Dangerous Animal Encounters – Section 3.5.3 Hoofed Mammals: Moose

December 31, 2016

In this section you'll learn when moose are most aggressive toward humans.

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Moose are huge! If you have never seen one, believe me they are way bigger than you think they are. They make horses look small. Moose are also powerful enough to kill humans fairly easy, though they rarely do.

Moose are not nearly as scared of us as deer or elk are. It is never a good idea to get close to a moose, especially if it is a cow with a calf. Approaching a moose calf is extremely stupid and dangerous. Bull moose become especially aggressive during the rut, similar to deer and elk.

Moose encounters: best practices

Never act in an aggressive or threatening manner toward a moose. Avoid getting too close and or staring directly at them – or their calf – unless you are a safe distance away.

If a moose attacks you, attempt to run and lie still if trampled. Do not attempt to fight back, it is futile and will only prolong the encounter.

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Section 3.5.4 Hoofed Mamals: Feral Hogs

In this section you’ll learn about feral hog behavior and a trick that will quickly scare one off.

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Dave Scott

Dave Scott can trace his deep love for nature and the outdoors back to his earliest childhood memories exploring the banks of Williamson creek as a child. After spending a childhood filled with outdoor recreation Dave became a member of a Search and Rescue team in Colorado where his passion for self-reliance and wilderness survival was kindled further through helping others in wilderness emergencies. Dave has been involved in Environmental Education since 2003 and, in addition to Earth Native Wilderness School, has instructed at several wilderness schools across the country including the Wilderness Awareness School and Alderleaf Wilderness College. Dave is currently certified as a Track and Sign Specialist through the Cybertracker Conservation evaluation system, an international standard for gauging and enhancing in-field knowledge of wildlife behavior and track and sign identification. He is one of only 20 individuals in North America to attain this level of certification.