PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2025
Happy New Year!
As we step into the promising embrace of 2025, we want to express our deepest gratitude for choosing NBPOGA as your association to represent you. Your loyalty and trust have been the foundation of our success, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
NBPOGA has met with Natural Resources and Energy Development many times in 2024, discussing issues affecting our industry. Early December heralded the opportunity to sit down with the newly appointed Liberal Minister John Herron.
Minister Herron is a breath of fresh air. He presented himself as both professional and extremely knowledge in the world of business. He shared with us his vision of the outfitting industry of NB being that of all stakeholders working together. To that end NBPOGA has hired a facilitator for a session on March 6-7/2025 and invited other stakeholder associations to sit down and develop a Strategic Framework. It is rewarding and exciting to have the opportunity to be part of developing this roadmap to move the outfitting industry forward.
NBPOGA is proud that outfitter membership dues of $100/year and guide membership dues of $10/year have held the same since its incorporation in 2007.
These dues provide you with voting privileges.
Every dollar NBPOGA can save for you, is a dollar you keep.For your $100 membership, you are entitled to the following money saving opportunities.
NBPOGA has arranged the following programs for you our members to benefit:
Insurance
The partnership of NBPOGA with their insurance partner Brokerlink has been a huge success. Many clients have seen some drastic savings when it comes to insuring through Brokerlink. Travis has been able to solidify a strong working relationship with various insurers to split the property and liability coverages to maximize savings while offering the best property coverages available while adding a lot of extra value to the liability package. Value adds include liquor liability included at no additional charge, for those who offer bar/restaurant services. Another value added was the ability to include the liability for short term/AirBNB rentals of their cottages/camps/lodges at no additional cost.
Please reach out to Travis Dunnett ([email protected] – 506-655-3384) to find out more about their resort package and liability extensions.”
For those only looking for hunting/fishing liability – HUB offers our members their very cost-efficient package.
Financing
Mathieu McCaie – [email protected]
Supplies/Equipment
An experienced strong voice at the table with government.
NBPOGA looks forward to working with you as well as through the Canadian Federation of Outfitters where we represent NB
and government to make the Outfitting Industry in NB a strong vibrant industry.
Yours truly,
Debbie Norton
President
New Brunswick Professional Outfitters and Guides Association
Happy New Year!
As we step into the promising embrace of 2025, we want to express our deepest gratitude for choosing NBPOGA as your association to represent you. Your loyalty and trust have been the foundation of our success, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
NBPOGA has met with Natural Resources and Energy Development many times in 2024, discussing issues affecting our industry. Early December heralded the opportunity to sit down with the newly appointed Liberal Minister John Herron.
Minister Herron is a breath of fresh air. He presented himself as both professional and extremely knowledge in the world of business. He shared with us his vision of the outfitting industry of NB being that of all stakeholders working together. To that end NBPOGA has hired a facilitator for a session on March 6-7/2025 and invited other stakeholder associations to sit down and develop a Strategic Framework. It is rewarding and exciting to have the opportunity to be part of developing this roadmap to move the outfitting industry forward.
NBPOGA is proud that outfitter membership dues of $100/year and guide membership dues of $10/year have held the same since its incorporation in 2007.
These dues provide you with voting privileges.
Every dollar NBPOGA can save for you, is a dollar you keep.For your $100 membership, you are entitled to the following money saving opportunities.
NBPOGA has arranged the following programs for you our members to benefit:
Insurance
The partnership of NBPOGA with their insurance partner Brokerlink has been a huge success. Many clients have seen some drastic savings when it comes to insuring through Brokerlink. Travis has been able to solidify a strong working relationship with various insurers to split the property and liability coverages to maximize savings while offering the best property coverages available while adding a lot of extra value to the liability package. Value adds include liquor liability included at no additional charge, for those who offer bar/restaurant services. Another value added was the ability to include the liability for short term/AirBNB rentals of their cottages/camps/lodges at no additional cost.
Please reach out to Travis Dunnett ([email protected] – 506-655-3384) to find out more about their resort package and liability extensions.”
For those only looking for hunting/fishing liability – HUB offers our members their very cost-efficient package.
Financing
Mathieu McCaie – [email protected]
Supplies/Equipment
- Pro Nature at all 4 locations – 15% off (not including guns)
- Big Game Sled – Mathew Graham – 10% off
- New for 2025!
- Potential access to bear bait bought early – Call 506-627-6492
- Inukshuk Professional Dog Food – 20% off online orders and free shipping in NB. Call 506-627-6492 for promo code
- Gun Dealer – 20% off regular priced items for outfitters (not including guns)
- Iron House Pro – Website assessment
- Iron House Pro - Mini Modernization Assessment - This assessment is a brief, yet focused consulting engagement designed to help your organization identify opportunities for modernization through tools, systems and process. Our goal is to provide clear, actionable recommendations on the most effective steps to take and the top priorities to focus on.
- Mini Assessment Details
- Discovery Session - Everything happens with a good, conversational 60 min discovery session.
- Including Others - Selected stakeholders (staff, advisors, etc) can be included in the 60-min discovery session. They should be able to talk openly about real challenges, goals and details about operations if they are included.
- Recommendations Roadmap - We go away, combine our discovery with our internal knowledge and experience, and create a focused roadmap on proposed improvements and priorities.
- Presentation - We encourage and are happy to present the results with discussion after we send out the report.
- Format: We are happy to manage this engagement virtually or in person. If in person we may have to charge for any expenses related to travel.
- Discovery Session - Everything happens with a good, conversational 60 min discovery session.
- Mini Assessment Details
- Potential access to bear bait bought early – Call 506-627-6492
An experienced strong voice at the table with government.
NBPOGA looks forward to working with you as well as through the Canadian Federation of Outfitters where we represent NB
and government to make the Outfitting Industry in NB a strong vibrant industry.
Yours truly,
Debbie Norton
President
New Brunswick Professional Outfitters and Guides Association
PRESIDENTS REPORT - DECEMBER 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, there has been much water under the bridge. The borders are open and our customers from far and near have returned, as they love adventures in New Brunswick and they love you the Outfitters who many of them call family. The Outfitting Industry in New Brunswick bolsters the coffers of the province with excess of 50 million dollars per year as per the last economy study. You as Outfitters, employee hundreds of persons in rural NB. Hats off to all Outfitters for making this significant contribution to the economy to the province and in doing so, puts real coffers in our own pockets. Small business is what drives the New Brunswick economy.
We have had many successes in the past such as gaining the opportunity to supply our bear hunters with the ability to hunt a second bear in their visit to us. This is indeed a benefit to us and puts much needed profit in our accounts. Through our hard work with meetings with the government, Outfitters have been given an allocation for non-resident moose license which is administered in a draw. Through our hard work and leadership, this number has gone from 50 licenses to 75 and currently its at 95, thanks to Minister Holland. I'm sure you are aware that the Minister put a moratorium on moose license for the 2024 draw while the department developed new criteria of eligibility. This criteria has not been released yet, everyone is anxious to hear what it will be.
There has been advancements in the world of hunting turkeys, with residents having an allocation assigned which is distributed through a draw. We look forward to when the population is healthy enough to support tags which can be drawn for by our hunters. This will be a true opportunity for those of us where these birds live and could coincide nicely with our bear hunts.
In the fishing world, NBPOGA holds a seat on the recreational fisheries advisory board with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It is good to be at this table and be recognized as the voice of outfitting and asked to be consulted regarding regulations. As you know, many Outfitters in the salmon world are asking that their watersheds be managed so that all native species are in equilibrium in order that all fisheries are viable.
As you all know, the workings of government both federally and provincially is hard slugging. It takes a lot of time for governments to pass legislation. You can be assured that the Board of Directors of NBPOGA welcomes opportunities to step into the batters box with government and work towards hitting a grand slam for you our members, as well as the industry as a hole.
NBPOGA is devoted and continues to advocate for our members and our industry. You can be assured that your Board of Directors goes the extra mile for you. As such, you our members know that benefits have been struck to award you for being members. NBPOGA members have always enjoyed lower liability insurance rates with HUB insurance and you will continue to do so through our loyalty program with HUB, our members will be offered the best rates in NB, all because of the loyalty of you our members to this program. In addition, NBPOGA has made advancements with acquiring preferred rates with Broker Link as outlined in our past newsletter. This company is throughout the province and offers savings in camp, house and vehicle insurance to both Outfitters, guides and support staff. Please reach out and contact for a free quote, 855-548-8994.
Looking for financing? NBPOGA has secured a mortgage broker for your convenience: Mathieu McCaie at the mortgage group, mathieu@mortgagegroup.com
In addition, all 4 locations of Pro-Nature is offering our card caring members a 15% discount on your purchases, with the exception of guns.
In closing, as you can see NBPOGA has been busy working with governments and securing cost saving measures to you, our members.
Myself, as well as the Board of Directors wish you a very Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noel as well as a very Happy New Year and Bon Annee.
Debbie Norton President NBPOGA
2023 PRESIDENTS REPORT
Once again a year has quickly passed and once again it has been a busy year for the Liaison Committee with many great accomplishments to be announced at our AGM. It has been a great pleasure in attending meetings with JP and Debbie as they have worked very hard on your behalf and though there is still some Resolutions on the Ministers desk we assure you they are still ongoing and will be addressed.
There will be some exciting news to be announced at the AGM and elections to be held for President and Secretary and Directors from the East and West and the formation of committees at the BOD'S Meeting following the AGM. As times are quickly changing I am proud to say NBPOGA will be changing in some ways to better NBPOGA and the Industry going forward.
As I mentioned the elections happening at the AGM it is important for all members to remember that if offering for a position on the Executive or BOD'S you need to be present and be nominated but don't require a seconder. As this is going to be a very busy next 2 years that you put a lot of thought in offering for a position as a lot of work will be required from Executive and BOD'S and Committees. I wish all those offering great success and know you will work hard in promoting NBPOGA and the Hunting and Fishing Industry. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the AGM.
President : NBPOGA
Dale Clark
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE TO MEMBERSHIP 2022
As the spring bear season has now came to an end it was once again evident that the pandemic is still creating some havoc among Outfitters and Guides in New Brunswick. It is reported that most lodges had cancellations from clients due to the vaccine rules to come to New Brunswick to hunt resulting in loss of revenue to the Lodges and provincial government with some loss of revenue for the Wild Life Trust Fund. On a good note it is being reported from around the province of record size bears and success rates were very high. CONGRATULATIONS to all members that are surviving and hopefully some will see an increase in attendance at their Lodges from residents to enjoy what you have to offer from retreats, tubing, fishing, lodging, sight seeing and the many other great things you and New Brunswick has to offer.
NBPOGA has as always been working on your behalf and hopefully their hard work will result in some great announcements in the near future. We are currently awaiting a meeting with DNRED to hopefully put some INK to some proposals sitting on their table .So bear with us for news to come.
As President of NBPOGA for many years now and looking back at to the accomplishments NBPOGA has achieved over the years is fantastic. The Pandemic surely hurt our businesses badly and makes it hard for some to survive. I for one is one of them and as age and health are creeping up I have decided I will be selling my Lodge and return back to being a Guide as I surely do enjoy working in the outdoors and working to assist others where possibly. So effective in March at our AGM I will be stepping down as President of NBPOGA . I have greatly enjoyed this role and it does come with a lot of hard work and dedication to the Industry and I surely feel proud of the support shown to me by our great BOD’S. I can look back with pride as to some of the accomplishments that transpired over the years and choose to mention a few of importance.
(1) NBPOGA truly speak for the entire Hunting and Fishing Industry and strive to update members and non-members on important issues. Thanks to your great hard working Liaison Committee of JP and Debbie on their dedication and hard work in serving everyone. I will miss this part greatly so thanks for your friendship and dedication.
(2) NBPOGA has developed a great relationship with DNERD and Tourism and THIS needs to be pushed going forward as a lot has transpired in the past 6 years in strengthening our relationship in delivering our issues and clearly being listened to so once again thanks Jp and Debbie.
(3) Finally designing a fair distribution of non-resident moose tags to qualifying Lodges and guides.
(4) NBPOGA is very proud to be the only Association that works for the Industry in assuring that Guides and anyone that is associated with Hunting and Fishing in the province has a voice. CONGRATULATIONS and never forget this in the future and keep up the great work.
(5) There is so much that has transpired over the years and much more to come so stay tuned and assist where possible in improving the Hunting and Fishing Industry.
(6) As we all worked as volunteers for many years it shows the dedication they share on working for you.
(7) Finally we are able to start paying mileage to our BOD’S to ease some of the burdens of attending meetings on your behalf.
(8) Our membership is a great huge number now truly making us the Industry leaders. This has greatly increased the past few years and hopefully more will sign on in the future and NBPOGA will keep pushing for their support.
As a closure I sincerely wish the new President the very best and assure the person that I will be available to assist and guide them through the transition process. Hopefully the incoming President never forgets the grass roots of NBPOGA and asks direction before making decisions that may or not change the NBPOGA mandates of working for the Industry and work for all and not a personal agenda. The position of NBPOGA has always been an honor to me and certainly appreciate the respect shown to me over the years as some was certainly challenging but with a great team supporting me we were able to overcome most obstacles.
It has been a pleasure over the years to meet so many great people and be invited to visit their Lodges and will never be forgotten. THANK-YOU very much and look forward to serving you till our AGM in March or first of April.
Respectively submitted
President of NBPOGA
Dale Clark
2022 NBPOGA NEWSLETTER
The New Brunswick Professional Outfitters Guides Association 2022 newsletter from the associations president, Dale Clark, has arrived. The full newsletter can be found here: https://www.poga-nb.ca/2022-nbpoga-newsletter.html
