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August 12, 2002 |
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Guide's License
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The abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in the Catskill Mountain region is the largest asset to our local businesses and our economy. Most outdoors enthusiasts will pull out a map or open up a guidebook to determine their recreation destination. Of course only the well-traveled and well-marked points of interest are listed. There are so many unique places in the Catskills that are not shown on a typical road, hiking, fishing, or hunting map, and many of us that have lived in and explored this special place surely knows of a handful. Oftentimes accessing these places can be a bit tough and require some orienteering skills. This is one instance where New York State licensed guides should be sought.
The NYSDEC's Licensed Guide Program gives individuals with intimate knowledge of their local area an opportunity to share that knowledge with the people who hire them. In New York State, guides can be licensed in hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, ice/rock climbing, boating, and other activities. All licensed guides must pass a general test in addition to one specific to the category they are applying for and pass the appropriate safety course(s) like CPR, First Aid, Water Rescue, etc. Once all requirements are met and the $100 fee is paid, a license is issued and remains valid for five years.
With the ample water resources and abundant public lands in the Catskills, both with great reputations, most guides are used for fishing and hunting. One can also find a few hiking and camping guides too however. For inexperienced or unfamiliar visitors to the Catskills (and even for locals who are new to the outdoors), hiring a guide can mean the difference between a very enjoyable excursion and a potentially frustrating or unfulfilling excursion. Anyone, for example, can find the Esopus on a map, go there and pull out a fly rod and fish. Maybe they will be successful, maybe they won't, but local guides know the best times, tactics, and secret spots, increasing the chances of a successful outing. Whether you want to fish the largest pool on the Esopus in Mount Tremper, access the ridge from Belleayre to Big Indian notorious for successful big game hunting, discover the numerous bone-chilling swimming holes on the headwaters streams such as this one on the West Branch Neversink, or even stop for lunch at the great viewpoints near the summits of trail-less Hemlock and Fir Mountains, local guides can provide these opportunities to their clients.
Many of the guides throughout the state are members of the New York State Outdoor Guides Association (NYSOGA). To find out who and what guides are available for any place in the state, visit NYSOGA's web site at www.nysoga.com. You can search for guides by guiding category, or by location, which is based upon the NYSDEC 'regions' (Shandaken is in Region 3). Recently, Aaron became the latest addition to the licensed hiking guides in our Catskill Mountains. Whether you hire a hiking guide or not, take advantage of the cooler weather in coming months to get out on the trail.
- Chris and Aaron
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