Guides/Special Permit to Guide


Non-residents who hold a valid hunting license, are entitled to hunt, if they are supervised by a licensed guide or a resident over the age of 19 who has a Special Permit to Guide.

The Guide Examination Board is responsible for the administration of guide testing and training in the province.

There are three categories of licenses issued: Hunting Guide, Fishing Guide and Master Guide.

Hunting Guide
  1. Must have a Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification on it or proof of taken a recognized Hunter Education course from another jurisdiction.
  2. Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR
  3. Pass a practical hunting test and written examination administered by the Examination Board; or Successful completion of a practical test and the National Hunting Guide Certification test.
Fishing Guide
  1. Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR.
  2. Pass a practical fishing test and written examination administered by the Guide Examination Board.
Master Guide
  1. Wildlife Resources Card with a hunting certification
  2. Canadian Firearms Safety Course
  3. Emergency First Aid and Basic CPR
  4. Bow Hunting Certification
  5. Proof of ninety days of actual guiding experience
  6. Letter of recommendation from a Master Guide or Outfitter
  7. Pass a written examination administered by the Guide Examination Board.

Any person authorized to guide may not guide more than three(3) persons while hunting deer or guide more than four(4) persons who are hunting species other than deer.

All licensed guides are required to report violations of the Wildlife Act or regulations by any person to the nearest local office of the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables or a local police department.

All guides are responsible for ensuring information returns and/or biological specimens from their clients are submitted to the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

Special Permit to Guide

Special Permits to Guide may be issued for hunting. These permits are only available to residents age 19 or older who hold a valid Nova Scotia Firearm/Hunting or Bowhunters Hunting Certificate. The permits are only available from Department of Natural Resources offices.

When requesting a Special Permit to Guide, applicants must appear in person at a DNR office with their Wildlife Resources Client Number, permit fee and the names of those who they wish to guide. Once you have your Special Permit to Guide, the hunters you are guiding must sign your permit to validate it. For more information, view the current Hunting and Furharvesting Summary of Regulations (PDF).

A person acting as a guide under the authority of a Special Permit to Guide may not charge a fee for their service and are subject to the same regulations as are licensed guides. A Special permit to Guide for hunting may be valid for one season.