Camper Drops Charging Moose with .45 Handgun
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 4 months ago
A backcountry camper in Idaho killed an aggressive bull moose in self-defense in Northern Idaho last week. The bull had charged the man and his dog at a Harrison Lake, a popular hiking and backpacking destination near Sandpoint, Idaho.
The camper, whose identity has not been released, tried to hide behind a tree when the moose charged. But the bull didn’t let up, and he shot it with a .45 caliber handgun at point blank range, stopping the bull in its tracks. Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) officials responded to the event and located the downed moose before temporarily closing the Harrison Lake trailhead to prevent conflict between hikers and scavenging bears and wolves.
An article on the incident published in The Spokesman-Review notes that there have been male moose sightings at the lake for several years. Last fall, the U.S. Forest Service posted an advisory warning of an “aggressive moose” at the campground. Ben Read, a local hiker who is familiar with a moose in the Harrison Lake area that fits the description of the downed bull, told the Review: “I can’t say there’s never been an issue, because I know people generally run into him around the camp and obviously the two don’t mix,” he said. “However, I’ve never heard of a charging or trampling issue that someone was never able to avoid or get away from.”
Well I’ve heard of it. Preparing for my trek through the Weminuche Wilderness I talked with someone who cut and cleared trails in that area.
He told me that bears had not been a problem in the area (this surprised me), but that Moose have been known to come into camp, and they were a danger due to stomping.
Chalk another one up for the power of the .45. Carry self protection in the bush.
On June 30, 2021 at 8:27 am, Bob in Nc said:
A shotgun with a slug would also get the job done.
See next post
Thanks Herschel – I have been a fan of slugs for awhile so I appreciate the the post
On June 30, 2021 at 11:06 am, RCW said:
Add another one to the list that JMB got right.
On June 30, 2021 at 7:53 pm, Ron P said:
Not to specific, could be .45 long colt.
On June 30, 2021 at 9:32 pm, Elmo said:
I agree, Ron P. Was it a 1911 .45 ACP? A Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt? A Freedom Arms .454 Casull? Neither the Field and Stream or Spokesman-Review articles mention what the ‘handgun’ was.
One would have to deduce that it was a .45 ACP, as killing a moose with either of the other two wouldn’t be especially noteworthy. But still it would be nice to know the details, other than the ‘hiding behind the tree’ part.
On July 6, 2021 at 6:49 am, RM said:
Moose hate dogs and will attack you and your pooch if you inadvertently end up to close. Feral dog packs and coyote packs will go after moose as prey. Perhaps it’s a learned hatred. Go armed.