Green River – On October 30 wildlife managers with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, along with the help of the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain View Police Department, Town of Mountain View Maintenance Department, and Union Wireless Employees, moved a cow and two calf moose out of the town limits to the Lonetree area.
Mountain View Game Warden Allen Deru said that over the last few months, there have been seven different moose in town at one time and he is aware that four more moose could be in the area. “The relocation of the moose went as well as can be expected considering we had to move three moose,” Deru said. “We are still hoping the other moose in town will leave for the winter months, but relocation efforts are being discussed for them as well.”
The mature bull in town has not been relocated due his overall docile demeanor and the concerns related to the hunting season being open for moose. Once the drugs are administered to an animal, that animal cannot be consumed for an extended period of time. An animal that is moved during a hunting season does receive a “call before eating” ear tag in one of the ears. The main concern is that, if for some reason the ear tag falls out, anyone who eats the animal will face serious health risks. People wait a long time to draw a moose license. Once they harvest a moose they want to be able to eat it, which may not be possible.
Moose live in riparian (river corridor) areas. Mountain View has more quality riparian habitat than almost any other town in Wyoming. Historically, moose moved into the town limits, but stayed along the river. This year they have