Moose on the Loose

Moose really are amazing to see in the wild. Especially when the ‘wild’ is about three miles (4.8k) out of town.

Mammals tend to be fewer and farther between than birds and wildflowers everywhere in the Helena valley. That being said, I have seen a few species around- ground squirrels, deer, antelope, foxes, and the occasional moose.

I’ve now seen moose four times this year.

The moose sighting was especially memorable. The cow and calf moose were on the same trail that Obi and I were walking on. This encounter could have turned out much worse, but Obi took one look at the moose and then looked at me as if to say ‘I didn’t know the woods had giants in them!’ Obi stayed right by my side and followed me upslope to give the moose family more room.

I talked to the moose as she shepherded her calf past a few meters below us. She kept a very wary eye on us, but in the end she went her way, and we went ours. 

I am usually a bit more circumspect about scrambling up a bramble covered slope- i’ve removed a couple of ticks this year and I really don’t enjoy encounted with them. But in the ole physiological calculas that is ‘fight or flight’ one should always choose flight when encountering a moose.

Wonderful to look at, but ill-tempered and very capable of defending themselves, moose are.

I’m grateful to have experienced a generally good natured moose!