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"Several years ago I went on a moose photography weekend with L.L. Bean and my love of moose began. As a nature photographer I am always exploring new areas in Maine and New Hampshire to sight and photograph moose. Last summer my wife and I went to Alaska to photograph moose and bears. Because of my love of moose my wife and I built a log home in Milford Pennsylvania with the theme of moose and I am now called the moose man of Milford. My best moose story is about a family camping trip to Baxter State Park in Maine. After spending a day without success we set up our tent in a camping area. Around 11 P.M. my son—who at the time was eight years old—said "Dad there is a moose outside our tent." I told him to go to bed but he insisted and, to our surprise, outside our tent was a cow with her calves. Since then even my children who have now grown up have been moose lovers. Thanks for a great site."

Mooseworld: Although separated by a few months, after hearing from the "mooselady" (see below) we hear from the "moose man."

"I have really enjoyed visiting your site on several occasions. I am a wildlife photographer and I live in Millinocket, Maine. I photograph all species of animals here but I am known mostly for my work with moose. I work mostly in remote places but at times in areas with tourists and other photographers. At times throughout the spring and summer I guide and educate tourists, taking them to accessible ponds and woodlands. Because of the bonds and close relationships I form with many of the moose I work with I am called the mooselady. In my work with these magnificent creatures I have found them to be quite intelligent in there own right. One example: like an elephant, they never forget whether they have a good or bad encounter. Because of my love and passion for the moose I have worked long and hard with these gentle giants for nine years. Never forgetting for a second that I am there guest and when invited into there territory never abuse or disrespect that honor and privilege.

There are some bulls, cows and there calves I have literally watched grow to maturity. When I tell people any of my stories I make it quite clear there are many hours, days, weeks and sometimes months in working, bonding and successfully photographing moose. No matter how docile moose may seem to be at times they are still wild animals and they can be unpredictable. There are many spots in this region of Maine where moose and people can come together on common ground. In these areas it is often easy and safe for tourists and photographers to observe and photograph moose at a safe distance. I have made some discoveries in the relationships and bonds between some bulls and cows also. I have passed on some of my discoveries to mf&w and to some Canadian wildlife biologists also. If you are interested in seeing some of my images please feel free to contact me. Education, conservation and preservation of all wildlife are so important to our world. Thank you for having such a wonderful site to help in the education of North America’s most majestic woodland species—moose."

Mooseworld: Thanks to the "mooselady" for this interesting report.

"This July 2003 my husband and I headed from our home in Northern Manitoba on our new motorcycle towards Flin Flon. We got into the Saskatchewan border by Creighton and took the Hansen Lake Highway. The scenery on the back of a motorcycle is indescribable—the different smells, the wind and the wildlife. On our trek to Prince Albert we happened to get off the motorcycle for a stretch. Just as I had turned and was removing my helmut, my husband had this awe struck look on his face. He pointed behind me and I saw two of the most beautiful moose I have ever seen.

They had walked out and stood about 100 feet from where we were and looked at us, then slowly walked across the highway, stopping one more time to look at us again and moved on. And wouldn't you know it, luck had it that my camera was locked in the trunk of the bike and we couldn't get to it in time—besides that we were too stunned to move!

After that we headed to Prince Albert, then on to Saskatoon and headed towards Morin, Alberta, where we got another thrill of having a moose run right beside us going up the steep hill into a farmer's field. After that we saw more moose, but to be that close was just unbelievable. The moose that was running beside us was on the other side of a big guard rail, so we felt pretty safe that she wouldn't be trying to cross the highway. She wasn't impressed with the noises and was moving off to find some peace and to eat. Connie."

Mooseworld: Thanks for the story, Connie. Our own experience with moose is similar. Most of the time they are very busy browsing and thus mind their own business. And every moose "sighting" is special.

"I had an encounter with my mom in Alaska some time ago, just some 150 miles from Anchorage as we were driving on the Glenn highway. Overlooking the Chugach Mountain range, we saw a cow moose and her calve feeding on some ground lichens. It was an exciting site for me as I love moose to death. I live in Illinois, but I love to go to Alaska, or other states that have them and try to see moose if I can. Sorry I have no photos at this time, but I will try to take a few next time I go. Dan."

Mooseworld: Once again, we will look forward to Dan's photos of his (and our) favorite animal—moose.

"My husband Ron and I have spent every available weekend for the past three years between the months of May and October travelling throughout Northern Ontario seeking photo opportunities of moose and bear. This year (2002) we were very disturbed by the fact that we saw NO moose and very few black bear, those bear that we did see were visiting the local dump. Last year I must have seen at least two dozen bear and we did spot one moose along highway 69. There is a an old fellow who works at one of the local dumps who is a wealth of information on bear, he advised last year that he expected some unusual results from the cancellation of the spring bear hunt in Ontario and I suspect that the bear taking 85% of moose offspring may have been one of them (the bear population in Ontario is increasing by 20%/year). We are becoming very concerned with the well being of this wonderful animal in Northern Ontario. A sure way to see many, many moose in Northern Ontario though is to go out at about 5:00 am in early May and June along Hwy 60 through Algonquin Park, the moose seek out the salt residue from winter salting operations and they are out in numbers. Unfortunately, I haven't made it up there with my camera for awhile. Will be sure to send pic's if I'm able to get them next spring. Keep up the great work!"

Mooseworld: Thank you to Karen for this interesting, if disturbing, report. We look forward to photos next time!

"On a recent trip in northeastern Utah, I was camping with my dog, had just set up the tent and was collecting wood for a warming fire, when my dog was looking down the canyon and started growling. I walked over and looked where she was pointing her attention and saw this really big dark brown thing. At first I thought it was a bear. Then it turned and it was a moose! To my surprise, a cow, just chowing down on bushes. My dog was still a bit upset, but the cow didn't care. So I walked closer, now mind you I was on top of the cliff looking down. I was able to get fairly close, and started to talk to her, I thanked her for letting me see her. I explained that we (the dog and I) were not going to bother her, we were just going to watch her for a while. She was magnificent. She had looked up and watched me the whole time I spoke to her. I again thanked her and took a picture, then the camera broke. Now no one will believe me. I told her bye, and she went back to eating. While I was returning to camp, I noticed a strange thing; I placed my tent on top of an animal trail, and had noticed that there was a trail coming up from the canyon and it was one in the same. Later that night you could here something walking and in the distance animal calls, ones I had never heard before. All too cool. The dog was just freaked all night long and stayed in the car for a few hours. But all went well. We were not trampled. But it was the coolest. I am hoping to have more experiences with moose in my future."

Mooseworld: Denise has captured a lot of feeling in this message. These kind of solitary moose encounters are almost mystical. As long as one follows the "Viewing Moose Safely" guidelines (above) you can get "emotionally" close to a moose if not physically close. If you do, you will know why Mooseworld thinks moose can be a metaphor for life: they are so peaceful you wish everything—and everyone—could be so peaceful.

"I saw a moose this morning. A rather large bull with a huge rack. He was on Kearsarge Valley road in Sutton, New Hampshire south of the Sutton-Wilmot town line. Just before 7:00 am. As I approached in the car, he got off of the road and stood in the woods just off the road and watched me as I stared at him. After while he went deeper in the woods."

Mooseworld: This message from Joel in the Fall of 2002 shows exactly why moose sightings are so special: simple but uplifting.

"My wife and I have been vacationing in northern Minnesota, along the north shore of Lake Superior and the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), for several years. On a recent visit to the BWCAW, we took a drive in the early morning hours during late September and caught a glimpse of a moose down an old logger's trail. We stopped and backed up, and sure enough, a large bull was standing down the trail enjoying the early morning, just as we certainly did. No pictures, but a great memory!

Mooseworld: Thank you to Don and Marcy for sharing this moose sighting—and such sightings are great memories!

"My family and I took a trip to Alta, Montana, and the first thing we saw the next morning was a moose with her baby. We watched in amazement as she and her baby were feeding on vegetation at the bottom of a pond. The next day we saw her again, and the day we were leaving we saw a bull moose. If you ever want a "perfect vacation" Alta Meadow Ranch is the one to take. I am now hooked on moose and bears, I have turned my bedroom into a "wilderness hideout," and my husband says he now sees moose in his dreams! And now I have found Mooseworld, and know I am not alone! Keep up the info, we love the stories!"

Mooseworld: This message from Peggy Ann has us wondering about how to interpret those moose dreams!

"Just to let you know, Micki (my wife of 19 years) and I finally saw some moose. This was our second year going up to Canada to go fishing. We go to Anderson's Lodge in western Ontario. This is located very close to Sioux Lookout along Ontario highway 72. We saw our first moose (a female) right along the road. I did get a picture of her before she high-tailed it into the dense woods. This was in late June 2001. We saw other moose along Minnitaki Lake (mama with baby), and I was able to see a mama with 2 baby moose by a small lake while fishing for musky! We saw two more mama moose along highway 72 when returning back to the states. We love moose!"

Mooseworld: This is wonderful information for sighting moose in Ontario. Thanks to Tom for letting us know.

September 5, 2001: "I live in Idaho and my husband and I were living with my parents this summer when we had a mama moose and her baby (a little spike/forked antlers in the velvet) decided they would visit outside a little patch of woods behind the house. My husband was video taping them and the mother all of a sudden nudged her baby and he came right into the back yard. I've never seen my husband move so fast to get back to the deck. He just made his way slowly through and went to find the mother who went down through the woods. Every year my parents have a least two or three moose that hang around the house. I have become a huge moose lover and collector of moose things. Thank you"

Mooseworld: Thank you for this moose sighting story. It must be wonderful to be able to spend your summer in moose country.

"Hi guys! I am ENCHANTED to have discovered your site—it's brilliant! Many congratulations! I'm just so pleased that I can communicate with other moose enthusiasts around the world! My own interest really began when I had the great joy of stroking the nose of a (very tame) moose in Skansen, Sweden, last year! I've never been the same since! Just in the very early stages of my own Moose Collection—the Moose of Blessing on our front door and Moosechimes at Christmas! It would be glorious to hear from other Moosefolk—especially in Alaska, where I understand they even wander into the gardens! Looking forward to hearing from you and thanks again for a great Web site!"

Mooseworld: We can only publish a small number of the many complimentary messages we get. But this one reports a moose sighting too—a moose petting actually. This, of course, is a rare situation (tame moose) and for moose in the wild you are advised to keep your distance! Thanks for writing.

"New Boston New Hampshire: My husband has seen moose in our yard, one day three feet from the window calmly eating the crabapples off my little tree! Our 14 year old son said, 'If the window hadn't been there I could have reached out and touched him!'

On a glorious sunny Sunday, I went tracking. I followed the moose prints in the snow and found no less than 15 spots where s/he had slept. In my travels I noticed what appeared to be large cat prints...thinking I might see a lynx or something too exciting I plodded on. Intently, I looked at the tracks, plodded up a steep hill and happened to glance up to see the moose 25 feet ahead! I shuffled over to hide behind a tree. The moose galloped over to within 10 feet of me! I made noise (he didn't turn!)... I blew my whistle (I carry an emergency whistle when I am alone in the woods in case I fall in an old cellar hole!)—he came closer. At this point I was hugging a large tree, not daring to move. My husband had told me that a moose will kick and stomp on you until you stop moving if you get in their way. I think they have good hearing but lousy eyesight. So after a long five minutes he turned and galloped off. I don't really know what the 'personal space' range is for a moose.!

Still it is wonderful to see a moose in the neighborhood. This moose now sleeps (4 out of 7 days so far) under a hemlock 15 feet from our deck, eating hemlock, blueberry shrubs, quince and crabapples."

Mooseworld: Many Mooseworld viewers would give anything to have a moose living in their yard! Thanks for sharing this great story. Readers should note our safe viewing warning above. But this situation—much like our own story on the Owners' Page—just "happened," and at that point you take precautions. By the way, it's true that moose have acute hearing but poor eyesight.

"Like all other moose fans I too have a collection of figures, crafted items and stuffed animals. I don't have anything that doesn't show total respect for moose. This past summer we found a baby, cows and bulls in the Tetons in Wyoming. However, in the southern edge of Yellowstone I located a young bull. I made my way to a small stand of trees very close to where he was feeding. It was a magical moment for me to be alone close to this giant. I will never forget it. I stayed in the trees. I don't know if he knew I was there, but it was my privilege to be near him."

Mooseworld: We started this site for people like this contributor. If you are lucky enough to see a moose in the wild, it is magical and a privilege.

"On a recent trip to Jackman, Maine, my girlfriend and I saw ONLY six moose over a five day period. But there were specific things that made those six special. The first sighting, on Route 15 to Rockwood, was a bull, a cow, and a calf. They were munching in a small field about 25 yards from the road. I shot almost an entire 36 exposure roll on 'em!

The second sighting was a cow with two calves. They were about 10 feet off route 201 North of Jackman. Again, I shot almost an entire roll, but it was getting dark. My girlfriend got some great video of them though.... It was interesting to read the inscriptions in our cabin walls: 88 moose, 100 moose....

Mooseworld: This is the first sighting report we have received since posting the Viewing Moose Safely warning at the top of this page. These folks did it right! Close enough to take some great pictures, far enough to be safe (if the second set of photos were taken from their vehicle).

"...I live in New Hampshire and there are plenty of moose here! I would like to hear more about where to find moose around my state and others. There are specific roads, like one here called Success Road, where you are likely to see moose. I would like to find out where that is and other places a person would be likely to spot moose in other states as well..."

Mooseworld: What a great name for a moose sighting road—Success! Can anyone tell us exactly where this is? And other places to see moose?

"I will be on the Kancamangus highway during the weekend of 25 September and will send you any photos we are able to take.

and another comment

We are going to Conway, New Hampshire to the Kancamangus Highway this weekend in hopes to find some moose..."

Mooseworld: OK! Send the pictures. And we can't believe that all of Mooseworld's viewers are in New Hampshire. There may be more sightseers there than moose!

"I just got back from a road trip in search for Moose and just taking pictures along the way. I am from Syracuse and earlier this spring I drove up to the Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine area via Lake Chaplain, not really expecting to see moose because I had been that way before and never saw any moose. Well, my destination was to hike Mt. Washington for the third time. Along the way on Route 2, east of St. Johnsbury I spotted my first Moose, a bear it was. That was an incredible sight!

To make a long story short. I saw two more Moose before I made my ascent up Mt. Washington, and then afterwards, I traveled into Maine, starting at Fryeburg or so, made my way up north, as far as Quossoc (Rangeley Lake Area) via Route 17 ( very scenic I might add). Through my journey through Maine, back into New Hampshire and Vermont I spotted a total of 22 moose. Yes, I was counting. I was unable to get a picture of one, mostly because of low light (dusk) and a slow lens.

So, I was anxious about returning to this area to see more Moose and get pictures of 'em. Well, I made the same route. Route 2 from Montpelier to Rt. 16 south to Rt. 302 east to 113 North to Rt. 2 east again, to Rt. 17 north to Rt.. 16 east to 27 south to Kingsfield, then Rt. 142 north, then Rt. 16 east again to Dover-Foxcroft, then Rt. 11 to Millinocket, then I-95 to Houlton, then Rt. 1 to Caribou. And you know what? Not one moose sighting. How disappointing.

If someone out there knows why this would be the case, please let me know. Thank you."

Mooseworld: Well, here are some exact directions! We are starting to get a good feel for moose sighting areas in the East. For some people seeing 22 moose would be enough for a lifetime. But there is something about moose that makes you want to see more. There is no other more majestic animal.

"Living in Northern Alberta, moose sightings are fairly common but still have a special feeling as you see such a large animal so at peace with its surroundings and the aura of confidence surrounding the animal. These animals are wild and unpredictable ... These animals have attacked people because they have been startled or trying to protect young or see the approaching vehicle as a threat to its territory. Please tell your users [who may want to take photos] not to approach the animals but to appreciate them from a respectable distance."

Mooseworld: This is expert advice, and while we are interested in photos, we are more interested in no harm to moose or to people.