Young moose hanging out on northside of Chinook
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A young moose has spent much of the winter along the north edge of Chinook, randomly visiting yards to browse and rest. A northside resident recently called me to come take a photo of the moose, shown here snacking on a yard shrub. I've dubbed the youngster "Bullwinkle J. Moose" after the early 1960's TV cartoon character.
A Chinook northside resident recently called and asked, "Have you heard about the moose who is wintering up here in our neighborhood?" I had not. She said, "If you come up right now you can get a picture, he's browsing on the bushes in my yard." That was my first introduction to the visitor I've named "Bullwinkle J. Moose" after the cartoon character who appeared on the ABC network during the early 1960's.
Chinook's Bullwinkle appears to be a youngster, still sort of gangly, all legs and very laid back. The caller said the moose often sleeps in her backyard but has been reported in several other yards around the area. While munching on some leafless bushes in the yard Bullwinkle seemed only mildly curious that I was taking his/her photograph.
The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department has posted several cautionary notes on its website about moose encounters. Though most of the concern is a chance meeting in the wilds, some warnings do apply in this domestic situation: "If you encounter a moose, give it lots of space and don't approach it. Keep dogs under control at all times. If a moose charges or chases you, take cover behind something solid, such as a tree."
Final reminder, if you see Rocky (TV Bullwinkle's sidekick, a flying squirrel) please give me a call. I'd think flying squirrels are rarer than moose (moose: I looked it up, both plural and singular are spelled the same) in our area of the state. I didn't try to find any warnings to deal with flying squirrel encounters, but "stay out of trees" might be a good start to avoid encounters.
