Around 175,000 to 200,000 moose are widely distributed across Alaska, ranging from the Stikine River in the Southeast to the Colville River on the Arctic Slope. They’re most common in timberline plateaus, along major rivers, and in recently burned areas with dense stands of willow, aspen, and birch shrubs. Moose typically make seasonal movements to calving, rutting, and wintering areas, traveling between a few miles to as many as 60 miles during throughout these transitions.
Established in 1980, the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge protects vast stretches of diverse habitats between the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. It’s home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of water birds and supports 44 species of fish across hundreds of miles of rivers and streams. Visitors may encounter bears, caribou, wolves, muskox, and moose in the refuge’s drier upland habitats.
Moose generally aren’t aggressive but they can become very dangerous if provoked or confronted. In fact more people are injured by moose than by bears in Alaska every year. Cow moose are especially protective of their young calves, charging, stomping and kicking humans if they come too close. These boaters narrowly avoided what could have been a dangerous attack on the rivers within Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge after a curious moose calf approached too close. Fortunately they were able to back away before the mother moose reached them.
Moose show their agression by raising the long hairs on their hump, laying back their ears, and licking their lips. If a moose is slowly walking in your direction you should back away and look for the nearest tree, fence, building, car, or other obstruction to duck behind. It is never okay to approach or attempt to feed a moose in the wild. Read more about moose safety below.
Alaska Moose Safety Guidelines:
How do you know when a moose might attack?
The long hairs on its hump are raised, ears laid back (much like a dog or cat), and it may lick its lips (if you can see this, you are way too close). A moose that sees you and walks slowly towards you is not trying to be your friend; it may be looking for a hand-out or warning you to keep away. All of these are dangerous situations and you should back away. Look for the nearest tree, fence, building, car, or other obstruction to duck behind.
What if a moose is obstructing my way?
Is there another way around the moose? If not, be patient. The moose will move away in time. It may take half an hour or more, but it is usually worth waiting. Sometimes a loud noise or movement will startle a moose into moving, but moose that are used to people are not easily chased away. If you have to get by, try to keep a large tree, snow berm, vehicle, building, or fence between you and the moose. Don’t approach a moose if its only escape route is in your direction, and always leave yourself one or more escape routes. As a last resort, pepper spray will often move them, or at least provide some protection if they charge. Frequently, unsuspecting dogs are let out in their backyards when lighting is poor resulting in a surprised moose and a surprised dog. Turn outside lights on and scan your yard before blindly releasing your four-legged friend into the darkness.
What if a moose charges?
Many charges are “bluff” charges, warning you to stay back and keep your distance. However, you need to take them seriously. Even a calf, which weighs 300 or 400 pounds by its first winter, can cause serious injury. When a moose charges it often kicks forward with its front hooves. Unlike with bears or even dogs, it is usually a good idea to run from a moose because they won’t chase you very far. Get behind something solid; you can run around a tree faster than a moose. If it knocks you down, a moose may continue running or start stomping and kicking with all four feet. Curl up in a ball, protect your head with your hands, and hold still. Don’t move or try to get up until the moose moves a safe distance away or it may renew its attack.