FWP conducted a patrol today after reports that an aggressive moose encountered downhill skiers on the back-side of Whitefish Mountain Resort. According to a number of reports, on January 9 an aggressive moose approached and/or charged several skiers on the lower part of the ski runs in the Canyon Creek drainage. FWP personnel today attempted to locate the moose so its behavior and condition could be assessed. Some reports and photos have indicated that the moose has eye abnormalities, and this might explain the moose’s reported erratic behavior. FWP personnel could not locate the moose today, and no skiers or snowmobilers reported seeing the moose today. FWP will patrol the area again tomorrow, and continue to evaluate the situation. In light of this event, the Flathead National Forest strongly encourages all recreationists to stay out of this area, including: -the Fiberglass Hill area of the Canyon Creek Snowmobile Trail near Whitefish Mountain Resort, and -the skier route that exits the marked ski area boundary accessing the Flower Point and Canyon Chutes area, located off the T-Bar-2 on the Resort. The area is posted on the ground at the Canyon Creek Snowmobile Parking Lot and at the ski area boundary. Public safety and the welfare of the moose and are priorities for local FWP and forest managers. As always, both agencies remind backcountry users to please use caution when encountering wildlife on public lands. The agencies ask the public to use caution if encountering a moose and provide a wide berth for the animal. Reports of aggressive moose have been received since late December. Based on concerns about public safety, FWP had patrolled the area 4 times after the late December reports of an aggressive moose in the Fiberglass Hill area, popular snowmobile and ski area back side of Big Mountain 12 miles from trail head on Canyon Creek. Snowmobile parties reported that on December 29, a cow moose kicked through the hood of one snowmobile, and kicked the side of another snowmobile. Two days earlier, a trail groomer in the area encountered a moose in the same area. After these reports, Forest Service personnel placed warning signs at the Canyon Creek Snowmobile Parking lot. On patrols in late December and early January, the FWP warden and the conflict specialist saw moose and moose tracks but were unable to locate an aggressive moose. No further reports of an aggressive moose were received until the report of the conflict with skiers on January 9. FWP CONTACT: John Fraley 406-751-4564 U.S. FOREST SERVICE CONTACT: Denise German, 406-758-5252/406-249-1714
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