A woman was injured in the Bonanza Flat area Sunday afternoon after her encounter with a surprised moose.
In a press statement, the Division of Wildlife Resources said that at about 2:15 p.m. along the Bloods Lake Trail, a family was hiking with their dogs on leashes. They encountered a bull moose lying down, which was startled by the dogs.
When the moose fled the area, it lowered its head and brushed past the woman, causing her to fall and hit her head. Medical personnel transported her by ambulance to the Heber Valley Hospital to be treated for head injuries. Her name and age have not been released at this time.
DWR officers who responded were not able to find the moose due to thick brush.
The DWR statement said that hikers who are out enjoying the fall colors should remember that bull moose can be especially aggressive during the fall breeding season. Moose cows with calves can be aggressive during the spring or summer.
Hikers are advised to give a moose a lot of space. Keep your dogs leashed. Don’t approach or feed a moose. Back off if they show signs of aggression, such as lowering their head, with their ears pinned back, hair standing up on their neck, and the moose licking its snout.
You are advised to calmly and slowly back off while talking. If the animal charges, hide behind something solid. And if you are knocked down, curl up into a ball, protect your head, and lie still until the animal retreats.