Page 11 - FEB2026

February 2026 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 11
By Donna RhoDes
Moose Warnings Due to Recent Accidents Community
Wildlife officials say that an average of 68 moose are struck by vehicles each year, and one of the first to be hit in 2026 took place in mid-January on Route. 104 between the towns of Alex- andria and Danbury; the second such collision in that same area in two weeks.
“It just appeared out of the darkness in front of my truck,” the driver of the pick-up truck involved said. “I slammed on my brakes as hard as possible but couldn’t avoid the crash.”
Alexandria Police Offi- cer Josh Reynplds tracked the moose both that night as well as the next day, and was amazed to find no injured or dead ani- mal, no blood, and no signs of distress. Not always the case, but he was relieved that the huge an- imal appeared to be okay.
With no sign of a dead or injured moose in the area, Al- exandria Police decided that the least they could do would be to broadcast a Public Service Announcement about wildlife collisions to hopefully avoid any more such accidents.
In their message, they cau- tioned drivers to beware of wildlife crossings on the heav-
Signs such as this from N.H. Fish and Game reminds people to be on the lookout for moose when driving along both highways and back roads throughout the state. Collisions with one can be dangerous and costly.
ily wooded Rte. 104 highway between Danbury and Alexan- dria, as well as most other areas throughout New Hampshire. This includes Interstate I-93, where wildlife can also cross dangerously in front of high- speed traffic.
Wildlife officials say that hit- ting a moose can be compared to hitting a brick wall. Moose can stand as high as six-feet tall, and full-grown adult males can weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
Besides their ominous weight and height, another danger- ous factor is actually their long
legs. Car headlights often shoot below their body mass, making them hard to detect in the dark. Their height also means driv- ers don’t always see the glow of their eyes, which deer, bears, and smaller animals may exhibit when caught in headlights as they approach or cross a road.
Moose are active year- round, but in the fall and win- ter months, they can travel from dusk until dawn through valleys and mountain areas, seeking food, shelter, water, or the salt residues they enjoy out on the roadways. From September
through October, it is mating season when males are actively looking for a partner, while in the spring, pregnant females may also run blindly out onto a road when they go into labor.
Officials advise that when driving after dark at any time of the year, people should make sure they are wearing a seatbelt, stay alert, and operate with their bright lights on whenever there is no oncoming traffic.
Those who spot a moose on the side of a road are advised to first use their brakes to avoid a collision rather than try to
swerve around one. A swerving maneuver could possibly cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.
Besides coming to a complete stop, drivers should also use their horn and flash their high beam lights in order to alert the moose and allow it to safely cross. A collision with a moose seldom results in any winners, but in this latest local incident, it seems everyone thankfully came away unharmed, although the moose still appeared to be tougher than the truck. Something to keep in mind.
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