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Sarah Dallof reporting Moose on the loose in Northern Utah are becoming more and more of a problem. In the past four days, wildlife officials have had to tranquilize almost as many as they do during the entire year.
It seems like the moose feel about the same as we do when it comes to winter. With the past few huge snowstorms, they're moving closer to homes and to food.
All one moose wanted was a bite to eat. He got something different. He stopped for his midday meal in Lanny Clelland's backyard yesterday. Clelland was babysitting his granddaughter.
"A gentleman I didn't know came to the door and said, 'I just saw a moose going into the backyard,'" Clelland said.
The Division of Wildlife Services responded, and after a couple of missed shots, darted the young moose.
"He finally came to rest on an aluminum boat I have on my porch, which made it easy for them to slide him off the boat onto their sled," Clelland said.
The now-mellow moose was pulled into the front yard and loaded up. Then DWR agents were off to the next call.
"They said they still had another moose in North Ogden they had to take care of," Clelland told us.
Since Monday, nine moose have been relocated. Usually, the DWR handles between 10 and 20 during the entire year.
Justin Dolling, regional wildlife manger for DWR, said, "We've had real heavy snow conditions in the foothills and the mountains. It's forced the moose into the city and urban environment."
Dolling says not every moose needs relocating. He suggests people stay a safe distance away, watch and enjoy.
"The moose will wander through, forage, and continue on its way," Dolling explained.
If a moose becomes aggressive or otherwise concerns the DWR, it'll move in. The one from Clelland's backyard was taken to the north slope of the Uintahs, an area with more food and fewer people.
"Hopefully the little guy will be OK in his new home," Clelland said.
Wildlife officials also say that more people are building homes in the foothills, which is the natural moose wintering area. They stress that those homeowners and moose need to learn to live together.
