DRIVING IN MOOSE COUNTRY:  

A FEMALE AND CALF CROSS THE ROAD WITH ONCOMING CARS

Every year hundreds of moose are killed by automobiles. Road kills account for about 30 percent of all the moose killed by people. Collisions with moose also result in human injury, death, and millions of dollars in property damage. Moose have little fear of predators or vehicles so they are often standing in the middle of the road. Unlike deer, moose do not have an automatic flight response. Moose don't have to run away. They are the largest animals around! Because they don't flee like other wild animals, they often get inaccurately labeled as stupid.  Most likely the person calling them that isn’t much brighter.

Most moose accidents occur in the dark of early morning and evening. This is when moose are most active and traffic the heaviest.  Drivers who are going too fast for conditions kill most moose on dry roads. So by the time they see the moose it’s too late.

It's hard to see a moose on a dark road. Unlike deer, their eyes usually are not reflective and their hair seems to absorb light from headlights.  Moose are large animals, averaging 1,000 pounds and standing six feet at the shoulder. They are so tall your headlights go under the moose body.  Then if the your vehicle impacts with the moose you sweep them off their feet and get 1000 lb animal coming thru your windshield. That is why moose collisions are often deadly.

Most of the moose killed by vehicles are calves. Frequently motorists see the cow moose that crosses the road but do not see the following calf until it is too late to avoid hitting it. Additionally, younger moose haven't developed "road sense" and are apt to panic when a car drives by, often running down the highway instead of across it.

It's also common to see cars stopped in the middle of the road with people getting out to get a closer look with no regard for themselves or the moose. Idiotic parents who even put their children in front of a moose to get a cute picture.

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