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Guide Resource List
The following materials can be used as study guides in becoming a registered Maine Guide. These materials should be used as reference materials only. You can obtain these materials at any IF&W Headquarters and at most Outdoor Activities retail stores and online at: www.maine.gov/ifw.
Laws, Rules and Other Study Materials
- Hunting & Trapping Laws and Rules (Includes Any-Deer and Turkey regulations)
- Migratory Game Bird Hunting Schedule
- Moose Hunting Regulations
- Open Water/Ice fishing Laws
- Lost Person Scenario *
- Watercraft Laws
- Snowmobile Laws and Rules
- ATV Laws and Rules
- You Alone in the Maine Woods *, **, (PDF)
To view PDF documents, you will need the free Adobe Reader. If you need assistance, view our PDF Help page, email us or call us at (207) 287-8000.
* Available at the IF&W office in Augusta only at 207-287-8000
** Availabel at the Safety Office in Augusta only at 207-287-5220
Tidewater and Sea Kayak applicants may request additional information from the Augusta office.
The Oral exam process will start with the examiners testing your map and compass skills. You will be required to provide bearings and distances derived from a map which will be provided for the exam.
In the Catastrophic event portion of the exam you will be asked to explain to the board what steps you should take to keep your guests comfortable and safe. You may also be asked to explain to the board the steps you would take if you were to have a lost client or clients on any given trip for the classification in which you are being tested.
The oral exam will cover General client care issues, weather related questions, first aid, safety, ethics, legal business practices, behavior of clients, aquatic vegetation, clothing, sanitation, watercraft, snowmobile and ATV laws and regulations, map & compass, GPS, ammunition identification, fishing fly identification, mammal identification, fish identification, personal floatation device and waterfowl identification.
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. A minimum score of 70 is required to pass each classification. A candidate must take a written exam for each classification desired. Keeping in mind this is only an overview of potential questions.
Recreation – Safety, Map & Compass, GPS, Canoeing, Recreation, Watercraft, Snowmobile and ATV Laws & Regulations, Related equipment, Wildlife facts & Camping.
Fishing – Safety, Map & Compass, GPS, Fishing regulations, Bag limits, Watercraft, Snowmobile and ATV Laws & Regulations, Fishing Equipment, Fish habitat and Aquatic vegetation, Wildlife facts & Camping.
Hunting – Safety, Map & Compass, GPS, Mammal habitat, Firearms, Hunting regulations, Hunting equipment, Trapping regulations, Watercraft, Snowmobile and ATV Laws & Regulations, bag limits, Wildlife facts and Camping
Questions will be asked in reference to safety, outdoor cooking, handling of canoes, watercraft terminology, rescue techniques, aids to navigation and navigation law, snowmobile, ATV, personal watercraft rules and regulations.
Your personal experiences and acquired knowledge in the woods and waters 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 materials that may be of some benefit to you:
- Peterson Field Guides
- National Audubon Pocket Guides
- LeMaster Method of Waterfowl Identification
- Birds of North America
- Fishes of Maine
- Mammal Identification Posters by IF&W
- A Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants – IF&W, 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 Instructions Manual – Laurie Gullion
- Be an Expert with Map & Compass – Bjorn Kjellstrom
- US Coast Guard Advanced Navigation and Rules – USCG Auxiliary
- Visual Distress Signals – USCG Auxiliary
- Hypothermia, The Chill That Need Not Kill
Additional Information:
Guide Preparation Courses:
| Maine's Outdoor Learning Center Belfast, ME (207) 290-1496 www.mainesoutdoorlearningcenter.com |
Maine Sports Outfitters Rockport, ME (207) 236-8797 |
Cedar Ridge Jackman, ME (207) 668-4169 |
LL Bean Freeport, ME 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 Castine and Orono, ME (207) 866-3506 www.castinekayak.com |
| Caribou Adult Ed Caribou, ME (207) 493-4272 |
Biddeford Recreation Department Biddeford, ME (207) 283-0841 Ext 105 |
Northeast Guide Service |
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 |
Coastal Maine Kayak Lincoln Canoe & Kayak |
Northern M.O.S.S. |
| Washington County Community College 1 College Drive Calais, Me 04619 (207) 454-1031 |
Old Quarry Ocean Adventure Stonington, ME (207) 367-8977 www.oldquarry.com |
| Tidal Transit Kayak Boothbay Harbor, ME (207) 633-7140 www.kayakboothbay.com |
Maine Guided Hunts North Berwick, ME (207) 809-2505 www.maineguidecourse.com |
