How to Avoid And Survive A Moose Attack

The venerable moose is not an animal that one generally thinks of as a danger in the wild. The truth is, a moose is much more aggressive than some of the more feared animals in the United States. The reasons are varied, but the most common reasons are females protecting their babies and males in breeding season. These huge animals will attack primarily with their antlers and stampede you with their feet. They will take their front feet and stomp or kick until they feel the threat is neutralized or gone away. There are some things you can do to avoid a moose attack as well as survive if you are involved in an actual attack. Here are some tips to remember:

Avoiding an attack is much easier than surviving one once it begins. Moose react badly when they feel as though they are being threatened in any way. For this reason, a barking dog is a very bad thing. For this reason, dogs are to be left at home in moose country. Whereas with bears, making noise as you go through the forest is good, this can actually work against you with the moose. A moose not noticing you is a good thing.

If you do come upon a moose while camping or out in the wild, stay quiet and let them pass. If they do notice you, back away slowly and gently. If you can back out entirely, you can avoid an encounter altogether. If the moose charges, things change dramatically.

First of all, moose can’t climb trees. If you are able to get up a tree safely and quickly, go for it and then wait the moose out. If not, running is not a bad idea. Use trees to shield yourself when you can and put some distance between yourself and the moose. The moose is not trying to get a meal here. They just want you gone. Moose are not exactly slow but they are not particularly agile either. Don’t overestimate your ability to get close to a moose. They will ruin your day quickly and have the ability to kill if you are compromised.

In the unusual instance that you are down on the ground and the moose is stomping and kicking you, curl up into a baby position with your knees tight against your chest. Also make certain you put your hands over your neck and head to protect as much as you can. Try to be as quiet as possible and still. This is not easy when a wild animal is attacking, but it will make them stop attacking.

Battling a moose is not something you are likely to ever encounter, but knowing these things can help to reduce your chances even further. Living near moose requires this knowledge to stay safe, so learning it is a worthwhile thing. These wonderful creatures have been around for ages so we should try to let them be whenever possible. These tips can help you do just that.

If you’re looking for some more survival tips, check out this ultimate survival guide! Keep yourself save too, and get ready an emergency plan for your family!