Pumpkins - Moose's feast

  • Published
  • By Herman Griese
  • 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron Wildlife Biologist
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Every Halloween, moose near housing detect a scent in the air that alerts them to the opportunity to add a little color in their diet, orange pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. There must be something in pumpkins that is especially attractive for some moose because they throw caution to the wind and walk right onto porches to feast on these rotund members of the squash family. And in base housing, so close to moose habitat, the large number of pumpkins is too tempting to the average moose. Each moose attracted to pumpkins becomes a safety issue for base residents. 

Last year in new Moose Crossing housing, a large bull was caught in the middle of the day chewing on a jack-o-lantern at the front entry to a housing unit. The bull completed his treat and with much coaxing finally left the front of the housing unit. 

This incident could have been especially tense had an unaware resident stepped out the door without looking, or worse, stepped out with a dog in tow. The immediate nearness of a potential threat to the moose could have resulted in a short but deadly attack. 

All families who celebrate Halloween with pumpkin and jack-o-lantern displays should be aware of this potentially dangerous situation and limit displays outside the home to the evening of Halloween or just use an artificial jack-o-lantern. 

Be aware, that no matter how close to Halloween, if a moose is caught feeding on your pumpkin, jack-o-lantern or decorations such as hay, cornstalks, or straw, the end result will be the same, a $125 ticket. Alaska law prohibits the feeding of moose, bears, wolf, fox or wolverine. Elmendorf's military conservation agents, who enforce state regulations on base, recently issued such a ticket for unintentionally feeding a moose in Silver Run housing. The moose found free food at a home where the decorations came out far too soon. 

Avoid an expensive ticket. Place your pumpkin/jack-o-lantern outside the evening of Halloween and remove it before going to bed. You can bet that a moose nearby is waiting for an opportunity to "trick or treat." 

For more information, contact a 3rd Wing military conservation agent.