Moose!

[Oak]

Boy, we sure have some idiots among us....

DENVER, Colo. - With the fall rifle seasons reaching the half-way point, the Colorado Division of Wildlife is warning big game hunters to be absolutely certain of their target before they pull the trigger. So far this fall, the Division has investigated more than 10 cases of hunters carelessly or negligently shooting moose.

"We're seeing way too many preventable mistakes," said Ron Velarde, DOW's Northwest Regional Manager. "If you aren't 100 percent sure that what you have in your sights is what you have on your license, do not pull the trigger."

Despite years of education efforts surrounding moose reintroduction, including direct outreach to hunters with licenses in northwest Colorado, some hunters say they are surprised to see these big animals in areas where elk and deer are common.

That's no excuse, said DOW Chief of Law Enforcement Jay Sarason. "We expect hunters to positively identify their game," he said. "It's simple - if you're not absolutely sure, don't shoot."

While cow elk and cow moose may be confused in low light or when obscured by brush, bull elk and bull moose look nothing alike. Yet two hunters this fall have mistakenly shot bull moose. One of those hunters is facing charges that could bring more than $14,000 in fines and the certainty of a license suspension hearing. Abandonment of a carcass could bring felony charges, incarceration and the permanent loss of hunting privileges in Colorado and 34 other states that participate in the Wildlife Violator Compact.

Proper target identification is one of the first rules that hunters learn in hunter education courses. Properly identifying the target not only ensures you are taking the proper species and gender but also prevents hunters from shooting at sound or movement - something that should never happen.

Sarason noted that more than 250,000 hunters take to the field each fall in Colorado and the total number of violations is low.

"We harvest about 50,000 elk every year," Sarason said. "The vast majority are harvested legally and ethically. Ethical sportsmen shouldn't feel like they're getting a black eye because a very small number of people are too quick on the trigger."

Colorado's moose reintroduction is one of the most successful species conservation programs in state history. Thanks to sportsmen's' dollars and support, Colorado is now home to a growing population of more than 1,500 moose, which have become highly sought-after by wildlife watchers. These largest members of the deer family can be found in many parts of the state.

Moose are common in North Park, Middle Park, Steamboat Springs, Rio Grande National Forest, and Grand Mesa National Forest and have recently been introduced into the White River National Forest east of Meeker. However, hunters in all mountainous terrain should expect that they could encounter moose while hunting deer and elk.

Because moose are relatively rare, hunting licenses for moose are very restricted. In 2010, Colorado will issue more than 225,000 elk licenses, but only 157 moose licenses. The lifetime bag limit for bull moose in Colorado is one.

"Moose hunting in Colorado is literally a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Velarde.
"Every moose that a careless or negligent hunter kills is a hunt denied to someone else."

Hunters that mistakenly kill the wrong animal are urged to immediately contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Wildlife officers will seize the erroneously killed animal and donate the meat. Hunters who mistakenly kill a moose and don't turn themselves in are subject to heavy fines and penalties if wildlife officers have to track them down.

"The ethical thing to do is to own up to your mistake," Velarde said. "Report the mistake and make sure the meat doesn't go to waste. Better yet - when in doubt, don't pull the trigger."

Hunters that see suspicious activity in the field are asked to contact your local District Wildlife Manager, enforcement agency or Operation Game Thief toll-free at 877-COLO-OGT (877-265-6648). Callers may remain totally anonymous.

A fact sheet describing the differences between moose and elk is available at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B2585-97CF-4F9D-9F67-F1520201B74D/0/elkmooseflyer.pdf).

To learn more about moose in Colorado, see: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/Moose.htm

 

[Dinkshooter]

I will help out here. You have a bull elk tag in your pocket. Which one do you shoot?

 

[Goldtip]

It took me a minute there DS, but I am gonna go with door number 2? Am I right, do I win?

Seriously? These guys are "accidentally" shooting Moose? I call BS on that, it was an "accident" when they got caught.

 

[idnative1948]

Uhhh, the one with the largest rack??
WTF! Stupidity knows no bounds!
Shooting a moose in elk season is like shooting a *slow elk*. Wonder how many cattle on open range end up getting whacked when they are in the brush.

 

[highmountian]

Black brown, red green! color blind? They not even close. WTH!

 

[MNHunter]

Reminds me of this sign I saw in 2006 while on my moose hunt....

 

[Dinkshooter]

Reminds me of this sign I saw in 2006 while on my moose hunt....

Was that BigShooters place?


Seriously, the year Colorado decided to make the OTC tags either sex for elk was not a good one for moose. They didn't do that again.

 

[Moosie]

DinkShooter, thats an easy quiz, but only because you had the Moose in water. Or is that an Elk in the water.... UGGGHHH !!!! Now I'm confused !!!

 

[Sytes]

http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B2585-97CF-4F9D-9F67-F1520201B74D/0/elkmooseflyer.pdf

This made me laugh! It is about as odd as training "hunters" on the differences between a wolf and a griz. :W:

 

[ashersdad]

Seriously!!! How in the hell do you make that kind of "mistake"?

 

[Up North 8]

WTH?
colorado...i dont wanna hunt there cuz i dont feel like being the same "mistake" as the moose, glasses maybe? idk...

 

[TheTone]

Idaho has the same problem, I've got two different "know the difference" type signs in my office.

 

[Roland on the River]

Dinkshooter, I would'nt shoot either.
I have an Elk tag so the Moose is out.
As far as the Elk they are too bunched up to risk hitting the wrong one or more than one. Any one else concur?

 

[elk_hunter]

Man, it's just baffling. I can't understand how that is a mistake.

 

[Moosie]

Roland, By the looks of the picture, you're less than 100 yards from the elk. I'd shoot it and wouldn't blink. If you're worried about missing the Vitals you need to go re-sight in yer gun

 

[rosco]

Roland, By the looks of the picture, you're less than 100 yards from the elk. I'd shoot it and wouldn't blink. If you're worried about missing the Vitals you need to go re-sight in yer gun

unless that bull has 6 legs, there is another one hidden behind him.

 

[Oak]

Roland, By the looks of the picture, you're less than 100 yards from the elk. I'd shoot it and wouldn't blink. If you're worried about missing the Vitals you need to go re-sight in yer gun

Moosie just killed 2 elk with 1 shot.

 

[Gerald Martin]

What!!!!!? Ain't you guys ever killed a six-legged elk before?

 

[schmalts]

We have about 100 elk in Wisconsin. Every few years someone kills one by "mistake" during our rifle deer hunt. makes a guy wonder, how does a Elk look like a deer?

 

[danr55]

I've never seen an elk with a waddle.. silly mistake.