Moose are the largest animals in the deer family and while not inherently aggressive, under certain circumstances they can be provoked into an attack and their shear size and strength make them extremely dangerous when humans are the target.
Captain Will Vallely operates a charter boat in Turks & Caicos but spends a fair deal of time in the wilderness of the Northern climes when he not trying to catch bonefish. During his time away from the Caribbean, he has had multiple run ins with aggressive moose while out in the woods, one such encounter put him in the hospital.
The following footage was taken by Captain Vallely at the end of a prolonged standoff with an aggressive moose. The moose had been circling his position for 15 minutes, making egress impossible and had charged twice prior. With his canister of bear spray ready in hand, the moose charged a third time and was met with a short blast of the non-lethal aerosolized capsaicin which proved an effect deterrent.
While bear spray is designed to deter bears, it is effective against almost all mammals, including moose. The capsaicin in the spray binds to the receptors in animals’ mucous membranes and causes and instantaneous inflammatory response.
The second slide is the aftermath of separate moose encounter that ended up with a moose stomping Captain Vallely leaving him unable to walk for a couple of weeks. He did not have bear spray during the encounter that put him in the hospital.
While moose are generally passive and prefer to avoid human interaction, there are specific situations that can lead to aggressive behavior. Recognizing moose behavior and knowing what to do if one should become aggressive is crucial if you plan on traveling through moose country. Learn more about moose safety below.
UTAH DNR MOOSE SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Know moose behavior
Cow moose can be aggressive when they have calves in the spring and summer, and bull moose can be aggressive and territorial during the fall breeding season. Moose often feel threatened when people or dogs get too close, which can also make them aggressive and lead them to charge, knock someone over and stomp on them.
Some physical warning signs that a moose may become aggressive include:
- Lowering their head
- Hair standing up on the neck
- Licking their snout
- Pinning their ears back
Safety tips to prevent conflicts with a moose
If you encounter a moose, here are some tips to help you stay safe:
- Always give the moose a lot of space and watch its behavior.
- Never try to approach or feed a moose.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times. It is against Utah law to allow dogs to chase or harass protected hoofed wildlife, like moose.
- Stay calm and do not run away. Talk, make your presence known and slowly back away in the direction you came.
- If a moose charges you or chases you, hide behind something solid (like a tree) or try to get inside a vehicle or building.
- If a moose knocks you down, curl into a ball, protect your head and lie still until the moose retreats.
