Moose
The largest of all deer species, moose are solitary mammals known to be quite agile on land and in the water where they have been seen paddling several miles at a time
- Moose are most active at dawn and dusk.
- The best place, locally, to spot moose are in the Big Sky Meadow Village.
- Riparian corridors (Gallatin River and upper Taylor Fork drainages).
- In general, moose spend most of their time in meadows and marshy areas.
Overview
Moose have dark brown to black fur, a large overhanging snout, short tail, massive antlers, and boast a height of 5 – 6.5 feet at the shoulder. Unique only to moose is the flap of skin called a bell that hangs beneath the throat. Mating season is in the fall. Females give birth to one or two calves in the spring. By day 5, the calves can outrun a human.
Interesting Facts
- The bull moose is the largest antlered animal in the world weighing in at 1000 lbs. Females can weigh up to 800 lbs.
- Only bulls have huge antlers that they shed every year. The antlers are flat and dish shaped and can be as long as 6 feet from tip to tip.
- Moose enjoy aquatic plants for a tasty meal and they will spend up to 30 seconds submerged in water just to eat!
- The average running speed for a moose is 35mph and trotting speed can be as fast as 20mph.
Best Places for Viewing Moose
In summer months, moose prefer mountain meadows, river valleys, swampy areas, and clear cuts. In winter months, they prefer willow flats or coniferous forests. Year round, you can find moose in grassy openings between timber stands in both early morning and late evening hours.
Respecting Wildlife
It is not uncommon to hear that folks have been trampled by moose. Here are a few tips for avoiding a conflict with a moose:
- Give moose plenty of space. Cows are especially protective of their calves.
- When viewing moose from your vehicle, use only roadside pullouts to avoid causing a moose-jam.
- 25 yards is generally a safe distance for wildlife viewing.
- Do not feed moose or any other wildlife.