Moose and deer are crepuscular herd animals, meaning that they often travel in groups and are most active at dawn and dusk, but the two species do not behave in exactly the same way. Unfortunately, moose are not only much larger, heavier and more aggressive than deer, they are also much less predictable. While a deer, once moving, is highly likely to continue running in one direction, moose are likely to change direction one or more times, doubling back on their tracks and remaining in the road for annoyingly long periods of time.
Warning:Moose are extremely large animals, and hitting one could kill you. Colliding with a moose will seriously damage your car. Because a moose is large, with skinny legs and a barrel-like torso, hitting a moose with your car will probably cause the moose's body to hit your hood and windshield.
Moose need to eat a lot of foliage every day to survive, so you may find a moose blocking your path at any time of day and any month of the year. Be especially cautious during the June mating season, when males tend to be more aggressive.
If you plan to drive in states or provinces with large moose populations (Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Washington, Wyoming and the New England states in the US and nearly all of Canada, particularly Newfoundland, Alberta and New Brunswick), take a close look at these tips for spotting and avoiding moose that wander onto the road.
- Pay attention at all times. While moose are most active at dawn and dusk, they wander onto roads and highways at all times of day and night.
- Use your headlights, especially your high beams, but do not expect to see moose easily at night. Moose are dark-colored and tall, so you may not see them until you are very close. (Tip: Look higher than you would if you were checking for deer; moose are much taller in real life than they appear in photos.)
- Slow down, especially at dawn and dusk and in foggy weather. You are more likely to hit a moose if you cannot stop your car quickly.
- Wear your seat belt. The only thing worse than having a moose come through your windshield is being ejected through it yourself because you were not belted in.
- Be especially careful on blind curves. Even on a major highway, you may find a moose standing in the middle of the road as you round a bend, and you will need every available second to stop your car in time.
- If you see a moose in the road, stop your car, turn on your hazard flashers and blink your headlights or honk your horn to warn other drivers. Do not swerve to avoid the moose; these creatures are unpredictable and may move right into your new path. Wait for the moose to move out of the road and give it time to walk well away from the shoulder before restarting your vehicle. Drive away slowly in case there are more moose in the area.
Krause, Rod. Watching for the white tails: tips to avoid deer collisions." Minot Air Force Base News October 22, 2008. Accessed: October 10, 2010.
Maine Department of Transportation. "Be a Road Model. Topic: Moose Safety." Accessed: October 10, 2010.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. "Brake for Moose: It Could Save Your Life." Accessed: October 10, 2010.
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. "Drivers, Use Caution to Avoid Hitting Deer." Accessed: October 10, 2010.
