Moose on the Loose in Yellowstone 

It is said that moose were an animal "designed" by committee because no one could agree on their looks. Gangly tall, oddly shaped, and a master of its elements, moose (Alces alces) are my favorite ungulate in North America and Yellowstone. Moose are a popular animal to look for on our private wildlife tours in Yellowstone. Learn more about moose in Yellowstone. 

Moose are fairly isolated in Yellowstone National Park. The animals are generally seen in a select few locations in the park. In fact, moose are probably one of the hardest of the large mammals to see in Yellowstone. The moose population is between 150 and 200 animals. Plus, finding a forest dweller in the forest is a daunting task. The best places to find moose are in the Gallatin Mountain Range, Tower Area, Pebble Creek, and the northeast corner of Yellowstone.  Pebble Creek, Elk Creek, and the willows along Soda Butte Creek are the best winter hideouts for the moose. Moose like to eat aquatic plants, woody creek-side vegetation, and the buds of sub-alpine fir and Douglas fir. Long legs with a unique joint at the knee allow moose to move through deep snow and deeper water. Plus, they are great swimmers too.

Moose are the first of the ungulates (animals with hooves) to lose their antlers. Moose will start to shed antlers in late January and February. Seeing a bull or male moose without antlers can be confusing. The best way is to look for the “buttons” or area on the skull where the antlers should be. If there is nothing but fur present on the skull and no visible scar tissues or “buttons”, the moose is a female or cow.

Unfortunately, the moose population in the Northern Rockies and Yellowstone is on the decline. Studies are in place to determine the causative factors. Wolves, increased predation, and climate change are all suspected culprits of the moose’s decreased population.

I’ve had some close moose encounters before. Thankfully, they’ve all ended peacefully.  A cow or female moose can be very aggressive defending their young. Weighing up to 1500 lbs., moose are an animal that commands respect.

I was once bluffed charged by a moose while hiking in the forest outside of Bozeman, MT, and had a 15-minute standoff with a moose blocking my car. Thankfully, the moose walked off and allowed me to get in my car. Lastly, a moose ran down the street on the sidewalk opposite my house, in Livingston, Montana. At first glance, I thought it was a horse. But as the animal moved closer, there was no doubt. Moose on the Loose!!!

Moose are one of the many animals we try to observe while on a wildlife tour in Yellowstone. A tour with Yellowstone Guidelines is a great way to see moose, bears, bison, wolves, and the other animals of the park.