We all know the difficulties faced when a large mammal ventures too close to town. We’ve seen it happen a lot lately. Sometimes it ends well and other times not so well.
The most recent incident involves a family of moose spotted in the NRC property near Montreal Rd and Blair. For the time being, these wayward moose have moved back into a forested area, but for how long? The blistering heat, the flies and frustration will, undoubtedly, push them back out onto city streets. It’s only a matter of time.
It has been brought to my attention that some concerned citizens have actually divulged the exact location of said moose, and even went so far as to provide Google Earth co-ordinates of where they can be spotted.
As the city, MNR and nearly formed wildlife task force deal with situations like this as they arise, I would ask the public NOT to interfere.
The undue stress and commotion of people stopping-by to catch a glimpse of the Bullwinkle family could have some serious adverse effects.
If you really want to help, just leave these moose well enough along and allow the professionals a chance to take care of things.
Outdoorsguy
I agree with the general point of your post – i.e., leave the moose alone. But I disagree that it’s a bad idea for the public to know where they are. Frankly, when one is in an urban area like Montreal/Blair, one is NOT expecting a moose to amble out of the forest and onto the roadway. But in fact, that is what’s happening. People in the area NEED to be aware that there are moose. Moose are not intrinsically dangerous animals, but they do pose a very significant hazard when they make their way into urban areas and onto roadways. The forested area where the moose are located is extremely dense – there will be no moose spotting there. But when they burst out of the woods and onto the roads, an educated public is a (hopefully) more aware public. So it makes sense to share the general location of the moose.
Gaby, I’m obviously not suggesting the public be left out in the dark when a large animal is on the loose.
This message is geared towards those who might actively seek out the moose’s current location..ie…small forested area.
Obviously it’s important for people to know what’s going on around town, and it was not the intent of this blog to keep folks misinformed.
I’m just trying to keep the chances of an ‘urban moose hunt’ to a minimum.
Outdoorsguy
You are correct Gaby. Making alerts on the traffic reports is one thing but when the info is given out to encourage people to go see the moose, take thier picture and consider them as a tourist attraction problems arrise.
These are wild animals allready under stress from the heat and being in unfamiliar surroundings we do not need the added uncertaincy of people unintentionally pushing them out into areas of danger to the moose or the public..
Please be aware there are moose in the area but please do not go looking for them!
Also for safety reasons stay away from moose.
That’s right Ray, it goes without saying…
Outdoorsguy
You make excellent points and I just saw a show the other night on a cable channel (not sure which channel it was on) call “When Moose Attack”. I didn’t realize they were aggressive, but I guess they are, and after reading your post you just confirmed that.
Nice Job!
Hey Bob..I would sure like to see that video.
Hey, I just checked out your website and its looks really great. What part of the US are you located in?
Thanks for stopping-in at my Outdoors Guy Blog, its always nice to hear from our neighbours to the south..
Regards,
Outdoorsguy
you huys are too much
when moose attack hahahahahaha
moose don’t attack, just like foxes don’t and wolves don’t
deer don’t and groundhogs and rascoons don’t.
now sometimes, the odd time, they get cornered or a disease
or some problem, but generally animals don’t attack humans
Could it happen, yes, will it happen no!
Hey Iggy check it out.
When Good Pets Go Bad – Moose attack at a college. Goggle it. Youtube has a few more as well.
I’m sure it has happened, but a moose walking in the wilderness will not just attack you, cornered, scared, defending it’s young, maybe, but these animals are more afraid of you that you are of them. If given the
opportunity, they will run away. Even a bear will run from a human, does that mean bears have never attacked, no it doesn’t, but 9999 out of 10000 the bear runs
Iggy, I agree that with moose, an attack would be extremely isolated..but I’m not sure about your bear statistics….I have been charged by a male black bear, and I have only ever seen perhaps 30 bears in the wild.
So, in my case, it was 29 times out of 30 the bear ran away..and 1 time that it did not!
Outdoorsguy
charged is a big difference than an attack, a false charge as it’s know is quite common to warn that it is very uncomfortable and if things don’t change pretty quick, the bear will make them change, one way or the other.
I’ve never had a false charge directed at me, but I’ve had bears stare me down where you could tell they were very uncomfortable.
bears attack to protect their young, or if they are starving or sick, moose don’t eat meat and will not attack unless there is no way out, as a protection mechanism, or provoked. I’ve walked right up to moose in Algonquin Park, not close enough to touch but close, and when they realize you are there they just wonder off. I don’t recommend walking up to a moose on purpose, however if you do it by accident, just slow and steady, back off, and the moose won’t hurt you or even bother with you. That all changes if you are between it’s calf and her, or if you make strange grunting noises during the rut, but then the moose thinks your another moose, and he’s not trying to hurt you, he’s trying to get a date.
Iggy, you are absolutely right about moose..unless you’re dealing with a rutting bull…I doubt you’d have much to worry about..even getting between a cow and her calves probably would not provoke an attack.
Regarding bears though…you mention that bears attack “to protect their young, or if they are starving or sick”..you cannot discount the predatory male. Those bears who attack to kill and eat – these critters are not your average garbage bear..they are solitary are have been known to stalk and kill human beings.
These bears are responsible for nearly every fatal black bear mauling in NA…and yes, it is still rare but it does happen..every year in fact!
Outdoorsguy
Hey Jeff remember that moose picture I sent you. I think that may be Iggy in disguise on the end of that smooch. Iggy has a thing for moose me thinks. I know he likes to eat them!
hehe…I dont know Rick, I think Iggy has one of those love-hate relationships with moose..
Its probably like falling for an abusive woman..you love her, yet still wish you weren’t getting beat up all the time..
Outdoorsguy
hehe
you guys are too much
I think they are ugly, but the meat is the best wild game you’ll ever get
Iggy, you’ve been hurt by a cow moose in the past haven’t you..come on, you can tell us..what’d she do to cause so much pain and anger…
Outdoorsguy
it’s like that old joke abour riding a moped being fun but you don’t want your friends to find out 😉