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BEING AN NZPHGA GUIDE.

Being a professional guide takes a lot more than just being a good hunter. When you take a client into a hunting environment, you take on the primary responsibility for that hunter's safety, enjoyment and success. These three outcomes should be at the core of everything you do in your capacity as a professional guide.

In fact, if you take the role of professional guide in it's entirety, it becomes clear that you need far more than good hunting skills and experience. Here are some of the skills you will almost certainly need be an effective guide:
  • First aid training
  • Emergency first response training
  • Firearms safety skills
  • Good fitness
  • Driving on and off road
  • Intimate knowledge of terrain / area
  • Intimate knowledge of animal species
  • Hunting skills specific to the target species
  • Trophy preparation
  • Relationship skills with landowner / DoC
  • Good listening skills
  • An open, friendly demeanour
  • A clear communicator
  • A good conversationist
  • Tolerance and modesty
  • Sense of humour
  • Strength of character to deal with 'challenging' clients 
  • Expectation management
  • Good business ethics

And, depending on your role within your organisation, you may also need the following skills:
  • Clear and concise business communication skills (telephone, email, computer skills)
  • Hosting and hospitality
  • Non-hunting guiding
  • Arranging pre and post-hunt activities and connections

As a professional guide, guided hunting should be your primary focus and vocation - if not full-time, then at least during the season you guide in. An NZPHGA guide should strive for excellence in all they do, regardless of whether they are out guiding, back at the lodge or in the office pre and post season. NZPHGA guides are ambassadors for New Zealand to some of our most influential, discerning and highest-spending visitors.

Being an NZPHGA guide is the difference between being a part-time amateur and a true professional whose livelihood depends on delivering a first-class service.
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