Moose encounter in the Maine woods.
Moose encounter in the Maine woods.

AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine – As the largest species of deer in the world, it’s pretty well known how dangerous moose can be. The average prime age bull weighs 1,106 pounds, while a cow weighs an average of 836 pounds. Moose aren’t often agressive and they usually just leave situations where they feel threatened. But if they decide to charge, they’ll lead with their front hooves, kicking at whatever they see as a danger.

Bull moose antlers reach their peak during the fall rut season, used both as a show of dominance and to protect their eyes when they battle. Testosterone surges, leaving the bulls ready to fight any other bull or occasionally any person they run into. This moose antler scavenger (Allagash Antlers) was wandering through a swampy area in Aroostook County, Maine, when he ran into a cow and three bulls during rut. One of the bulls noticed him and approached despite the man’s attempts to scare the animal away. The moose watched him for several moments, constantly keeping an eye on his movements, before charging and pushing him to the ground.

Fortunately the man was left alone after the first shove leaving him with just a few bumps and bruises. But moose attacks can turn dangerous, especially during rut or when calves are nearby. If you run into a moose you should always give it plenty of space. If it’s changing its behavior because of you, you’re too close. Even if the moose seems unbothered by your presence, you should have a way to evade the animal if it suddenly decides to charge. Being able to place a large object like a tree between you and the moose before it reaches you is key. They attack to drive threats away, so running and getting behind objects will likely stop a charge.

Bull moose.
Bull moose. Credit: NPS/Kent Miller

National Park Service on Moose Safety:

Moose aren’t inherently aggressive, but will defend themselves if they perceive a threat. When people don’t see moose as potentially dangerous, they may approach too closely and put themselves at risk.

Give Moose plenty of room!
Enjoy viewing them from a distance. Cow moose are extremely defensive of their young so use extra caution around cows with calves.

In the summer months, moose blend in well to their environment and can be surprisingly hard to see for such large animals. They are likely to stand their ground even when they hear people approaching, so pay close attention to your surroundings, especially in prime moose habitat such as willow thickets or around streams or ponds.

If you do find yourself close to a moose

  • If it hasn’t detected you yet, keep it that way.
  • If it knows you’re there, talk to it softly and move away slowly.
  • Don’t be aggressive – you want to convince the moose that you aren’t a threat.
  • If you think the moose is going to charge you, take cover or run away.

Watch for signs that the moose is upset
If its ears are laid back and hackles are up it is likely to charge. Most of the time, when a moose charges it is a ‘bluff’, or warning for you to get back – a warning you should take very seriously! Once a moose bluff charges it is already agitated. If possible, get behind something solid (like a tree or a car).

Unlike with bears, it is okay to run from a moose.

They usually won’t chase you and if they do, it’s unlikely that they’ll chase you very far. If a moose knocks you down, curl up in a ball and protect your head with your arms and keep still. Fighting back will only convince the moose that you may still be a threat. Only move once the moose has backed off to a safe distance or it may renew its attack.

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