Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Baywinkle gets a new address

Herb Huseland The Spokesman-Review

The saga of Baywinkle, winter moose resident in Bayview, is over.

Shortly after 11 a.m. March 14, the Bayview resident set out on an all-expenses-paid trip to Bonners Ferry. Fearing human injury, Idaho Fish and Game tranquilized the moose, loaded him onto a trailer, and, after determining the animal was breathing comfortably, set out to relocate him.

Chip Corsi, Regional Director of Idaho Fish and Game, said, “We’ve had to relocate around a dozen moose this winter that became too interactive with people. The deep snow drove them out of the hills where they normally live. Over 125 moose have been killed this winter north of Sandpoint from either road traffic or train-moose collisions. … Moose, like people, take the easiest path, which in the case of deep snow is a roadway or a railroad track.”

Three Fish and Game wardens, Craig Johnson, Dan Hislop and Wayne Wakkinen, along with several local people, helped load the beast into the trailer. Asked how much the moose weighed, Johnson replied, “A lot more than we thought.” Local people on scene seemed pleased that the operation went successfully and the moose was predicted to survive the drugs, which isn’t always the case.

Residents of just about all parts of town experienced the moose up close, and in some cases dangerously so. Curious, the moose wandered about seeking handouts, unpicked apples and seemed to be rather gregarious at times. One such incident found Ralph Jones standing in his driveway working on a collapsed car shelter, when he felt hot breath on his neck. It was Baywinkle, not more than inches from him. Ralph dived in between the cars, while the startled animal fled the other direction.

Sheryl Puckett and family practically had the moose as a house pet with the moose nosing open her gate, then unable to figure out how to leave, just stayed for several days. Others, especially along Fir Street, which is at the border of the residential area and Farragut State Park, had their orchards gleaned. Just about everyone in upper Bayview, west of Main Street has hosted this large tourist at one time or another during the almost four months he has resided here.

A good time

Blarney ruled at the Captain’s Wheel Saturday night as the third annual pajama party coincided with St. Patrick’s celebrations. The Bells were inactive all winter due to the twins, Nelly and Emily, both giving birth to another generation of Bells. The family came out of hibernation to provide a great night of entertainment for the packed house wearing the green.

Upcoming Easter events

Easter events are coming up this weekend in both Bayview and Athol.

Bayview has the Wheel hosting 6-year-olds and under at 12:15 p.m., with Terry’s Cafe hosting 7- through 12-year-olds at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. In Athol, the American Legion Auxiliary will host an Easter Egg hunt at the city park for children ages 12 and under at 1 p.m.