BIG SKY, MT – Wealthy residents of Big Sky, Montana, are calling for stricter enforcement of property boundaries after a local moose, identified only as 'Moose #37,' allegedly refused to acknowledge newly established land divisions, prompting a homeowner to use bear spray.
The incident, which occurred just feet from a newly constructed 8,000 sq ft vacation rental, saw Moose #37 'aggressively existing' on what was recently designated as private land, according to a statement from the Big Sky Homeowners’ Collective. The moose, which has resided in the area for approximately twelve years, was reportedly unaware of its new status as a trespasser.
“We bought this land to experience nature, not to have nature constantly infringing on our investment,” stated Chad Kensington-Smythe III, who purchased his property last month. “We’ve tried everything—fences, loud jazz music, even a strongly worded letter from our attorney. It just stares at you with those huge, vacant eyes, completely disrespecting the surveyor’s stakes.”
Local authorities acknowledge the challenge. “It’s difficult to serve an eviction notice to an animal that communicates primarily through grunts and antler-shedding,” confessed Officer Brenda McMillan of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department. “Our hands are tied until we can establish a clear legal precedent for animals failing to acknowledge the sanctity of deed restrictions.”
Experts from the newly formed Institute for Aspirational Proximity Studies at the University of Phoenix-Online weigh in, suggesting that moose, much like other indigenous populations, often struggle with adapting to modern real estate practices. “We’re seeing a global trend where established wildlife communities refuse to relocate or pay property taxes,” explained Dr. Cassandra Finch, lead researcher. “It’s almost as if they believe they have some inherent right to the land, despite having no mortgage or HOA fees.”
The Big Sky Realty Group announced a new “Wilderness Amenity Fee” to cover the costs of relocating uncooperative fauna and implementing “wildlife-conscious property management” which includes drone surveillance and AI-powered laser pointers to gently guide animals away from private amenities. However, critics argue these measures are merely a band-aid solution to a problem that requires moose to simply “get with the program.”
Until then, homeowners are advised to carry bear spray, legally purchased for ‘wildlife deterrence,’ to defend their property against animals stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the human concept of ownership in what was once their undisputed home.
