How to Stay a Safe Distance Away From a Moose

If a moose feels threatened by your presence, it does one of two things. Often the moose simply leaves the area to avoid the threat. But sometimes it responds aggressively to make you leave the area instead. The minimum safe distance from a moose varies widely depending on the surrounding environment and the temperament of the animal. As a general rule, if you are causing the moose to change its behavior in any way, you are too close. Even if the moose appears undisturbed by your presence, you must still be able to evade the animal should it abruptly charge you. “You should be far enough away to get behind the nearest tree before a galloping horse could get there,” explains Kristine Rines, wildlife biologist with New Hampshire Fish and Game and director of the state’s moose program.