water Fishing

Hunting Regulations

Recreation

Lost person Scenario

You Alone in the Maine Woods (The Lost Hunter's Guide) PDF

To view PDF documents, you will need the free Adobe Reader. If you need assistance, view our PDF Help page or contact us at ifw.webmaster@maine.gov or (207) 287-8000.

Printed versions of the above materials are also available from IF&W's main office in Augusta located at 284 State Street (207) 287-8000.

IF&W Gray Regional Headquarters
358 Shaker Road
Gray, ME (207) 657-2345

IF&W Sidney Regional Headquarters
270 Lyons Road
Sidney, ME (207) 547-5300

IF&W Bangor Regional Headquarters
650 State Street
Bangor, ME (207) 941-4440

IF&W Greenville Regional Headquarters
Greenville, ME (207) 695-3756

IF&W Ashland Regional Headquarters
Ashland, ME (207) 435-3231

The Dept. of Marine Resources may have additional publications and materials that may assist you in preparing for the Tidewater and Sea Kayak examinations. The Maine Islands Trail Association in Portland is a good source of information for coastal environmental and island care information.

Dept. of Marine Resources
Hallowell, ME (207) 624-6550
www.maine.gov/dmr

Maine Island Trail Association
41A Union Wharf
Portland, ME 04101 (207) 761-8225
www.mita.org

The oral exam will cover General client care issues, Weather related questions, First aid, Safety, Ethics (legal business practices and behavior of clients), Aquatic vegetation, Clothing, Sanitation, Watercraft laws/rules, Map & compass, and Lost person scenario. You will also be asked to demonstrate your ability to work with a map and compass and to explain to the Board what steps you might take in the event that a person becomes lost while in your care as a Guide.

After successful completion of the oral exam, you will be scheduled for the written exam in the following categories based on the type of guiding you intend to do:

Recreation – Safety, Map & Compass, Canoeing, Recreation and Watercraft Laws & Regulations, Related equipment, Wildlife facts, Species Identification, Camping

Sea Kayaking – Safety, Marine Environment (Islands), Boat Handling, Nautical/Charts And Coastal Navigation

Fishing – Safety, Map & Compass, Fishing, Watercraft Laws & Regulations, Fishing Equipment, Fish habitat and Aquatic vegetation, Wildlife facts, Species Identification, Camping

Tidewater Fishing – Navigation, Statutes, Rules and Regulations

Hunting – Safety, Map & Compass, Animals, Firearms, Hunting, Hunting equipment, Trapping, Watercraft Laws & Regulations, Wildlife facts, Species Identification, Camping.

You should be ready to identify various animals, birds and fish. Questions will be asked in reference to safety, outdoor cooking, personal flotation devices, all watercraft regulations, handling of canoes and canoe propulsion, watercraft terminology, rescue techniques, aids to navigation and navigation rules.

Your personal experiences and acquired knowledge are essential in the preparation for becoming a Maine Guide.

Books, brochures, videos and various other resources exist that will assist you in preparation for the Maine Guide exam. Although there are too many to mention, we can suggest a few publications and other material that may be of some benefit to you.

To view the PDF files, you will need the free Adobe Reader. If you need assistance, view our PDF Help page, e-mail us or call us at (207) 287-8000.

Download times may vary depending on your internet connection.

Peterson Field Guides
National Audubon Pocket Guides
LeMaster Method of Waterfowl Identification
Birds of North America
Fishes of Maine (PDF, 5.06MB)
Mammal Identification Poster by IF&W
A Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants - DEP
River Rescue by Les Betchel and Slim Ray
AMC River Guide
Heads Up The American Canoe Association
LL Bean Guide to Canoeing - Ken Stone
The Outdoor Leadership Handbook - Gil Gilpatrick
Outward Bound Wilderness First Aid Handbook - Jeff Isac / Peter Goth
The NOLS Cookery - National Outdoor Leadership School
Beyond the Paddle - Garret Conover
ACA Instructors Manual - Laurie Gullion
Be an Expert with Map and Compass - Bjorn Kjellstrom
U.S. Coast Guard Advanced Navigation and Rules - USCG Auxillary
Visual Distress Signals - USCG Auxillary
Hypothermia, The Chill That Need not Kill

Guide Preparation Courses:

Maine's Outdoor Learning Center Belfast, ME (207) 290-1496	Maine Sports Outfitters Rockport, ME (207) 236-8797
Cedarridge Jackman, ME (207) 668-4169	LL Bean Freeport, ME (207) 865-4100
Coastal Kayaking Bar Harbor, ME (207) 288-8118	National Park Outdoor Mt. Desert, ME (207) 288-0007
Ardvark Outfitters Farmington, ME (207) 778-3330	Fins & Furs Adventures Skowhegan, ME (207) 474-5430
United Tec Center Bangor, ME (207) 942-5296	Southern Maine Guide Service Parsonsfield, ME (207) 793-2652
KVTC Fairfield, ME (207) 453-5116	Castine Kayak Adventure Orono, ME (207) 866-3506
Caribou Adult Ed Caribou, ME (207) 493-4272	Biddeford Recreation Department Biddeford, ME (207) 283-0841 Ext 105
Northeast Guide Service Sebago, ME (207) 787-4437	Outdoor Leaders Trainers of America Durham, ME (207) 720-0257 www.oltoa.com
Maine Wilderness Guides Org Greenville, ME (207) 882-7323 www.mainewildernessguides.org	Maine Maritime Academy Continuing Ed/Castine Kayak Castine, ME (207) 326-2211

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION