Big Game Commercial Services Board Frequently Asked Questions Activity Reports BGCSB Disciplinary Guidelines and Precedence Choosing the Right License Code of Federal Regulations: Part 91 Examinations First Aid Certification Courses Guide Business Administration Information Hunting and Fishing Permits License Renewal Name Change/Address Change Nonresident and Nonresident Alien Out of State License Transfer of Hide and Skull Questions Unique Verification Code (UVC) Activity Reports Reach out to staff if you have questions regarding hunt or transporter activity reports. Phone: (907) 465-2543 Email: BigGameCommercialServicesBoard@Alaska.Gov Choosing the Right License Guide or Transporter According to the Big Game Commercial Services Statute & Regulations, Sec 08.54.790(9), the definition of: GUIDE: To provide, for compensation or with the intent of with an agreement to receive compensation, services, equipment, or facilities to a big game hunter in the field by a person who accompanies or is present with the big game hunter in the field either personally or through an assistant; in this paragraph. “Services” includes: contracting to guide or outfit big game hunts; stalking, pursuing, tracking, killing, or attempting to kill big game; packing, preparing, salvaging, or caring for meat, except that which is required to properly and safely load the meat on the mode of transportation being used by a transporter; field preparation of trophies, including skinning and caping; selling, leasing, or renting goods when the transaction occurs in the field; using guiding or outfitting equipment, including spotting scopes and firearms, for the benefit of a hunter; and providing camping or hunting equipment or supplies that are already located in the field; OUTFIT: To provide, for compensation or with the intent to receive compensation, services, supplies, or facilities, excluding the provision of accommodations by a person described in AS 08.54.785, to a big game hunter in the field, by a person who neither accompanies nor is present with big game hunter in the field either personally or by an assistant. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES: The carriage for compensation of big game hunters, their equipment, or big game animals harvested by hunters to, from, or in the field; "transportation services" does not include the carriage by aircraft of big game hunters, their equipment, or big game animals harvested by hunters. on nonstop flights between airports listed in the Alaska supplement to the Airmen’s Guide published by the Federal Aviation Administration; or by an air taxi operator or air carrier for which the carriage of big game hunters, their equipment, or big game animals harvested by hunters is only an incidental portion of its business; in this subparagraph, “incidental” means transportation provided to a big game hunter by an air taxi operator or air carrier who does not charge more than the usual tariff or charter rate for the carriage of big game hunters, their equipment, or big game animals harvested by hunters; or advertise transportation services or big game hunting services to the public; in this sub- subparagraph, "advertise" means soliciting big game hunters to be customers of an air taxi operator or air carrier for the purpose of providing air transportation to, from, or in the field electronic media, including advertising at trade shows, or the use of hunt broker services or other promotional services. Examinations The board provides two (2) opportunities for taking the Registered Guide-Outfitter and Guide Management Unit (GMU) examinations, once in March and once in December. Typically, the exams are in held in Anchorage. This information is always current on the board's website. If you need to retake your exams, mail a written request to re-test along with the $125 retest fee. Mailing address: Big Game Commercial Services Board PO Box 110806 Juneau AK 99811 Fax: (907) 465-2974 First Aid Certification Courses The American Red Cross American Heart Association Medic First Aid National Safety Council Hunting and Fishing Permits The Big Game Commercial Services Board does NOT distribute hunting and fishing permits, tags, drawing permits or regulate hunting in Alaska. Reach out to the following organizations regarding these services: Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Board of Game Alaska Board of Fisheries Department of Natural Resources License Renewal All Big Game Commercial Services licenses expire on December 31st of odd numbered years. Renewal notices are provided at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on file, in accordance with AS 08.01.050. Login to the MY LICENSE self-service portal to ensure your contact information is up to date. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve a licensee from the responsibility of renewing a license on time. There are 2 ways that you can renew your license, on-line or via a paper application. Visit the applications and forms page to view the most current paper applications. Name Change/Address Change To notify professional licensing of a name change and/or address change, submit a Name Change and/or Address Change form (#08-4291). Nonresident and Nonresident Alien A nonresident can obtain a guide or transporter license by meeting the qualifications under Alaska Statute 08.54 and 12 AAC 75. A nonresident alien may also obtain a guide or transporter license by meeting the qualifications under Alaska Statute 08.54 and 12 AAC 75. Although the board may issue a nonresident alien a professional license that does not mean the board is giving the individual authority to work in the United States. Licensees must meet all the requirements of the State and Federal government. The board advises each nonresident alien who obtains a professional license to contact immigration officials regarding the process for receiving authority to actually work in the United States. Out of State License The board does not offer reciprocity. To become licensed in the State of Alaska, you will need to meet the requirements of AS 08.54.605 and .610. Transfer of Hide and Skull Questions Transfer of Possession vs. Temporary Sealing Certificate If a client is no longer in the field or is not in possession of their bear hide and skull, the guide will need to complete both the Transfer of Possession and Temporary Sealing Certificate forms. The forms cannot be used in lieu of each other. According to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers: The two forms perform two very separate and distinct purposes and cannot be used in lieu of each other. The hide and/or skull of a brown bear are considered parts of a game animal and as such a transfer of possession must be filled out and remain with the items under 5AAC 92.135. An individual who fails to complete a transfer of possession form is guilty of a class A misdemeanor since this regulation is not listed under Rule 43.2 as a bailable violation. Both the client and guide may be charged under this regulation. A temporary bear sealing certificate must be filled out under 5aac 92.165(d) if the client is unable to personally present the hide and skull in person to a department representative within 30 days after taking. The guide and client who do not fill out and sign a temporary sealing certificate may be issued an AUC for $100.00, under Rule 43.2. The guide may also be issued a misdemeanor summons under A.S. 08.54.740(a), reference A.S. 08.54.710. Unique Verification Code (UVC) The Alaska Department of Fish and Game requires a Unique Verification Code (UVC) for non-resident draw hunt applications that require a guide-client contract. Guides may only obtain the unique verification code (UVC) by contacting our office at 907-465-2543. To qualify for your UVC you must have a current guide use area registration on file with the division. UVC’s are confidential and Guides are encouraged to register hunters in the drawings to protect themselves from violating Alaska Statute 08.54.720 Unlawful Acts. Other Questions? Please fill out our Customer Contact Form for the fastest response. Return to Top