What? A moose? How dangerous could they be? Those dopey-looking creatures that seem docile and wouldn’t hurt a fly… They wouldn’t hurt you, would they?
Well, normally, no. Like most other wild animals, moose would much rather avoid you than fight. It’s not like you can really offer much to them in first place – Moose are herbivores, not carnivores, so they won’t be attacking you because they are hungry. They can’t even eat you!
But that does not mean they will not ruin your day or worse – attempt to kill you – especially if they think that you are a threat to them one way or another.
So, what do you do when you encounter one of these lumbering giants? Are they really not as gentle as they seem?
Moose characteristics
Moose are massive hairy quadrupeds. Their weight can clock in to 1,600 pounds and they can stand as high as six-and-a-half feet tall.
This means that you really do not want to be on the receiving end of a moose charge at all. That is unless you want to be rammed over by the animal equivalent of a car. Ouch.
Moose sightings are a highlight of the trail for most hikers, even more so if it is their first time to ever see one. They can be seen in hiking trails, but also along country roads, smaller highways, and more secluded country properties, which means drivers must exercise caution in known moose territory lest they accidentally crash into one from driving too fast. Long story short, with the moose’s massive body mass and weight, it rarely ends well for the driver and the vehicle.
While they are not too dangerous when seen from afar, caution must still be undertaken, especially if the trail brings you closer to them.
Why would a moose attack?
There are multiple reasons why a moose might turn aggressive against you, most of which are a form of self-defense against a perceived threat to its safety. Here are a few:
- It feels cornered – Any animal, no matter how docile-looking, will automatically switch to their fighting instincts if their path of flight is blocked or removed. To them, this basically equates to a fight for survival. For this reason, moose should always be given a lot of space to roam
- It feels stressed – A moose might not be on the brightest of moods if it is running on an empty stomach, especially if they have not been able to eat in quite some time. They also do not appreciate inclement weather or people approaching it and invading its personal space. They might feel especially aggravated if provoked by people, such as if people throw things like snowballs or rocks at it.
- It sees you with a dog – This is especially important, but if you are someone who enjoys bringing your dog with you on your trips and you are hiking in known moose territory, consider leaving Fido at home. Moose seem to have it out especially for dogs. Not only do moose hate it when dogs single them out to bark at and annoy them, moose are highly likely to mistake dogs as its natural predator: Wolves. They may even go out of their way to kick your dog because of this, so do not try to risk it and keep your dog safe at home. You do not want to agitate a moose and place you and your best friend in danger.
- It is mating season – Male moose are a lot more aggressive during autumn, near September and October. They will fight practically whatever crosses their path, and anything can and will set them off. If you know that the season is nearing, keep your distance as much as you can. It gets worse if you somehow find yourself between it and a female moose.
- It is trying to protect its young – Female moose on the other hand, like any good mother, become particularly aggressive if they see their calves in danger. If you see any young calves on your hiking journey, move away. Its mother isn’t too far away and if it sees you as a threat, things can get really messy.
How to avoid a moose encounter
Moose, being herbivores and all, do not see humans as food, and will choose to disengage when given the opportunity.
This is good for you because you will never end up in a situation where a moose wants to eat you and tear you apart to eat, and instead is more reliant on making the moose feel comfortable and not feel threatened by your presence. Moose will only choose to attack if they feel like they themselves are in danger.
That means distance yourself from the moose – a good 50 feet at least, to ensure that you are giving it sufficient distance so that it can run away or not see you as a threat.
But this only applies for moose you can see. What about moose that might be hidden in foliage or leaves that you can’t instantly notice? You can get their attention by making a lot of noise. You want the moose to know that a human (you) is there, so you do not surprise it by accident from inadvertently sneaking up on it. If they know you are around, it is also likely that they will simply run off.
If you find yourself in the path of an incredibly angry moose, however, run. Seriously. Moose do not have the predatory instincts of a bear, so if you manage to put some distance between yourself and the moose, it will eventually lose interest. However, do not try to outrun it. Moose can clock in at speeds of 30mph, easily outrunning the average human.
Instead, find solid cover that you can hide behind. A tree is good enough, and if you are in a forest, you will not be worried about not having cover. Climbing is possible, but not recommended if you can’t do it fast.
If the worst-case scenario happens and the moose ends up catching you, drop down and curl up into a ball, covering your head with your hands to protect it from the moose’s kicks and stomps until it no longer sees you as a threat. If you have a backpack, it can cushion the stomps and protect your spine. However, do not jump up immediately after the attack ends. Give the moose a couple of moments to allow it to leave, as otherwise it might see you as a threat again if you choose to get up while it is still there.