When the DEC issued a warning to motorists to take steps to avoid moose-car collisions this past fall, many people scoffed at the notion and did not take it seriously. But due to the increasing number of moose in the Adirondacks it is a real concern, particularly in autumn. Fortunately there have been very few of them, but due to the size of the animal, any collision is a very serious matter.

Since the late 1980s when the first moose began to appear after wandering in from Vermont, there has been a steady increase in the population due to natural reproduction and migration. Population is now estimated to be about 800 moose in NY. But that number is likely to increase rapidly now that the population has reached the “critical mass” of 500, i.e. there are enough moose that the likelihood of moose finding a mate during the fall breeding season is greatly increased.

In colonial times there were moose found in most areas of New York. But unregulated hunting and destruction of habitat eliminated the population during the mid 19th century. Sometime around the Civil War the last moose in the Adirondacks was shot between the North Bay of Raquette Lake and Big Moose Lake. How’s that for irony?

Today, the population is protected by law. Habitat in many areas of the Adirondacks is a mixture of boreal and hardwood forest, some openings of second growth and extensive bogs or swamps. This favors the moose which range over a wide area in search of food.

Moose are “browsers” rather than “grazers.” Because they lack upper teeth in the front of their mouth they tend to bite off shoots of saplings, strip bark from young trees, or eat aquatic plants. Aquatic plants like water lilies or pond weeds often provide half of their food supply much of the year since they supply the sodium moose need in their diets. Wading in the ponds in summer also helps cool the animals off and provide relief from biting insects.

Moose are generally solitary animals but you may see several together in the fall during mating season. Ranging from five to nearly seven feet high at the shoulder, bulls will weigh between 600 and 1200 pounds. Cows will weigh 500–800 pounds. The bull’s antlers which are shed after mating season, can often reach a span of five feet.

Calves are born in late May or early June. Although a cow may have twins, single calves are most common. Typically the calf will stay with its mother until the following spring when she drives it away. In New York the animal’s only significant predator is the bear which will feed on calves.

Although moose are generally non-aggressive — except for a bull during mating season — you definitely want to stay clear of a cow moose with a calf. They will attack you and lash out with powerful legs and sharp hooves. During my last trip to Alaska I was frequently reminded to be on the watch and avoid areas where cows with a calf were known to frequent. Moose attack more people than wolves and bears combined.

Moose-car collisions are most likely in autumn when there is traffic at dusk or dawn and moose are more likely to wander further from their home. They are particularly dangerous because the dark bodies are often above the main beam of the car’s headlights. A smaller car is likely to pass under the body or else the grill area will strike and break the legs. The result is the body of the moose coming through the windshield or the roof.

In some areas like the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska they deliberately cut all trees and brush many feet back from the road sides to give both motorists and moose a better chance to avoid collision. Imagine how some of the eco-fascist Adirondack preservationist groups would react to that idea!

Some people ask if there is any likelihood of a moose hunting season in New York State. Certainly if the population increases at a faster rate as many predict and there is sufficient population that is a very real possibility in the future. There is some movement within the NYS Conservation Council to pass legislation allowing the DEC to regulate and establish a season if that time arrives.

This is unlikely in the near future, but the goal is to let professionals decide on such a move, rather than some ill-advised legislation as we have witnessed this year. For now the DEC is studying the population to get an accurate estimate of numbers, key habitat areas, and other factors influencing movement, survival, etc.

In the meantime, many people are enjoying the unexpected thrill of seeing a moose. One person who had a tree stand near Rondaxe Lake was deer hunting and looked down to see a bull and two cows bedded down nearby. My friend Dave VanPelt heard something coming down the driveway of his camp at Big Moose while he relaxed in a lawn chair. He looked around and saw a cow moose about 30 feet away. Of course, many people saw the cooperative big bull moose that was feeding at Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains last summer for several weeks. Sue Kiesel has some great photos of that moose for sale at Souvenir Village in Old Forge.

Although many people hope to see a big antlered bull standing broadside in the road or trail ahead of them, that is unlikely. But if you want a realistic chance to see a moose take a trip to the Moose River Plains beyond Inlet. Take a stroll down a hiking trail to Mitchell Ponds and look off in the swamps or bogs to the side. If you are lucky and observant you might be rewarded with the sight of a cow and calf.

In any case, the return of the Adirondack moose population makes a fascinating story that all outdoorsmen can follow with interest.

SHORT CASTS

EASTERN SPORTS SHOW BUS TRIP: The Chittenango Rod and Gun Club is sponsoring a one-day bus trip to the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA., on February 11.

The trip will be by a Caz Limo Luxury Motor Coach which will leave Dewitt at 5 a.m. and return about 10 p.m. Refreshments and snacks are provided. Cost is $60 per person and includes your ticket to the show. For more information or to reserve your seat contact Buce Berean at 315-439-0260.

CORR NAMED TO CFAB: Congratulations to Dave Corr of New Hartford who was recently named to the Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB). This agency is entrusted with oversight of the NYS Conservation Fund which comes from the sale of sporting licenses and is used for conservation related purposes. Corr will bring his considerable experience with sporting organizations and knowledge of government to good use in looking out for the interests of sportsmen in central New York and across the state.

CNY SHOW: The popular Central NY Sportsman’s Show returns to Oneida’s Kallet Civic Center on February 4. It features the variety of attractions and seminars that has made it successful, including new exhibits and seminars. Among the new attractions this year will be the Daisy Shooting Booth for youngsters sponsored by the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame. You can also sign up for the special youth hunts or women’s hunts sponsored by the Hall of Fame. Meet and learn the secrets of Jamie Hartman, BASS Angler of the Year at the Lake Ontario Outdoors booth. The popular author’s corner will feature new faces, including former Post Standard outdoor columnist Mike Kelly who will be signing his new book “Farewell Old Girl.”

FISHING REPORT: While the milder weather has many people happy because of driving conditions and lack of snow removal chores, other people like snowmobilers and ice fishermen are bemoaning the lack of action. There has been no extended cold spell to create safe ice for ice fishing, but steelhead anglers are taking advantage of the mild weather.

There has been lots of action on the Salmon River with anglers taking steelhead on egg sacks, trout beads, nymphs or egg pattern flies. You might want to fish the section downstream below Pineville to avoid the crowds on the upper river.