Moose Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Alces alces)

Deer, elk and moose are hoofed, so every track is two crescent-shaped halves with the points facing forward; the size and how far the halves splay are what separate the species. Their droppings are pellets, single or clumped, and the pellet size scales with the animal. Look along field edges, game trails and browse lines (twigs nipped off at a slant) for more sign. The agencies we could open do not give measured scat or track figures for Moose; the comparison and other sign below are what they do report.

• Trampled trails through winter snow: In winter, Moose paw through deep snow to forage, creating trampled paths
• Rut wallows and thrashing marks: During the rut, bull Moose thrash trees and shrubs with their antlers and paw a pit in the ground to urinate in and leave scent
• Gnawing on tree bark: Strips and gnaws the tender bark of trees such as mountain ash, red maple, and striped maple

No source with a verbatim, verifiable description of how to distinguish Moose from Elk hoofprints/droppings was found; do not guess based on size alone The Elk page has its own sign list.

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.