Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Amin Tawar
For centuries, moose a species of deer have been roaming parts of the North American continent and Europe. The Densest of their population is found in Sweden and lesser in many states of the United States.
But what about their presence in New Mexico?
Below I’ve explained everything you need to know about the Moose in New Mexico.
Are There Any Moose In New Mexico?
For centuries, moose have been inhabiting the Rocky Mountains that range from western Canada to New Mexico in the United States. However, no established population of moose exists in New Mexico.
But recently, especially since the 1990s, there have been occasional sightings of moose in the northern part of the state. It’s important to note that these sightings are rare and as per the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, only a few of these creatures have been sighted in the area.
Are there moose or elk in New Mexico?
Though moose are quite rare in New Mexico, the same isn’t true for Elk. It was between 1910 and 1966 that a few elk individuals were introduced by both the state and private individuals in New Mexico.
In the early 1900s, Elk was almost brought to the brink of extinction. It was because of this reintroduction that Elk have been able to live and grow in the state. Elk is prominent in the Rocky Mountains, Valles Caldera National Preserve, and Carson National Forest particularly in the north and west regions of the state.
How Many Moose In New Mexico? New Mexico Moose Population?
There have been many moose individuals spotted in New Mexico recently but only a handful. Even female moose have been spotted, but none have established their territory in the state.
As per the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, there is no breeding population of moose in the state and the occasional few sightings are of individuals from nearby states.
Having said that, there may be improvements in the future and moose may once again inhabit the beautiful landscapes of New Mexico.
How did the moose get to New Mexico?
The only nearby states with a stable population of moose are Wyoming and Colorado. Therefore, it is believed that these recent sightings of moose in New Mexico are the individuals who migrated from these states.
In time, it may be the case that few of these individuals decide to stay back and the population of moose in the state can be revived. But until then, the state is currently not inhabiting any population of moose.
Where To See Moose In New Mexico?
Presently, there is no established population of moose in New Mexico. But there have been few sightings just about 12 in the last decade. These sightings took place in the northern part of the state including the Taos, Chamma, and Tierra Amarilla areas. Additional sightings have also taken place in Mora, Questa, and Bloomfield.
But we wouldn’t suggest you visit these places if you really wanted to see them. Rather, try to visit states like Alaska, Maine, or even Canada where there is an established and thriving population of moose.
Be it whichever state or place, the best time to visit would be during moose breeding season which is in general between September and October.
Also Read Moose In Minnesota
How Big Are Moose In New Mexico?
Most of the moose sighted in Mexico are individuals from nearby states. Moose in general irrespective of the location have a few similar features both behaviour and physical albeit slight variations.
In general, adult moose weigh anywhere between 800 to 1400 pounds and measure about 5-6 ft in height at the shoulder. Note that, the female moose also referred to as cow is smaller than the male moose.
Can You Hunt Moose In New Mexico?
Moose in New Mexico are protected and therefore you cannot hunt them in the state. Few individual moose have been migrating to the state and some by mistake have been hunted and killed.
That’s why to help establish a population, the state has included moose in the protected list. This makes the illegal hunting of moose even accidentally a criminal offense in the state.
Also Check Our Guide On Moose In America
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the Moose In New Mexico. I hope this article answered all your queries.
Thank You For Reading!
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