Basin Recreation warns of increasing moose activity on Park City-area trails

PARK CITY, Utah — Moose activity is increasing on and around Park City-area trails as fall gets underway, prompting Basin Recreation to remind trail users to give the animals plenty of space.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources warns moose can become more defensive and unpredictable this time of year as the mating season, called the “rut,” begins to pick up. Male moose can be territorial and aggressive, and female moose with calves can also be dangerous as well.

Trail users who encounter a moose should not approach or attempt to pass the animal. Instead, Basin Rec recommends turning around and giving the moose plenty of space.

The agency also strongly recommends keeping dogs physically leashed in areas where moose are present, including on trails where off-leash dogs are otherwise permitted.

“Dogs can make an encounter escalate very quickly,” Basin Rec added.

If a moose becomes aggressive or charges, trail users should move away and put a tree or other solid object between themselves and the animal.

The reminder comes after a woman and her dogs were charged by a mother moose on Rob’s Trail on Sept. 15.

Basin Rec rangers are continuing to monitor wildlife activity throughout the district, post signage, and talk with trail users about wildlife encounters.

“Please help us reduce negative encounters by giving wildlife the space they need,” Basin Rec said.