The Alaskan Moose

The Alaska moose is abundant across the Last Frontier. From the Southeastern regions to the northern territories, about 175,000 to 200,000 moose are scattered across the state. If you are exploring the state, chances are you will have a moose sighting.

These mammals typically travel alone or with their young, rarely in herds. Understanding their territory and behaviors is important for respecting and supporting their environments. Learning together through conservation helps explain why we love Alaska moose. (Natural Habitat Adventures)
Mama moose and baby in front of mountains

Moose in the Wild

These mammals are often one of the first encounters with wildlife you experience in Alaska. Their giant stature and mythical appearance give a good sense of the scale and magnitude of this environment. The Alaska-Yukon moose is the largest subspecies of moose in the world. (AMNH)
Sometimes you may see them from your cabin window or right outside your car. These sightings are exciting, but maintaining awareness is of the utmost importance. Giving all wildlife a safe distance and understanding is paramount in outdoor settings. Keep in mind that you are walking and exploring in their homelands.
They eat serenely through their days and, at times, become a focal point in Alaska’s landscape. You may even have the opportunity to see a calf with its mother, or if the year is right, possibly twins. By learning about the life and ways of the Alaska moose, you can work to keep your encounters enjoyable and to respect moose in their natural habitats.

Moose Behaviors

During the fall, males enter their ‘rut’ and compete with other males for mates. This typically involves fighting between the bulls (males). Bulls will make a subtle call to attract females and deter other bulls. This is an especially aggressive time for moose.

Bulls will dig a pit to duel for their mate during rutting season. (Whittle et al., 2000) After mating, the females gestate for 7 and a half months and typically give birth to one or two calves during the spring. (Schwartz, 1992) Moose will birth twins if the food supply is high that year. (Seaton et al., 2011) After one year, the mother kicks the calf out, and they are on their own.
Although moose have poor eyesight due to their eye positioning, they compensate with excellent hearing and smell. (Newman & D’Angelo, 2024) This helps them enjoy their diet of willow and birch. Many signs of moose activity are of downed trees. (Timmermann & McNicoll, 1984, pp. 238-250) As they pull bark and leaves, they have the strength to take down whole trees. (Mathisen et al., 2017) These terrestrial animals spend the majority of their time eating. (Belovsky, 1978, pp. 76-104)

Be Aware, Be Respectful

These animals are constantly roaming and sharing the outdoors with recreational enthusiasts. Moose migrating can be alarming for both humans and moose when they stumble across each other. Read here for what to do if you encounter a moose.
Moose have adapted to run away when threatened. Be sure to have heightened awareness during their mating season and birthing seasons. Coming between a calf and her mother is the last thing you want to do on your trip to Alaska. Always give these animals plenty of space and never get too close, even if they seem docile. That behavior can change in the blink of an eye.
Not only out in the woods should you be aware but especially on the roads. As more and more visitors come to Alaska, the number of moose being hit on the road increases each year. (Snively, 2024) Cars are totaled and increase the danger to other drivers as well. Many of these collisions kill moose and car passengers. (Snively, 2024) We love the Alaska moose for many reasons and look forward to cohabitating with them as we explore the last frontier, consciously.
Alaska Moose in a backyard
References

Whittle, C., Bowyer, R. T., Clausen, T. P. & Duffy, L. (2000). Putative Pheromones in Urine of Rutting Male Moose (Alces alces): Evolution of Honest Advertisement?. Journal of Chemical Ecology 26(12). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026485725805

Schwartz, C. C. (1992). REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICAN MOOSE. Alces 28. https://www.alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1063

Seaton, C. T., Paragi, T. F., Boertje, R. D., Kielland, K., DuBois, S. & Fleener, C. L. (2011). Browse biomass removal and nutritional condition of Alaska moose Alces alces. Wildlife Biology. https://doi.org/10.2981/10-010

Newman, B. A. & D’Angelo, G. J. (2024). A Review of Cervidae Visual Ecology. Animals 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030420

Timmermann, H. & McNicoll, J. (1984). Moose Habitat Needs. The Forestry Chronicle 60, pp. 238-250. https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/pdf/10.5558/tfc64238-3

Mathisen, K. M., Milner, J. M. & Skarpe, C. (2017). Moose–tree interactions: rebrowsing is common across tree species. BMC Ecology 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12898-017-0122-3

Belovsky, G. E. (1978). The time-energy budget of a moose. Theoretical Population Biology 14(1), pp.

Snively, M. (February 29, 2024). Moose-Vehicle Collisions in Alaska. Alaska Fish & Wildlife News. https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=4089