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Alaska Moose Viewing
While you are here in Alaska, you are more likely to see a moosethan any other animal. Alaska Moose can be seen year round, especially in the winter time. Yards and city green belts make for better eating during the winter, so moose are more prevelent in winter. Moose are safer from grizzly bears in town as well, even thoughthe gizzlys do occassionaly wonder into town as well.
The average Alaskan will see a moose in their yard
several times per year.
Where Are The Best Places to See A Moose?In Anchorage, go looking for moose in places such as Kincaid Park,the Campbell Air Strip Road and the Coastal Trail. Further north, find moose in the Palmer Hay Flats. You have a real good chance of seeing a moose anywhere, including near downtown Anchorage, but the above locations are frequented by moose often.
Are Moose Dangerous?Yes, moose can be very dangerous! Danger to Pedestrians Never come between a mother moose and her babies. It is almostcertain that you will be charged by the mother. Moose attack by stomping their victim. They use their sharp hoovesand with an average moose weighing well over 1000lbs...well, we all know that that can hurt. If you keep your distance, a moose will just ignore you. If a moose throws it's ears back and you see them getting nervous,back off. A few years ago an older gentleman was stomped to death on the college campus in Anchorage. He, unknowingly, came between a female moose and a baby moose. I once heard a local wildlife expert tell a group of children to get under a parked car, if they are ever in a bad situattion with a moose. I think this is good advice for everyone...if we adults are able to actually fit under a car :)
Dangerous to Those Who Drive When you are driving in Alaska, be on the watch for moose in the road. A collision with a moose is not always just fatal for the moose...people are sometimes killed as well. Just imagine what an animal, that big, coming through your windshield can do. Not pretty! I can't recall the exact number, but last year (2006) over 300 moose were killed by cars in the Matanuska Susitna Valley. The MatSu is a county about the size of West Virginia, about 35 miles north of Anchorage. Then I saw yesterday, while traveling through the Soldotna area, that another 178 where killed down there in auto accidents. Side Note When a moose is killed on Alaskan roadways, it is distributed to local charities for those in need. Moose VideosBe sure to see our moose video page
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