You can almost set your calendar by Alaska’s Mama moose.
If it’s mid-May, they’ll be dropping calves and picking fights. The calves, because most Southcentral cows are bred within a few weeks of each other, and so most calves are borne in the last two weeks of May. There’s a theory that it’s survival in numbers–the bears and wolves can only eat so many and if they’re all borne at the same time, some will survive.
The fights is because Mama knows everything and everybody is trying to eat her babies. I’m among the majority of Alaskans who believe that a cow moose with a newborne calf is the most dangerous animal in the state.
An Eagle River man was the first local stomping victim this year, getting between a cow and calf on a brushy trail and getting pounded for his trouble. More on the story here:
Best way to avoid a similar fate is to be aware of the danger, and avoid mountain trails with limited visibility–it’s a favorite spot for calving and certain to put you at risk. Walking Fido adds to the risk–as much as a cow moose dislikes you, she’ll go ballistic when any canine gets close.
By mid-June most of the calves are big enough and mobile enough that cows will flee instead of fighting, but the best insurance is keeping your distance.
