DEC urges motorists to keep an eye out for moose
It’s mating season, so hefty animals will be on the move
They are the biggest cervids in New York and considerably larger than deer.
Moose can also be hard to see due to their dark coloring, so wildlife experts at the state Department of Environmental Conservation are warning motorists to be on the lookout for the animals, especially this time of year.
Early fall is breeding season for moose in northern New York, including in the Adirondacks, where they are most likely to be found.
During this time moose are wandering around looking for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen.
While it makes it more likely that moose will be spotted by people, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the road.
Their large bodies cause greater damage to vehicles than deer, and when struck their height often causes them to crash not just into the front of the vehicle, but into or through the windshield of a car or pickup truck. There are no recorded human fatalities resulting from collisions with moose, however.
Moose are most active at dawn and dusk, which are times of poor visibility. They are especially difficult to see at night because of their coloring — dark brown to black — and their height, which puts their head and much of their
body above vehicle headlights.
They may also travel in pairs or small groups, so when you see one, there could be others that are following. If on foot, peo
ple shouldn’t approach moose as they can be aggressive.