Home Stories with Photos  

"I saw this moose today (4/15/05) on York Pond Road on the way to the Berlin, New Hampshire fish hatchery. Holly."

Mooseworld: Thank you for your report and photo. This moose looks as if it's not in a hurry—and we're glad that you were not either.

"On our way to Moncton, from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, I spotted a moose alongside a fence, on Highway 2, Trans Canada Highway. So I immediately put the car on reverse, and backed up roughly within 50 feet from the moose. As I was backing up, The moose took off. "Damn" I said, "it took off!" My wife said what do you mean it's still there, so I knew she was looking at another one. Sure enough. I first thought it was a cow and her calf, but when I got closer, I noticed the stumps where the anthers had fallen off last fall. I took a few shots from a distance, and they both took off in the woods. They say you can't call moose in the spring, but I thought I would give it a try. In the first picture, the moose ran out in the woods, I started calling, and the bull came back ears on his back, kicking with front feet, followed by what looks like a young cow, and came within 30 feet from me. My wife lost sight of them at first, but saw them with ears back, coming straight for me. I was hoping that the fence would survive the impact if he would attack, because I wasn't moving. I still wish I would have a better camera, because as you can see, the camera I have focused on the fence as opposed to the moose. Like I said, I will be getting a better camera some day, and I will bring you nice, crisp, sharp, focused pictures. As you can see, a spring moose is not a pretty sight. George."

Mooseworld: This is another example of a moose encounter that was "safe" because the photographer is familiar with moose—and, of course, the fence!

"I took these photos in south Anchorage, Alaska a couple weeks back [January 2005]. The moose got spooked and started to trot off when the calf slipped and fell on the ice. He sat there a few minutes kinda scared, then mama turned an waited till he got up. Then they walked off together. Ken."

Mooseworld: Thanks for the photos. It seems as if moms always know best. We titled the third picture "Ouch." The fourth picture shows moose tracks.

"I am a retired physician living in Leesburg, Florida. A dear friend of my wife is from Alaska and is now living here. She supplied me with your Web site and many pics of moose in her backyard—in snow, with grandkids wading in the pool, etc. She asked me to make her a moose stained glass. I thought you might like to have a photo of this nice piece of "moose art." It's 19" in wooden frame with copper antlers in lifting into space for a 3D effect. Dr. Robb."

Mooseworld: How many people can look out of their window every day and see a moose! Thanks for sharing your craftwork with Mooseworld.

"The last of four moose encountered on a 4-day Harcourt/Rogersville, New Brunswick, Canada camera hunt with my friend Roger the "Moose Call Man;" not the largest but certainly the nicest, with his beautiful long beard and shiny black coat. Proudly he stood about 100 yards away in the middle of a chopping when I got out of the car and called to him. Answering every call, he approached me to approximately 25 feet. When I saw the hair on his back stand on end, his ears laid back, and his stare from the corner of his eye, I knew it was time to send him on his way. Amazed, the Moose Call Man said: "I've been making moose calls for years, and people think I can call moose, but I have never seen anything like this."

My decision to buy a camera was a good one, having "bagged" four moose in four days. My new goal is to upgrade my photography equipment, take photography courses, and bring you more beautiful pictures in the future." George.

Mooseworld: This correspondent knows a lot about moose behavior—he must if he can call them!—but for most amateur photographers they should always heed the Viewing Moose Safely tips.

"Here is a moose spotted in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Local experts say he/she's about 700 pounds and two years old. S/he seems rather placid and unassuming to me, a very nice moose. Yours in moose appreciation, Elizabeth."

Mooseworld: This is a very nice moose. Thank you for the photo.

"Thank you so much for your information you sent me earlier. I ended up going to Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)as I did not find any moose in Yellowstone. Below is my happy encounter with the moose on Gros Ventre road, as well as the pictures that I promised.

After searching high and low for moose, I almost stumbled on a young (?) bull, two cows and a calf who had bedded down for the day. After cautiously walking around, I started taking pictures even though the bull was hardly visible through the grass and the cows even less so. Two of the cows decided to stand up, whether to stretch, or to get a better look at the photographers I'm not sure. I decided to wait and see if the bull would stand when suddenly, one of the trees behind the bull, which had been gnawed on by the local beavers, fell, startling the moose (and all others present). Thankfully all those present were not very close to the moose and so did not make him more nervous and he quickly settled back down. However, many people got some good pictures of both him and the rest of his little family before he laid back down.

I was quite far away for safety, so the quality of the pictures are not my best. Hopefully, the last picture, showing the tree that fell, will show you how far away I was. Hillary."

Mooseworld: Thank you for the photos. In August 2004 we saw moose on Gros Ventre road too. By the way, since bulls shed their antlers annually you cannot tell the age of a bull by the size of its antlers. Also, it's rare for bulls to be with cows unless they are courting. The bull we saw was also with a cow and it was way before the rutting season. This was probably the same "family man" bull!

"My wife and I recently [2004] took a trip to Colorado and Wyoming. We drove through Grand Teton, Yellowstone and back through Rocky Mountain National Park. We spent time in Grand Teton and Yellowstone looking for a moose. Neither of us had ever seen one. With all of the areas in both parks to spot them, I was sure we would eventually spot one. I was very disappointed that we had to head back to Colorado without seeing any. We saw plenty of elk, buffalo and even several bears, but no moose.

We drove through Rocky Mountain National Park and stopped at Grand Lake. Before we headed back, I followed a dirt rode and saw a sign for a waterfall. We took the path to Adam Falls and on our way back to the car I spotted something dark in the woods. I stopped and stepped back peering into the woods. My wife came back to see why I stopped. At first, I though it was someone on a horse. As I slowly walked into the woods, I realized I saw my first moose! I was taking pictures like crazy. At first I was seeing him through some thick thicket. This made a good picture because you can clearly see his face and antlers through the thicket. I then walked around and found a clearing to take a few more great, close pictures. I wanted to stay there all day. When I finally came out, I showed people on the path the pictures on my digital camera and they were amazed. He was a pretty nice bull moose. By the time the others started walking in, he had moved up a hill and was barely visible.

I plan to see more moose in the future, but this will probably always stand out as a great moose encounter. David"

Mooseworld: This is a great moose sighting if only because it took a while to accomplish. The photos clearly show the encounter—through the brush, profile and that very special moment when the moose looks at you. See our own photo from Grand Teton National Park that was September's home page photo for another example of "communicating" with a moose. But please remember how to view moose safely.

"My wife and I visit Rocky Mountain National park usually twice per week. I am an avid wildlife photographer (unpublished of course) and the park carries so many great subjects it is hard to stay away. Moose are a seldom seen this time of year but the week before the Fourth of July [2004] we got lucky and I took these pictures. The young male pictured had a lot of admirers and was getting a little skittish. I positioned myself far enough away as to not add to his anxiety. Other people attempted to get to close and the moose bolted away. I was getting ready to leave and come out of the woods when I guess I piqued his curiosity and he looked through the branches to pose and say hello. He smelled me for a few minutes, then continued past me away from the crowd. It was a great day for me and this picture is my favorite.

The second picture happened on the same day. This cow brought her calf to a pond that I had been scouting for humming bird pictures. As she was feeding on the bottom of the pond the seven week old calf (according to the park ranger's best estimate) stayed on the shore and impatiently waited for his mother to get full. Since we are frequent visitors to the park, I have taken pictures of the calf each time we visit to show its growth and color change.

We are very proud of the moose in our state, they number between 1300 and 1400 (mostly in the North Park area) I have become quite a fan and look forward to more pictures in the future. Russell."

Mooseworld: Thank you for these beautiful photos. We love the photo of the cow showing her "browse mustache!" Also, we are happy to hear of the healthy moose population in Colorado after hearing reports of moose in decline there.

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