Trainer, speaker, moose hunting guide, entrepreneur and ambassador: Dan Lavoie lives for hunting. For more than 19 years now, he has dedicated his life to accompanying enthusiasts in the forest, helping them better understand their territory… and their game. And since 2020, it has become his full-time job.
With his calm voice and sharp gaze, Dan is one of the most credible figures in the field in Quebec. Whether it is on the show Bête de chasse, at the helm of his company Dan Lavoie Guide, or in a packed room for a training session, he instills a contagious passion for ethical hunting, respectful and well-prepared.
An instinctive collaboration with Sportchief
“Sportchief has been part of my hunter’s life since day one. I remember the time when I was saving $5 a week to buy my pieces, three weeks before the opening. I sometimes did it secretly… just for the pleasure of equipping myself.”
Today, Dan is a leading ambassador for the brand. He wears Sportchief hunting clothes in all his adventures, from his shoots to his training sessions. “I wear them in every way. And what I like is that I immediately see the impact. This summer, I gave a training with 20 participants… 12 of them bought the new J.T. Moose set after listening to me. And that’s not even counting those who write to me after my conferences to find out what I was talking about.”
Clothes designed for the field
Dan recommends without hesitation the silent clothes from the collaboration between his friend Jason and the Sportchief brand. “It’s by far the best I’ve seen for moose hunting. I talk about it in each of my trainings. When hunting nearby, silence is what makes the difference between a great encounter… and a missed opportunity.”
And when Dan talks about field experience, it’s not just a figure of speech. During the season, he spends an average of 45 consecutive days in the forest. Up before everyone else, he analyzes maps, winds, trails, in search of the best zone. “Between 12 and 20 km of walking per day, no breaks, no excuses. I tell myself I’ll have the winter to rest.”
Anecdotes, ethics… and a found GPS
With his years of experience, Dan has lived his share of memorable stories. Like that expedition in Saguenay, where he lost his GPS in remote terrain. “Looking for a GPS in the forest is like looking for a needle in a haystack… But miraculously, I found it. We had a bitter laugh, as they say.”
But beyond the laughs, there is a guiding principle: ethics. “Hunting must remain a pleasure. With family if possible. And always with respect for the game. If you shoot and you’re not sure, call the bloodhounds. That’s what being a true hunter is.”
Constant evolution, high expectations
Today, Dan is also a speaker, columnist and trainer. And while he continues to learn, he knows that people attending his conferences expect a professional service, matching his media presence. “When you are seen on TV or YouTube, the expectations are there. So I strive to offer more than information: I want them to come out enriched.”
A memorable memory: his 2023 moose
After years devoted exclusively to moose, Dan experienced a memorable moment in 2023 during a shoot: “A strong moment is when we filmed the scene where I touch a big buck moose. It’s available on my YouTube channel… and it’s a memory I’m not about to forget.”
Expertise beyond the forest
Field analyses are just one aspect of Dan Lavoie’s know-how. In addition to being a moose hunting guide, he is a specialist in reading topographic maps, a recognized trainer and an experienced speaker.
This passion led him to found his own company, Dan Lavoie Guide, from which he has lived 100% since 2022. “Now, I live only from hunting!” he says with a smirk.
His expertise covers everything: strategic planning, territory analysis, hunter coaching, pedagogy… and television shoots. A rare combination, which explains why his trainings are so sought after throughout Quebec.
A philosophy based on respect and pleasure
What Dan Lavoie repeats at every training is simple: go back to basics.
“Hunting is a matter of pleasure.” He emphasizes the importance of family and respect for the game.
“Many people are reckless and don’t practice before shooting. If you shoot and you’re not sure, call the bloodhounds, out of respect for the animal.”
And this ethic, Dan also applies towards other enthusiasts:
“Everyone has the right to live their passion. Whether it’s your first season or your 30th, the important thing is to remain respectful.”
