Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks employees headed back to the Canyon Creek Recreation Area Friday morning following another report from skiers of an aggressive cow moose encounter. FWP received a similar report of a moose approaching or charging downhill skiers on Jan. 9. In late December the same moose apparently attacked a pair of snowmobiles in the same area.
Flathead National Forest officials recommend that people steer clear of the drainage; particularly the Fiberglass Hill area of the Canyon Creek snowmobile trail and the skier route accessing Flower Point and Canyon Chutes.
The moose may have eye abnormalities, according to FWP, a possible explanation for its behavior. Others have reported that the cow moose is traveling with a calf. Initial attempts to locate the moose failed, and FWP will continue to monitor the situation.
The two recent reports followed accounts of the moose in a standoff with a trail groomer and charging two separate snowmobile parties (putting its hoof through on sled) on Dec, 29. The FWP warden and a conflict specialist conducted several patrols around the Fiberglass Hill area, where the encounters occurred. They found moose and tracks, but didn’t encounter any aggressive animals.