The Goodman Mountain trail, part of the popular Tupper Lake Triad challenge, will remain closed due to the presence of a bull moose.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation closed the trail on June 6 after hikers reported sightings of the moose at the base of the mountain, and later, at the summit.

But over the past month the moose has shown no signs of leaving the area, prompting a group of DEC experts to conduct a site visit on July 10 to assess the health of the mooose.

The group, which included a state wildlife veterinarian, determined that Goodman Mountain’s resident moose exhibited “unusual behaviors” possibly caused by an “underlying illness,” according to DEC.

The moose remains on or near the trail and doesn’t respond to attempts to shoo it away.

Based on these observations, the trail will remain temporarily closed to protect the moose and to ensure public safety in the event of a close encounter hikers.

This particular moose has shown no signs of aggression, DEC said, but in general they can be dangerous if approached too closely.

Moose are the largest member of the deer family, and the biggest mammal in NY. A bull can weigh between 600 to 1,200 pounds and stand up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder.

Moose move slowly most of the time, but can become aggressive when angered or startled. In 2018, DEC estimated NY’s moose population at approximately 650 animals.

DEC wildlife experts continue to monitor the Goodman Mountain situation closely, and forest rangers will be actively enforcing the trail closure.

The trail will reopen only when DEC determines it’s safe, DEC said. Signage is posted at trailheads and access points, and visitors are urged to seek alternative hiking destinations in the region.

For more information about the closure, contact DEC Region 6 Office of Natural Resources at (315) 785-2263.

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com.

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