Moose (Alces alces) is in the Deer family (Cervidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 26,982 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Moose: observations by month (U.S.)
About Moose
The moose (North America) or elk (Eurasia), Alces alces, is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the broad, flat (or palmate) antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic ("twig-like") configuration. Moose typically inhabit boreal forests and temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of the Northern Hemisphere in temperate to subarctic climates. Hunting and other human activities have caused a reduction in the size of...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Moose by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 7,257 | June | May–Oct |
| Colorado | 5,813 | July | May–Sep |
| Wyoming | 4,309 | July | May–Sep |
| Utah | 1,354 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Montana | 1,351 | July | May–Sep |
| Idaho | 1,327 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Maine | 1,141 | June | May–Sep |
| Vermont | 1,081 | May | Apr–Oct |
| New Hampshire | 1,051 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Minnesota | 621 | June | May–Sep |
| Washington | 591 | May | Mar–Nov |
| Michigan | 418 | June | May–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 338 | May | Mar–Jul |
| North Dakota | 108 | June | Apr–Jul |
| New York | 103 | September | Mar–Oct |
| Connecticut | 49 | June | Apr–Jun |
| Nebraska | 35 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Wisconsin | 10 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Nevada | 8 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Oregon | 8 | July | Jul–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Deer)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Moose?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to September.
Where is Moose most often seen?
The most observations come from Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming.