Idaho Turkey Hunter Shoots Charging Cow Moose in Self-Protection

A turkey hunter in Idaho had an in depth name with a cow moose on Friday, when the cow charged him to give protection to its younger. Performing in self-defense, the hunter shot the charging moose after it knocked him to the bottom. The hunter was once no longer severely injured within the incident, which came about a couple of miles south of Blackfoot, consistent with the Idaho Division of Fish and Recreation. 

The company explains in a press release that the unidentified guy was once searching turkeys on BLM land bordering the Snake River when he “inadvertently startled” a cow moose with dual calves. The cow charged him in an instant.

“The hunter fired two caution photographs on the flooring in entrance of the moose because it charged him,” IDFG spokesperson Jennifer Jackson tells Out of doors Existence. “However the large animal persevered its price towards the person. The cow knocked the hunter to the bottom, so he fired a 3rd shot hitting the animal at shut vary. The moose then grew to become and ran away, permitting the hunter to flee.”

Jackson says the hunter was once the usage of “shotgun chicken shot” however she didn’t specify the gauge or form of turkey quite a bit he was once possibly the usage of — handiest that he shot the moose at point-blank vary. “The moose was once actually status proper over the hunter when he fired his 3rd shot,” she says. 

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After leaving the world, the hunter reported the incident to IDFG. He advised officers he was once “bruised up” however by no means sought scientific consideration for his accidents. The hunter additionally famous that as he was once strolling away, he noticed the similar cow moose bedded within sight. He then watched because the moose stood as much as graze whilst its two calves nursed as though not anything had ever came about.

Jackson says the cow’s situation is unknown, and that flora and fauna officials have no longer attempted looking for the circle of relatives of moose. She provides that it’s a excellent signal the cow was once nonetheless ready to nurse its calves.

“It’s a difficult proposition with moose in spring,” Jackson explains. “We need to stay our distance as a result of she has calves and we don’t need to pressure her, and possibly orphan her younger.”

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Jackson says encounters between moose and other people occur each spring in Idaho, and these types of incidents contain cows with new child calves. The similar may also be stated for moose in different states, and a contemporary incident when a cow with two calves killed a photographer in Alaska is a reminder of the way competitive those critters may also be. With those risks in thoughts, Jackson recommends that individuals lift undergo spray and know the way to make use of it when spending time outside.

“Wild animals don’t want to have sharp enamel and claws to be bold animals that may be bad,” Jackson says. “Moose are a pleasure to watch, however they don’t seem to be lovely and cuddly. They’re wild, and in spring are extra defensive and [they] provide a special degree of risk that individuals must find out about.”