Winter is Over and the Moose Are On the Move Again

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In St. John's, Newfoundland, the fender-benders have begun already.  VOCM online news reported yesterday:

There was no running of a red light, but a moose t-boned a pickup Sunday night around 9:00 on Torbay Road in St. John's. The driver didn't sustain any injuries, but the truck was extensively damaged. The cow moose had to be put down by wildlife officers. A calf was also seen in the area, but officials could not locate it.

FROM ANCHORGE, ALASKA, COMES this report of a ditz stricken with what the psychologists call the Disney Syndrome:

Don't mess with the moose.  That's the warning police in Anchorage, Alaska, are repeating after one of the animals kicked a woman in the chest and shoulder at a city park. She was checked by medics Monday afternoon and didn't have to go to a hospital.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the moose had been in Town Square Park most of the day feeding on trees. The woman in her 20s was attacked when she tried to pet it.

Police spokeswoman Anita Shell says the moose is not a threat unless provoked, so people need to give it space.

FROM MARYSTOWN, ALSO IN NEWFOUNDLAND, comes this bit of good news (good for people, not for moose):

Over 5,000 more moose licenses and a one-week extension to the hunting season highlight the province’s 2011 big game hunting season.

The 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game applications have been mailed to all qualified resident big game hunters in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Environment and Conservation Minister Ross Wiseman explained “We have increased the number of licenses in the province this year by more than 5,000, with the majority focused along the Trans Canada Highway and major trunk roads, in an attempt to counteract the number of moose-vehicle incidents that are occurring.

“While we have steadily increased the number of moose licenses for the past six years, this is the largest increase to date, as we work toward trying to address the moose-vehicle accident rate in the province.”

Read the full article with the details in the Southern Gazette HERE.

THE BAY TODAY ONLINE NEWSPAPER in North Bay, Ontario, has performed a true public service by posting a handy guide on how to avoid moose collisions.  A few of the tips tell us:

• Use high beams at night where possible and watch for glowing eyes of animals
• Brake firmly if an animal is standing on, or crossing, the road. Never assume the animal will move out of your way.
• If possible, avoid driving during dusk or dawn when most wildlife collisions occur. Swerving to avoid hitting a wild animal may result in a more serious collision. If hitting a wild animal is unavoidable, remember to stay in control … Watch, Steer, Brake and Stop.

Read and print out the entire list HERE.

A DARING MOOSE HAS TAKEN A STROLL THROUGH Leicester, Massachusetts, recently.  Police Chief John Hurley spotted the moose Friday morning after getting to work. He said he just looked out the window and saw it.

Hurley followed it to make sure it didn’t get hit by a car or scare anyone and along the way he shot some video as it ran through a middle school, senior center, Becker College and then into a neighborhood.  With the help of the environmental police, the moose was rallied back to the reservoir where they believe it came from.

WFXT-TV Ch. 25 got the chief's video and prepared this report:

 

 

STILL IN MASSACHUSETTS, THE REPUBLICAN is reporting that in Whately the cab of a tractor trailer truck carrying 42,000 pounds of cargo was destroyed after the driver struck a moose on Interstate 91 Sunday night near Exit 21 south.

The driver, Charles Poudrier, of Quebec, was not injured, but his truck was disabled and had to be towed from the interstate after the 8:35 p.m. accident, State Police Sgt. Matthew Murray said.

The moose, believed to weigh between 600 and 700 pounds, was standing in one of the lanes when it was struck. Massachusetts Environmental Police responded and removed the dead animal from the side of the road, he said.

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BACK IN JANUARY FIREGEEZER reported (HERE) that electric stungun manufacturer Taser International has brought out the new Taser X3W (Wildlife) model which is intended to take down, comparatively harmlessly, such adversaries as charging moose or bears. 

Taser's Moose Model

Alaska has now joined several other states and provinces in setting limits on how and when a Taser can be used on a moose or bear.  The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner is reporting:

The Alaska Board of Game passed a statewide proposal prohibiting the use of electronic control devices, aka Tasers, for hunting, but the new regulation does not prevent people from using a Taser on animals in defense of life and property.

"This is referencing all use of (Tasers) for incapacitation of game in Alaska," Lewis said.

The department isn’t as concerned with a hunter killing a moose or bear with a Taser as it is "catch and release hunting," Lewis said.

"Conceivably someone could Tase a moose or bear, go up and get a picture taken with it, shut the (Taser) off and then release the animal," he said.

Read the details of this new legislation HERE.

CLICK HERE to get caught up on our previous Moose Reports.

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