Moose, like sharks, get a bad rap. Not generally fierce or mean, they docilely mind their own business. But unless they are cornered or interfered with, they will charge. Their size is most intimidating. In Montana, the Shiras Bull Moose is the smallest of the subspecies and could weigh approximately 1,000 pounds with an antler span of four-five feet. Homely they might look with their long noses, drooping lip, shoulder hump, and noticeable dewlap, more commonly called the bell, hanging from their necks.
They rise to about seven feet at the shoulder on spindly legs, adding to their ungainliness. Once the velvety antlers appear on the males, this living tissue, supplied by a network of blood vessels, continues to grow throughout the summer. By late Au- gust, the velvet is rubbed off leaving a gleaming, gigantic rack represen- tative of the bull’s dominance and impressiveness for luring the cow. Mainly browsers of willows and hardwood and softwood trees, moose bide their time on both land and water. They’re great waders and swimmers, loving to plunge into the
THE SHIRAS BULL MOOSE IS THE SMALLEST OF THE SUB-SPECIES AND COULD WEIGH 1,000 POUNDS WITH AN ANTLER SPAN OF FOUR-FIVE FEET.
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