The moose is a majestic animal known for its size and height. It’s the biggest deer species and one of the largest animals in North America. Moose mostly live in forests in Canada and the United States. However, their numbers have decreased due to hunting over the years. To protect them, laws have been made, and environmental groups are working to help them. In the United States, not all states have moose, but some have many thousands of them. Let’s see which states have the most free-roaming moose.
Alaska
There are roughly 175,000 moose in Alaska. They’re found all across the state, from the Colville River in the north to the Stikine River in the south, mainly in forested areas.
Maine
Maine has about 60,000 moose. You can see them in different parts of the state, like the Kennebec Valley, the Maine highlands, and near lakes and forested mountains.
Idaho
Idaho has about 10,000 moose. They can be seen in different parts of the state, especially in forested areas in the northern part or near streams like the Snake River plain.
Washington
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are around 5,000 moose in Washington. They can be seen in different spots, particularly in the Selkirk Mountains and occasionally in the North Cascades.
Minnesota
Minnesota has about 4,700 moose. They can be found in various places across the state, particularly in the arrowhead region.
Wyoming
Wyoming has about 3,500 moose. While their numbers have decreased, moose are still found throughout the state. They’re more common in places like the Bighorn National Forest and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
New Hampshire
There are about 3,300 moose in New Hampshire. Even though it’s not a large state, there are still places where you’re more likely to see them. Your best chance to spot them is in the White Mountains.
Colorado
There are about 3,000 moose in Colorado. You’ll usually find them in the wooded areas of the state, mostly in the West. If you want to see them, head to North Park or the Rocky Mountain National Park for the best chances.
Vermont
There are about 3,000 moose in Vermont. They wander all over the state, but if you want to see more of them, head to the Northeast Kingdom or around the Green Mountains.
Utah
Utah has around 2,500 moose. If you want to see them, head to the forested areas of the Wasatch Front in the northern and northeastern parts of the state.
Montana
Montana has about 2,300 moose. You can find them in the forested areas in the western parts of the state, especially in the Cabinet Mountains, as well as the Big Hole and Centennial valleys.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has around 1,000 moose. While they’re not as common as in other states, you can still see them, especially in the central and western parts of the state.
New York
About 600 moose live in New York. They’re mostly found in Upstate New York, especially in the northeastern areas near the Adirondack Mountains. You can also see them near the border of New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Michigan
There are around 500 moose in Michigan. At one time, moose were plentiful in Michigan but were hunted to extinction. Now, there’s a reintroduced population mainly located in the Upper Peninsula of the state.