Moose shot and killed at Garfield orchard

A day at the orchard in Garfield was disrupted Oct. 7 when an aggressive moose was shot and killed by a Washington State Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer.

Families and children were on site at Bishop’s apple orchard when Colfax E.M.S. was called on account of an aggressive bull moose which was charging people.

Colfax E.M.S. contacted Bob Weaver, a Fish and Wildlife officer in Colfax, who arrived on scene along with Whitman County Sheriff deputies.

The deputies ordered the orchard evacuated and Weaver attempted to “haze” the moose, trying to herd it toward an exit gate at the back of the orchard. He hollered, waved his arms, screamed and threw apples at the adult bull moose, estimated to be in the four-to-five year old range.

The moose charged Weaver and he retreated. The moose kept charging and he shot it dead.

“This was a very aggressive, agitated bull,” said Madonna Luers, Public Information Officer for Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Usually we’re able to handle a situation without having to take the animal down but in this case, this was the only way.”

“This is probably the most aggresssive moose I’ve ever come across,” said Weaver. “The difference with this one was that it continued to charge after I retreated.”

Weaver said the moose carcass was field-dressed and given to charity.