Close encounters of the moose kind

Moose generally prefer to avoid interactions with humans, but it’s important for people to remember that moose are wild animals and should never be fed or approached. Preventing moose encounters is the first step.³ Moose view dogs as potential predators, so it is important to keep your dog leashed and under control. If you do encounter a moose, be sure to give it a wide berth ideally with an escape route for the moose.⁴ A moose will generally give warning signs to indicate that it is feeling threatened or stressed. These signs of agitation can include raised hackles and stomping their feet or emitting snorting sounds.

Moose require a lot of sodium to maintain their bodily functions, so during the winter months, moose are drawn to highways to lick salt off roads and passing vehicles. Every year, Parks Canada alerts motorists not to stop and allow moose to lick the salt off their cars.⁶ A collision with a moose can be similar to hitting a small car. The bulk of a moose sits high above the ground due to their long legs, so when involved in vehicle collision, the full weight of the moose’s upper body can impact the windshield and roof of the vehicle. This can result in the moose traveling directly through the windshield or crushing the windshield and roof of the vehicle. If the moose survives the crash, vehicle occupants are still at risk of being hit by kicking legs and a flailing head and antlers.² While watching a moose lick salt off your vehicle can be fun, this interaction can result in the moose losing their fear of cars which can lead to more traffic accidents.⁷