Moose in my yard (my neighborhood) What do I do?

By Phil Cooper, Panhandle Region Conservation Educator When a moose shows up in your yard, give it space. Take photos through the window to capture the momentÉit may never happen again. Don't approach the moose, as your presence could agitate it. The moose will likely leave shortly after giving you a free tree pruning. Moose are the largest members of the deer family. Adult males (bulls) can weigh up to 1000 pounds and stand about six feet at the shoulder. For their size they are incredibly fast and agile. Moose vary in color from light brown to black. They have a large head and long snout that makes them look somewhat unique and easy to identify. They occupy various habitats throughout the state, from the thick conifer forest of northern Idaho to the sagebrush of southern Idaho. A very large body mass enables moose to stay at high elevations in extremely deep snow when deer and elk must migrate to lower elevations. Although moose can live in any weather conditions found in Idaho, it is not at all unusual for a moose to wander into a town or residential area. Ornamental trees and shrubs are tasty treats to a moose, just as ice cream is to a person. When a person heads to an ice cream shop, it isn't because there is no food whatsoever at home. People go to the ice cream shop because a cone tastes good. When a moose wanders into town, it doesn't mean that there is no food out in the wild. They wander into town because there is tasty food there that is easy to access. Unlike deer and elk, moose are not particularly wary of people. When a moose comes into town or a residential neighborhood, it will typically hang around for a few days and then move on. Depending upon the person who sees the moose, it can bring excitement and joy; or, it can cause concern and fear. In early November, there were three moose in Post Falls that people called Idaho Fish and Game to report. A cow and calf were spotted together in one neighborhood, and a young bull was reported elsewhere in town. Some callers wanted the moose captured and moved. Other callers were thrilled to see the moose, and they specifically asked that the moose not be removed. The approach Fish and Game prefers to take is to give a moose a few days to leave on its own. In most cases, that is what happens. Moose wander into town and in a few days typically leave with only tracks, some droppings, and a few chewed up branches to show they were there. A moose in town is not a cause for alarm. A moose left alone and given space can be fun to watch and photograph from a distance. If a person gets too close, a moose can become agitated and aggressive. A moose that wears out its welcome over time may need to be moved as a last resort. As one might imagine, moving an animal that weighs up to a thousand pounds is not an easy task. And moving a moose does not come without risks to the mooseÉ and to people. To administer the drugs that are used to tranquilize a moose, extensive specialized training is needed. Fish and Game can only train a few staff in each region. To move a moose, one of these highly trained employees must be available on site. A tranquilized adult moose must be rolled onto a special heavy tarp with 16 nylon strap handles. Eight people are needed to lift and carry the moose to a specially modified horse trailer (which must also be in the area at the time). A syringe containing powerful narcotic drugs is loaded in a projectile and shot from a firearm to immobilize a moose. If everything goes perfectly, the moose is loaded up and hauled out of town in the trailer. A reversal drug is administered and the moose is released. There are times when all doesn't go well with immobilization drugs. There are numerous risks to the animal, and to people. The trained officer on the scene must accurately judge the weight of the moose, calculate the correct dosage and the proper propellant charge, and load the syringe all while the animal stands by munching on branches. The officer must then get into a position to get a good shot at the rump of the animal. A little left or right and the dart can hit an organ and be fatal to the moose. If the projectile hits a branch, or the moose jumps at the sound and the projectile misses, a search must be undertaken to find it. The syringe contains highly potent drugs that could be fatal to a person. If the shot is perfect, the drugs take several minutes to take effect. In the interim, a moose can travel a great distance. There is no blood trail to follow, and there are likely several sets of tracks. If the moose runs onto a busy roadway, the result could be disastrous to people and the moose. Anyone who lives in northern Idaho for any length of time has a fairly good chance to see a moose in town. Please be patient, give the moose some space, and fill your Facebook page with moose photos (taken from a distance) that all your friends will enjoy. Call Fish and Game and let us know the moose is around, so we can monitor the situation. In all likelihood, the moose will probably leave in a few days. Your call will help us to know how long the moose has been in town so we can decide if more action is needed.