There have been several moose spotted on the Gunflint Trail this year. Which is really nice to see after the population has been so low over the years. I was up there last week but only found a guy who said I was just a little too late. Monday, I had this urging to try again. I headed out before sunrise as moose are most active in the early morning. I was about a half mile from this marsh when I see a black object out in the open. 

I slowly pulled up with my vehicle and sat there watching him feed. There was a small creek flowing through the marsh and he was following the creek coming up with lots of plant matter. Moose need to consume up to 50 pounds of plant material a day and he was getting his share. 

Moose calling only works in the fall when the bulls are in rut but he was still interested and looked my way every time I gave the “Lovesick call” of a cow moose. When he raised his head water would run from his mouth. It was so peaceful watching and listening to the sounds of the bull sloshing through the water and pulling up vegetation.

Since I was parked where the stream crossed the Gunflint Trail, he kept working his way closer to me. At that time of the day no other vehicles came by so he didn’t seem concerned. I watched him for forty-five minutes as he worked his way down the stream getting closer and closer. 

After eating his fill, he walked right behind my vehicle and followed the Gunflint Trail for about a quarter mile before veering off onto a logging road. 

Paul Sundberg