While most hunters are careful and ensure they properly identify the moose they are harvesting, knowing the difference can be challenging (even for skilled hunters!). That’s why Ontario’s Conservation Officers want you to play your role in protecting Ontario’s moose population by learning the difference between moose calves, yearlings, and cows.
A moose under the age of one is a calf. Some defining characteristics are a small, fine-featured nose, short ears, almost no bell (which is a beard-like flap of hair-covered skin under the throat), short triangular-shaped face, and their head appears shorter and stouter than an adult moose. They have a square body shape, and a sharply pointed shoulder hump. They also appear to have more leg than body, and stand about 1.2 metres high at the shoulder, and typically weigh between 350 to 400 pounds.
A cow moose in its second year is known as a yearling and is considered an adult in Ontario. An adult female is a cow, and the adult male is a bull. Cow moose have long over-hanging bulbous nose, a longer more rectangular shaped face with prominent ears and bell. Yearlings and adult moose are more rectangular-shaped than calves and stand about 6 feet high at the shoulder, and weigh between 700 to 1,200 pounds.
If you see a single moose without antlers, take time to search for a nearby calf. Yearlings are independent and less likely to follow cows closely as calf moose.
If you see a natural resource violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free anytime. With your help in properly identifying moose, and establishing safe hunting practices, and reporting natural resource violations, we can continue to enjoy Ontario’s natural resources in a safe and respectful manner.
How about just not killing them?
Moose populations are low god forbidden hunters are not allowed to get their jollies off killing them. Humans are such a selfish species.
Hi Julie! In response to your question, i have hunted for over 40 years, am a member for over 42 years of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. No hunter gets the jollies out of taking a life of an animal. We have the right to hunt and consume wild life in this country. It keeps the numbers down across the province. Moose and deer collisions amount for millions of dollars of damage a year as well as fatalities. I do not do a fist pump when I harvest an animal, a true hunter feels for the animal he just took. If you don’t then your no hunter! I enjoy my wild game and so do my family members! Selfish I am not, every license I buy to be able to hunt or fish goes right back into the MNR funds for fish and game across the province. Have a great day Julie hopefully you can see my point here! Safe day to all Conservation Officers out there in this busy time of year for them!
When will humans grow up and stop making a game out if violence against animals? We are a vile lot. 🙁