Deep snows often force moose in closer proximity to people, and this year has been no exception across much of Southcentral Alaska, much to the detriment of people and moose.
The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reports that the Mat-Su Valley was one accident short of its winter moose-crash average on Jan. 19, months before the end of winter. By that date there had been 269 moose-related accidents.
Depending on how snowfall shakes out the rest of the season, things could get a great deal worse.
Alaska Moose Federation Conservation Fund executive director Gary Olson says that the economic impact from vehicles hitting moose this year is on pace to reach $10 million in the Mat-Su Borough alone.
"This is one of the worst winters to come along in a long time," he said, "We've requested an emergency status (from the state), and the reason is we've exceeded 200 moose collisions by the end of December."
And an increase in dangerous moose-human interactions aren't limited to the roadways. Alaska Wildlife Trooper, Sgt. Mark Agnew says he's noticed a strong uptick in the number of moose looking for forage around the valley. And neighborhood moose could potentially become nuisance moose.
"That moose is going to stay right there in the yard and get more aggressive," Sgt. Agnew said, "and pretty soon they start demanding the food. They'll go door-to-door looking for food, and they can get angry (when they don't get what they want)."
Read much more, here, and keep your eyes peeled for safety.