West Virginia Code Chapter 20. Natural Resources § 20-2-23. Outfitters and guides--Generally; definitions

(a) Services of outfitters and guides for the benefit and convenience of hunters, fishermen and others in this state are recognized as essential, and such outfitters and guides may be licensed and authorized to serve as provided in this article. The director is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations on services of outfitters and guides as herein authorized and defined.

(b) The term “outfitter,” as used herein, means and includes any person who, operating from any temporary or permanent camp, private or public lodge, or private or incorporated home situate within this state, provides for monetary profit or gain, saddle or pack animals or other animals, vehicles, boats, conveyances or equipment, or guide services for any person or persons hunting game animals, game birds, fishing or taking expeditions, both land and water, in this state. The term “outfitter” shall not include, however, any person who occasionally for accommodation or favor rather than profit or gain, rents equipment to hunters, fishermen or others as a service incidental to his principal occupation or business without advertising outfitter or guide services or holding out to the public the offering of such services. The term “guide,” as used herein, includes and embraces outfitter services and the term “outfitter” includes and embraces guide services, but the applicant for any license hereunder may in his or her application elect to be designated as an outfitter or guide.

(c) The term “commercial whitewater outfitter,” as used herein, means any person, partnership, corporation or other organization, or any combination thereof, duly authorized and operating from within or from without the state, which for monetary profit or gain, provides whitewater expeditions or rents whitewater craft or equipment for use in whitewater expeditions on any river, portions of rivers or waters of the state in accordance with this article.

The term “commercial whitewater guide,” as used herein, means any person who is an owner, agent or employee of a commercial whitewater outfitter, and who is qualified and authorized to provide services for whitewater expeditions in the state in accordance with this article.