Moose are extremely curious animals and are generally unafraid of humans. While normally docile, a female moose can be protective of her calf, and a male can be territorial, particularly during mating season in September and October. Only during this time do they use their six foot antlers, which are shed after mating season. Be sure to keep dogs away from them as this can initiate aggressive behavior since moose can mistake dogs for wolves.

In general, it is best to give moose their space, and stay at a distance. If you see a moose with its ears laid back, head cocked, licking its snout, or hair raised up on its neck, back away slowly. If the moose does decide to charge you, get something large between you and the moose such as a tree or large boulder. If nothing is available, run as fast as possible and don’t let them knock you to the ground – where they will typically stomp on you. Keep in mind that, though they look cumbersome, a moose can run up to 35 miles per hour.

Bighorn sheep are considered a crucial bio-indicator of the health of an ecosystem because they are quite susceptible to human impacts such as interruption of grazing pattern due to development; stress during winter months from human intrusion into their habitat; as well as diseases introduced by domestic livestock such as pneumonia and scabies. In fact, a population that once soared into the millions in North America was nearly decimated by these diseases in the late nineteenth century.

Because this amazing species is so essential to the delicate balance of life in the Rocky Mountains, conservation groups such as the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society work tirelessly to educate the public and preserve the bighorn population. The successful reintroduction of a herd near Kremmling, Colorado in 2014 is one of the great successes of these efforts, allowing bighorn sheep to once again roam their native land. Hunting tags for both rams and ewes are highly sought after and are carefully regulated to support these conservation efforts.