DWR officials give tips on staying safe around moose
Jun 5, 2025, 9:57 AM | Updated: 3:16 pm
Two male Moose push on each other as they eat the grass near Silver Lake in Big cottonwood Canyon. August 2002. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The 2,500 to 3,000 moose that live in Utah may look cute, but don’t be fooled, those moose can do some damage.
On Valentine’s Day in 2019, one moose was found to have “broken into” a Park City house. Another moose injured a woman in 2020 after she came into contact with it.
These are just a couple of instances in Utah where a moose caused some sort of damage when interacting with people, or the other way around.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Once-In-A-Lifetime Species Coordinator, Rusty Robinson, talked about the many animals he’s dealt with and why moose are so dangerous.
“In my years of working with wildlife, I have dealt with bears, rattlesnakes, cougars and moose, and the only species that I’ve had turn and come back at me was a moose,” Robinson said. “Because they are not predators, people often underestimate how aggressive moose can be.”
According to DWR, moose can weigh between 600 and 1,000 pounds, and bulls can get to around 6 feet tall.
“Moose can act aggressively anytime they feel cornered or threatened, but cows can be especially defensive when they have calves (typically in late May and early June),” the DWR said. “Bull moose are more territorial and aggressive during the fall breeding season (typically in September).”
The DWR added that moose don’t like dogs and may act aggressively towards dogs and people if they feel threatened.
What to do if you see a moose
“Like with most wildlife, if you give moose plenty of space and don’t try to get too close, it will help keep you and them safe,” Robinson said. “Our biologists relocate numerous moose in urban areas every year, and we really want people to admire these amazing animals from a distance and stay safe. If you normally hike with your dog, we strongly recommend keeping them leashed when you are in mountain areas with moose.”
The DWR advised people to stay far away from moose, keep pets on a leash and don’t run away.
“If a moose charges you or chases you, hide behind something solid (like a tree) or try to get inside a vehicle or building,” the DWR advised. “If a moose knocks you down, curl into a ball, protect your head and lie still until the moose retreats.”
The DWR also advised people not to walk towards a moose.
“Some physical warning signs that a moose may become aggressive include lowering their head, hair standing up on the neck, licking their snout and pinning their ears back,” the DWR said. “If a moose knocks you down, curl into a ball, protect your head and lie still until the moose retreats.”
