We live in the mountains to be closer to nature, but that proximity to such beauty comes at a cost. There’s layers of preparation and mitigation needed to be done in order to claim full responsibility for oneself out on the trail in the wilderness. Even still, the influx of people to the area increases the probability of an encounter with wildlife, and there’s no such thing as being over-prepared for such an encounter.

On Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Wild Bear Nature Center (WBNC), Sam Peterson and Tyler Asnicar, District Wildlife Managers for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), presented a seminar on Moose Ecology and Coexistence, organized by WBNC Nature Education Director Michelle Witte. The meeting was attended in-person at WBNC, in the Caribou Village Shopping Center on 20 Lakeview Drive Unit 107, and online via Zoom.

Asnicar has been with CPW since 2017 and has also worked for the Bureau of Land Management and National Parks Service, and Peterson has been a District Wildlife Manager with CPW since 2019 and wrote his thesis on moose ecology. As District Wildlife Managers, Asnicar and Peterson specialize in the enforcement of animal safety laws, providing education to the public on animal biology and safety, and overseeing the natural progression of local wildlife as well as their habitats.

Moose are the largest mammal in the Cervidae family, closely related to elk and deer, and the Shiras moose is the type known to Colorado. An adult Shiras moose can weigh 800 to 1200 pounds, reach a maximum shoulder height of six and a half feet, with bull moose having an antler spread of up to 55 inches. They were introduced to Colorado in 1978 mainly for hunting purposes, and due to less disease and fewer natural predators here their population has greatly increased over the last four decades.

In relation to coexisting with moose, Ansicar and Peterson provided guidance on how to avoid and how to mitigate a potential conflict. It was suggested that homeowners who wish to avoid moose causing any damage to their property should install six foot fencing with a solid top bar, and potentially electrify portions of the fence at a five foot height. Also, keeping tree branches pruned above 10 feet from the ground will stop moose from being able to graze.

Moose typically feed on willow, aspen, mountain mahogany, Douglas fir, and other aquatic plants; they feed for 11.3 hours and consume an average of 16,000 calories a day. However, moose will eat grain and hay which will negatively affect their digestion by creating too much stomach acid and could be fatal. It’s suggested to keep grain and hay, and any other “attractants,” cleared from one’s yard in order to further deter moose from the property.

Ansicar and Peterson strongly advised that hikers and mountain bikers remain aware of their surroundings at all times when out on trail. Moose can be found in flat areas among willow and lodgepole pine stands, in riparian or transition zones, and are more active, as well as aggressive, during their mating season (rut), from September through October, and their calving season, from May through June. During this time it’s advised that outdoor recreationalists bear or pepper spray and make occasional noise when approaching blind corners, like singing or talking; bells aren’t suggested as they may cause more aggravation to the animal.

Because wolves are a natural predator to moose, it’s suggested to not just leash dogs, but to leave dogs at home when planning to hike, bike, or jog in the wilderness during moose rut or calving season.

Threat indicators to look for are when the moose’s ears go back, their hackles go up, their eyes bulge and roll, or if there is a moose calf present. If coming within 25 yards of a moose it’s advised to back away quickly while remaining aware of the animal’s position, as moose, though not very agile, can charge very fast. Seek cover immediately behind a tree, rock, or car, and, if attacked, remain in a fetal position while protecting your head and neck; a moose will attack by stomping with its front hooves and will typically stomp a few times before leaving.

Members of the public asked about the effectiveness of breaking eye contact with the moose, or trying to “look big” and make loud noise to scare a moose away. Ansicar and Peterson noted that making loud noise may help make other people nearby aware of the situation, but won’t properly haze a moose from leaving. The public was taught not to attempt to haze a moose as they tend to stubbornly stand their ground and grow more agitated; and if using an air horn, as a preventative measure, to first be knowledgeable of the surroundings and of nearby traffic before discharging the horn. It’s strongly advised to remain up to 100 yards away from moose at all times.

Ansicar and Peterson presented a timeline of events pertaining to a moose attacking two hikers and their dogs at West Magnolia on Tuesday, June 9, 2022. The incident has been discussed and speculated about on Nederland’s Facebook group Nedheads, and the timeline that CPW provided helped to indicate what may have agitated the cow moose and what measures were taken to avoid having to put the animal down, though it did inevitably have to be euthanized.

At 7:59 a.m. on June 9, CPW received a 911 call about the initial moose attack. A deputy with Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) responded at 8:07 a.m. and deployed a less lethal shotgun (bean bag rounds) when they heard the victims of the initial attack shouting for help. At 8:10 a.m. the BCSO deputy fired four rounds to attempt to haze the cow moose into leaving the area; at this point the moose ran downhill toward Haul Road and Observatory Spur Road/ Reroot Trail where it rammed a jogger and charged a mountain biker, who had previously observed the calf alone before being charged and deploying bear spray at the cow moose.

At 8:17 a.m. emergency first responders arrived and began to attend to the initial victims who were behind cover of a nearby tree. At 8:21 a.m. the BCSO deputy fired a warning shot from 30 yards away from the cow moose; at 8:29 a.m. the moose returned and charged EMS as they attempted to load the victim onto a stretcher and into an ambulance. It was at this point that the BCSO deputy had no other choice but to lethally shoot the cow moose.

CPW were already involved with relocating a moose out of a suburban neighborhood in Thornton when they heard of the attack. CPW arrived on scene at 9:45 a.m. and by 10:30 a.m. had loaded the carcass of the bull moose into a vehicle to be transported to CPW Wildlife Health Lab in Fort Collins.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CPW and Boulder County Animal Control continued to search the area for the orphaned calf. The calf was found and brought to the Foothill Wildlife Research Facility where it will be humanely studied for research purposes. Ansicar and Peterson noted that caring for the three day old calf is a rare case for the CPW, and typically in these situations the calf would also have been euthanized.

The cow moose was ultimately protecting its young and over the course of events became increasingly “abnormally” agitated. Because hazing attempts had unfortunately failed and the cow moose was continuing to threaten human life, lethality was used as a last resort. Ansicar and Peterson were sure to mention that the incident at West Magnolia was not a typical case and that euthanizIng of moose is not the standard procedure.

Ansicar and Peterson addressed some questions from the public concerning the West Magnolia incident, particularly about what other non- lethal tactics could’ve been deployed. The CPW do use tranquilizers when having to relocate an animal from a heavily populated area, however the tranquilizer will take a minimum of 5 minutes to start to affect a full grown moose, with the best-case scenario for full immobilization being longer than 15 minutes. Tasers aren’t encouraged as a viable option in such scenarios as they fire two individual probes which need to accurately strike multiple muscle groups in order to be effective; typically a moose will immediately charge once tased.

CPW will be taking measures to prevent any future incidents such as the attack that happened on June 9 by posting more signage at West Magnolia and by adding additional patrols during calving season. Meanwhile, Nederland residents are advised to recreate responsibly and to keep dogs confined to yards and properly enclosed spaces, or consider leaving them home entirely during moose rut and calving seasons.

Please contact CPW if you witness any issues or aggressive behavior from local wildlife. CPW can be reached at 303-291-7227 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For other emergency needs, you can contact Colorado State Patrol at 303-239-4501 at any time of the day or week. To anonymously report any illegal wildlife activity, call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-COLO-OGT.

CPW, along with Wild Bear Nature Center, will be hosting another seminar about our local black bear population and how to safely coexist with our bears on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at the Nature Center’s Eco-Arts Lounge as well as on Zoom. Register via Wild Bear’s website at https://www.wildbear.org/events/.