Moose Are Making a Comeback in Massachusetts

Where the Moose Are and What to Do If you See One on the Trails

Back in March I wrote a blog about the expanding bear population here in New England (“It’s Springtime and That Means the Bears Are Out"). Now, based on the latest Wildlife survey, it’s clear that bears aren’t the only large mammal increasing in population in the area since the number of moose in the area is evidently growing too.

​Although moose in Massachusetts were nearly hunted into extinction during the Colonial era and 19th century, after hunting was regulated in the early 1900's their population began to rebound. "It was a slow progression from Maine to New Hampshire to Vermont, and then started to show up in Massachusetts in the 1960's and 1970's. But it wasn't really until the late 1990's and early 2000's that we started having moose year-round." - Moose biologist David Stainbrook of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
 
Over the past four years there have been hundreds of moose incidents (to include sightings, injuries and deaths) in Massachusetts.  Here’s a map showing where the moose are concentrated and another showing the specific locations where moose have been sighted, or sadly died – mostly due to impacts with cars since moose are taller than deer so headlights don’t normally reflect off of their eyes making them harder to see at night.

Here's a more in depth article on the resurgence of moose in our area:
      https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/moose-comeback-massachusetts-map-shows-sightings-deaths

If you want all the details on the Massachusetts Moose population, and other detailed fish and wildlife statistics, here’s the link to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife’s 2018 Annual Report. 
      https://www.mass.gov/doc/annual-report-2018-masswildlife/download

Since the probability of a sighting is increasing, if you do see a moose while you’re out on a hike, you should know that they're not typically dangerous. But it's still good to give them plenty of space — and definitely keep any dogs hiking with you away from the moose. Although rare, you can tell if a moose will become aggressive by its body language. Here are 7 signs to look for (from Emergency Essentials Blog – “7 Signs You’re Going to be Attacked by a Moose”):

• The moose stops eating and stares at you.
• Lays back its ears and raises the hair on its hump, neck, or hips.
• Smacks or licks its lips, and clicks its teeth.
• Lowers its head and walks toward you.
• Urinates.
• Shows the whites of its eyes.
• Whips its head back like a horse.

The Appalachian Mountain Club also has some good information in their article titled “Do You Know How to Respond to a Moose Encounter?”

We routinely see deer, coyotes, black bears, foxes, turkeys, fischer cats, beavers, wood chucks and even a few bobcats in our neck of the woods. I guess we’ll have to start being on the lookout for moose too.