RED LODGE — With the advent of fall, a number of moose are again venturing into Red Lodge and other inhabited area in search of food. Game Warden Kevin Nichols reminds the public that although moose in town may not seem threatening, these large and unpredictable animals can pose a real threat to the safety of humans and their pets, and that there is little game officers can do to remove them. Moose in the wild should be avoided.

"As we saw this past weekend, moose are dangerous if you get too close," Nichols said, "especially at this time of year, when the bulls are in rut. It is also very dangerous to get between a cow and her calf. It's a good idea, especially if you have had moose on your property before, to look out the window before going outside. You definitely don't want to surprise them. I also advise people to be careful with their pets. Moose don't like dogs, and instead of running away will often attack them. A moose can easily kill a dog with one kick."

In the wild, make every effort to avoid moose and the wet areas and thick brush they favor. Nichols suggests that pepper spray, though not specifically made for moose encounters and not tested on the animals, could be an effective deterrent. If confronted by a moose that appears aggressive, Nichols recommends climbing a tree or getting behind a tree or large rock. If this is not possible, people should back up slowly, keeping their eyes on the animal but not making eye contact, which could be construed as a threat or challenge. Turning and running is also likely to provoke an attack, he said.

Nichols adds that he receives a number of requests each year to remove moose from people's property, and that there is little he can do. "There aren't a lot of options for removing moose," Nichols explained. "There's only one type of tranquilizer that works on moose, and if you don't get the animal completely tranquilized, you end up with a half-crazed moose, which is even more dangerous. And even if you do get the moose down, you have the problem of trying to move an animal that weighs about 1,000 pounds.

"I know people get upset about moose eating their trees, but it's easier for them to try to prevent that than it is to try to remove the moose. The best way to keep moose away from trees is to put up wire fencing around the branches. Hanging mothballs in a cheesecloth bag from the trees can work, and some people have had success hanging up bars of Irish Spring soap."