Moose Allegedly Attack Snowmobiler, Researcher

by
posted on February 26, 2014

It's not uncommon for moose to be a little more ill-tempered than the other members of the deer family, and a number of recent incidents—two from Colorado, another from Maine—have placed the big-game animal firmly in the news this week.

According to a report by a local ABC affiliate, officials in Grand Lake, Colo., are asking snowmobile owners to be on the lookout for moose and other wildlife, largely due to a pair of moose-on-snowmobile run-ins from this winter.

Last week, wildlife officers received a report of a severely injured moose calf along a local trail. Responding officials determined that the calf had likely been struck by a snowmobile. Unfortunately, the calf's injuries were severe enough that it ultimately had to be put down. The calf incident occurred just days after a pair snowmobilers released a video of a more mature moose allegedly ramming one of their vehicles. The ABC affiliate has the video online and, in this case, it's almost undoubted that the snowmobile operators could have paused to allow the moose pass before continuing along the trail. Very poor—and very dangerous, given a moose's size—form.

Meanwhile, CBS Boston is reporting that a wildlife researcher received a less-then-friendly farewell from a moose calf that he'd been collaring for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Wes Livingston told reporters that he'd just released the young calf after fitting it with a radio collar when the animal turned and charged him. In the accompanying video, which Livingston provided, the young moose does, in fact, charge him a number of times upon release. No damage was done—the toss of a large branch ultimately scared the animal off—but the incident underscores the fact that any big-game animal, calf or not, can present a danger in the right situation.

At the end of the day, the message's simple, folks—unless you're hunting them, do your best to stay away from moose. But, hey, at least in this case, everyone stayed sober.

Latest

Early Season Mule Deer Hunting Tips Lead
Early Season Mule Deer Hunting Tips Lead

Early-Season Mule Deer Hunting Tips

Shorten your mule deer learning curve with five tips learned over years of trial and error.

First Look: Lucid Optics E7 Reflex Sight

Lucid Optics has announced the launch of its E7 reflex sight, with an unusual blue reticle.

Review: J.P. Sauer & Sohn SL5 Waterfowl

The semi-automatic J.P. Sauer & Sohn SL5 Waterfowl is an excellent step outside the rifle maker’s proverbial box, and one that waterfowl hunters will surely appreciate.

First Look: B&P Upland Game Classic

Baschieri & Pellagri USA (B&P), has announced the latest addition to its Upland Game line: Upland Game Classic. This product is designed to optimize the performance of bespoke and vintage shotguns.

First Look: Riton 5 Primal 15-45x60 Spotting Scope

The Riton 5 Primal 15-45x60mm spotting scope has been thoughtfully designed with premium features packed into a compact, lightweight package, which provides hunters with unmatched versatility in the field.

Nosler Raises Over $30,000 in Support of NWTF

Nosler Inc. has announced the success of its recent fundraising effort for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Habitat for the Hatch Initiative.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.