Moose plows down ski mountain in Jackson Hole
JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A moose on the loose was caught on camera running down a mountainside in Jackson Hole Sunday. Kenny Rynearson shared this video with Local News 8.
In the video, skiers can be seen following the animal or riding alongside it at times. It may even appear that the moose is chasing skiers down the mountain. But, an Idaho wildlife expert says the moose is most likely not chasing the skiers at all.
"He doesn't really seem to be chasing anybody as much as just trying to kind of get out of the way," said James Brower, a Regional Communications Manager for Idaho Fish and Game.
Brower says moose can weigh up to 600 pounds and run between 22 and 25 miles per hour. He estimates that the moose in the video is about two to three years old. You can tell it is a young bull by the size of his antlers.
Moose are native to Idaho and Wyoming, so it is not uncommon to share recreational areas with them. However, a dry winter may be contributing to the number of moose encounters at higher elevations.
"Because of our low snow depths, We've seen animals that have been broadly distributed throughout the landscape," Brower explained. "Their movement has not really been restricted by the snow depth, so they just have easy access to a lot of different places. A lot of animals stayed higher up on the hill than they normally would have."
Brower says the best thing to do during a moose encounter is to respect their space.
"Don't stress them out," he said. "These winter months can be critical for their fat reserves. They're trying to just kind of eke by until the grass springs up."
