Moose Spotting in New Hampshire

Moose are fun to watch, but always watch from a safe and respectful distance. Moose are bigger and faster than any person and give little warning before attacking a perceived threat. Cows are extremely protective of their calves. Bulls in the rut are unpredictable. No one should ever approach these animals no matter how tolerant they appear. A moose that decides someone has crossed into their "personal space" will knock down the offender and kick and stomp until the threat stops moving.

Ponds and Clearcuts

New Hampshire's northern ponds are great spots for moose watching. Moose feed on aquatics early in the morning and at dusk during the summer, so any pond with aquatics may hold moose.

New clearcuts with regrowth from 1-4 feet tall are a concentrated source of forage for moose, particularly in the fall. Bulls may also respond to calling at this time.

Roadside Salt Licks

Moose are attracted to the salt that accumulates in some wet areas next to the road, “salt licks”. These areas are more frequently used by moose at dawn and dusk in the late spring and early summer, particularly when it is cool and wet. There is a wildlife viewing platform at a salt lick at Dixville Notch State Park, and roads with salt licks are below. Park well off the road and be aware that these roads are heavily traveled and speeds often exceed 55 miles per hour.

Roads with salt licks:

• Route 3 north of Pittsburg to the Canadian border
• Route 16 north of Milan to the Maine border
• Route 26 east of Dixville Notch to the Maine border
   

Moose Tours

Seasonal moose-watching tour operators* in New Hampshire include:

• Gorham Moose Tours - 69 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581 -- (603) 466-3103
• Pemi Valley Excursions - Main Street, Lincoln, NH 03251 -- (603) 745-2744

*These are private enterprises not associated with the NH Fish and Game Department. To add your business to the Moose Tours list, send a message to the Fish and Game Web Team.