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Selecting an Outfitter and Guide
I. Disclaimer
A. We do not make any claims to the quality of the vendors
listed. Florida does not license or permit guides nor have
minimum requirements for them. This listing is provided
solely as a convenience. We urge you to be careful and
thorough in selecting a guide to enhance your outdoor recreational
time in Florida and offer the following advice to help you make
your selections wisely.
B. If you have a bad experience with a guide we list, please
contact us. We are not responsible for their activities but
will remove any guides from our list that have multiple verified
complaints against them. You can also file a complaint with
the Florida Division of Consumer Services (http://www.800helpfla.com/index.html).
II. Choosing a Guide
A. Certifications and Professional Memberships
1. Safety is paramount
a) Guides operating for hire boats on navigable waters as
defined by the Federal Government require a Coast Guard Captain's
License and special equipment. Asking if they have such a
license and calling the Coast Guard to verify it is a good
idea. However, there are many freshwater bodies in Florida
where such a license is not technically required.
b) Red Cross first aid training and Cardio-Pulmonary
Resuscitation (cpr) training are good indicators of their
commitment to your safety.
c) Whatever vehicles and equipment they use for
transporting you and facilitating your recreational experience
(e.g., boats, four-wheelers, kayaks, fishing tackle, firearms or
personal-floatation devices) should all be in good shape.
2. Business-related: Although the state does not certify
or permit outdoor guides, there are several business associations
that provide guidance to their members. Again this can be a
way of determining their commitment. Some representative
groups are:
a) Florida Guides Association (http://www.florida-guides.com)--primarily
saltwater fishing.
b) Paddlesports association
3. Expertise-related: eg: American birding association (http://www.americanbirding.org/)
4. civic/environmental: eg: CCA (), Audubon (http://www.audubonofflorida.org/)
B. Years Experience-For many the adage that "with experience
comes wisdom" holds true. Consequently, it is always good to
ask how long the company and your individual guide have been in the
business, and how long they have been guiding locally.
C. References from pleased customers/Awards-Ask them for
references and call to see how others enjoyed their trips.
Check and see if they've received any awards (to verify the award
you can often go to the Web site of the group that issued the
award, to ensure that it was legitimate). The Division of
Consumer Services tracks complaints against businesses (http://www.800helpfla.com/index.html).
You can check with them to see if a complaint against a
business has been reported. The Secretary of States' office
also tracks complaints against some businesses (http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/fgils/consumer1.html).
D. What to expect from trip?
1. duration of trip
2. what do you need to bring with you
3. what safety equipment is provided (PFD's, first-aid kits,
radio/cell phone...)
4. what recreational equipment is provided (binoculars, fishing
rods, tackle, bait, foul weather gear, etc.)
5. inclement weather plans
6. refund policy
7. skill level necessary (physical skill and expertise)
8. group size (will you be joining an existing group, or will it
be your own tour?)
E. Environmental ethics: good ecotour providers know that
minimizing their impacts protects the environment, and accordingly
is an investment in the longevity of their business.
1. Does this vendor participate in environmental philanthropy,
like clean ups or wildlife surveys?
2. Does this vendor feed wildlife? At worst, (in the cases of
alligators, sandhill cranes, etc.) it is illegal and punishable by
a fine under state law. Even legal feeding of wildlife isn't good
for wildlife-- if animals associate people with food, they
eventually lose their healthy fear of humans, and may later
approach people who find them threatening, or are not as
appreciative of wildlife as you are.
3. Fishing ethics? Monofilament, catch and release, knowledge of
fishing sizes/limits
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