A man was injured by a moose last week while walking his dog at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna.
The Tsalteshi Trails Association reported Dec. 18 that a man was injured after a “run-in” with a moose near the Wolverine Trailhead near Kalifornsky Beach Road. The group later reported that the incident occurred at the intersection of the Mosquito singletrack and Bear trail.
The association reported that the man was charged by a moose, which knocked him down shortly before a second moose charged. The Alaska State Troopers reported that the man who was attacked was able to get between a tree and snowbank, and later went to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He reported seeing two more moose in the area but said his dog scared them away long enough for him to return to the Wolverine Trailhead.
Skiers and other Tsalteshi recreators were advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day, with the association noting that “the moose are likely still stressed.” People who see moose while on the trails are asked to report sightings to the Tsalteshi Trails Association at info@tsalteshi.org. Aggressive moose should be reported to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
All trails from Wolverine and from Skyview are closed to both walking and to dogs during the winter, but snowshoeing is allowed. Dogs and walking are allowed on the Slikok multiuse trails.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game caution that people who encounter a charging moose should run and get behind something solid, such as a tree, or retreat to the inside of a building or car. The department says moose may be more prone to aggression when harassed by people, dogs or traffic, or when hungry or tired. That may be especially true during the winter when forced to walk through deep snow.
More information about moose behavior can be found on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website at adfg.alaska.gov.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
