Moose
Moose - called elk outside of North America - are the second largest land animal on the continent and Colorado's largest big game animal.
About This Species
Today, Colorado is home to more than 3,000 moose and boasts one of the fastest growing populations in the lower 48 states. Colorado has Shiras moose, which are the smallest of the four moose subspecies, and are commonly known as Yellowstone or Wyoming moose.
Living with Moose
Moose are a massive, ancient deer species that has enjoyed an incredible rebound in population thanks to CPW's reintroduction and conservation efforts. Find out how you can live in harmony with these beautiful creatures and how CPW continues to manage this species.
Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease found in deer, elk and moose. Colorado Parks and Wildlife researchers and biologists have studied chronic wasting disease on numerous fronts - their work and expertise on this disease is recognized both nationally and internationally.
Conservation
Bringing Moose Back to Colorado
Historical records dating back to the 1850s indicate that moose wandered into northern Colorado from Wyoming, but were transient and never established a stable breeding population. In the 1950s, Colorado wildlife officials considered bringing moose to the state. During the 1960s and the early 1970s, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife) worked with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the general public and local ranchers on selecting the North Park area in the Routt National Forest near Walden as the site for the first moose reintroduction.
1978
Colorado Parks and Wildlife transplanted 24 moose from Utah and Wyoming to Colorado's North Park region near Walde.
1987
Transplanted 12 moose from Wyoming to Laramie River Valley in northwestern Larimer County, near Glendevey (Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin and Park Counties)
1991-1993
Transplanted 93 moose from Wyoming, Utah and North Park, Colorado to Upper Rio Grande River Valley in Mineral and Hinsdale Counties, near Creede (Archuleta, Conejos, Gunnison, La Plata, Rio Grande, Saguache and San Juan Counties)
2005-2007
Transplanted 91 moose from Utah to Grand Mesa National Forest in Delta and Mesa Counties near Grand Junction (Eagle, Garfield, Gunnison, Mesa and Pitkin Counties)
2009-2010
Transplanted 19 moose from Utah and 20 from North Park to White River National Forest in Rio Blanco County near Meeker (Garfield, Moffat and Routt Counties)
2012
The reintroduction program had established a breeding population of about 2,300 moose in Colorado.
Research
Researching Moose
Moose are less abundant in Colorado than elk and deer, thus funding for moose management tends to be lower in comparison. Moose populations are more difficult to estimate because most of Colorado's moose herds live in forests, making aerial observation difficult. As a result, reliable moose population data are limited. Without these data, wildlife managers cannot make fully informed licensing decisions. Fortunately, other factors besides population abundance can inform wildlife managers about moose population status. For example, reduced pregnancy and survival rates can indicate low food availability due to increased herd sizes. Using these other factors, researchers will develop population models that wildlife managers can use to manage moose populations in the state.
- Colorado moose : reintroduction and management
- Moose on the loose
- Status of Colorado's deer, elk, and moose populations
- The history of moose introductions in Colorado : with notes on translocations, distribution, current status and harvest
- Evaluation and incorporation of life history traits, nutritional status and browse characteristics in Shira's moose management in Colorado
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Size
Colorado’s Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) are the largest species of deer with bulls ranging up to 9 1⁄2 feet long (of which only four inches is tail), six feet tall at the shoulder, and weighing over 1,000 pounds.
Color
Their body hair is grizzled dark brown, appearing black at a distance, and they have white hair on the inside of their legs. Their thick, dark brown coat appears black at a distance, and enables them to stay warm in the coldest winters. Their rumps are brown, not white or cream colored as found in deer, elk, or pronghorn.
Shape
Their long head, overhanging snout, and a pendulant flap of skin of varying sizes hanging from their throat - called a bell - give moose an unmistakable silhouette when observed in the wild. The bell varies in size and is much larger on bulls.
Moose have very long legs that almost seem too long for their body so they can wade into bodies of water and eat plants off the bottom. Their legs enable them to paw through deep snow to reach food in winter.
Antlers
Bull moose grow antlers that are “palmate”— flattened like a hand. Antlers of bulls in their prime may weigh over 50 pounds and can reach five feet wide or wider. Yearling bulls sport small spikes or small plates, with antlers increasing in size as the bulls mature. Antler conformation varies considerably, and it is not uncommon to see a bull moose, especially a younger bull moose, with antlers similar to those of an elk.
Antler growth begins late winter with the formation of soft “velvet,” the blood-rich skin that nourishes antler growth. Velvet is rubbed off in fall in preparation for the breeding season. After breeding, in early winter, antlers are shed and then re-grown.
Commonly Found
Moose are mainly found as singles or in small groups, not in large herds.
Range
In Colorado, Moose are most abundant in North Park and on the Grand Mesa, but have expanded their range to include most of the mountainous regions of Colorado, including along the Front Range, where moose can occasionally be found wandering as far east as Golden, Boulder, and Colorado Springs.
Habitat
Moose live in forested areas that are often close to lakes and marshes. They are very territorial, will defend their space, and rarely leave their home territory during winter.
Diet
During the winter they are browsers mainly feeding on willows, which also serve as shelter. In the summer they graze on grasses, forbs, underwater vegetation, bushes, coniferous needles, and deciduous leaves.
Reproduction
Gestation period is about eight months. Moose breed in late September and early October. The adult males spar with their antlers and can be extremely aggressive and dangerous. During breeding season is one of the few times they form small groups.
Calving occurs in late May through early June. Calves are born with a reddish brown coat (no spots) that darkens with age. The cows often have twins.
Threats to Species
- Climate Change and Severe Weather
- Balancing Recreation and Natural Resources
- Residential and Commercial Development
- Energy Development and Land Use
- Winter Ticks and Other Parasites
- Chronic Wasting Disease