Moose Encounters!

This week, I want to discuss some ways to increase your chances of seeing moose. I also want to share some of my moose photos and tell some stories of my own encounters with Isle Royale moose.  NOTE: The photos were taken with zoom features on the camera. I did not get overly close to the moose in these photos.   (Click the photos to enlarge them)

No Guarantee You Will See Moose

Let me share a harsh reality. There is no guarantee that you will see any moose during your Isle Royale visit. Many people DO see moose while visiting Isle Royale. However, there are also many people who DON'T see any moose. Isle Royale is not a zoo. The moose are not kept in cages or other enclosures to make it easier for you to view them. Isle Royale is not a circus. The moose do not put on shows at specified times and locations. Seeing one (or more) moose on Isle Royale is a totally random event. A moose encounter happens when you (and the moose) just happen to be in the same general area at the same time. It  is primarily all about "luck".

Increase Your Chances of Seeing Moose

Time and Location

Theoretically, you can see moose at just about any location on the Island and at any time of the day. That being said, the large majority of moose encounters probably happen in the early morning hours and in the evening hours. Many of the encounters also seem to happen within a half mile of a water source.  And, as silly as it may sound, the Rock Harbor and Windigo areas seem to have more than their fair share of moose encounters. (In part, this is because more people are in those locations. Thus, more people are present to see the moose. Also, wolves tend to stay away from people. Thus, the moose sometimes like to be close to populated places --like Rock Harbor and Windigo -- because the wolves tend to stay away from these heavily human-populated areas.

I have seen many moose early in the morning--as I am often one of the earlier persons to hit the trails. Thus, I encounter moose who are still asleep near the trail (who jump up and flee when they hear/smell me coming). Sometimes, in the early morning, I stumble upon moose who are casually eating leaves and plants.

Washington Creek Campground (Windigo) often has moose in the the creek at some point during the day. (I have seen them most often between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. However, I have probably encountered them at just about all hours of the day and night). Encountering them in Washington Creek is especially true the later you get in the season -- when more plant life is growing in the creek.

The main "roads" in the Rock Harbor area (around the cabins and campground) seem to be areas where moose sometimes frequent.  Feldtmann Lake Campground also seems to have a somewhat elevated amount of moose sightings.

Sound and Scent Issues--Especially Sound

The moose can smell you and hear you. Thus, be aware of your odors. Also, be especially aware of the amount of sound and noise that you make.

The more odors that you have, the more that the moose will know you are there. Try to keep your natural body odor to a minimum. Also, odors from things like deodorant, perfume, and cologne can alert the moose to your presence. Other odors that the moose seem to notice include coffee, cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke, vaping smells, soap, petroleum-based fuels, etc. The moose will very likely smell you as you approach--particularly the more odors that you have. Odors can lower your chance of  seeing moose.

In my opinion, sound issues cause far more problems than odors when it comes to trying to encounter moose. I can't stress enough that many visitors to Isle Royale are just "too darn noisy" as they come down the trail (or as they operate their watercraft). They are talking to companions and/or they are playing music and podcasts through the speakers on their cellphones and other devices. They have numerous things hanging from their packs that rattle and "clank" with each step that they take. The sound of their trekking poles (or paddles) coming into contact with various surfaces can be very loud.

I have been sitting down along a trail (taking a break) and I have sometimes heard people approaching for 5 to 15 minutes (or more) before they reach my location. If an old guy (with 61 year old ears) can hear you 15 minutes before you arrive--imagine what a moose (with super-sensitive ears) can hear. It is important to reduce your noise level if you wish to increase your chances of encountering moose.

Being Alert

If you wish to see moose, it helps if you stay alert and are looking for moose and listening for them. I have frequently encountered people on the trails (and on the waterways) that are primarily focused on getting to their next destination...and little else seems to matter to them. They are moving fairly quickly. Their heads are down (looking at the trail) as they hike (or they are looking at the water--or looking straight ahead at a point on the horizon) while paddling. They are not paying attention to what is off to their left or right. They are not listening for sounds. They are talking--or they have their earbuds in place. They are "zoning out" as they hike or paddle. A moose could be 30 feet off to their left and they might miss it--because they are not paying attention. To see (or hear) a moose--it certainly helps to be looking for moose (and listening for them).

When you reach an open area--perhaps at a pond, bog, a small lake, or maybe at a small field or meadow -- I invite you to pause for a moment. Take time to look around. Scan the area for signs of wildlife. Listen for sounds. Don't just rush past the open area --giving it no attention.  I invite you to actively look for wildlife and actively listen for wildlife.

SOME OF MY "SCARY" MOOSE ENCOUNTERS

My Very First Moose Encounter

On my first Isle Royale trip, I was alone and approaching North Lake Desor campground. I had already left the Minong Ridge Trail and was hiking the spur trail to the campground. It had been a long hike from Windigo. I was tired. I was thirsty. I REALLY had to go to the bathroom. I couldn't wait to take off my pack, go to the bathroom, drink some water--and start setting up camp. Then, I encountered a cow moose and her calf (see the two photos above of a cow and a cow and calf).

The cow was on one side of the trail and the calf was on the other side of the trail. There was no way that I was going to walk between a cow and a calf.  Thus, I stayed close to some trees and watched the cow and calf.  They never got more than 20 feet away from the trail as they casually ate.  This went on for over 30 minutes. 

So, for 30 minutes, I stood there watching the cow and calf. At one level, that was a wonderful experience watching two moose for over 30 minutes. However, my "heavy" pack was still on my back. My bowels and bladder were bursting. The longer I stood there--the later it was getting (and setting up camp was getting pushed back later and later).  Finally, after more than a half hour, the cow and calf moved on and I was able to get to the North Desor campground.

The Boardwalk to Chippewa Harbor

I was hiking to Chippewa Harbor campground. On that trail, there is a very long (elevated) boardwalk that is built over swampy land and over water for much of its distance.  It is sometimes 2-3 feet above the water. The boardwalk has some twists and turns.

I was walking on this 12-inch wide boardwalk with a pack on my back.  As I came around a curve, I startled a large bull moose that had been eating plants in the water. He was in front of me and to my right. I was 2-3 feet above the water--standing on a 12-inch boardwalk.

The moose panicked. He was standing in the water. The elevated boardwalk blocked his path on one side. On the other side there were thick clumps of trees blocking his path. I was sort of in front of him (on the curve of the boardwalk) and the path behind him was partially blocked by trees--but other areas behind him were partially open. 

The moose started running around in circles--confused as to where to go. First, he ran in my direction (which scared me). He realized I was  there--so he turned toward the boardwalk. He saw that route blocked by the boardwalk. He then turned the other direction--and found his way blocked by trees. He started running forward--and remembered I was there. Then--he turned back toward the boardwalk. Then, he went back toward the trees. After 2-3 rounds of this type of panic, he finally found an opening behind him and he galloped out of there at a fast pace.

Remember, this big bull moose was in water. So, all of this running and turning around in circles was amplified by the big splashing sounds that he was making in the water.

And, there I was, with a pack on my back. Standing 2-3 feet above the water on a 12-inch board. I was watching this (large) startled bull moose running every possible direction (including running toward me).  Interesting times!

My Mistake

I was hiking between East Chickenbone and McCargoe Cove.  As I came down a hill toward a boardwalk and a watery area, I saw that a cow and calf were out in the water eating plants, They were "close" to the boardwalk--but I figured that they were far enough away for me to walk through the area safely. The moose were also looking the other way and paying no attention to me as I approached the boardwalk. Plus, there was a beaver dam and large beaver lodge that would be between me and moose for some of the time that I was on the boardwalk. (It would conceal me as walked).  Thus, I decided that the moose were far enough away and it was safe for me to walk across the boardwalk. The cow and calf never even looked at me as I started across the boardwalk.

I eventually started to pass behind the large beaver lodge (while still on the boardwalk). I could no longer see the moose in the water because the beaver lodge blocked everything. I then heard some walking in the water. It sounded like the moose were walking away.  Thus, I figured that my situation was improving.  I was wrong.

Mama moose was NOT walking away. She (and baby) had actually walked TOWARD the boardwalk. As I finished walking past the beaver lodge (and as I could see the water and the moose again)--I looked toward the water. Mama and baby were NOT farther away.  Mama was now only 15 to 20 feet from the boardwalk.  She was now fully aware of my presence and she was NOT happy that I was there.  Her body language and snorting made that very apparent. I practically flew off the final feet of that boardwalk and positioned myself behind some trees. Mama moose paced back and forth--20 to 30 feet away from me--pawing and snorting all the while. I stayed frozen in fear behind the trees.  Finally, mom and baby each gave out calls to each other--and mom finally left me and went back to her baby.  I was terrified.

I have seen many moose over the years. I try to be very careful around moose and other wildlife. This time, I misjudged the situation and I misjudged the distances--and it almost resulted in injury to me.

The Hammock Situation

I was at North Lake Desor campground, sleeping in my hammock. (The hammock had bug netting and a tarp). As I shifted positions in the middle of the night, I was somewhat awake. I started hearing a loud "crashing" sound moving through the woods. (That noise definitely caused me to wake up!).

It quickly became apparent that the noise was a moose galloping through the woods. Initially, the sound was far away. However, it soon grew closer and closer. As the sound grew closer, it was clear that this galloping moose was heading toward my campsite. (My campsite was located right between where the sound was coming from and Lake Desor.  My guess is that the moose was heading to the water to eat and drink--and to avoid predators).

It soon seemed very apparent that my hammock was probably right in the moose's pathway. I began to brace myself for what seemed like an inevitable collision.

Then, when the moose was probably 20-30 feet from my hammock. The galloping sound abruptly came to a complete halt. Maybe the moose saw my camp--or more likely it smelled my camp or heard me. All I know is that I was VERY happy that the galloping sound had stopped--and that the moose slowly walked away--and eventually entered the lake elsewhere. (I could hear it walking and eating in the water)

I will conclude this week's blog post with more moose photos.