RIFLE - A moose that lost its antlers has kept its love for its adopted home of Rifle.

The bull moose continues to hang around the Airport Road area, some two months after first being spotted there. He just looks a bit different.

The Rev. Mark Opstein, who lives in the area, reports that the animal has shed his antlers, "so it's a little hard to see him sometimes."

Many people have viewed the moose this fall. Colorado Division of Wildlife spokesman Randy Hampton said the agency continues to get occasional calls from the public about the animal's presence. But few callers are concerned, and so far, the DOW has seen no reason to try to move the moose.

"We have no indication that he's causing any kind of problem," Hampton said.

Opstein said Monday, "He's no problem at all. Right now, he's in the pasture I think with three horses, and I think they're just fine."

Earlier this year, the DOW relocated a moose that visited No Name east of Glenwood Springs. The agency was worried because it was entering yards with children in them and was close to Interstate 70.

The Rifle moose also isn't far from I-70. Hampton said it apparently hasn't tried to cross the highway. It has been seen nearby, but on the other side of an 8-foot-high wildlife fence, Hampton said.

The moose is thought to be one of those that was introduced to the Grand Mesa area this year by the DOW.

Hampton said he has no idea what attracted the moose to the Rifle area. But apparently the animal has enough food and protective cover that it's comfortable staying there.

"He's got what he needs. If he didn't he'd go somewhere else, so there he is."

At this point, Hampton said, he wouldn't be surprised if the moose stayed in the area all winter, waiting until the weather warms to head up to higher and cooler elevations.

"But once again, I wouldn't have predicted that he'd be down there. Who knows? I can't outguess 'em, darned wildlife."

For now, Hampton said, the moose is providing a "pretty cool" watchable wildlife opportunity. People just need to use some caution viewing moose, he said.

"They're wild animals. You don't want to approach them by any means," he said.

But he noted that moose and humans coexist in Colorado's North Park area with little problem.

Opstein believes the same is occurring with the Rifle moose.

"Where he's at he's not bothering anybody. He's getting along just fine," Opstein said.