Connecticut’s Moose Season Brings Unexpected Road Hazards

I'm 36-1 in my vehicular battles with the wildlife of Connecticut, but there is one native that I never want to see when I'm driving - Moose

Moose are the only animal that absolutely terrify me as a driver. I should be more worried about hitting deer, they're much more plentiful, but 1 moose = 5 deer in size. The average moose that wanders into Connecticut can weigh anywhere from 750 to 1,400 pounds and stand as tall as 6 feet at the shoulders. Their antlers can weigh as much as 60 pounds and get 5 feet wide, and those antlers on top of an animal that stands 6 feet at the shoulder? Think a regulation basketball hoop.

Unfortunately for my fellow paranoid motorists of Litchfield County, the moose rutting season has begun, and angry, swollen male bull moose are wandering through the woods searching for a mate. Moose can run as fast as 35-40MPH, but one unfortunately couldn't outrun the traffic along Rt. 8 in Winchester/Torrington recently.

One Saturday afternoon my wife and I saw the remains along the highway, and just hours later folks were reporting on social media that someone had come along and removed the antlers from the poor moose. According to ct.gov, that's illegal - 'No person shall transport a deer, moose, or black bear killed, or seriously wounded, as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle without a wildlife transportation permit.'

In the meantime, the State of Connecticut would like for you to report any sightings you may have of moose, bear, bobcat, and gray fox - Click HERE for the link.