3rd annual Grand Mesa Moose Day

Saturday July 28, 2012 USFS VC is locatedlocate off of HHwywy 65 atat 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 2009020090 BaronBaron LakeLa Drive US Forest Service Visitor Center on Grand Mesa

Enjoy a day on the Grand Mesa and attend a FREE family event!

MooseMoose DayDay Activites:Activites: Family hikes and hands-on activities for kids Programs on moose viewing and safetyety Moose biology & telemetry presentationstations Free fly fishing demos by A-n-G Outfittersfitters Welcome to the 3rd Annual Grand Mesa Moose Day!

Program schedule – in the Visitor Center

11:00 a.m. Moose biology/reintroduction to the Grand Mesa , Stephanie Duckett, Terrestrial Biologist, CPW

12:00 p.m. Free Casting Demonstration by A-n-G Outfitters

1:00 p.m. Moose viewing/safety on the Grand Mesa – Trina Romero, Watchable Wildlife Coordinator, CPW

2:00 p.m. Free Casting Demonstration by A-n-G Outfitters

3:00 p.m. Moose biology/reintroduction to the Grand Mesa , Stephanie Duckett, Terrestrial Biologist, CPW

Family activities – outdoors and on the Discovery Trail

12:00 p.m. Kid’s puppet show “The True Story of Smokey Bear” – deck of the VC, Brenda Winfrey, USFS

10:00 – 4:00 p.m. Discovery Trail – Moose hike! (Hourly, based on attendance) – CPW Officers

Kids, bring your parents along to learn some moose facts during a hike with a Wildlife Officer! Learn about scat, tracks, and why some moose wear collars. Upon completion of the hike, take your signed form to the OGT trailer for your prize!

Ongoing events throughout the day:

Make a “Moose Meal”! Pick the perfect ingredients a moose would like to eat. Learn why the Grand Mesa is an ideal smorgasbord.

Kids – make your own set of moose antlers to wear! On the deck of the Visitor Center

GMUG Jeopardy – test your forest facts!

Learn about Colorado wildlife, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing – Operation Game Thief trailer

Touch Table - Hides, skulls, and scat – on the deck of the Visitor Center

Colorado Parks & Wildlife * U.S. Forest Service

Please visit our partner booths for more information and give-away items! Important moose information!

Grand Mesa Moose

Shiras moose (A.a.shirasi) were introduced on the Grand Mesa from 2005 – 2008. Originally 91 moose were released. The population is doing very well and there are an estimated 300 moose on the Grand Mesa currently. The statewide moose population is estimated at1,600.

There are a lot of places to see moose sign on the Mesa. Sign can be tracks, scat (droppings), sites where vegetation has been eaten, etc. Remember that moose prefer wet areas with a lot of vegetation to feed on. Some places to look for moose: Hightower area – Buzzard Creek Road, below Flowing Park Reservoir , the Kannah Creek area, Griffith Reservoir, Lake of the Woods, Waterdog Reservoir, near Powderhorn, and Long’s Slough.

Beware of moose!

Moose have very few natural enemies in the wild, and show little fear of humans. Although moose may tolerate a nearby human, it is still dangerous to get near a moose.

When a moose feels threatened, it has only two choices, either to flee or attack. If the moose chooses to attack, the long hairs on its hump will be raised, ears laid back and it may lick its snout. In any encounter, leave an escape route for the moose, do not get in its way as it passes. Do not approach moose – view and photograph them from a distance! Cow (female) and bull (male) moose can both be aggressive. Do not get between a moose cow and her calf! Give them their distance and due respect.

Please do not feed wildlife! It is illegal to feed all big game in Colorado (including moose) and also very dangerous. Do not allow your dogs to chase wildlife, as it is also against the law. Moose see dogs as predators and will be aggressive toward them. Please keep pets leashed at all times to protect their safety and the safety of all wildlife they may encounter.

Contact your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office if you have questions about wildlife. We are here to assist you!

Colorado Parks & Wildlife * U.S. Forest Service