By Rebecca Palsha and Emily Van de Riet
Published: May. 21, 2024 at 4:40 PM CDT
HOMER, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – The man killed by a moose in Alaska this weekend was identified as a well-known wildlife photographer who “knew the risks,” his son said.
Family members of 70-year-old Dale Chorman said he died “doing what he loved most” – photographing wildlife.
Chorman was killed Sunday after being charged and kicked by a female moose, known as a cow moose, that had just given birth.
Chorman was able to snap a few pictures of the mother moose giving birth. It was a moment so special that after getting a few shots, Chorman grabbed a friend to find the moose again for more pictures.
This time, however, the cow moose was more elusive.
“As they were approaching the area, suddenly the moose came crashing out from wherever it was — they hadn’t seen it — on the attack,” Tim Kizzia, a friend of Chorman’s, said. “And they turned to run, and his friend looked back and saw that Dale was already on the ground and the moose was standing over Dale.”
Alaska State Troopers said they received a report at 11:52 a.m. Sunday that a moose had charged two men, kicking one of them.
First responders pronounced Chorman dead at the scene. The moose was no longer in the area when they arrived to help.
Regardless of what happened to their loved one, Chorman’s family wants to see the moose live.
Nathan Chorman, Dale Chorman’s son, said in a statement that the moose was “just protecting her offspring.”
“Dale had remarked the previous day that the brush was particularly thick this year — thick enough to get closer than intended, and surprise a wild animal by accident,” Nathan Chorman said of his father.
Moose calving season runs from mid-May to mid-June, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Wildlife officials tell people to look for signs that moose are upset.
“Hackles on the back of their neck standing straight up, the ears pinned back against the head and the moose will start licking their lips,” Cory Stantorf, a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said. “Those are all signs that the moose is agitated and you are too close.”
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said moose are especially irritated this year because of the record snowfall that has made finding food difficult, something Chorman’s family said he would have understood.
“This was not a hapless fool stumbling into danger — this was a person who went out looking for a great photo, knowing the risks, and got caught in a dangerous moment,” Nathan Chorman said.
Dale Chorman was well-known as a photographer, a beloved father and loving husband.
“I know you’ve all loved his photos over the years. He loved sharing them with you,” Nathan Chroman said.
Read Nathan Chorman’s full statement about his father’s death below:
“We are shocked and saddened to report the loss of Dale Chorman. He was a loving husband to Dianne, a great father to me, and (as you know) a fantastic friend to many. He was also in the running for my favorite character in this whole human drama. We loved him. We love him.
As for the manner of his death, Dale died on his property, tromping through the woods with a dear friend, in pursuit of a great photograph. This was his favorite thing to do.
I don’t think this needs clearing up for anyone viewing this page, but Dale was highly experienced around wildlife. He was intimately familiar with nature, and had no naivete about its danger. This was not a hapless fool stumbling into danger — this was a person who went out looking for a great photo, knowing the risks, and got caught in a dangerous moment. The moose, obviously, is not at fault. To the concerned neighbors, I say — quell your primate spear rattling. The ungulate mother need not die. She was just protecting her offspring. Dale had remarked the previous day that the brush was particularly thick this year — thick enough to get closer than intended, and surprise a wild animal by accident.
I’m sure Dale was surprised too. On a given day, nobody expects to die on their own property doing something routine, even when the routine is fairly dangerous. But he would have accepted this outcome. Whether for the cranes, or the calves, this was his favorite time of year. The truth is he died doing what he loved most — or, *close* to most, as moose have a distinct lack of feathers. Whether birds, or moose, or bears, I know you’ve all loved his photos over the years. He loved sharing them with you.”
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