Moose are not typically agressive towards humans, but they can become agressive when they find themselves harassed by people, dogs, and traffic, or when they’re hungry and tired. This is especially true in the winter, when they’re forced to trudge through deep snow. Agitated moose tend to show certain behaviors before charging, like neck and back hairs standing up, ears tipping back against their head, snorting, and lip licking, but distance should always be kept even if they seem calm.
If a moose does attack, it usually kicks forward with its front hooves. Even when its a 300 to 400 pound calf, these kicks can do plenty of damage to a person. Moose should always be given plenty of space to ensure safety, and snowmobilers in the winter should always stay aware of the possibility of wildlife encounters on the trail. When moose feel threatened, like in the video below, they can and will charge.
The snowmobiler who took the video has made it clear that he understands what went wrong. With snowmobiles and snow banks blocking the animal’s movements, the moose felt cornered and threatened. It’s ears are clearly laid back in aggression, so it was pretty clear what the moose was going to do next. The snowmobiler in front should have continued on, giving the animal plenty of space to move along, and the people in the back should have backed away. More on moose safety is available below:
National Park Service Moose Safety Guidelines:
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.
