When viewing Colorado moose on a jeep tour near Vail, it’s important to listen to your guide’s safety instructions. These initial moose came from Utah, and, in 1979, another dozen from Wyoming were released in the same region, in the Illinois River drainage. Moose have long legs, which allow them to traverse deep winter snows and thick willow habitat types. Moose live in all the areas in the North Park Region, so we will hunt them from the valley floor up to the tree line in the surrounding mountain ranges. She specializes in writing inspiring national park travelogues, foodie adventures and personal, heartfelt stories of people who shape our culture. The state's moose populations are thriving, thanks to successful reintroduction efforts by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The term moose comes from the Algonquin Indian word meaning "eater of twigs," and the most common place to find moose is where there is lots of brush for them to browse on. Coloring - Their rumps are brown, not white or cream colored as found in deer, elk, or pronghorn. CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE. This depends on food availability and harassment. White-tails have smaller ears, antlers with a single main beam bearing smaller tines, and of course, white tails. Colorado’s moose population now approaches 3,000 animals statewide. These antlers are shed in early winter and re-grown each year. Moose Visitor Center: Operated by the Colorado State Forest State Park and located near the former logging camp of Gould, the Center features info on the park, local history, moose and other wildlife. Starting in late August, aspens in the highest reaches of the Park begin their annual quaking, a term to describe the aspens unique leaves changing a golden-yellow hue and how they react in wind. Their numbers have grown so dramatically that limited hunting is offered in North Park, Middle Park and the Laramie River area. There is no evidence to suggest that breeding populations existed in Colorado before deliberate transplantation efforts during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Between 1991 and 1992 about 100 moose from Wyoming, Utah, and North Park were released in southern Colorado near Creede. One thing is for certain. In recognition of this wildlife phenomena, the state legislature designated Walden as the "Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado" in 1995. Moose can be found in sagebrush, high in the mountains above timberline, as well in the more traditional willow, aspen, pine, and beaver pond-type habitats. Sometimes a moose visits Estes Park and the area south of the Park near I70. Moose also live in the wetlands of Colorado State Park where there is an excellent visitor center focused on moose. The state's moose populations are thriving, thanks to successful reintroduction efforts by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Twins are common in good habitat, and triplets have been documented. Since that time, the moose population has been on the rise. Rattlesnake. (credit: Lynda McCormick) A parks and wildlife spokesperson says they had nearly 40,000 applications … Moose are seen year-round in all these locations. By Allison Plean and Suzi Mitchell. It may be hard to believe, but until 20 years ago hardly anyone ever saw a moose in Colorado, let alone hunted one. Typically moose on guard either raise their head high, or dip their head to a low position. In Colorado, moose are most often found in North Park, near Walden, which bills itself as the "Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado." Size - Colorado’s Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) are Colorado’s largest big game animal with adults weighing 800 to 1,200 pounds. Until the late 1970s, only a few stray moose would wander into northern Colorado from herds in Wyoming. They also do well in drier habitats of oakbrush, mountain mahogany, aspen and sagebrush. Since Rocky Mountain National Park's creation in 1915, 280 species of birds have been spotted throughout the park and surrounding regions. (Via Colorado Parks and Wildlife Twitter) We can only assume it was a traumatic day for one unsuspecting moose. Hunting moose is legal in Colorado and popular. The scenic drive in North Park also passes through good moose-spotting territory. In fact they are quite large and rather clumsy looking. These strays were probably just transient animals seeking new habitats, but they never came in large enough numbers to establish a st… This moose, a 2-year-old cow, had quite a traumatic day in Colorado Springs. Antlers - Bull moose grow flattened, palmated antlers with points around the edge, reaching up to 5 feet wide in larger and older bulls. Moose can be seen most anywhere in the park. Adults can weigh between 800 and 1,200 pounds. Alaska-Yukon Moose The Alaska Yukon Moose is the largest moose subspecies AND of any antlered game in the world!. What you should do if wildlife gets too close, Moose Reintroduction Fact Sheet, November 2013. Photo by David Dietrich. Know what to do in case of a bear encounter, but don't worry, odds are you'll never know they are there. Since the transplants, our moose have thrived and expanded their range into good habitats. As long as there are aquatic grasses and willows to feed on, they will stay in the same area. NOVEMBER 2013 COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE roadway Denver CO pw.state.co.us. Nearby Hotels. Elk can be spotted bugling and sparring, especially during their fall … Here's why it's a problem ... and there’s still so much experts don’t understand about how … Colorado Moose: Viewing Safety. In 1987 a transplant of 12 moose from Wyoming helped establish a strong population in that valley as well. Standing over six feet tall and weighing between 600 and 1,600 pounds, moose are a common sight within Rocky Mountain National Park and a visitor favorite. “There are no grizzlies in Colorado or the South San Juans,” Joe Lewandowski with the CPW said in an email. Read how you can be a safe motorist in moose country. Biologists think moose might have been expanding their ranges slowly southward and may have established themselves in Colorado on their own. If you're going to encounter a dangerous animal on the trail, there's a good chance it … It may be hard to believe, but until 20 years ago hardly anyone ever saw a moose in Colorado, let alone hunted one. The largest moose specimens are found in Alaska and eastern Siberia; there bulls weigh 600 kg (1,300 pounds) and stand 2 metres (7 feet) tall at the shoulder. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Start looking along Trail Ridge Road from the Colorado River Trailhead all the way to Grand Lake. Until the late 1970s, moose were rare in Colorado. Moose are more likely to live in riparian (areas located along rivers, streams, and lakes) habitats with willows, which is their primary food source. Wildlife in a natural habitat should always be respected and viewed from a distance. In spite of their size, they often go unnoticed as they spend a great deal of time in heavy, dark cover in willow bottoms and forests. Only have 48 hours? There are Moose on the Loose 07/13/2017 01:20PM By Dan Greeson Colorado’s Shiras moose are the largest big game animals in the state. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Restaurants, Dining, Breweries, & Distilleries. Biologists speculate that there may have been greater moose populations in Colorado 100 years ago, but up to about 20 years ago hardly anyone ever saw a moose in Colorado… Look for moose in areas with aquatic vegetation and willows. This early population thrived and some moved into the Laramie River Valley. This early population reproduced quickly, and some began to move into the Laramie River Valley. Author David Petersen spent years researching grizzlies in Colorado … Following the moose of Silverton, Colorado. North Park isn't called the Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado for nothing. Tags in Colorado are extremely difficult to draw and with the increase in Moose populations in this region, there are some giant bulls that inhabit the area. Bulls begin breeding activities by setting up territories, and attract cows by calling with a low grunting sound that resonates across the willow bottoms. Silverton Moose Watch, Silverton, Colorado. Wildlife managers and biologists, however, decided to give the moose a boost in the right direction. Not only do the moose provide recreational opportunities for sportspeople, they have also become a main attraction for all who enjoy watching wildlife. While moose were historically spotted in the state, dating back to the 1800s, there was for many years no established moose population in Colorado, with the … Moose may live for up to 20 years in the wild. Before long, North Park’s moose population was doing so well that some were moved to the upper Rio Grande drainage. If you do happen to encounter an angry moose it is best to leave slowly and not provoke the animal. Since they are so large it's hard to miss them grazing in the low-lying valleys and wet areas near lakes. There are moose-themed crafts for kiddos and if you feel like a hike, tag along with a wildlife guide. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) tells us moose from Wyoming were introduced here in 1978 because researchers believed Colorado had a great habitat for moose to thrive. Moose aren't small. Traveling typically in small groups, moose feed on water plants, aspen, and willow. Bulls stand up to 6 feet at the shoulder. Colorado’s multiplying moose stand out at a time when the species is dwindling elsewhere. Where to see elk, when to see them, where to park, and elk watching etiquette at Rocky Mountain National Park. Unfortunately, having more moose around can present a challenge to motorists. It is not rare to see a cow traveling with her mate or calf close behind. Seeing moose in the Park typically is not that difficult. Hike three uncrowded trails in Rocky Mountain National Park: Sky Pond, Moraine Park to Bear Lake, and the Tonahutu Creek/North Inlet Loop. That’s far from the case today. The bell varies in size and is much larger on bulls. Moose are known to return to a favorite feeding ground with surprising regularity each year which makes it easier for rangers to predict where they will be. But until the late 1970s it was rare to catch a glimpse of moose in Colorado, even though there are records of moose sightings as far back as the 1850s, according to an Aspen Daily News article. Moose and Red Wing Blackbird at Sprague Lake on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. There are two species of deer in Colorado- mule deer and white-tailed deer. They are true giants! Watching these enormous animals move is captivating. Both bulls and cows are aggressive during the breeding season, with bulls often fighting head to head until the dominant bull drives off, injures, or even kills the challenger. If you do happen to see a moose make sure to remember they are wild and unpredictable. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. The obvious list of Colorado wildlife might include the black bear, mule deer, and rainbow trout, but what about the lesser known, seldom seen… Adventures Blast down a 1,200-foot long snow chute at this tubing hill in Colorado It's relatively rare to see a moose in Colorado; most of those animals in Estes Park are elk, but you can find moose there sometimes. Visitors see moose fairly frequently along Highway 34 in the Kawuneeche Valley. There were 16,500 applicants for 219 moose hunting licenses and 185 moose were harvested in 2012. Another great spot is along the Colorado River up by Lulu City, also on the west side of the park. In 1979, another 12 from Wyoming were released in the same region in the Illinois River drainage. The best place to see moose is the western side of RMNP and in the Grand Lake area. Traveling in herds across open tundra and low-lying valleys, Elk are routinely considered the main wildlife attraction. Be SMART! However, early settlers and miners observed and occasionally harvested individual animals. Unlike Elk, which can have several mates at the same time, moose typically stick to one cow at a time. In 1978, Colorado Parks and Wildlife first introduced 12 moose from Utah to the area west of the Never Summer Mountains near the town of Walden. Their body hair is grizzled dark brown, appearing black at a distance, and they have white hair on the inside of their legs. Though a bit of a hike, moose are known to graze here and the seasonal springtime wildflowers are spectacular. The moose population in North America is shrinking swiftly. The place I've had the best luck in Colorado is along the western end of the border with Wyoming. A personalized guide to help you decide where to spend the night, from car camping paradise and remote backcountry sites to RV heaven. Alaska-Yukon bulls are the heavyweights of the moose hunting world. Standing over six feet tall and weighing between 600 and 1,600 pounds, moose are a common sight within Rocky Mountain National Park and a visitor favorite. Make the most of your time by following our itinerary covering both sides of the park. Moose in Kawuneeche Valley on the west side of the park. Their legs seem too long for their bodies. In 1987 a transplant of 12 moose from Wyoming helped establish a strong population in that valley as well. Although fewer in number on the east side and rarer to see, moose can sometimes be found in the marshy areas around Sprague Lake and Cub Lake. A couple hours north of Denver, the likelihood of seeing a moose is higher here than just about anyplace else in the Colorado (although not as good as the prime Canadian and Maine spots). BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. — A woman, in an effort to warn others of the dangers of moose, posted a video on social media of a moose charging skiers and snowboarders at a ski resort. The Shiras Moose was introduced in Jackson County in 1978 with a very small introductory herd of 12. In 1978, Colorado wildlife managers arranged for the first transplant of 12 moose to Colorado’s North Park region near Walden. Rangers suggest heading up the Kawuneeche Valley and also the Colorado River near Timber Creek Campground on the west side of the park. 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