BOB HARRIS
------------------------------
Outdoors and Free
Volume 2, Issue 36

New Hampshire Moose and Where to See Them
By BOB HARRIS
Outdoors and Free
Friday, August 15, 2008

Indeed, moose are an awesome animal to observe and the sight of them, especially close up, is breath-taking. Yes, I have seen moose on rare occasions in Goffstown, Merrimack, New Boston and Mont Vernon. However, my greatest experiences with observing them have been in the northern areas of New Hampshire. To say the least, our moose are surely a tourist attraction to the state. Moose are definitely fun to see and even photograph. People often ask where they can go to have the best chances of seeing moose. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Moose Project Leader, Kristine Rines, offers some excellent advice on the subject.

"From your vehicle, routes in New Hampshire where moose are often seen, especially from May through October, include: Route 3 north of Pittsburg to the Canadian border, Route 16 north of Milan to the Maine border, Route 26 east of Dixville Notch to the Maine border, Route 112 from Lincoln east to the Bear Notch Road and Route 110 north of Berlin to Route 110A."


Bull moose in Dixville Notch, NH.

Kristine suggests traveling these roads at dusk, looking for roadside salt licks where moose come out of the woods to feed on road salt that has washed off the roads and accumulated in wet areas. Good areas for moose viewing will often have multiple cars, filled with camera-toting folks, hoping for a moose sighting. However, you need to park well off the road and to always be aware that these roads are heavily traveled and speeds often exceed 55 miles per hour.

Being very large wild animals, Kristine Rines stresses that while watching moose, people should always think ’safety first’. Never approach a moose or allow them to approach you. Stay in your vehicle or well away from them. Keep a good distance from them and always have a good stout tree or you vehicle nearby. Moose are large and potentially dangerous animals that can run as fast as a galloping horse. They do not always show their displeasure or give any warning before attacking. If they do feel threatened or angry, moose will raise the hackles on their neck, lay their ears back, jerk their nose at you, roll the whites of their eyes or just run at you, knock you down and then stomp you until you stop moving. So, be sure to give them a wide berth.

Many years ago, while in Pittsburg, N.H., my wife, Betty, and I had an unusual experience. We were coming down Route 3 from 2nd Connecticut Lake one afternoon when we spotted a mother moose and her three calves on an old logging road that went up from the road we were on. They presented a terrific opportunity for us to get some photos. As we pulled over off the road, the mother moose nugged her three little ones and they slowly began walking back up the old logging road and out of sight. 

A very short time after, the mother moose reappeared onto the logging road alone. She was about 200 feet from where our car was parked. I got a couple of snapshots of her and then noticed something wasn’t right. Suddenly she broke into a charge! Mama moose came within two feet of hitting our vehicle when she put the brakes on, gave us an unforgiving look, turned around and walked back to where she left her siblings. That was scary! 

Other areas to find moose include ponds and clearcuts. Some of New Hampshire’s northern ponds are good spots for moose watching. Over the years, I have seen a number of moose while fishing ponds in Pittsburg. The moose feed on aquatics early in the morning and at dusk, so any pond having aquatics may hold moose at these times of year. And, as Kristine Rines says, "The best part is that you can fish or kayak while waiting for a moose or two to show up. Of course, in regions with higher moose densities (northern and western parts of the state), you are more likely to encounter a moose. You can also check out any new clearcut with regrowth from one to four feet tall. Again, early morning or dusk are the best times to see moose. Clearcuts also offer a chance to do some birding while scanning the cut for moose."

Another option for observing and photographing moose is to let experienced moose tour guides find the moose for you. Opportunities for seasonal moose-watching tours in New Hampshire (private enterprises not associated with the N.H. Fish and Game Department) include the
following:

1. Gorham Moose Tours: 3 hour wildlife adventure along the Androscoggin River and 13-Mile Woods from late May to mid-October. Reservations are recommended. They are located at 69 Main Street, Gorham, N.H. 03581. Their phone number is 877-986-6673 or visit their website at: www.gorhamnh.org.

2. Pemi Valley Excursions: They offer scenic tours of the best moose watching areas in the White Mountains. They are located on Main Street, Lincoln N.H. 03251. Phone: 603-745-2744 or visit their website at: www.I93.com/pvsr/moose.htm.

Be alert whenever you are driving, particularly in fog or night time, to avoid moose collisions. Because they stand so tall and have very heavy bodies, they are often hard to see during these conditions. Drive at a slower speed than the speed limit and stay alert. At night or in fog, drive with high beams on whenever possible. With that, enjoy your wildlife watching and watch out for the moose.

 

 




Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com
 

Past Columns  >>>

2008
>
Bob Harris 08-08-08:  Nail Polish: Is It Just for Women?
> Bob Harris 08-01-08:  The Fisher Cat - It's a Big Misconception
> Bob Harris 07-25-08:  A Federal Saltwater Fishing License Is Coming
> Bob Harris 07-11-08:  Learn to properly paddle your canoe
> Bob Harris 07-04-08:  Been Skunked Lately?
> Bob Harris 06-27-08:  Why Can’t New Hampshire Have Two Free Fishing Days?
> Bob Harris 06-20-08:  Fishing: It Was A Longtime In Coming
> Bob Harris 06-13-08:  Ronald Reagan: The Gun Owner's Champion
> Bob Harris 05-23-08:  Be Aware To Brake for Moose While Driving In New Hampshire
> Bob Harris 05-16-08:  Animal Rights Group Dupes Donors Into Believing It Takes Care of Animals
> Bob Harris 05-09-08:  FREE FISHING DAY - A Grand Opportunity For Fun and Introduction
> Bob Harris 05-02-08:  Wildlife Legacy Donations Help Maintain Land Access
> Bob Harris 04-25-08:  Fishing Fun Is Here - Trout Ponds Open Saturday, April 26
> Bob Harris 04-18-08:  Protecting Your Shrubs and Crops From Deer Damage
> Bob Harris 04-11-08:  More Harm Than Good - DO NOT FEED the DEER
> Bob Harris 04-04-08:  Snowmobile fatalities in Ossipee
> Bob Harris 03-28-08:  Get Ready for Landlocked Salmon Season
> Bob Harris 03-21-08:  Glenn Normandeau Appointed as Fish and Game Executive Director
> Bob Harris 03-14-08:  Turkey Hunting Workshop Offered April 19th
> Bob Harris 03-07-08:  Corn Chumming Is Threatening the Sport of Trout Fishing
> Bob Harris 02-29-08:  Free Evening Fishing Seminars Offered at N.H. Fish and Game Department
> Bob Harris 02-22-08:  The passing of a great friend and sportsman
> Bob Harris 02-15-08:  Striped Bass Fishing Is Important
> Bob Harris 02-08-08:  A Great Opportunity for Young Artists
> Bob Harris 02-01-08:  FIREARM OWNERS ALERT - Gun Free Zones Coming
> Bob Harris 01-25-08:  A Galaxy of Greats Share Their Knowledge at Eastern Fishing & Outdoors Exposition
> Bob Harris 01-18-08:  Free Ice Fishing classes offered in Milford, N.H.
> Bob Harris 01-04-08:  Be Aware of New Fishing Rule Changes for 2008 

2007
>
Bob Harris 12-28-07:  New Hampshire Anglers and Hunters Have a Significant Impact On the Economy
> Bob Harris 12-21-07:  New Hampshire's Winter Black Crappie
> Bob Harris 12-14-07:  A Great Show Soon to Come
> Bob Harris 12-07-07:  A Reminder: Be Safe On N.H. Lakes and Ponds This Winter
> Bob Harris 11-30-07:  A deer hunter's dilemma
> Bob Harris 11-23-07:  Hunting and Fishing Bill of Rights and Responsibilities?
> Bob Harris 11-16-07:  Blood Finder of New Hampshire Is A Great Help To Hunters
> Bob Harris 11-09-07:  Hunters Can Help the N.H. Food Bank to Feed the Hungry
> Bob Harris 11-02-07:  2007 New Hampshire Moose Hunt Big Success
> Bob Harris 10-26-07:  New Hampshire Archery Deer Kill, to Date, Is The Highest In 9 Years
> Bob Harris 10-19-07:  Non-Hunters Can Enjoy the Woodlands During Hunting Season, Too
> Bob Harris 10-12-07:  Fall turkey shotgun season is here
> Bob Harris 10-05-07:  Trouble at Glen Lake
> Bob Harris 09-28-07:  Are You Ready for Pheasant Season?
> Bob Harris 09-21-07:  A Dangerous Assault On Our Second Amendment Rights
> Bob Harris 09-14-07:  Cyanobacteria - No Luck O’ the Irish here
> Bob Harris 09-07-07:  Upland Bird Hunting and The Dogs Used To Roust Them
> Bob Harris 08-31-07:  Largemouth Bass virus found in Lake Winnipesaukee
> Bob Harris 08-24-07:  Farewell To Fish and Game Executive Director Lee Perry
> Bob Harris 08-17-07:  Time to sign up for a Hunter Education course
> Bob Harris 08-10-07:  Another invasive algae threatens New Hampshire waters
> Bob Harris 08-03-07:  Crappie fishing in New Hampshire
> Bob Harris 07-27-07:  Lake Winnisquam to get public boat access site
> Bob Harris 07-20-07:  Hearing set for proposed 2008 Freshwater Fishing rules
>
Bob Harris 07-13-07:  Good fishing luck only comes to those who believe
> Bob Harris 07-06-07:  Hunters have a chance to take an additional antlerless deer in WMU "M"
> Bob Harris 06-29-07:  Courtesy is a MUST at the boat launch
> Bob Harris 06-22-07:  What’s happening in New Jersey could happen in New Hampshire
> Bob Harris 06-15-07:  Check Your Watercraft Thoroughly Before Launching
> Bob Harris 06-08-07:  The HSUS Isn’t What You Think It Is
> Bob Harris 06-01-07:  River bass are powerful
> Bob Harris 05-25-07:  A website for outdoors women
>
Bob Harris 05-18-07:  Vicious attack by a butterfly
> Bob Harris 05-11-07:  The Mini-Tandem Streamer
> Bob Harris 05-04-07:  Tandem Streamers - The Size Counts
> Bob Harris 04-27-07:  Come Have Fun at N. H. Fish and Game’s All-Fish Exposition
> Bob Harris 04-20-07:  Trout ponds open April 28th
> Bob Harris 04-13-07:  Come and enjoy "Discover Wild New Hampshire Day"
> Bob Harris 04-06-07:  It's time to enjoy landlocked salmon fishing
> Bob Harris 03-30-07:  New Hampshire Fish and Game Executive Director Will Be Missed
> Bob Harris 03-23-07:  Turkey hunting seminar April 14th
> Bob Harris 03-16-07:  The most sweeping gun ban ever introduced in Congress
> Bob Harris 03-09-07:  A backdoor assault on our right-to-carry in New Hampshire
> Bob Harris 03-02-07:  A call to action on Fish & Game funding
> Bob Harris 02-23-07:  Come Enjoy the 5th Annual Fly-Fish New Hampshire Show
> Bob Harris 02-16-07:  Snowshoe Hare Hunting Workshop Offered by N.N Fish and Game Department 
> Bob Harris 02-09-07:  Need to ride snowmobiles responsibly and safely
> Bob Harris 02-02-07:  The joys of wildlife watching and photography
> Bob Harris 01-26-07:  Many New Hampshire waters are open for fishing year-round
> Bob Harris 01-19-07:  Tell Governor John Lynch you care about Fish and Game funding
> Bob Harris 01-12-07:  Come and Enjoy the 31st Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition
> Bob Harris 01-05-07:  Fox television joins movement to ban trapping

2006
> Bob Harris 12-29-06:  A successful year for deer hunters
> Bob Harris 12-22-06:  Marine fisheries law enforcement activities increased in 2006
> Bob Harris 12-15-06:  December - a beautiful time for pheasant hunting
> Bob Harris 12-08-06:  The ice will be coming.  Be ready, be safe.
> Bob Harris 12-01-06:  Let's all help support the NH Fish & Game department
> Bob Harris 11-24-06:  The bear facts
> Bob Harris 11-17-06:  Become a volunteer ice fishing instructor
> Bob Harris 11-10-06:  Take a kid hunting this fall





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