Policy for Firearms

General position

The Wilderness Guides Association does not promote, train, or encourage the use of firearms as a standard tool within wilderness guiding.

Wilderness guiding is fundamentally based on risk awareness, prevention, decision making, situational judgment and avoidance strategies. Firearms are not considered a primary or preferred means of risk mitigation.

Legal and regional context

The legality of possessing or carrying firearms varies widely between countries, regions and jurisdictions. Guides, instructors and organizations are at all times fully responsible for complying with applicable local, regional and national laws.

The WGA does not provide legal clearance, permits or exemptions related to firearms. Any legal responsibility remains solely with the individual or organization involved.

Exceptional circumstances

In certain remote regions, such as parts of the Arctic or Sub-Arctic, firearms may be legally carried by licensed individuals as a last-resort safety measure in specific wildlife contexts.

In such cases, the presence of a firearm:

• does not replace sound judgment, planning and avoidance strategies
• does not constitute a guiding skill or qualification
• must never be positioned as a primary safety solution

The WGA expects that any guide operating under such conditions has appropriate legal authorization, training, experience and a clearly documented risk assessment.

Training and certification

Firearms training is not part of any WGA certification level, assessment criteria or curriculum.

The presence or absence of firearms has no influence on WGA accreditation, certification outcomes or professional standing within the association.

Ethics and responsibility

The WGA emphasizes ethical wilderness conduct, respect for wildlife and responsible interaction with natural environments.

Guides are expected to prioritize education, prevention, awareness and non-escalation in all wildlife-related risk scenarios.