Wildlife encounters are an inherent part of living in Alaska. Around 30,000 brown bears, 100,000 black bears, and ~3,900 polar bears live across the state, and that’s barely scraping the surface of Alaska’s wildlife population. Around 950,000 caribou, nearly 1,000 bison, and between 24,000-33,500 mountain goats live throughout the state. But one of the most dangerous animals in Alaska, responsible for more injuries to people than bears every year, is the moose.
These mountain bikers were lucky this moose minded its own business, despite how close they got. Fortunately the situation ended with good memories rather than scary ones.
Alaska Moose
Alaska is home to between 175,000 and 200,000 moose. Their population is widely spread across the state’s 586,000 square miles of land. Adults range from 800 pounds to 1,600 pounds and stand above 6 feet tall. Only males grow antlers, with the largest sized antlers growing when the bulls are between 10-12 years old. However bull moose can reach trophy size as soon as 6 years old.
In the fall, usually between late September and early October, adult bulls engage in the “rut”, battling with other males by bringing their antlers together and pushing. Injuries from most jousts are minor, but some bulls die from their wounds throughout this period. At the end, the winner generally mates with multiple females.
Living With Moose
As most of Alaska is moose territory, those living in or visiting the state should be prepared for a potential encounter. One should never approach or feed a moose. Feeding them can cause them to become aggressive and it’s illegal. Additionally, drivers should slow down when visibility is poor, give ample distance between cars, and stay alert for potential wildlife on the road.
Most moose charges toward people are bluff charges, but it’s still important to know what to do in case a moose decides to attack. The animals will charge, stomp and kick to protect themselves or their young, potentially leaving a person with serious injuries. If one does charge, you should run and get behind something solid or get to a safe place like the inside of a building or car.
