The Colorado Division of Wildlife has taken extensive precautions to prevent the illegal and accidental killing of moose by deer and elk hunters. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this problem. However, accidental moose killings can be prevented if hunters take the time to identify their targeted species accurately. DOW research shows Colorado residents kill as many moose by accident as nonresidents, and experienced hunters shoot as many moose as the inexperienced. Moose have a dark, black-brown body with an overhanging snout, a bell on the throat and whitish, gray legs.
Elk have a red-brown body, chestnut brown neck, pale yellow rump and slender snout.
Good optics, beyond rifle scopes, are necessary equipment that all hunters should carry with them. Often, hunters do not expect to see moose in heavy timber or in open areas and shoot thinking it is an elk and going to get away. Because moose often do not run away from hunters, or are relatively slow in doing so, they end up shot by careless hunters. If you accidentally shoot a moose, ethically the only thing to do is to turn yourself into wildlife authorities. The animal should be field dressed immediately to prevent spoiling the meat.