Turkey hunter shoots at charging moose as he’s knocked to ground, Idaho officials say
A turkey hunter shot at a charging moose as he was knocked to the ground in Idaho, wildlife officials said.
The man was hunting Friday, May 24, on Bureau of Land Management land near Blackfoot and the Snake River, Idaho Fish and Game said in a news release.
He startled a female moose that was with two calves, so it began to charge at him, officials said.
Officials said he fired two warning shots into the ground, but “she was not deterred,” officials said.
The hunter fired a third shot, which struck the animal as it ran toward him, and he was knocked to the ground.
It ran off and was later spotted grazing while nursing its calves, officials said, but the extent of its injuries is not known.
The hunter was “bruised up” from the attack.
Now officials are putting up signs near the Snake River to warn others to keep a distance from a moose with calves.
“Though conflicts with moose are usually rare, moose can be defensive and dangerous if startled,” officials said in the release.
Blackfoot is in southeastern Idaho.
What to do if you see a moose
Moose are protective animals and will defend their territory and their young.
If someone encounters a moose, they should give it space to leave, wildlife officials said. People shouldn’t try to haze a moose to move out of the way.
Wildlife officials said people should do the following if a moose charges:
Run away quickly
Put a tree, rock or other large object between them and the moose
Get up quickly if knocked down
Report the incident to wildlife officials as soon as possible
This story was originally published May 27, 2024 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Turkey hunter shoots at charging moose as he’s knocked to ground, Idaho officials say."
