Moose Season in New England: What to Do If You Meet One on a Hiking Trail

Ah, moose season in Maine. That magical time when the trees are lush, the air is crisp, and then there's chance you'll round a corner on your hike and come face-to-face with a 1,000-pound tank of fur and antlers.

So what do you do if you meet a moose on a trail? First, don’t panic. Second, don’t challenge it to a staring contest. You will lose. Emotionally and physically.

Here’s your survival cheat sheet:

• Keep your distance. If you can see it, great. If it can see you, less great. Slowly back away like you're trying to casually escape a bad Tinder date—no sudden moves.
• Don’t run. Moose are surprisingly fast for animals that look like awkward horses on stilts.They can hit 35 mph! You, on your best day, downhill, with a tailwind? Maybe 9. Running makes you look like prey.
• Stay quiet. No yelling, whistling, or blasting tunes through your Bluetooth speaker.
• If it charges? Hide behind a tree.
  

Worst-case scenario: Several sources online, including The Utah Division of Wildlife sat if you're knocked down, curl into a ball, protect your head and neck, and don’t move. Like with bears, playing dead can work. It will usually stop attacking once it no longer sees you as a threat. Yeah—it’s not a fun plan, but it beats trying to arm-wrestle a moose.

Moose usually don’t want trouble—they’re just out there living their big, goofy lives. But they will throw down if they feel threatened. So respect their turf, give them space, and do not try to pet one for the ’gram.

It’s always important to remember that it’s their forest. We’re just visiting.