`Sad Day' As Moose Is Hit By Car

Bellingham's moose no longer is on the loose.

"Mo," a 5-year-old bull moose who took up residence in the Whatcom County city last fall, was struck by a car and killed Tuesday night about two miles north of Bellingham.

Mo, whom state Wildlife officials said weighed about 1,000 pounds, went over the hood of a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder, his horns smashing through the windshield. The moose died instantly. The driver was not injured.

"It's sort of a sad day," said Tim Waters of the Wildlife Department's Mill Creek office. "Mo has sort of become the unofficial office mascot around here. We have a couple pictures of him up on the wall."

Wildlife officials in Bellingham said Mo was first spotted in the area about two years ago, at that time with a cow and calf. He returned alone and took up permanent residence around Bellingham in October, when he was often spotted on Sehome Hill Arboretum, a large wooded area near Western Washington University.

Mo was often seen crossing city streets and browsing through back yards. He was docile and nonthreatening, but Wildlife agents seriously considered darting the beast with a tranquilizer and shipping him to the wilds for his own good. The biggest concern was that he would be struck by a car.

Those worries doubled recently, when another moose stumbled into Whatcom County from British Columbia and began hanging out on the median of Interstate 5. That moose remains in the area.

Tranquilizing was deemed too risky. Knocking out a half-ton moose is no easy task, and can kill the animal if the dosage is not precise. Wildlife biologists decided to wait and hope Mo and friend would wander off into the woods.

They didn't, and Mo met exactly the fate officials feared.

One problem remained. What to do with moose remains?

Wildlife officials decided Mo should continue to enrich the community that adopted him. And that he will: Meat from the animal was donated to the Lighthouse Mission, which feeds the homeless.

STP is sold out

-- Want to register for the 1993 Seattle To Portland Bicycle Classic? Too late. It's an official sellout, only five weeks after registration began. Confirmation cards should be in the mail by mid-May for those 10,000 riders who made it under the wire. It's the fourth straight sellout for the 200-mile ride set for July 17-18.

The truly determined might scan bulletin boards at bicycle and outdoors stores for STP tickets for sale.

Oregon STP alternative

-- Meantime, bicycle promoters in Oregon are seizing the opportunity to promote their new spring event, the Oregon Double Century, as an alternative to those locked out of STP, or a training venue for those locked in.

The Oregon ride, June 19-20, starts in Hillsboro and travels through Washington, Yamhill, Polk and Marion counties. Cyclists camp overnight at Stayton, then pass through Aumsville, Silverton, Canby and Newberg before returning to Hillsboro.

Unlike STP, where a car trip back is necessary, this ride is a loop, and it's a lot more scenic than the Seattle to Portland ride, organizers say.

The fee is $95, including meals and all services. The event has a rider limit of 2,000. About 600 spaces remained Thursday. Registration deadline is June 1. Details: 1-800-CYCLE OR.

Notes -- Rock climbing guru Kurt Smith does a live sport-climbing slide show and viewing of the climbing movie "Hard Rock/Masters of Stone II," to the Redmond Vertical Club Tuesday. It all gets under way at 8 p.m. at the club, 15036 N.E. 95th St. in Redmond, for $5 at the door. Details: 881-8826.

-- It ain't over til it's over. But now it is. Last turns today at Mount Baker, which closes for the season this evening. A record year for the state's northernmost snow venue, reports Baker's Gwyn Howat. Groundbreaking is this summer for a new day lodge in the lower parking lot area. The building won't be finished for more than a year.

-- Campers, hikers and other frequent park users should note a phone number change for the Outdoor Recreation Information Center, a cooperative project by the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. The new number is 206-220-7450. The center, at 915 Second Ave., Suite 442, is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Good source of all kinds of outdoor information, as well as access to the computerized Trails Information System. Walk-ins encouraged.

-- A new pamphlet-sized guide to the Juniper Ridge and Dark Divide Roadless Area of Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Mount St. Helens is available from Washington Trails Association. Send SASE to WTA, 1305 Fourth Ave., Suite 512, Seattle, 98101-2401. Donations welcome.

-- Elk and deer seasons on the Olympic Peninsula and eastern Washington were modified last week by the state Wildlife Commission. Key changes: Olympic Game Management Unit 621 in Jefferson County and Bald Mountain GMU 417 in Whatcom County will be closed to elk hunting. The change was made because of smaller herds in those areas. In addition, deer hunting seasons were shortened by several days in Okanogan, Colockum and Central GMUs because of a high kill rate last fall. All changes will be listed in a new regulations pamphlet available June 1 at license dealers statewide. -- Big Fish Dept.: A state record kokanee, 4.83 pounds, was landed March 25 in Lake Roosevelt by Jack Soles of Nine Mile Falls. . . . And since you asked, the bullfrog limit in King County remains 10. No size limit.