Are there moose in washington state

I work at North Cascades Lodge, Stehekin. Today, at A. They had no doubt these were NOT elk. I have photographed about 2 dozens over those years If you are interested in seeing my photos, give me a call at It ran right out in front of me on the trail and proceeded to run down the trail for about 2K. My dad who grew up in the Columbia Basin north of the Snake River talked about seeing a moose in the area when he was a boy, around the s.

He said it was in the area for some time and seen by many. Skip to content. Jan 25, Matt Ferrell. Comments Jackie Russell Jul 28, Reply to Jackie Russell.

Thom A Reese Oct 9, Thom Reply to Thom A Reese. Ed Johnson Feb 25, Reply to Ed Johnson. By there were a total of 43 permits among five GMUs.

By there were any moose permits and 71 antlerless permits across 12 GMUs. An even greater testimony to the parallel growth of both human and moose populations in Washington is the increased incidence of moose wandering into the suburban and urban areas of Spokane.

Moose sometimes take up residency where water and succulent vegetation is more readily available. When creating a new landscape or planning for the one you already have, there are several features that could increase unwanted moose residency at your property.

Ponds, pools, and other large water features. Landscaping with these features can attract moose during all times of year, but more specifically during hot summer months. It is very difficult to encourage moose to move away from these types of landscapes. Landscaping plants. Species of plants that are of specific interest to moose include fruit tree branches, dogwood, willow, aspen, birch, fir, and pine species.

Eliminating or reducing access to these species of plants can discourage moose from spending significant time at your property. During the days when temperatures are hot, moose are likely to look for cool and wet locations during the daytime hours. During these months, try to water lawns at night.

This will decrease moose usage of your property. Moose that are fed by people often become aggressive when they are not fed as expected. They may attack another person who has no food to offer. A moose with a history of unprovoked attacks on people may have to be killed to protect public safety.

Even if moose seem quiet and gentle, they can change their disposition rather quickly. Moose often lay down in the shade of buildings and trees to rest and cool down. If approached repeatedly, even by the best-intentioned onlookers, it may become stressed and aggressive. Enjoy the visitor from a respectable distance. Use binoculars and telephoto camera lenses. Be patient and wait for the moose to move along. Moose consider dogs, which are close relatives of wolves, to be a direct threat.

Moose have been known to go out of their way to kick at a dog, even one on a leash or in a fenced yard. If you see a moose where you live, bring dogs inside. If you're walking with your dog and see a moose, keep your dog quiet and take an alternate route out of the area. If a moose spends any considerable amount of unwanted time on your property, the careful use of loud noises banging pots and car horns or scare devices bird scare pyrotechnics and air horns may be used to encourage the animal to move along.

It is important to note that the best time to use this type of deterrent is from a safe location, a safe distance, within a short period of time of the moose's arrival at your property, and earlier in the morning if on a hot day. Reported moose problems are addressed in many ways and our actions are dependent on each situation. Most often property owners are advised on simple ways to discourage moose and avoid property damage or safety threats.

WDFW hazing. Sometimes WDFW personnel attempt to "escort" or haze moose away from the potential hazards of civilization and back to the woods, using non-lethal projectiles like paintball guns. Immobilization and relocation. Very rarely, moose in areas not conducive to hazing are immobilized via darting, and subsequently relocated. This method is not used often due to the danger to WDFW personnel, the public, and the moose.

For example, occasionally moose do not metabolize the immobilization drugs or they can regurgitate food into their lungs and may die.. Relocated moose are marked, either with colored ear tags or radio telemetry equipment to learn more about where they go and whether they are repeat visitors to heavily populated areas.

Lethal removal. This is typically in cases where moose have made contact with people or domestic animals like dogs and are euthanized due to human safety concerns See Safety in Moose Country.

Most people seem to like moose because they're so different. They don't seem to spook or shy away from us as readily as deer, and may appear docile or even curious while around people. It is important to remember that anything as large as a moose can be dangerous; this is why these animals are classified as Dangerous Wildlife.

Although moose have long legs, they are not built for speed like deer. Moose will often choose "fight" over "flight" to escape a situation or when they feel threatened.

Because moose can be aggressive any time of the year, what do you do when you see a moose? When recreating in the outdoors:. Moose attacks on humans are considered very rare, but it is important to be prepared.

Many moose charges are bluffs or warnings, but you need to take them all seriously. Even a calf, which weighs to pounds by its first winter, can injure you. A moose that sees you and walks slowly toward you is not trying to be your friend. It is probably warning you to keep away or looking for a handout if it's been fed.

If we take the time to think about moose behavior and our own in response to them, and we teach our children to do the same, we can enjoy sharing space with this spectacular animal. They can be found in coniferous and hardwood, closed canopy forest near stream bottoms, lakes and other wet areas.

Must also have access to clear-cuts, burns, seed tree cuts, and other openings dominated by saplings and brush.

If cover is available, may be found near alpine lakes. In all but the Interior Douglas-fir zone, all habitats are good except bare ground, developed areas, and agriculture.