logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Are you out there? Seduced by moose
Guest Editorial, News, Peaks & Valleys, Wildlife
By Trish Tremblay
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Are you out there? Seduced by moose

Moose are huge! With a dark-brown body, super long legs, large head with an elongated nose, generous lips and big ears…there is just no mistaking a moose.

Photos courtesy of Simone Heinrich. Follow her on Instagram

 

Males (or bulls) can weigh up to 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds) and grow a heavy set of antlers every year which are shed after the mating season, in the fall.


The antlers themselves are palmated with spikes and brow tines and average 20 to 22 kilograms (45-50 pounds). Females lack antlers and are smaller, overall. Not small. Small-er. Moose are one of North America’s largest land mammals.

Come here often?
The rut, or mating season, for moose is in the fall—September and October. They do not gather harems like their relative the elk, it’s more of a one-on-one affair—and one that, for the moose involved, may require some searching.
Moose can communicate over long distances. The bulls make a series of calls and grunts, asking “are you out there?” These bellows can lead to a mooing reply from a cow, i.e., “yes, I’m available, come on over.”


His impressive antlers may woo her but…other males will be inclined to engage in fights for dominance. Often, skirmishes between males can lead to injuries, especially in younger bulls, who have smaller antlers with which to defend themselves.

Junior jeopardy
Moose calves are born in spring; sometimes there are twins. Even though the mother is very protective, and will aggressively run-off potential threats, the first year of life is very difficult for the calf. Between 30 to 50 per cent of them will not survive.


Bears are the main predators of the young calves and wolf packs are also successful predators of moose—of all ages. The BBC filmed its 2016 documentary, Moose: Life of a Twig Eater, in Jasper National Park. This endearing and educational film follows a cow and calf, from birth, and viewers discover what immense challenges are involved in surviving that first year.


Deadfall=dead run
Compared to previous years, in 2023, there were high numbers of moose spotted in the Maligne Valley. Moose find excellent food sources in disturbed habitats such as fires, landslides and avalanche paths and the Maligne Valley has these areas in spades, most recently in the Excelsior Burn.

Deadfall associated with post-burn areas attract moose because amongst the downed-trees, moose can navigate this blackened maze better than their predators. This relationship with the landscape may be contributing to rising numbers of moose in the valley—which, for moose-lovers, will surely lead to more of the spectacular viewing and photo opportunities such as those captured here, by wildlife photographer Simone Heinrich.

If that’s the case, there’s a good chance Parks Canada’s infamous and highly meme-able electronic message board from years past will come out again this winter. After all, the message bears repeating (in both official languages):

“DO NOT

LET MOOSE

LICK YOUR CAR.”


Trish Tremblay // info@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Most Read ›
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
News
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A wildfire 6 km west of Mercoal, Alberta, remains out of control. Alberta Wildfire firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment continue to respond t...
this is a test
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
News
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalsim Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Monday, May 26, 2025
"It's a really incredible time to visit Jasper, to bear witness to a large natural disaster and to see what it means for the ecology of the park and t...
this is a test
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
News
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A small (0.5 hectare) wildfire near Yellowhead Lake, just outside of Jasper National Park's west border with B.C., has been extinguished. At 7 p.m. on...
this is a test
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Latest ›
First business opens in Jasper pop-up village with more on the way
Biking
First business opens in Jasper pop-up village with more on the way
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Vicious Cycle's pop-up location opened on May 1; eight more businesses are expected to move in over the next two months until an official launch on th...
this is a test
Trail Running film festival celebrating culture and community
Arts & Culture
Trail Running film festival celebrating culture and community
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Film buffs and trail fanatics alike will be running to the Jasper Legion this Saturday. The Trail Running Film Festival —a collection of films documen...
this is a test
Jasper council opts not to reduce 2025 budget
Community
Jasper council opts not to reduce 2025 budget
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Mayor Richard Ireland emphasized that if the province had not promised to provide financial stabilization funding, council would have been forced to r...
this is a test
Parks Canada responding to permit process bottlenecks
Business
Parks Canada responding to permit process bottlenecks
Bob Covey 
Monday, May 12, 2025
Agency encouraging rebuild applicants to book a pre-application meeting Jasper’s rebuild has hit a significant milestone, the Insurance Bureau of Cana...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

The courage of young women and men

Guest Editorial, Letters, News

Most Read ›
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
News
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A wildfire 6 km west of Mercoal, Alberta, remains out of control. Alberta Wildfire firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment continue to respond t...
this is a test
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
News
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalsim Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Monday, May 26, 2025
"It's a really incredible time to visit Jasper, to bear witness to a large natural disaster and to see what it means for the ecology of the park and t...
this is a test
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
News
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A small (0.5 hectare) wildfire near Yellowhead Lake, just outside of Jasper National Park's west border with B.C., has been extinguished. At 7 p.m. on...
this is a test
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Latest ›
A steel foundation: A century of railroading in Jasper
Community
A steel foundation: A century of railroading in Jasper
John Wilmshurst 
Thursday, May 29, 2025
As much as Jasper’s recent history has been shaped by its status as a national park, Jasper is very much a railroad town. For more than 100 years, the...
this is a test
Evergreens celebrates 65 years of seniors housing
Community
Evergreens celebrates 65 years of seniors housing
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
When they turn 65, individuals in Canada become eligible for a pension. But when the Evergreens Foundation turns 65, pensioners throw a party! On Satu...
this is a test
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
News
Firefighters battling out of control wildfire in Yellowhead Country
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A wildfire 6 km west of Mercoal, Alberta, remains out of control. Alberta Wildfire firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment continue to respond t...
this is a test
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
News
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A small (0.5 hectare) wildfire near Yellowhead Lake, just outside of Jasper National Park's west border with B.C., has been extinguished. At 7 p.m. on...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local