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Even though most people worry about bears and wolves while out venturing the beautiful wild side of Alaska, don’t neglect to pay heed to the Alaskan Moose. In Alaska, the moose population is about over 120,000. They out number the bear population 3 to 1. And even though the moose is not as aggressive as a mother bear with cubs, it is best to avoid direct confrontation with them. The Alaskan Moose otherwise known as the Giant Moose is the largest subspecies of moose. As herbivores, they spend most of their time looking for vegetation. The daily vegetation intake of an Alaskan moose is about at 70 lbs of vegetation a day. But during the cold long winter months of Alaska the amount of vegetation a moose eats drops as most of the greenery is frozen over or dies. And as you have read the Alaskan moose requires a lot of vegetation. So it is during this time, that a moose encounter becomes more and more frequent as the moose venture into the cities to go dumpster diving to find the extra nourishment. While moose encounters rise during those winter months, moose attacks are still really rare. If you ever come across a moose, be very cautious and just stay calm. Moose are rarely confrontational unless they are provoked. Never feed a moose. Once fed, they will expect more food and may attack if they are not presented with more of it. Like a lost dog, don’t feed the dog unless you plan to keep it. But in this case you seriously don’t want to keep a moose. It’s just always safer to come to the conclusion to never feed wild animals, its best that way. With the moose population being over 120,000 in Alaska, the odds of seeing a moose at or near your campsite is likely. They are large animals some of which reach about 7ft high at the shoulders (taller than a horse). So seeing one is hard to miss! Not to mention that they are heavier than a bear and their speed clock in at about 35mph. If by any chance you are unexpectedly knocked over by a moose, curl up into the fetal position and cover your head with your hands. Do no fight back and never try to outrun the moose. In spite of all of the dangers with a close encounter with a moose, you are more likely to be in a moose related car accident than be attacked by one. But always just as a precaution, simply enjoy the beauty of the Alaskan Moose from a distance and your time in Alaska will be even that more enjoyable. The article was provided by Josh Newman, a field guide from Alaska. Josh Newman has been guiding hunting and exploration expeditions into the wilderness of Alaska for 15 years and has come across a number of different wildlife while out in these excursions. And from time to time shares his experience with people that plan to go to Alaska. For additional info on hunting in Alaska visit www.huntandfishalaska.net
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Alaskan Moose, Alaska hunts, hunting moose,
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