About Us

Alberta’s outfitters were some of the earliest pioneers of the tourism industry in our province, with the first guided hunts taking clients into Alberta’s rugged backcountry in the late 1800s. Today our society represents 500 professional outfitters and nearly 1,600 hunting guides, creating a total economic contribution of $327 million to Alberta's gross domestic product.

In 1997, the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS) was established as a delegated administrative organization (DAO) for the Government of Alberta. The delegation is established under Schedule 3 of the Wildlife Regulation, and further refined in a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Alberta, which was most recently updated in 2022.

APOS’ delegated responsibilities include:

• licensing and setting qualifications for Alberta’s guides and outfitters,
• managing the outfitting tenure of big game and waterfowl allocations,
• providing a Code of Ethics and process for complaints against outfitters,
• administering the special permits and grants under the Minister’s Special Licence Auction (MSLA),
• issuing grants and initiating stewardship projects under the Wildlife Management Fund (WMF), and
• providing hunting licence vendor services to APOS members.

Led by an outfitter Board elected by members, APOS provides members with a voice within government and advocacy on key issues.

Additionally, APOS provides members with access to liability insurance, and works closely with Travel Alberta to market Alberta as a premier destination for guided hunting.

APOS Vision: Alberta is a place where outfitting thrives.

APOS Mission: APOS exists for the benefit of members and all Albertans. APOS builds a strong future for the outfitting industry in Alberta by advocating for improved wildlife stewardship and a supportive business environment. APOS delivers excellence in its delegated responsibilities, and proactive leadership that helps secure flourishing wildlife populations in Alberta for generations to come.

APOS Existential Statement: Allocating a portion of the wildlife resource to the outfitting industry provides both direct and indirect economic benefits, as well as social, environmental and reciprocal benefits to Albertans.