Out Scouting today!!
Bears
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inquisitive moose!!
inquisitive moose!!
Out walking or scouting through the thick brush today. Came upon this yearling moose. Watched me for quite awhile before we both went on our own way.
Snow is hard packed. Moose, deer and humans walk right on top of the snow. Just like pavement. One of the easiest years on the ungulates in years in NW Ontario!!
Same here the snow pack is frozen hard and walkable.too cold though.
Suppose to get to 44F here tomorrow and 50F and all day rain on Monday. Going to be able to start Bear baiting early this year.
Man it's -30 with the wind here
Went back in where I came upon the moose yesterday and it didn't go very far. All indications unfortunately, show it most likely has BRAIN WORM. A major problem we have in our moose populations right now.
Great pics but sad story if indeed it's brainworm. Hopefully if it is, it dies quietly, not via the wolves.
Sucks about the moose if it is brainworm. And if it is, I hope wolves do go in and kill it quickly. Might hurt some people's feelings but I'd rather they kill this sick one and possibly prevent it from spreading the disease through fecal matter. Plus it's better to kill this one than a healthy one. Does the DNR get involved with possible brainworm infected animals?
Here dnr shoots them if they are sick
Wilhille, the moose wont spread the Brain worm. The Whitetails will, as most deer here have the parasite. Whitetails are carriers, Moose are the host animal.
Deer have a thick brain dura, not allowing the parasite to enter the brain. Moose's brain dura is paper thin which allows the parasite to enter the brain. Another name for this is Circling Disease. Heavy deer populations equal no Moose..
A biologist is going in to monitor the moose. Most likely the CO will put it out of it's misery if indeed it is Brain Worm. Might be in early stages of the disease. Talked with him today. If he does kill the moose he will take the head and donate the meat. The meat will be fine.
Spot on,deer and moose can't mix.
Thanks for the information on this subject. How is the disease spread?
A Whitetail that is infected has larvae within it's droppings. A snail comes along and feeds on the droppings. Snail then climbs a small plant and perches on a leaf. Moose comes along and browses on the leaf, eating any snail infected by the parasite.
Now the moose is infected by the larvae. Parasite travels up the spinal cavity to the base of the brain. Gets into the brai cavity. If parasite enters left side, moose brain on right side is affected.
Eventually, can take a few years, the moose slowly looses it's faculties. Usually moose is finished off by wolves or hit by a vehicle as moose wobbles its way onto road ways. Sad way to go!! But its nature!!