Morris County Moose Becomes Holiday Celebrity

LONG VALLEY, NJ - Motorists driving down Pleasant Grove Road in Washington Township may have been surprised by the full-sized moose festooned in festive trappings, and the crowd of people stopping for selfies.

"Its not every day you see a moose in Long Valley," said Erica Sampson, whose father Allan is a taxidermist and is responsible for the unique holiday decoration.

"My Dad takes great pride in that moose. It is the largest animal he has mounted. The idea came to him last year, Erica Sampson said. "He thought it would be a good idea to tie some lights around him and put a wreath on him so families can take pictures with him."

The Sampson family has been in Long Valley for nearly two decades and includes Erica and her sister Krista as well as Allan and his wife Teresa. Erica Sampson noted that her father, who is a farmer and a hunter also does taxidermy as a business.

"I can understand why people are concerned about this being humane- but for us and many people taxidermy is our source of income," Sampson said. "My Dad has been hunting since I was born, I’m 28."

According to Sampson the reaction to the moose has been huge and the fan base has been growing.

"We have had a huge following regarding the moose. My Dad rolls it out on a wooden cart and from there we have people lining their cars up to get their picture taken," Sampson said.

Sampson said people have been active on social media asking her when the moose will be available for pictures.

"If I’m outside the house or if my Dad is they like to stop to talk to us to compliment the moose," Sampson said.

Those interested in getting a shot with the moose still have some time to make it over to 45 Pleasant Grove Road.

"He will be dressed up until New Years," Sampson said.

But that might be the end of the moose sightings in Long Valley, Sampson noted.

"My Dad mentioned, depending on the weather, he would like to roll him out for Super Bowl Sunday," she said. "We aren’t sure what team he’s going to root for yet we will know soon enough."

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