173 Etienne Daigle – Quebec, CanadaIf you’ve ever wondered what game wardens deal with north of the border, this one delivers. From beardecoy busts to baby crocodiles in a bunker, “Agent de la faune” Etienne Daigle gives us a front row seatto wildlife enforcement in Quebec, Canada - and it’s anything but predictable.Our Sponsors:Thin Green Line PodcastDon Noyes ChevroletNorth American Game Warden MuseumHunt RegsWiseEyeSecureIt Gun StorageXS Sights“A Cowboy in the Woods” BookIron Skillet SeasoningsMaine Operation Game ThiefNew Hampshire Operation Game ThiefConservation Officers of PennsylvaniaNorth East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs AssociationInternational Wildlife CrimestoppersNorth American Wildlife Enforcement Officers AssociationHere’s what we discuss: Starting the job at just 20 years old after switching from police academy to game wardentraining “It’s two totally different jobs” - policing the woods vs the streets Quebec wardens enforce fish, game, and trapping laws, not full police powers Arresting suspects as a citizen in uniform before turning them over to police First posting in Lac Saint-Jean - a remote territory with massive patrol areas “People just don’t like bears” due to concerns about moose calves His very first case - a bear decoy operation during closed season Lying in a ditch as a hunter returns with his family Waiting for a second shot to confirm intent A plane flying overhead causes the hunter to panic Moving the decoy’s head to trigger a reaction “Dad, the bear is moving” leads to a second shot Officers step in after clear evidence is established “He truly thought it was a real bear.” Covering areas with 10,000 plus lakes and hours-long patrol drives Fishing opportunities - walleye, pike, and lake trout everywhere Moose hunting rules - multiple hunters and shared tags required “About a $2,500 fine” for illegal harvest “The most dangerous animal is a moose with a calf.” Transfer to a mining region brings more drug-related cases “We are there for wildlife, but we deal with human problems too.” Case involving a drug dealer with two baby crocodiles Illegal possession of exotic animals without proper permits Joint operation with provincial police Planning entry into a single-access basement Unexpected twist - the suspect’s father answers the door Securing the scene and removing the animals safely “Drugs and reptiles seem to go together.” Roughly 300 officers covering all of Quebec Balancing wildlife enforcement with real-world dangerCreditsHosts: Wayne Saunders and John NoresProducer: Jay AmmannWarden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley HannettResearch / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRochesSubscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazonGoogleWaypointStitcherTuneInMegaphoneFind More Here:WebsiteWarden’s Watch / TGL StoreFacebookFacebook Fan PageInstagramThreadsYouTubeRSSLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices