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Bob Hyde |
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During the 1880s, as the railroad was advancing steadily westward, an interesting character was probing the mountain ranges of Alberta and British Columbia searching for a pass that would link east with west. Already in his mid-fifties, Major A. B. Rogers was as tough as they came. In Pierre Burton’s book, The Last Spike, Rogers is described as a man whose idea of a year’s provisions was satisfied by a sea biscuit and a plug of chewing tobacco. Very few men could keep up with the pace he set. Tom Wilson was one of them. Wilson left Ontario at the age of 16 – drawn to the romance of the west. It was in Fort Benton, Montana, that Wilson joined the survey crew of Major Rogers. His first season with Rogers was so difficult that when the crew disbanded for the winter, Wilson swore he would never work with the eccentric man again. However, Rogers saw the effect the mountains had had on the young man. He laughed at Wilson, told him the mountains had claimed his soul and that he’d be back. And he was right. Wilson was waiting the following spring in Montana when Rogers returned, and remained with the party for the duration of the exploration. Those experiences transformed the Ontario farm boy into a rugged mountain man. Tom’s passion for the mountains, his horse skills and his intimate knowledge of the area made him a rare commodity. So it was not surprising when the first hunting party arrived via the new railroad in 1887, it was Tom Wilson that they hired as a guide. Hence, 120 years ago this fall, the guided hunting/outfitting industry was born. One can only imagine the yarns that were spun around the campfire on that first outfitted hunt. Alberta was an untouched paradise full of huge trophy animals. There were no hunting regulations, no bag limits. Those first hunters had not one restriction placed on them. When their feet left the rail car and hit the platform in Banff, they must have felt giddy. Although hunting regulations were introduced shortly after the turn of the century, it wasn’t until the 1970s that limits were placed on the numbers of non-resident hunters who could hunt in Alberta. And even then, it was only sheep hunting that was affected. It took another 20 years before the Alberta government finally addressed the entire industry. Until 1989, anyone could become an outfitter. With the exception of sheep hunters, any outfitter could guide any number of hunters anywhere in the province. Conflicts between outfitters – all seeking to gain the best areas – were frequent. Resident hunters became increasingly agitated at the growing sea of non-resident hunters. Nonresident hunters who found themselves guided by unscrupulous outfitters had no recourse. Something needed to change. Under the leadership of Bob Andrews, an Outfitter/Guide Allocation Policy was created that would limit the number of non-resident permits for each species in each WMU. These allocations were made available through a sealed bid process for a three-year term. Everyone who had previously held an outfitting licence was notified of the new policy. One hundred years of unlimited outfitting had hit the wall. To suggest that this created turmoil in the industry would be a huge understatement. Outfitters had no idea who would be bidding against them, nor what an appropriate bid should be. However, everyone understood that if they lost, their livelihood as an outfitter was over. And, on that day when the allocations were awarded, half of the outfitters in the province were essentially eliminated. Many outfitters, with decades of history behind them, found themselves on the outside looking in. In 1992, the three-year sealed bid was replaced with a live auction, where once again outfitters were forced to compete with each other. This time the allocations were for a 10-year term, with numbers to be re-evaluated midway to ensure they were in compliance with the Outfitter/Guide Policy. Stress levels were enormous as many more outfitters bid farewell to a way of life. Standing toe to toe, desperate to outbid fellow outfitters for the right to ply their trade, did little to foster future cooperation. It was no longer feasible for someone to casually outfit. In order to remain in the industry, a more business-like approach was required. This also required a shift in leadership. In 1997, the Professional Outfitters Association of Alberta was absorbed by the newly created Delegated Administrative Organization – the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS). APOS would now administer the outfitting industry of behalf of the Alberta government. Some might question the wisdom of outfitters managing their own industry. That concern would be even more valid if one fully understood the tensions that had been created between outfitters as a result of the bidding process. Those who had bid against each other were now expected to cast aside their bitter feelings and work side by side. A code of ethics needed to be created, as did a disciplinary process for dealing with unethical outfitters. Marketing, public relations, budgets, member relations, etc., all of the essential components of this new organization, had to be worked out by outfitter volunteer man power. The key to success in such a challenging situation is having leadership with vision, dedication, commitment and wisdom. Owen Voaklander and Mabel Brick formed the backbone of the hired staff. Outfitter volunteers, including Don Ayers, Ryk Visscher, Kelly Semple, Terry Birkholz, Sven-Erik Jansen and many others, worked tirelessly to put the pieces of the puzzle in place. Their passion would quickly make APOS a world leader in the outfitting industry. Indeed, in just ten short years, APOS has become the yardstick against which all outfitting associations can be measured. Alberta is now one of the most sought after destinations internationally for the traveling hunter. Despite 120 years of industrial development, most of the beauty of Alberta’s varied landscapes still exists. Caribou, goats and grizzly bears are no longer an option for non-resident hunters, but waterfowl and a dozen other big game species still are. Two international airports, a well developed roadway and Alberta western hospitality simplify logistics for traveling hunters. In addition, the professionalism of APOS provides guidance and leadership. Today’s outfitting industry is infinitely more complex than Tom Wilson enjoyed 120 years ago. Non-resident harvests are now strictly controlled. They vary from species to species, but are generally about 5 per cent of the resident harvest. That number provides sufficient non-resident opportunities to make the outfitting industry viable without having a significant impact on resident hunting. In addition, there are now a plethora of hunting regulations. Outfitters who are in violation face not only the wrath of the provincial enforcement agency, but sanctions of even greater significance from the APOS disciplinary policy. Alberta residents can be proud of the quality of service Alberta’s professional outfitters provide. Those who have traveled abroad understand what a difference friendly, capable and hospitable staff can make. Our cooks, guides, wranglers and other staff are among the best. Albertans can also be proud of the efforts Alberta’s outfitters have put back into wildlife. In the 10 short years APOS has been in existence, two funds have been created that have generated over one million dollars for many worthwhile projects. That doesn’t include the hundreds of thousands of dollars of donated hunts that individual outfitters make available to a host of conservation organizations, including SCI, RMEF, FNAWS, etc. Tom Wilson must have been torn as he watched virgin wilderness exposed by the industrial development of the railroad. He obviously realized there would be no stopping development. Instead of lamenting the changes that were inevitable, Wilson embraced the opportunities that it would bring. It will be 18 years ago this fall that I searched through the yellow pages looking for an opportunity to work in a hunting camp. In my youth I read stories of guided hunts and had a burning desire to experience one. I was most envious of those who could earn a living by spending entire hunting seasons in the woods. My first opportunity took me into sheep country as camp help and the next outfitter hired me as a cook. From cook to wrangler to guide to outfitter and now the 2nd vice president of APOS – I never dreamt life would take me in this direction. I would love to sit around a campfire and talk with Alberta’s first outfitter. Our conversation would include stories of the incredible experiences that outfitting affords. Politics, religion and events of the times would all find their way too. I don’t doubt that Tom and I would chat about the most rewarding aspect of outfitting – the relationships that we’ve developed with our hunters. The guided/outfitting industry is always looking for great people. It doesn’t pay particularly well, the hours can be very long and the work challenging. For some reason, the spectacular sunrises that accompany every hunting dream don’t materialize as frequently in reality. However, the experiences, memories and friendships may well have a life-changing impact on you. Anyone who is passionate about hunting should experience a professionally guided hunt, and aside from pulling the trigger, working in a camp provides all of the same pleasures as being a client. Consider spending a week, a month or even a whole season as a cook, camp help or guide. It’s an experience you’ll cherish. But, let me caution you, it can be addicting! Contact the APOS office or our website at: www.apos.ab.ca for more information. Bob Heyde has served six years on the APOS board of
directors
Wood bison are not classed as wildlife except in the northwest portion of Alberta. |
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