If you meet a moose, how to stay safe

Coming face-to-face with a moose in Snohomish County is unlikely but not impossible.

It’s estimated that at least a thousand live in the state, nearly all in three northeastern counties. But there have been a few “reasonably reliable” sightings near Darrington and eastern Snohomish County, and several times in Whatcom, said Rich Harris, section manager of the state Fish and Wildlife department’s game division.

The moose population in Washington has been increasing in numbers and spreading in distribution for a few decades. In the northeast quadrant, they are now common and hunted with once-in-a-lifetime permits.

DFW is studying moose that live north of Spokane.

“They’re doing very well,” Harris said. “They normally increase in numbers until they hit some kind of limit. I’d be surprised if they increase much longer. The population might be limited by habitat quality, density, predators, climate change and other factors.

“We want to know why it’s going well. If we know why, it will help us determine when and why it’s no longer increasing.”

Researchers are using radio collars only on adult females. They can track the calves by tracking the mothers.

“Adults have the best survival rate, and can live to a ripe old age,” he said.

They have collared 25 females, and expect to have 50 by the end of the year.

Here are a few tips from the DFW about meeting a moose:

Moose aren’t built for speed and will often choose fight-over-flight.
Give a moose a lot of space. If you’re hiking, yield the trail by backing off, changing directions, whatever works. This advice also applies when snowmobilers meet moose.
Females with calves are protective and dangerous. The fall rut also makes the males aggressive.
Moose have been known to go out of their way to kick a dog, even one on a leash or in a yard. Never hike or camp with dogs in moose country.
In a moose-car standoff, yield to the moose.
If a moose is in your yard or neighborhood, give it room to escape. Keep pets and children inside. Draw curtains on large glass doors and windows so that moose won’t mistake them for an escape route.
A moose that walks slowly towards is probably warning you. You are far too close if it signals an attack by laying its ears back, raising the long hairs on its shoulder hump, stomping the ground or swinging its head.
Back away and look for a tree or other obstacle to hide behind. It’s usually a good idea to run because they usually won’t chase you very far. You can run around an obstacle faster than they can.
If you are knocked down, curl up and protect your head. Hold still. Be sure that the moose has moved a safe distance away before you get up.
A moose-sighting can be registered at http://wdfw.wa.gov/viewing/moose.