The Wife and I love the Moose of Park City, to see them in nature is spectacular. Moose are the largest member of the deer family in Utah and can be found in the mountains of the northern and northeastern portion of the state. Moose prefer forest habitats, especially those locations with a mixture of wooded areas and open areas near lakes or wetlands. Some moose make short migrations between summer and winter habitats and usually occur singly or in small groups. Moose are herbivores that prefer to feed on aquatic vegetation and new woody growth during the spring and summer. During the winter, when preferred food items are not available, moose switch to a diet of bark and twigs from evergreen and deciduous trees. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)

Adults weigh 800-1,200lbs. Bulls stand 6 ft. tall at the shoulder. Only the bulls have antlers. Moose are excellent swimmers, and routinely seek food in marshes and streams. Their hair is hollow which helps them float. A moose can run up to 35 miles per hour! Moose are active both day and night, but peak activity occurs near dawn and dusk.

Wild Aware Utah has provided safety tips when encountering Moose that we wanted to share:

Preventing Conflicts

• Moose cows with calves can be aggressive in the spring.
• Bull moose may be especially aggressive during the fall breeding season.
• Do not approach or feed a moose.
• Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times. Moose can be very aggressive around them. It is against Utah law to allow dogs to chase or harass wildlife.

If you encounter a Moose

• On a trail, give the moose a lot of space and watch it’s behavior.
• Back off if a moose exhibits any signs of aggression, such as the hair standing up on their neck, snout licking, or ears back.
• Stay calm. Do not run away. Talk, make your presence known and slowly back off in the direction you came.
• If a moose charges you or chases you hide behind something solid such as a tree.
• If a moose knocks you down, curl into a ball, protect your head and lie still until the moose retreats.

Heed warning signs.If you have an encounter with aggressive wildlife, please alert the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) office near you. If the encounter or sighting occurs after hours or on the weekend, please call your local police department or county sheriff’s office, who can contact a conservation officer to handle the situation. Click here for more information.