These States Have the Most Moose Roaming Free

Written by Patrick MacFarland
Published: March 26, 2024
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The moose is one of the most majestic creatures on this planet. The animal is the tallest, largest, and heaviest living species of deer. It is also one of the largest animals in the North American continent. Usually, moose live in forests throughout North America, especially in Canada and the United States. Unfortunately, because of moose hunting, their numbers have plummeted throughout the decades. Environmental groups have taken action and laws have been put in place to protect the moose population. When it comes to the United States, not every state has moose, and some states have tens of thousands of moose. Let’s take a look at the states that have the most moose roaming free.

14. Michigan

Moose in Isle Royale National Park

Although large, the moose has a number of predators, which include wolves.

©46travels/iStock via Getty Images

There are about 500 moose in Michigan. Moose were at one point in time, abundant in Michigan. They were wiped out because of hunting. However, there is a reintroduced population and they are mainly located in the Upper Peninsula of the state.

13. New York

a mother moose nurtures her twin calves as they forage in the forest, the calf reaches to eat a twig

The pregnancy of a moose lasts about 243 days.

©Green Mountain Exposure/Shutterstock.com

There are around 600 moose in New York. Moose are mainly located in Upstate New York, particularly in the northeastern areas around the Adirondack Mountains. You can also spot them if you are close to the border between New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

12. Massachusetts

Two young female moose stand in a wood clearing in Wendell Massachussetts. Likely twins and less than 1 year old the pair seems to pose for the camera.

Sweden is tied with the US with the third-largest moose population.

©Joslin Stevens/Shutterstock.com

There are about 1,000 moose in Massachusetts. Although the number of moose in the state is not as abundant as others, you can still spot moose here. Usually, it’s better if you go to the central and western areas of the state.

11. Montana

A young, male bull moose with antlers feeding in a lake in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

Russia has the second-largest population of moose in the entire world.

©paulacobleigh/iStock via Getty Images

There are around 2,300 moose in Montana. Known as Big Sky Country, there are forested areas in the western parts of the state. This is where you will find moose, particularly in the Cabinet Mountains, as well as the Big Hole and Centennial valleys.

10. Utah

Male moose at Lake Martha

The average male moose can weigh a whopping 881 pounds, but sometimes they can weigh 2,000 pounds.

©Joe_Guetzloff/iStock via Getty Images

There are about 2,500 moose in Utah. For a better chance of spotting moose in the state, you should go to the forested areas of the Wasatch Front in the northern and northeastern parts of the state.

9. Vermont

A female moose stands knee-deep in water at Green River Reservoir State Park in Vermont. She is surrounded by pond weeds and there are trees in the background.

There are about half a million to a million moose in Canada, the most in the world.

©trsers/Shutterstock.com

There are around 3,000 moose in Vermont. Moose roam around throughout the entire state, but if you want to see moose and more abundant numbers, you should go to the Northeast Kingdom or around the Green Mountains.

8. Colorado

Shiras Moose in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Angry Young Bull Dancing in the Predawn Light

There are about 300,000 moose in the United States.

©Gary Gray/iStock via Getty Images

There are about 3,000 moose in Colorado. Usually, you can see moose in the forested areas of the state, which are mainly located in the West. In particular, you should go to North Park or the Rocky Mountain National Park for your best chances.

7. New Hampshire

Bull Moose @ Red Eagle Pond

Moose are quite good swimmers.

©R_Berthiaume/iStock via Getty Images

There are around 3,300 moose in New Hampshire. New Hampshire isn’t the biggest state, but there are places where you can spot moose more frequently. The White Mountains is your best bet if you’d like to see this Majestic creature.

6. Wyoming

Bull Shiras Moose in Wyoming

A moose’s diet consists of fruits and plants.

©equigini/iStock via Getty Images

There are about 3,500 moose in Wyoming. Although the number of moose in Wyoming is less than before, you could still spot moose around the state. The number of moose is higher in the Bighorn National Forest and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

5. Minnesota

Sepia Tone Moose Close Up

The moose is called “elk” in British English, although elk is another species of deer in North America.

©StevenSchremp/iStock via Getty Images

There are around 4,700 moose in Minnesota. You can spot moose and various places in Minnesota, especially in the arrowhead region of the state.

4. Washington

Moose cow walking in the woods.

A moose’s lifespan ranges from 15 to 25 years.

©gjohnstonphoto/iStock via Getty Images

There are about 5,000 moose in Washington. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, you can spot moose in various places, especially in the Selkirk Mountains and sometimes in the North Cascades.

3. Idaho

moose standing in field of sagebrush in Idaho

Baby moose, called calves, can gain from two to five pounds a day.

©Justin Crook Photography/Shutterstock.com

There are around 10,000 moose in Idaho. You can spot moose in various places throughout the state. If you go into forested places in the northern part of Idaho or near streams like the Snake River plane, you’re more likely to run into these animals.

2. Maine

A bull moose in the woods of Maine.

Male moose grow antlers every spring and by November, they start falling off.

©Paul Tessier/Shutterstock.com

There are around 60,000 moose in Maine. You can spot moose in various places throughout the state —  from the Kennebec Valley, the Maine highlands, and near lakes and forested mountains.

1. Alaska

The state of Alaska has the highest number of moose in the US.

©RONSAN4D/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

There are about 175,000 moose in Alaska. They live all over the state — from the Colville River in northern Alaska to the Stikine River in the southern part of the state — especially in well-forested areas.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © RichardSeeley/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images


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About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

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