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 interest 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 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 for ACTIVE membership. ASSOCIATE membership is available to former NYS licensed guides or a current guides who no longer works at guiding activities.

If you do not have a license to guide and are interested in obtaining one, please go to our General Information page for information on how you can receive your NYS guiding license.

[ Active Membership ] [ Associate Membership ] [ Membership Application ]

NYSOGA MEMBERSHIP GROUPS

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP – Dues $75 a year

To become an Active Member an individual must:

• Hold a current license to guide from the State of New York.
• Submit a completed application for membership.
• Pay the annual dues of $75.00.

Here’s some of what an Active Member receives:

• Free Listing on NYSOGA website with a direct link to the member’s website.
• Notification by email of all inquiries for the services of a guide received by the NYSOGA website.
• NYSOGA rack cards with space for your business contact information.
• Use of NYSOGA logo for guiding promotions.
• Representation at trade shows and events.
• Opportunity to participate in all NYSOGA events, including training and networking.
• Right to vote at the Annual Active Membership Meeting.
• Membership certificate, card and pin.
• One year subscription to Guidelines, the NYSOGA publication of outdoor news.
• NYSOGA monthly e-newsletter and other electronic communications pertinent to member guides.
• Opportunity to purchase official NYSOGA products.
• Access to the Members Only area on the NYSOGA website for Pro Guide Discounts and Liability Insurance Carriers information.

Please fill out and submit the online Membership Application below with payment.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP – Dues $40 a year

To become an Associate Member an individual must:

• Be a former licensed guide or licensed guide who no longer actively works at outdoor guiding.
• Submit a completed application.
• Pay the annual dues of $40.00.

An Associate Member receives:

• An invitation to all NYSOGA events.
• One year subscription to Guidelines, the NYSOGA publication of outdoor news.
• NYSOGA monthly e-newsletter and other electronic communications pertinent to member guides.

Please fill out and submit the online Membership Application below. Once you submit. You will be brought over to the payment page.

NYSOGA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION – MAIL IN INSTRUCTIONS

Please click here to download a PDF of NYSOGA Membership Application. Do you need a PDF Viewer? Please click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

Guides applying for ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP – Please complete and return the application, along with the description of your guiding activities and the $75 membership fee payable to NYSOGA. Once you are listed on the NYSDEC “NYS Licensed Guides” webpage, you will be eligible for active membership.

Inactive guides applying for ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP – Please complete and return the application along with the $40 membership fee payable to NYSOGA.

Please mail completed application with payment to:

NYSOGA, c/o Lee Godin, 26 West Mountain Lane, Berne, NY 12023

Allow 6-8 weeks processing time. Only applications with the correct payment will be processed.

For questions regarding membership, please email go_lee3@yahoo.com or contact Lee Godin (518) 542-2709.

Online Membership Form

Please fill in your information below. Be sure to select the Type of Membership you are interested in – Active and Associate. Once you submit this completed application. You will be redirected to the Membership Payment Page automatically. Thank you.

We do not accept Membership Applications if not accompanied with full payment at time of submission. After you fill out the application and click submit. You will be redirected to the Payment Page automatically.

PAYMENT SHORTCUT: If you already submitted the Membership form and need to make a payment. Please click here

Those wishing to print out a Membership Application, please Click Here. In need of a PDF Viewer? Go here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

IMPORTANT: For the following form to be sent out, please make sure to enter your email address into the email section of the form. No spaces allowed in this email field.

For questions regarding your renewal, please contact Lee Godin (518) 542-2709 or email go_lee3@yahoo.com

Please report any problems using this renewal form to info@nysoga.org. Thank you.