Moose on the Loose

You've probably seen the New Hampshire conservation license plate with various creatures adorning the plate. The conservation plate was the brainchild of the Holderness School 4th grade class of Jane Kellogg in 1992. Little did they know that 4 years later their idea would be so strongly embraced by thousands of NH citizens who wanted a Moose on their license plate.

Today thousands of cars carry the Moose license plate and the result is hundreds of thousands of dollars going into the conservation fund for habitat protection and endangered species preservation.

The moose has become the unofficial New Hampshire symbol. What you may not have known is that at one time New Hampshire's population of moose had dwindled to only a handful living in the Great North Woods. During the last two decades Moose have made a miraculous recovery and now range throughout the state and especially in the Northcountry and the Central region of New Hampshire.

Moose crossing signs have become nearly as common as frost heave signs and they stay up all year long! Although you may see them almost anytime during the day, particularly on overcast days, the best time to view moose is unquestionably at dawn or dusk when they are feeding and most active. While Moose have expanded their range throughout New Hampshire they are most likely to be found in areas where there is an abundance of spruce and fir and marshes, bogs and ponds, which provide some of their favorite summertime food. Look around as you drive...are the trees mostly deciduous, leafy trees or are you in a region where spruce and fir trees (coniferous) dominate the landscape. If your answer is the latter, your chances of seeing a moose are decidedly improved. Drive slowly, keep your eyes open and have fun.

We recommend that you try some of these scenic roads for the best Moose watching.

Rte 16

Berlin to Errol
If you are up in the Great North Woods set your alarm and take an early morning drive along the Androscoggin River on Rte 16 from Berlin to Errol. Keep your eyes on both the river and the marshy areas adjacent to the road because you are likely to see a moose in either of these spots. This is by far the best road around for Moose watching. If you aren’t an early bird, the same trip at dusk will probably be just as fruitful.

Rte 118

Woodstock to Warren

Beginning in the Center of Woodstock at the Junction of Rte 3 and the Kancamaugus Highway follow the signs to Lost River Road, Rte 118 and Rte 112.

The Kancamaugus Highway

Woodstock to Conway

Known affectionately to local folks as the "Kank", this road offers some of the most stunning scenery in all of New Hampshire. So you won't immediately be tagged as a visitor the correct pronounciation of the road is: "Kank - uh - mog - us". The road winds from the town of Lincoln on the southern end to Conway on the north with many lookouts in between. For a change of pace, you can try the Bear Notch Road which diverges to the north about halfway across the Kancamaugus.

Sculptured Rocks Road,

Groton, NH

The Sculptured Rocks Road lies southeast of the village of Hebron. Continue past the Hebron Post Office and Fire Station along the Groton Road for about 2 miles to a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork and continue on. The road is paved for a while then turns to gravel. It leads past Sculptured Rocks natural area and can be followed all the way to Rte 118 in Dorchester (not recommended unless you are in a four wheel drive vehicle).

Rte 118

Rumney to Canaan

Beginning in West Rumney on Rte 25, Rte 118 diverges south through the quiet town of Dorchester, New Hampshire. This is Moose country so be on the lookout. Follow this road into the town of Canaan. To make a round trip back, bear left in Canaan on Rte 4 and thence to Rte 104 in Danbury. 104 will lead you to Rte 3 North in the town of Bristol where you will drive along Newfound Lake and back to the town of Rumney.

Moose Watching in the Great North Woods

The moniker "Moose Alley" is employed rather freely through the North Country but the section of

Moose in the Phlox - Mooned by a Moose

Rte 3 region beginning in Pittsburg and extending about 22 miles to the Canadian border has the signage to claim it as theirs, and moose galore. Large numbers of moose patrol the sides of the road in the early morning and at dusk. Drive slowly, sometimes a moose will decide to make a dash for it across the road. Here on Moose Alley, you are as likely to be hit by a moose as you are to hit one. Constant vigilance is a must in the early and late hours. Remember that moose, while usually quite docile are most likely to be aggressive during the fall rutting season. At the Southern margin of the Great North woods and the northernmost reaches of New Hampshire White Mountains, Scenic Moose and Wildlife Tours are offered by the Gorham, NH Chamber of Commerce. These 3-hour journeys set off in the evening in a 21-passenger van along the Androscoggin River. While spotting an animal in the wild can never be guaranteed, the tours have a 97.3% success rate in finding moose, and as many as thirteen moose have been sited during one tour. Other wildlife-- such as bald eagles-- may be spotted too.

Tours run from May 31 to October 11, 2004; rates are $15/adult, $10 for ages 5 to 12, $5 for under-5's. Call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364), or visit the Mount Washington Valley site or the Gorham Village site.

New Hampshire Poster - Moose in First Snow

Lone Moose on Robartwood Pond

Moose on the Loose

Moose Watching in NH
You've probably seen the New Hampshire conservation license plate with various creatures adorning

Moose in Profile Brook

the plate. What you probably don't know is that at one time New Hampshire's population of moose had dwindled to only a handful living in the Great North Woods. During the last two decades Moose have made a miraculous recovery and now range throughout the state and especially in the Northcountry and the Central region of New Hampshire.The conservation plate was the brainchild of the Holderness School 4th grade class of Jane Kellogg in 1992.
Today thousands of cars carry the Moose license plate and the result is hundreds of thousands of dollars going into the conservation fund for habitat protection and endangered species preservation.

The moose has become the unofficial New Hampshire symbol.

Moose crossing signs have become nearly as common as frost heave signs and they stay up all year long!

We recommend that you try some of these scenic roads for the best Moose watching:

Rte 118 - Woodstock to Warren
Beginning in the Center of Woodstock at the Junction of Rte 3 and the Kancamaugus Highway follow the signs to Lost River Road, Rte 118 and Rte 112.

Lone Moose on a Snowy Oxbow

Rte 118 - Rumney to Canaan
Beginning in West Rumney on Rte 25, Rte 118 diverges south through the quiet town of Dorchester, New Hampshire. This is Moose country so be on the lookout. Follow this road into the town of Canaan. To make a ropund trip back, bear left in Canaan on Rte 4 and thence to Rte 104 in Danbury. 104 will lead you to Rte 3 North in the town of Bristol where you will drive along Newfound Lake and back to the town of Rumney.

The Kancamaugus Highway
Woodstock to Conway
Known affectionately to local folks as the "Kank", this road offers some of the most stunning scenery in all of New Hampshire. So you won't immediately be tagged as a visitor the correct pronounciation of the road is: "Kank - uh - mog - us". The road winds from the town of Lincoln on the southern end to Conway on the north with many lookouts in between. More

Sculptured Rocks Road, Groton, NH
The Sculptured Rocks Road lies southeast of the village of Hebron. Continue past the Hebron Post Office and Fire Station along the Groton Road for about 2 miles to a fork in the road. Bear left at the fork and continue on. The road is paved for a while then turns to gravel. It leads past Sculptured Rocks natural area and can be followed all the way to Rte 118 in Dorchester (not recommended unless you are in a four wheel drive vehicle).- More
Mt. Clinton RoadLocated just north of the gateway of Crawford Notch and Saco Lake, Mt. Clinton Road passes through the White Mountain National Forest and connects with the Base Road about halfway in from Route 302. A loop can be made by using all three of these roads.

Zealand Road
This road, which leaves 302 a couple miles south/east of the intersection of 3 and 302, is another great moose watching area. Watch for Zealand Campground and turn up the road.

Route 3 Pittsburg
Another area with the "Moose Alley" moniker is the Rte 3 region beginning in Pittsburg and extending about 22 miles to the Canadian border. This is probably the region where the moniker is most appropo. Large numbers of moose patrol the sides of the road in the early morning and at dusk. Drive slowly, sometimes a moose will decide to make a dash for it across the road. Here on Moose Alley, you are as likely to be hit by a moose as you are to hit one. Constant vigilance is a must in the early and late hours.

Moose in the Phlox - Mooned by a Moose

Route 16 Thirteen Mile Woods
Milan to Errol, NH
Moose are regularly seen in the swampy areas along Rte 16 north of Berlin. They are also often seen in the Androscoggin River along which the road winds.

Rtes 3 and 302 North of Franconia Notch all over the northern part of the state the term "Moose alley" is used to descibe local areas frequented by moose. In the Twin Mountain region this is the term the locals use for the area that stretches from the Route 3 and I-93 junction near Franconia Notch all the way to Bartlett Village on Route 302. Along these stretches of road, lies an almost constant border with the hundreds of thousands of protected acres of the White Mountain National Forest.

Commercial Moose Tours - Almost Guaranteed and worth the price!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . . . but do Brake for Moose

The Mooseman Cometh

Photos by Rick Libbey and Spencer Baselice

After spending a short time with this photographer, it is easy to see why he is “on the moose!”

It's mid-July, peak moose watching season, and Rick Libbey, who is known as The Mooseman, slowly moves his kayak across the bog cautiously, edging closer to a 1,200 pound bull taking his fill of sodium-rich plant life to help his antlers grow and harden before mating season this fall.

Suddenly, the moose's ears fold back, so The Mooseman takes a few short strokes of the paddle and moves his kayak several yards away, still watching the animal intently, and not making a sound, or moving his body an inch. He knows their behavior well, and he knows the signs to watch for. If the hair on the moose's back begins to rise, he'll paddle away swiftly. If the animal's tongue comes out, he should already be safely out of range.

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