FGASA is proud to announce that Jack Hutchinson has achieved one of the highest possible guiding designations: FGASA Scout. This remarkable milestone represents years of dedication, skill development, and commitment to guiding excellence — a journey that only 14 individuals have successfully completed to date.

The FGASA Scout designation is awarded to those who achieve the highest Trails Guide qualification, the SKS Dangerous Game (SKS DG), alongside CyberTracker’s Senior Tracker certification. Both are extraordinary achievements in their own right, and together they represent the pinnacle of guiding professionalism.

SKS Dangerous Game (SKS DG) requires:

  • A minimum of 1200 hours on foot in areas with dangerous game.
  • At least 600 dangerous game encounters, including 30 encounters with each of the dangerous game categories.
  • Passing the SKS DG Theory Exam, advanced shooting assessments (including the “Hailey’s Hop” and “night shoot”), and a rigorous wilderness backpacking-style assessment over two full days and nights with FGASA SKS DG Assessors.

CyberTracker’s Senior Tracker certification requires excellence in both:

  • Track & Sign – identifying tracks and signs of mammals, birds, insects, amphibians, and more.
  • Trailing – demonstrating the ability to follow the trail of animals in true wilderness conditions.

Both of these components demand years of experience, practice, and repeated assessments.

Jack first qualified as a guide in 2009, achieved SKS DG in 2023, and recently attained his Senior Tracker certification with CyberTracker. This combination has now earned him the Scout designation — the very peak of field guiding and tracking qualifications.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

Jack, FGASA congratulates you on this extraordinary achievement. Your hard work, consistency, dedication, and professionalism set an inspiring example to guides across the industry. You are a true ambassador for guiding excellence, and we look forward to watching your continued growth and contributions to the profession.

Congratulations once again on becoming FGASA’s 14th Scout!

Jack Hutchinson (middle), stands with CyberTracker evaluators Colin Patrick (left) and Andreas Liebenberg (right) after passing the senior trailing assessment.