By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist
To avoid any confusion, Idaho moose are not being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
A recent petition by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to list the U.S. population of the subspecies of moose (Alces alces andersoni) found in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. This subspecies is commonly known as “northwestern” moose, although it’s located in the Midwest and Canada.
The subspecies found in Idaho is commonly known as “Shiras” moose, and it is abundant and found in Rocky Mountain states, as well as Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon. That subspecies is not affected by the petition or potential listing of northwestern moose.