Urban moose Doug O'Harra in

Urban moose

Doug O'Harra in the Anchorage Daily News reports on a part of Anchorage life, here: "Male moose wage war on local hammocks, swing sets. Cranky critters risk injury, death when antlers become entangled"

"Itchy to rub antlers and aroused for fall mating season, bull moose have been tangling with hammocks on the Anchorage Hillside this week...

"At least three hapless moose have been caught since Sunday, and another four have been reported snarled in hammocks or swing set chains over the past two weeks, said Jessy Coltrane, assistant area biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game...

"The situation happens every fall when adult males bang and rub their antlers against objects to remove summer velvet. With hormones starting to rage, the bulls also become more rambunctious as they start following cows and confronting other males..."

Friends in Anchorage tell me that moose are common in some neighborhoods. A year ago on a visit, I passed a moose about a block away while I was walking about a half mile from downtown. I was happy to see him move away from me, through a convenience store parking lot.