The clouds were so low and full of snow that they completely shrouded the 12,000 foot mountain peaks that lay in front of me. It is only 12 degrees F. and nearly 10 inches of snow has fallen since the storm started last night. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem for me but this is the first week of October. A little early to start the winter season I thought to myself.

As I stand there I can see through the falling snow flakes a very large bull moose who is fixated upon his hearts desire–a cow moose. The snow is coming down so hard that it’s piling up on this antlers and long dark back. I am thinking, this is a fantastic day to be in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. I have come here to photograph moose and so far I am not disappointed. Sure, I am a little taken back by the cold and snowy weather but not disappointed in the moose at all.

Suddenly the cow moose along with her small calf start to trot off over the ridge and out of sight. Of course the bull moose is right on their tail. Figuring they are heading for the protection of the river I jump in my truck and head out on the snow covered roads. Just a mile or so down the road I take a side road and follow it to a dead end. Parking, I survey the landscape for any sign of the moose passing this way. Nothing. Grabbing my camera and zipping up my jacket to my chin I head out across the snow blanketed sage brush landscape. The snow is now really coming down hard. Heading south, stumbling through the snow covered sage brush I trudge on in search of the moose.

Coming to a small stand of trees I find the cow moose and her calf. They are standing there staring at me. Clearly they saw me well before I saw them. The bull moose can’t be far away so I slowly make my way around to the left side of the stand of trees. It’s not long before I spot the bull moose laying down. His large antlers are standing above the vegetation making him easy to spot.

Standing there trying to figure out what to do, the bull moose stands up and shakes off the coating of snow. At first I thought I might have spooked him but no. I can see just beyond the bug bull is a small bull moose walking through the woods. Clearly the big bull is not happy with this smaller interloper.

The big boy approaches the smaller moose and begins to scrape out shallow depression in the snow covered ground. Snow and dirt are flying as this 1,000 lb, plus bull moose paws the ground. This looks like an aggressive behavior. The big bull takes a few steps forward and starts to paw the ground again. More snow and dirt are flying as he digs a second shallow depression. The smaller bull doesn’t seem to get the message so the big guy moves even closer. This time he paws the ground with great vigor and produces a large hole in the ground. Then the big bull squats over the newly dug hole and urinates in it. It occurs to me that he has produced a wallow designed to coat himself in a urine scent that is enticing to the female moose.

After urinating the male lowers his head and shoulders down to the urine soaked scrape in the ground. He is trying to splash the pheromone laced urine onto his front legs and also on to his dewlap which is the large flap of skin and fur resembling a bell that hangs from his throat.

Then the big male lays down in the wallow and starts to rock back and forth not quite rolling over. At this point his has done a good job at coating his hind quarters with the magic mating scent. Then he gets up and stands there proud of his accomplishments. Apparently this was completely lost on the female because at that moment she starts to walk off with her calf in tow. Seeing the exodus, the large male heads out in hot pursuit leaving the small male standing there all by himself. Once the large male was out of sight the small male boldly walks over to the wallow and proceeds get down in the big guys wallow. Apparently the little guy figures if he can’t look big he can smell big. The little male does the same thing as the big guy then stands up.

With the light fading fast and nearly 2 miles to walk back to my truck I turn and start walking back. Along the way I am reflecting on the amazing breeding behavior of the moose I was privileged to witness. Wow, that was cool or should I say cold. Until next time…