DOW Asking Public to Report Moose Sightings

Information especially needed in southwest and Grand Mesa areas

Wildlife watchers in the western half of the state can help the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) track moose by reporting any sightings to a local DOW office.
 
Moose were transplanted in northern Colorado in the 1970s, and in southwest Colorado in 1992. Since then the population has increased steadily. But because the moose are solitary animals and spread out over wide areas it is difficult for wildlife managers to track their progress.
     
Wildlife managers are most interested in learning about populations in the southern and central mountains, and in the Grand Mesa area.
     
Moose have recently been released on Grand Mesa and are fitted with radio collars, enabling DOW staff to track them remotely. But wildlife managers still want to know where people see the animals.
     
Moose are found most commonly in wetlands and thickly-forested areas.
     
If you spot a moose while you are out hiking, fishing or sightseeing, please make some notes if possible. Here is the information wildlife managers need: location, GPS coordinates if possible, type of terrain, number of animals, color, sex, if they are adults or juveniles, if any have radio collars on their necks, if any have ear tags. For those carrying binoculars, try to spot the number on the ear tag.
     
“The more data we can gather the better we’ll be able to determine how moose are expanding their range throughout Colorado,” said Brent Woodward, district wildlife manager in the Creede area.
     
In southern Colorado, the DOW wants to hear about sightings in these areas: San Luis Valley, South Fork, Del Norte, Creede, Saguache, Lake City, Gunnison, and anywhere in the San Juan Mountains.
     
To report a sighting, call one of these DOW offices: Grand Junction, 1-970-255-6100; Monte Vista, 1-719-587-6900; Gunnison, 1-970-641-7060; Montrose, 1-970-252-6000; Durango, 1-970-247-0855.

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