It's Spring, When Large Animals Stomp You

On May 4, 2025, a  47-year-old Florida man was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park. He survived. 

“We see about two or three (bison attack victims) a year,” Dr. Kirk Bollinger with the Emergency Medicine department at Cody Regional Health told Cowboy State Daily in May. “I haven’t seen a lot of goring injuries where the victim’s guts are coming out. The big thing is the internal bleeding.” 

Then on Tuesday, June 10, a New Jersey man got the treatment at Upper Geyser Basin:  

Park officials said in a statement that the man was in a group of visitors that “approached (the bison) too closely” when it turned and charged.Emergency medical personnel treated the victim for minor injuries.

 The Buffs aren't much of a threat in Colorado (Joke intended), but I've seen equal risks run in Custer State Park-Wind Cave National Monument in South Dakota, which I think of as a sort of mini-Yellowstone, less geysers and grizz. 

 But we now have moose: 

 

Cow moose give birth to calves in late spring and early summer. During this time, they can become more aggressive toward perceived threats to their young. Cows will hide their calves to protect them from predators but will stay nearby. Turn around or leave an area if a calf is spotted. If a moose begins to charge, get behind objects like trees or boulders to put obstacles in its path. Respect posted signs warning of aggressive moose behavior or calf activity on trails. Choose a trail with good visibility and make noise when recreating through thick vegetation.

Most moose conflicts involve dogs. When recreating near riparian or willow habitats, keep dogs on-leash to avoid startling moose near a trail. Off-leash dogs can venture off-trail, surprising hidden moose calves or cows. Cows will, in turn, chase retreating dogs, which can bring the moose in contact with humans. 

A moose sees your happy, bouncy dog and thinks "Wolf! Danger! Attack!" You can read about some specific attacks at the link, but here is one:

On Fri., May 30, two women walking four dogs off-leash encountered a cow moose along Fourmile Creek Road in Fairplay. The moose charged and trampled the women multiple times. Eventually, they  were able to climb onto a nearby roof to escape. A neighbor hazed the moose away with a fire extinguisher. Neither woman sought medical treatment. CPW officers responded to the scene and found two cow moose. Unable to definitively identify which moose was involved in the attack, no further action was taken. 

 And then there are cow elk. This from exactly a year ago in Estes Park: 

“While newborn calves are immobile, cow elk can become aggressive towards perceived threats,” CPW said. “People are encouraged to be aware while recreating outdoors that calves could be hidden nearby. Cow elk can charge from many yards away.”

Mule deer does are hiding in the oak brush right now, waiting for fawns to drop, if they have not already. Not as threatening as cow elk though!