58-year-old Robert Standerwick is recovering from injuries after getting stomped by a moose while out walking his dogs in Boulder Country.
FOX31 reports Standerwick caught a cow and her calf by surprise after rounding a hairpin turn in Coal Creek Canyon and the mother moose turned violent. The two dogs, who were off leash at the time, escaped without injury but Standerwick was hit in the head, he had a hoof print on his chest and his hand got messed up.
Standerwick was carrying a gun and shot it twice at the ground to scare away the attacking moose. The mother and the calf responded to the gun shots and took off. CPW officers want to folks to know that now is the time when moose can be aggressive when in the company of young and provided this advise for those traveling in moose country:
“During late spring and early summer, cow moose can be aggressive while their calves are young, and they can view dogs as predators or threats. Calves are born in a 3-4 week period from the end of May to mid-June. Colorado’s moose population is healthy and thriving, with an estimated 3,000 statewide. CPW encourages hikers to avoid thick willow habitat in riparian areas, where moose like to eat and rest, to decrease chances of moose interactions. CPW urges dog owners to keep their dogs leashed while hiking, and give moose extra space on trails.”
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Press Release:
Moose attacks, tramples man walking dogs near Coal Creek
June 19, 2023
COAL CREEK CANYON, CO: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a report of a moose attack on a man walking his dogs in Coal Creek Canyon Monday morning.
The man, in his late 50s, told CPW officers he was walking two dogs along Coal Creek near Hummingbird Lane, when he surprised a cow moose and her calf around a hairpin turn in the trail. The moose charged and knocked the man down, stomping him several times.
The man was armed and fired two shots into the ground to startle the moose, hazing it from the area. The moose and calf were not shot and retreated, according to the victim. The man was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The dogs were not injured and off-leash at the time.
CPW officers searched Coal Creek Canyon for the moose and calf, but they were not found.
During late spring and early summer, cow moose can be aggressive while their calves are young, and they can view dogs as predators or threats. Calves are born in a 3-4 week period from the end of May to mid-June.
Colorado’s moose population is healthy and thriving, with an estimated 3,000 statewide. CPW encourages hikers to avoid thick willow habitat in riparian areas, where moose like to eat and rest, to decrease chances of moose interactions. CPW urges dog owners to keep their dogs leashed while hiking, and give moose extra space on trails.