DEC on Moose sightings: Respect the wildlife and landowners

Early fall tends to be the time of year where moose sightings increase around the North Country.

Why? The New York State DEC says it's getting time for Moose to start breeding and it's common for people to see a bull or cow wandering around the landscape in search of a mate.

According to the DEC, a single bull may breed with five or six cows during the rut.

With several local sightings confirmed with us over the last week, the DEC says to enjoy your Moose encounter respectfully, if you happen to be lucky enough to spot one.

"It's one thing to have one-hundred people standing roadside taking pictures of a Moose that might be out there 200-yards standing in a field, and it's another thing to have half of those people trespass onto a landowner's property because everybody wants to get thirty-feet away from the animal so that they can get pictures," DEC Wildlife Biologist Steven Heerkens told us.

"And that absolutely is problematic." Listen to our latest on-air segment with Biologist Steven Heerkens for more of his remarks:

Although witnessing a Moose is certainly a treat to behold, DEC officials strongly discourage approaching a Moose or any wildlife too closely.

The same applies for when it comes to landowner's and private property. If it's not public land, officials say it's better to just stay off.

According to the DEC, the Moose is the largest member of the deer family (Cervidae), and the largest land mammal in New York State.

Bulls typically weigh from 600 to 1,200-pounds and stand up to 6-feet tall at the shoulder. Meanwhile, cows generally weigh from 500 to 800-pounds.

Have you seen a Moose recently? Report it to the DEC here!

DEC Moose image.