Alaskan wild animal spotlight:

The Moose

I took this photo in the Yukon on the Klondike Highway. That’s three moose in one shot. You could see the same thing on a tour to the Yukon.

Every day in the M&M tour booth, an inquisitive visitor asks if there is any tour that allows them to see a moose. While moose are quite abundant north of Skagway, they are an elusive animal that requires patience (and a little luck) to spot in the wild. In today’s blog, we are going to learn all about the majestic moose and explore tour options that may offer you the thrill of seeing one in the wild. What a great idea!

What exactly is a moose?

The moose is the largest member of the deer family. This does not mean that deer turn into moose at a certain age. You see, moose and deer are different animals. Moose are easily identified by their large size, massive antlers, and goofy expression. Fun fact: The moose you may see on your tour are a subspecies called Alaskan moose, which is the largest of all the world’s moose varieties. Alaskan moose can reach weights of 1,400 pounds with antlers that span 6 feet in length. That’s one heck of a moose!

Are moose dangerous?

They sure are! Deadly, in fact. Moose may look dorky but they do not play. If you come across a moose weighing a half-ton, you don’t want to hang around to find out whether it’s friendly. If that moose is having a bad day, you’re going to get smashed faster than wine grapes in Italy. 

I’ve had two less-than-positive moose experiences over the years. On one occasion, I encountered a cranky moose in the woods while hiking. When it started grunting and spitting at me, I went the other way. 

On another outing, I was fishing in the Yukon and moose ran right past me and jumped in the lake. Then it turned and started swimming toward me. I had bear spray but I have no idea if bear spray works on a moose. Fortunately, my dog jumped in front of me and barked at the moose, causing it to turn around and swim away, which is just one reason why he’s such a good boy, yes he is.

Somebody should probably sell moose spray. I would buy some. Did you know that moose cause more deaths and injuries in Alaska than black bears and brown bears combined? Now you do. I have no love for angry moose and I suggest you do your best to avoid them.

When and where can I see a moose when I’m in Skagway?

Moose are rarely seen in Skagway because there isn’t a lot for them to eat in the area. However, there are plenty of moose north of Skagway and they are sometimes spotted along the Klondike Highway on tours to the Yukon. The Yukoner, Yukon Discovery Tour, and Private Yukon Tours all give you a much better chance of seeing a moose than if you stay on your ship and do nothing.

Early spring is the best time to spot moose because they tend to hang out close to the road. It’s also common for female moose to hang out with their calves during the spring and it’s not uncommon to see a mother with two or more offspring.

If you see a moose while on your tour, you should avoid running up to it to take a photo. Stay in your vehicle and view it from a distance. Nothing will ruin a vacation faster than getting your noggin smashed in my a 1,200-pound kooky-looking deer on steroids. 

Moose are spotted throughout the summer season but you have to keep a close lookout along the fringe of the woods as you’re driving along. Moose are big but can be tricky to spot. 

That’s everything there is to know about moose

We hope you enjoyed this blog about moose. Even if you don’t spot one on your Skagway tour, you may still see all sorts of other animals like bears, beavers, and owls. Thank you and have a great day!