What Would You Do? Would You Try To Pet A Moose In The South Hills?
UPDATE: If you need information on wild animals are what do do please contact the Panhandle Regional Office as well as visit their Facebook page for more info
Disclaimer: DO NOT try to pet a moose. Moose are aggressive and dangerous wild animals. Also DO NOT shoot a moose, as you must have a controlled hunt tag and they are a "once in a lifetime" kill. This is only a fun hypothetical.
What would you do? What would you do if you were hiking through the South Hills, or maybe four-wheeling, and came across a moose? If you are hunting, would you shoot it? If you aren't hunting, would you run? Would you just watch it? I have never seen a moose, but one thing I have heard is they are not the nicest creature around.
Runaway as fast as you can
Human instinct would be to run, but if the moose is startled or decides to be aggressive, as they are known to be, it could turn out to be a terrible decision. Would you even be able to run? Fear could take over as you just watch this close encounter with a majestic beast. To change it up, what if what you are seeing is a baby moose, does that change your decision on what to do? As the phrase goes, "You don't have to be the fastest, just faster than the person you are with."
Take in the opportunity presented to you
I have never seen a moose, and many I have talked to in the area haven't either. If I were to see one in person, I would have to try and get a picture and take it in, but also would be terrified as well. I compare it to seeing a bear in the woods. I want to record seeing it, but I don't want to get eaten either. There is a part of me that would want to make the story better though and attempt something dumb.
Can you pet a moose and live to tell about it?
I may be in the minority here, but the thought of petting a wild moose and living to tell the story sounds pretty awesome to me. I have been told it is a bad idea, and it is highly unlikely I could even get close enough to pet a moose, but the thought is fun. After a few drinks, who knows what might happen. I am not encouraging drinking, especially when out where a moose could see you. Use smart judgement and take someone with you that can be a wise voice if you are contemplating it.
Shooting a moose would be tough
If a moose was charging at me, I could easily shoot it to save my life, barring I have a permit of course, but if it was standing in an open field, I don't know if I could pull the trigger. To finally see one for the first time, it would be hard to shoot one. A deer, an elk would be easy but a moose would be tough for me. It's a keep's sake if you get it, but also taking down an animal some may never see in their lives would be tough. It is a once in a lifetime kill and you have to have a permit, so odds are I would never be able to get one anyway. If I had the tag, I still don't know if I could do it.
If you come across a moose what do you do? There are multiple options, but one thing is for certain, you are lucky as a lot of people would love to see them. Shoot it, run, watch it, pet it, there are multiple options, but which is right for you? What would you do?
Disclaimer: DO NOT try to pet a moose. Moose are aggressive and dangerous wild animals. Also DO NOT shoot a moose, as you must have a controlled hunt tag and they are a "once in a lifetime" kill. This is only a fun hypothetical.