Offering the wilderness to someone special...

Do you want to know more about fishing and hunting in Québec?

Our member outfitters have rated accommodations!

The network of Quebec outfitters can provide you with the type of accommodations you are looking for, whether it is a fully-equipped cottage, a rustic camp by a lake, a deluxe hotel in the heart of the forest or a tent in the wilderness.

For a little over 10 years, the QOF, in association with the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife, has rated all outfitting accommodation units in the province, regardless of whether the outfitter is a member of the QOF or not.

The current four-star rating system indicates the level of comfort and quality to be expected, which can help you plan your vacation more effectively.

Drawing on its 10 years of experience with rating systems, the QOF has developed a new five-star rating system for outfitters, based on criteria similar to those used for hotels and B&Bs.

The new five-star system has gone into effect for wilderness lodges. To help you understand the levels of the of accommodation we have to offer, the icons used are described below.

Rating: 4 Star

Amenities

: One or more amenities not available:Heating – Cooking facilities – Kitchen, Kitchenette – Cold water – Bathroom

:Heating – Electrical or gas powered cooking appliances – Kitchen, kitchenette – Refrigerator – Cold water – Indoor bathroom – Shower may be available – Hot water may be available

:Electrical or gas powered cooking appliances – Kitchen, kitchenette – Refrigerator – Cold water/Hot water – Indoor bathroom – Hot water shower(s)

Quality (Lodging comfort and quality)

: Basic

: Average

: Good

: Superior

Rating: 5 star

Quality (Lodging comfort and quality)

: Basic level of comfort with installations and services meeting quality standards

:Average level of comfort with good quality facilities offering a few services and amenities

:Good level of comfort with better than average facilities offering many services and amenities

: Superior level of comfort with outstanding facilities offering a wide range of services and amenities

:Exceptional level of comfort with the highest quality facilities offering practically every amenity and impeccable service

Lodging

Lodge (inn) : a building in which food is offered and with at least 2 bedrooms.

Camp : a one-room building that can accommodate no more than 6 persons.

Cottage : a building comprising one or more bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen.

Dormitory : a one-room building that can accommodate more than 6 persons

Hotel : a building with several rooms of which at least 90 % are not directly accessible from the outside.

Motel : a building with several adjacent rooms directly accessible from the outside.

Framed tent square : a structure with a floor and fixed half-walls.

Houseboat : a floating structure with a floor, a roof and fixed, rigid walls, especially designed for lodging, that may have one or more bedrooms, separate from the kitchen or the living room, as well as an open area.

Type of package

PA : American Plan (3 meals a day)
PE : European Plan (no meals)
PAM : Modified American Plan (dinner only)
PSM : Partial American Plan (one meal only)
PAD : American Plan upon request only

: Liquor license

: Wheelchair accessible

Type of outfitters:

Outfitter with exclusive rights (PADE) : Outfitters with exclusive hunting, fishing or trapping rights in a given area have signed an agreement with the Minister to obtain such rights. These outfitters are known as PADE outfitters. These rights pertain to a specific species in a particular hunting or fishing zone. Only PADE outfitters' clients may hunt, fish or trap the species in question in the zone designated by the agreement.

Outfitter without exclusive rights (PSDE) : Outfitters without exclusive hunting, fishing or trapping rights are called PSDE outfitters. Their clients may only hunt, fish or trap on publicly-owned lands, to which other hunters and fishers also have access, or on privately-owned lands.

Code of Ethics

Professional ethics are the basic principles of moral conduct and obligations that QOF member outfitters must respect when dealing with society in general, and with their clients, employees, colleagues and the profession in particular.

Each QOF outfitter must respect the federation's Code of Ethics and basic principles.

A. Obligations toward the public
1. Members cooperate with public authorities to ensure that laws and regulations governing their business practices are respected.

2. Members operate their businesses in a professional manner that conforms to recognized standards and assume full personal responsibility when exercising their professional functions.

3. Members work with the concerned parties (Faune Québec and its representatives, the Quebec Outfitters Federation, etc.) to develop and raise awareness of provincial wildlife conservation policies.

4. Members also work closely with wildlife area managers and their representatives to ensure the sustainable development of wildlife and forest resources.

B. Obligations toward the client
5. Members accurately describe their services and rates in all advertising material.

6. When taking reservations, members fully explain the services they offer, rates charged, method(s) of payment accepted and reimbursement policy in effect.

7. The services offered and the rates charged clients must conform to those agreed upon when the reservations were made. However, should circumstances beyond the control of the members force them to modify the services previously agreed upon, they must offer services of at least equal quality to the clients, or provide financial compensation if this is not possible.

8. Members ensure that the accommodation units and equipment at the disposal of their clients are in good condition and safe to use.

9. Members ensure that they have a sufficient number of courteous, trained employees on staff.

10. Members provide their clients with all the information required to ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable stay. This means clients will have all the equipment and licenses they need to engage in their activities.

11. Members make no guarantee as to the number of game animals that will be bagged or fish caught.

12. Neither the members nor their guides may shoot a game animal or catch a fish on behalf of a client.

13. Members take the necessary measures to preserve the game bagged or fish caught and to return these to their clients in good condition upon departure.

14. Members ensure that their clients and personnel are notified of and respect the regulations in effect regarding hunting, fishing or any other activity.

C. Obligations towards the QOF and its leaders
15. Members and their personnel act in such a manner as to safeguard the QOF's reputation and credibility.

16. Members personally and collectively defend the QOF against any form of misrepresentation.

17. Members support the advancement of the QOF by sharing their knowledge and experience with other members and by participating in QOF activities.

18. Members retract their support of any member who violates the Code of Ethics.

19. Members agree to respect the Code of Ethics and to adhere to the recommendations made by the Ethics Committee.

D. Obligations toward other members
20. Members demonstrate loyalty to other members and abstain from any action that would cause prejudice, either directly or indirectly, to the relations between other members and their clients or employees.

21. Members do not maliciously attack, either directly or indirectly, the professional reputation of other members. However, members believing that another member has violated the Code of Ethics must submit a written complaint to the Ethics Committee.

E. Ethics committee
22. The Ethics Committee ensures that the Code of Ethics is applied and respected by QOF members. It recommends action to be taken in order to raise awareness of the importance of offering quality services.

23. The Ethics Committee is the body to which is submitted any written complaint from a QOF member regarding any matter arising from a violation of the Code of Ethics. The complainant must indicate the reasons for the complaint, any specific circumstances (time and place) and provide proof of such violation.

24. Any complaint received by the Committee is brought to the attention of the member concerned, who then has 30 days to respond.

25. After examining the information provided by the complainant and by the outfitter allegedly at fault, or solely the information submitted by the complainant if the outfitter at fault did not respond, the Committee makes its recommendations and informs the concerned parties .

26. The Ethics Committee presents a report of its activities to the Board of Directors, which has the power to make a final decision regarding any recommendation on the part of the Ethics Committee to suspend or expel any member from the QOF, if this is deemed necessary.