Gator Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A helicopter is not necessarily a match for an angry moose. Instead of slowing down after being shot with a tranquilizer dart, a moose charged a hovering helicopter used by a wildlife biologist, damaging the aircraft's tail rotor and forcing it to the ground. Neither the pilot nor the biologist was injured, but the moose was maimed by the spinning rotor and had to be euthanized, wildlife officials said. "It just had to be one of those quirky circumstance. Even dealing with bears and goats and moose and wolves, this is pretty unusual and truly a very unique situation," said Doug Larsen, regional supervisor for the Division of Wildlife Conservation. Biologist Kevin White was aboard the chartered helicopter on Saturday for a study of moose near Gustavus, a community of 459 people about 50 miles northwest of Juneau in southeast Alaska. Moose outnumber humans there 2-to-1, White has written in an essay for the Department of Fish and Game Web site. He shot the animal with a tranquilizer dart, Larsen said, and the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to keep the animal from slipping into a tight space or collapsing in water and drowning. "The moose would start to move, and then the helicopter would back off and try to keep the moose out in the open," Larsen said. But instead of moving toward open space, the moose charged the helicopter. "As the animal got closer and closer to going down, an animal sort of loses its thinking -- its ability to rationalize what's in its best interest," Larsen said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterDWL Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper wow !!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper Wow! That really doesn't surprise me though, they are one visious animal if you corner them, or even look at them the wrong way during the rut. I know a few people who have been charged by bull moose. Luckily there was trees around that they were able to climb, otherwise they would have been killed more than likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christsavedme Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper Now that is just crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper They are amazing animals and have great strength!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tecumseh Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper WOW!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bruteshooter Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerslayer79 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper Them moose are some tough rascals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper moose are extremely tough, big, and bad tempered. i'd rather face down a brown bear than a momma moose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper [ QUOTE ] i'd rather face down a brown bear than a momma moose. [/ QUOTE ]You'd rather get eaten alive than stomped to death?? I guess I haven given either option much thought!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper Dang a moose hitting a chopper that is one spot I wouldnt want to be in. Could have done some real damage to that thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper Holy cheese and crackers! That moose went down swinging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper That is just crazy!!! Too bad the poor beast had to be put down though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pintail711 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper thats pretty extreme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Re: Moose brings down chopper That is a pretty crazy story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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