A successful guide must know far more than how to catch fish or find game. You need people skills, patience and the ability to teach safely in changing conditions. You’re responsible for clients’ well-being, decisions and memories. Long hours, unpredictable weather and seasonal income are part of the deal. But for those drawn to New York’s waters and woods, guiding offers a rare blend of independence, purpose, and connection to the outdoors that’s hard to match.

There have been quite a few brand-new guides registered in Western New York over the last 12 months. For the upcoming year, the NYSDEC announced the upcoming dates for the New York State Licensed Guide exam: they are set for Feb. 20, March 28 (in-person), April 14, May 12, June 11, July 9, Aug. 21, Sept. 15 and Oct. 23. All examinations will be online, except for the March 28 in-person exam. Participants have 30 minutes to complete each exam, with the exception of the Basic Requirements exam, which allows 90 minutes for completion. To apply for an exam, you must register, with registrations closing on Thursday before the exams, with the exception of the in-person exam, which will close a week before the exam. Registrations must be submitted by the registration deadline.

Licensed Guides offer services for hire, including camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater rafting/canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, ice climbing, directing, instructing or aiding another individual. To provide enhanced access, DEC is offering these examinations online and free-of-charge. Exam and registration instructions can be found here: https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/fish-wildlife-plant/licensed-guide-program. The license is valid for five years.

Remember that someone thinking about becoming a New York State Outdoor Guide is usually chasing more than a paycheck. They’re picturing days spent on the water or in the woods — or the other services mentioned, sharing hard-earned knowledge and helping others experience something meaningful outdoors. It’s part passion, part lifestyle choice and part service job. The escape comes from trading routine walls and screens for seasons, weather, and wild places, but existing guides will honestly share that guiding is real work.

An outline of exam content and a study guide can be found on the DEC’s Licensed Guide Program webpage — look it up online. The “Scouting America Fieldbook” is also recommended as a reference and is available online. Note that a valid First Aid, CPR and Water Safety certification is required for all guiding categories. These certifications are NOT required when registering to take the exam; however, proof of current certification must be provided before your NYS guide license will be issued. For additional info, contact the NYSDEC Special Licenses Unit at SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov or by phone at 518-402-8985.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Feb. 3: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 years old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

Feb. 7: Lakeshore Longbeards NWTF Banquet, White Inn, 5 p.m. doors open, 6:30 p.m. dinner, live auction, raffles, annual youth event fundraiser; Info: Robert Turk, 716-673-6703; https://events.nwtf.org/EVT-20816.

Feb. 14: WNY Walleye Fisherman’s Flea Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Knights of Columbus, 36 Pierce Ave., Hamburg; Info: Chris Kempf, 716-400-9258; Jim Plinzke, 716-861-8817.