I always feel a bit sorry for the conditions that moose endure every winter. Dark, cold, not much food, and deep snow makes life difficult.
If the curveballs that Mother Nature throws isn’t enough, humans make winter difficult for moose as well. Between vehicles and trains, the moose collision fatalities are at their highest in December, January, and February. An Alaskan wildlife official estimates 800-1,000 moose are killed every year in vehicle/train accidents.
Now you know why there are highway signs across the state that say “Give Moose A Brake.”
If there is an upside to the amount of moose that are killed in accidents, the Alaska Department of Public Safety has set up a roadkill program to harvest the delicious, high protein meat. I know several people who take advantage of this program every year. It’s nice to see the resource not wasted.
We are full on winter here in Alaska. So be watchful on the roads and give the moose a break.
Cue the Moose