I'll never forget the time I saw my first moose. I was part of a fire fighting crew in Wyoming back in 1970. We were hiking toward a fireline deep in the forest when suddenly we came upon a large cow moose standing shoulder-deep in a small lilypad-covered pond. Dappled sunlight danced across her back, and for awhile, we forgot the fire as we watched her feed and slowly move to shallow water.
She was beautiful. Her upper body was a deep shining, jet black with lighter brown sides blending downward to warm buff-colored legs. Alternately, she ducked her head under the surface of the water for another mouthful of food and then raised it to chew and to watch us. Her manner was unafraid, but she waggled her ears as a sign that we should come no closer. The entire crew stood entranced for several minutes, just watching quietly. Then, having urgent work elsewhere and not wanting to disturb the moose in her tranquil setting, we slipped off and left her alone.
In 1970, there were very few moose in Colorado. Today, however, you have a good chance to enjoy watching your first magnificent moose in the north central mountains of your home state.
During the winters of 1978, 1979, and 1987, biologists from the Colorado Division of Wildlife brought moose from Wyoming and Utah to Colorado. Twenty-four moose were released in southeastern Jackson County, and twelve were released into the Laramie River Valley. All moose in these original populations were collared with radio transmitters and ear tagged so their movements could be studied. If you ever see a moose in Colorado wearing this kind of paraphernalia, you'll know you are looking at one of the first moose brought to the state.
The Wyoming or Shiras moose is the smallest North American subspecies of moose, but probably the most beautiful. Large bulls may weigh 1000 pounds and stand 6 feet at the shoulder. Cows weigh around 600 pounds and stand 5 feet. Adults in full coat are a glossy jet black on the upper body with lighter brown sides and light tan or buff-colored bellies and legs. Adult bulls carry the conspicuous shovel-type antlers and dangling bell (a beard-like decoration). Cows do not have antlers, but do have bells.
Moose mate in the early fall. The bulls seek individual cows and stay with them for up to a week before successfully breeding. Each bull will breed with one to three cows during the rut. Adult bulls usually intimidate lesser bulls but occasionally fierce conflicts arise when bulls of equal size and strength compete for a cow. Look for bulls thrashing willow thickets with their antlers and shaking their heads. Never approach a moose closely, especially during the fall breeding season.
Look for moose this fall in the following areas. Because both areas are hunted, watching from the road will be safest during moose, elk, and deer hunting seasons:
The Illinois River drainage in southwestern Jackson County. From Walden, Colorado, travel south on Highway 125 for 24 miles. Turn left at the Old Homestead Lodge. Continue some 6 miles to the southeast on Routt National Forest Road #740 to the Illinois River bottom. Look for moose in the extensive willow bottoms during mornings and evenings, and look in the nearby pine forest during the main daylight hours.
The Laramie River Valley on the western side of Larimer County. From Fort Collins, Colorado, go west on Highway 14 up Poudre Canyon approximately 55 miles to the turnoff for Laramie River/Woods Landing (Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest Road #190). Travel north on #190 for about 5 miles. You will start to see large willows and mixed stands of evergreen along the Laramie River. Look for moose all along this area for the next 10 miles. The best spots to find moose are the Tunnel Campground, West Branch Trail Head, Browns Park, and Stub Creek.
Next: Hunting and Watching Wildlife
(The information contained in these issues of Colorado's Wildlife Company was accurate at the time of original publication. Situations and circumstances described, staff positions, contact information, and dates of some events may have changed in the interim. Present knowledge and understanding of biological and behavioral facts and information may also be different, now, than presented here.)