Baby Moose Resting While Momma Feeds Nearby...Photo byPatrick Robert DoyleonUnsplash

(Homer, Alaska)

A mother moose had just given birth to twins and carefully disguised their sleeping area as she went a few feet away to eat. She sensed a disturbance as two people approached her babies.

Desperate to protect her newborns, she plunged through the thick trees and foliage, intent on eliminating the threat.

That's the Other Side of the Story...

Headlines Blared:

Homer Man Dies in Moose Attack

This is a great example of the Newspaper Mantra:

'If it Bleeds, it Leads.'

Does it come as a surprise that a Momma Moose protected her newborns as best she could? Does Alaska's Stand Your Ground Law apply to Mothers protecting their young?

As more of the story came out several things became clear:

The man killed was an accomplished outdoor photographer.

There is every reason to believe he should have known that a mother moose would not take kindly to anyone sneaking up on her sleeping babies - even if it were to get some 'great shots.'

My heart felt sympathy goes to the family of the person killed by the moose.

The Family issued a statement that the public should not blame the Moose.

Too Late...Homer residents have been blowing up the police emergency lines, reporting aggressive moose encounters.

The Homer Police took to Facebook to issue this statement:

"Last night we responded to a moose that was shot "in defense of life." Our phones have also lit up over the last few days with "aggressive moose" calls. While we won't get into the particulars of these calls, there are clearly some educational details that warrant some reminding.

Our wild animals are not pets. Not in anyway shape or form. They are not your friend and they don't want your attention. They require respectful boundaries and acknowledgment that they can be anywhere at anytime in our State when you are outside your home. How many of you have turned a corner to run face-to-face with a 7' tall moose? It'll wake you up real quick.

They are out there.

When it comes to Moose, they are particularly ornery this time of year. Winter is very hard on them. Last years calves just got the boot from mom and are trying to figure this crazy world out on their own, new calves are being born and mothers are very protective. They also will ground their calves for a long time to go feed, so if you see what you think is an abandoned calf - 99.99% of the time they are not. Remember, Moose are like 80's moms.

If you have a less than favorable interaction with a moose and that dangerous moment is over - you do not have the right to shoot or wound it. DLP is for, "Oh my God, I'm going to get trampled right here, right now." Not minutes later when you're pissed off 'cause your favorite tree just got eaten.

This is Alaska. Talk to your kids about appropriate and safe actions when they see a moose...running at it or throwing rocks are not the answer. If you are new to our state and you see one, yes they are magnificent. No they don't want glamour shots. If your hiking and run into one, put a tree between you and take a wide (wider) detour and give them the space that they deserve."

If only our News Sources had gotten it right - a few Moose, disturbed in their homes, might have survived...

Homer by the Bay is a blog about Things to Do In Homer Alaska. Please Subscribe to my Newsletter, Northern Notes, for insights and reviews about living and loving life in Homer, Alaska