This moose, estimated to weigh around 800 pounds, was spotted crossing the river early Sunday morning west of Guernsey. It later wandered up into the residential area in town. Game and Fish officers used a high caliber rifle to inject the moose with a tranquilizing dart. It was later released in Snowy Range. (Photo/Vicki Hood)

Most people consider Yellowstone one of the best places in Wyoming to get a close-up and personal look at the likes of moose, elk, and bison, although it's not a given. Those lucky enough to get a wildlife photo op realize it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

So having failed to spot even one moose, Dale and Wilma Russell left Yellowstone last Saturday, thinking they'd have to wait until another time to enjoy the experience. They could scarcely have imagined the opportunity would present itself Sunday morning in a most unlikely setting-the backyard of a residence in Guernsey.

The Russells, who stopped to visit with family members in Guernsey, along with dozens of area residents, were privy to the most unusual sight of a young bull moose who had made himself quite comfortable inside the fenced backyard of Robert Sydow on West Laramie Street.

Estimated to be approximately a year and a half old, the moose had apparently worked his way down from one of the mountain ranges, following water and looking for suitable habitat. And although it turned out to be the most noted, it wasn't the first sighting as this same moose had been reportedly seen in various places west of town over the previous two weeks.

There have also been reports of a larger bull moose at Guernsey State Park.

The young moose was seen crossing the river early Sunday morning by Dennis Brinkley and his son while they were fishing on the west side of Guernsey. He wandered up into the residential area on West Laramie Street, and settled in a fenced yard, property owned by Larry and Linda Sydow. As word of his presence spread, a steady stream of residents stopped by to check out this most unusual sight, many getting pictures on digital cameras. By noon, he was likely one of the most famous moose in the country, shown on numerous Facebook pages.

With the amount of attention the situation had garnered by then, The Guernsey Police Department contacted the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to determine how best to ensure the public's safety as well as that of the moose. The moose never appeared to be aggressive and split his time between laying down and foraging in the trees, eating leaves.

Game and Fish officer Craig Smith of Wheatland was the first to respond to the scene. After sizing up the situation, Smith contacted Sybille Wildlife Management Area to request help in returning the animal to a more suitable habitat area.

Smith said that although the animal may not have appeared to be aggressive, it was not a safe situation, given the number of people that had gathered. If the animal were to feel threatened at all, his calm demeanor could change quickly. Moose are capable of inflicting serious or even fatal injuries to humans.

Game and Fish officers Matt Huizenga and Cole Hansen responded from Sybille, as well as Wheatland officer Martin Hicks and John Stephens from Torrington.

The officers used a high caliber rifle to inject the animal with a tranquilizing dart. Smith explained that the dart contains a medication called carfentanyl, a very potent drug that sedates the animal, enabling officers to move them safely. Once the animal is secured in a trailer, a drug to reverse the effects of the carfentanyl is given so that by the time they reach the release area, the animal is able to once again function normally.

With a short period of time before the sedating medicine takes effect, the moose left Sydow's yard and headed back toward the river. The animal, estimated to weigh around 800 pounds, went down just at the water's edge and the Game and Fish officers moved in quickly to secure his legs, transfer him onto a tarp. With the help of local residents, including Matt Wunder, Tory Bugher and Robert Sydow, he was carried back up the bank and loaded into the trailer. Officers wasted no time in getting on the road to the release site.

For one young moose, life is back to normal, somewhere in the Snowy Range. But his short visit to Guernsey will likely be long-remembered by the countless people that came to see him and snap a few confirming photos. It was certainly beyond the normal Sunday morning routine in this small, eastern Wyoming community. But for about four hours that day, the view was a lot like...Yellowstone.