Moose have become a more regular sight within town limits in Silverton and other towns and areas of southwest Colorado. They inhabit other states as well. If you see one, keep your distance, urges Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
CPW District Wildlife Manager Brandon Dye asks residents and visitors to give moose space and to remember to keep dogs on leash and well-distanced from the animals at all times. If trying to take a photograph, stay back and use a zoom. There have been five moose attacks in 2021 across Colorado.
“Moose react to dogs the same way they would react to a predator in the wild,” Dye said. “While these moose … may seem relatively tame or docile, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and can be unpredictable and extremely dangerous.”
The latest population estimate from CPW after the 2020 hunting season indicated there were roughly 460 moose in the southwest region of Colorado. That number has held relatively stable for the last 15 years.
However, the population is thriving and expanding its range, evident by several young bull moose crossing into New Mexico this year.
Watch this video to learn more about the habits of moose, and how you should react if you come upon one.
##RVT1027
Moose attacks are not increasing, stupid people are increasing. I was stationed in Alaska for seven years and each year someone died because they stupidly got to close trying to feed it or not going the other way to get around the big ole moosy. One incident happened on the university campus, that now deceased individual just had to go through that door to get to class instead of backing off or finding another door.
As a retired woodland firefighter I can attest to the dangers presented by these territorial critters. While I have many stories of encounters with bear, cats and other critters the most impressive are the moose. On one camp a lone cow kept 35 firefighters from reaching our assignment quickly as she had taken exception to us crossing her stream. On the same camp we had to circle our engines (yes wagon train style) to keep a big bull from attacking us while we were in camp. The same bull put more than a few dents into our brush guards simply because we were driving on his fire trail. Give them space and do not feed or otherwise aggravate them. They are 1000 pounds of pure mean when riled.
The state of Colorado is currently considering reintroduction of wolves on the west side of the Rockies in their Proposition 114, Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative (2020). If passed, populations of prey animals such as the moose will return to the natural management systems that evolved over millions of years in areas where wolves once roamed. The problem of dummies stepping up to feed or pet moose, elk, and bears will probably still persist, though…
I was returning to our home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and passing through a known moose area. Ahead I saw numerous cars on the shoulder and people outside their cars. I slowed down and sure enough there was beautiful and huge bull moose not 30 feet off the road munching swamp grass. That means there were multiple people, 30 feet away between their cars and the moose. Nowhere for them to go if that bull became agitated.
I happened to have my pro level camera gear and would have loved to photograph this critter – safely from INSIDE my car on the OTHER side of the road. Not that day. I’ve seen photos of a car after a moose attacked it. A car can go to a body shop; a person could end up in a body bag.
I am 6’ tall. One dark, silent Alaska Christmas morning I went to the bottom of our very long, steep driveway to get the newspaper. Holiday excitement had rendered me foolish as I had forgotten my flashlight. As I pulled the paper from its’ box, I felt a sudden warm, moist breeze waft across my face. I knew immediately I was incredibly close to a moose. Fortunately I was noisy enough that I had not startled it and I backed up in a smooth, expeditious manner and got up into the house safely. I still get goose bumps when I think of how the outcome could have been completely different. That was the first and last time I went outside in the dark without a light source. People look at large land mammals and misjudge their lightning fast responses and speed. Don’t EVER do that!!!
I recommend soaking moose meat in milk for an hour minimum before preparing it for the table. It reduces a little of the gamieness and improves the texture. A good Stroganoff recipe is great when substituted with moose meat.