Moose
At least 1,000
moose are estimated to live in Washington. Almost all are in the
northeastern counties of Pend Oreille, Stevens, and Spokane. Occasionally
moose are spotted in the northwestern and north-central counties
of Whatcom, Okanogan, and Ferry, and a wanderer or two has been
seen in other areas. But the only significant populations are
in the northeast's Selkirk Mountains that range into Idaho and
British Columbia.
As the largest
member of North America's deer family, the moose (Alces alces)
is unforgettable, whether viewed from a distance or especially
when encountered up close. Its sheer size commands respect. Its
uniqueness makes it a curiosity.
Description
Moose are
dark brown and long-legged with massive shoulders. They have
prominent muzzles with an overhanging upper lip, and a large
flap of hair-covered skin that hangs beneath the throat called
a "bell." Adult males or bulls have broad, flat, palmated antlers
tipped with a number of points, depending on age and health.
Yearling males have forked antlers and by about five years of
age the familiar palmated rack has developed. Antlers are shed
during the winter and regrown each spring.
Washington's
moose belong to a subspecies called "Shira's" moose, which is
physically smaller than more northern-dwelling moose. Adults
measure nearly six feet at the shoulder. A bull's antler spread
can be as much as 6-1/2 feet across. Bulls weigh between 850
and 1,100 pounds and adult females or cows weigh between 600
and 800 pounds.
Moose tend
to be loners, except for cows and their calves. Breeding occurs
in the fall and single or twin calves are born in June. Yearling
calves often live with their mothers until the cow drives them
off to give birth to a new calf. Some yearlings re-group with
the family several weeks after birth and remain with the cow
for up to two years of age.
Black bears
and cougars are the most common predators of moose calves in
Washington. In areas where wolves and grizzly bears are more
abundant, they are the dominant moose predators.
Generally
moose prefer forested habitat where lakes, marshes, and other
wetlands provide them with aquatic vegetation and willows. But
in less wet areas, like northeast Washington, they also eat
the woody browse in early stages of regrowth following disturbances
like fires, logging, and clearing. Moose are a pioneering type
animal and adapt to a variety of available forage.
With its
great size and forage demands, the home range of the average
moose in any given season is about three to six square miles,
although they habitually wander much further.
Management
The Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) classifies moose as a
game animal. A limited number of special, once-in-a-lifetime
moose hunting permits are issued each year on a draw basis to
hunters with valid licenses and tags. The season is open during
October and November in five moose management units in northeast
Washington.
Washington's
moose population has been slowly growing since the first confirmed
moose sighting was made in Pend Oreille County in the early
'50's. A study conducted in the early '70's indicated a population
of about 60 moose. The first moose hunting season in Washington
was in 1977 with three permits in the Selkirk unit of Pend Oreille
County. Increased moose sightings throughout the area and beyond
suggested a growing population. In 1987 one moose hunting permit
was allowed in the Mt. Spokane unit. By 1998 there was a total
of 43 permits among five units, and by 2006 there were 100 permits
over 10 units.
Since the
'90's the number of moose sightings rapidly increased, including
an alarming number of poaching cases. Many illegal moose kills
appear to be a kind of vandalism by road-cruising shooters who
leave carcasses without any attempt to retrieve game meat. The
problem isn't just more moose, but more people. "Moose patrol"
is now a WDFW enforcement priority with a boost in cash rewards
for information leading to poacher convictions and strategic
use of moose decoys and stakeouts.
Information
can be relayed through the 24-hour, toll-free poaching hotline:
1-877-933-9847.
Even greater
testimony to the parallel growth of both human and moose populations
is the increased incidents of moose wandering into the suburban
and urban areas of Spokane. WDFW personnel attempt to either
"escort" the wanderers away from the potential hazards of civilization
and back to the woods, or occasionally tranquilize and relocate
troublesome individuals. Relocated moose are now marked, either
with colored ear tags or radio telemetry equipment, to learn
more about where they go and whether they are repeat visitors
to the city.
People
and Moose
Most people
seem to like moose because they're so different. They don't
spook or shy away from us as readily as deer, appearing more
docile or even curious. But something to remember about moose
is that anything that big can be potentially dangerous.
Actually
moose, like any wild animal, can feel threatened by and fearful
of people. Although with their long legs they could outrun us,
they are not built for speed like deer and will often choose
"fight" over "flight" to escape a situation. A charging moose
often kicks forward with its front feet, knocking down the threat,
then stomping and kicking with all four feet. Antlered bulls
can use their racks just as lethally.
Moose can
be aggressive any time, but at these times in particular:
- In late
spring, early summer when a cow feels her very young calf
is in danger
- In the
fall when a breeding bull is competitive and agitated
- In the
winter when they are hungry and tired from walking in deep
snow
- Anytime
dogs chase or just bark at them
- Anytime
people approach them too closely
Since that
nearly covers the calendar year and more, what do you
do when you see a moose?
Most importantly,
give any moose in any environment lots of space.
If you're hiking in the woods, yield the trail in whatever way
works -- back off, change directions, and enjoy the animal only
from a distance.
This is
especially important during the winter for
snowmobilers and skiers because moose travel on broken trails
to save energy.
Be especially
alert around cow moose in late May and throughout June since
there is a good chance a newborn calf is around.
If you see a calf and not a cow, be extremely careful moving
out of the area; you may have walked between mother and baby,
which is probably the most dangerous place to be.
While enjoying
the outdoors in the fall, be alert for bull
moose in the breeding season. The peak of this "rut" is generally
late September and early October, but it can extend from early
September through late November. Cow moose can be aggressive
at this time, too. Although these animals aren't focused on
you at this time, give them a wide berth to avoid being mistaken
as intrusive competition.
Keep all
dogs confined in moose country. Moose consider dogs,
which are close relatives of wolves, to be their mortal enemy.
Moose have been known to go out of their way to kick at a dog,
even one on a leash or in a fenced yard. If you see a moose
where you live, bring dogs inside. If you're walking with your
dog and see a moose, keep your dog quiet and take an alternate
route out of the area. Never hike or camp with dogs in moose
country.
If you
are driving and come upon a moose standing
or walking in the road, yield to the moose. It may be trying
to rest or save energy, and if you try to move it, your motor
vehicle could come under attack. If you are driving at night
in an area that is frequented by moose, slow down and be extra
cautious -- a collision with a moose could be fatal for both
of you.
If a moose
wanders into a suburban or urban neighborhood
where it will have trouble wandering out because of traffic
and other human congestion, contact WDFW's Spokane office (509-892-1001)
for assistance. Meanwhile, confine dogs and other pets and keep
children inside and quiet. Give the moose ample room to move
out of your yard. Don't block escape routes or allow others
to do so. Draw curtains on large glass doors and windows so
that moose don't mistake them for an escape route.
Do
not approach any moose, even if it seems quiet and
gentle. Moose often lay down in the shade of buildings and trees
to rest and cool down. If approached repeatedly, even by the
best-intentioned onlookers, it may become stressed and aggressive.
Enjoy the visitor from a respectable distance. Use binoculars
and telephoto camera lenses. Be patient.
Never
feed moose. Moose that are fed by people often become
aggressive when they are not fed as expected. They may attack
another person who has no food to offer. A moose with a history
of unprovoked attacks on people may have to be killed to protect
public safety.
In
case of attack...
Many moose
charges are bluffs or warnings, but you need to take them all
seriously. Even a calf, which weighs 300 to 400 pounds by its
first winter, can injure you.
A moose
that sees you and walks slowly towards you is not trying to
be your friend. It is probably warning you to keep away (or
looking for a handout if it's been fed). It may signal an attack
by laying its ears back, raising the long hairs on its shoulder
hump, stomping the ground, or swinging its head in your direction.
If you see it licking its lips you are far too close!
Back off.
Look for the nearest tree, fence, building or other obstruction
to hide behind. Unlike with cougars, bears or even dogs, it's
usually a good idea to run from a moose because usually it won't
chase you very far. You can run around a tree or other obstacle
faster than a moose can.
If a moose
knocks you down, it may continue running, or start stomping
and kicking. Curl up in a ball, protect your head with your
arms and hands, and hold still. Don't move or try to get up
until the moose moves a safe distance away, or it may renew
its attack.
Moose
are a unique part of the high quality of life in Washington. If
we take the time to think about their behavior and our own in
response to them, and we teach our children to do the same, we
can enjoy sharing space with this spectacular animal.
