The following has been going on here at my rural Alaskan home for the past few days. A mother moose and twin calves has taken up residence at my place and it has put a real damper on any outdoor activities here. It beds down right in the yard at night and is here for most of the day too. The mother is not happy, maybe at motherhood itself, but more likely is upset with our Aussie dog who barks at it if it gets too close. It has gotten to where if we even go outside to the car we get charged by it, with hair raised on its back and a weird growling sound, and if there isn't a place to duck into, that moose could easily kill by stomping you! Mind you it is as big as a large horse! We have tried a few things to get it to move on but nothing has worked.
Today the conflict was escalated when I went outside to work on the boat. This time I took my 44 magnum with as a last ditch defense plan. Well it was down the hill and across the road about 100 yds away so I figured I would be safe enough to get something done. Before too long here she comes running up the driveway straight towards me and the dog. I drew the gun and fired twice in the air, at which point she skidded to a stop and walked off back down the hill towards her calfs. Now my dog, being shy around guns is very upset and scared and my ears are ringing like I was front seat at a Foreigner concert.. Damn!
If this year is like most others it wont be long before a bear will move into the neighborhood and then there will be just one calf, and usually after that the moose are gone. I hate to say it but I am looking forward to the brown bears coming in for the feast!
Today the conflict was escalated when I went outside to work on the boat. This time I took my 44 magnum with as a last ditch defense plan. Well it was down the hill and across the road about 100 yds away so I figured I would be safe enough to get something done. Before too long here she comes running up the driveway straight towards me and the dog. I drew the gun and fired twice in the air, at which point she skidded to a stop and walked off back down the hill towards her calfs. Now my dog, being shy around guns is very upset and scared and my ears are ringing like I was front seat at a Foreigner concert.. Damn!
If this year is like most others it wont be long before a bear will move into the neighborhood and then there will be just one calf, and usually after that the moose are gone. I hate to say it but I am looking forward to the brown bears coming in for the feast!