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Tourist Plays Dead After Moose Charge In Jackson Hole

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Author Linnea H, BSc Sociology

TouronsOfYellowstone/ Instagram

A man in Jackson Hole had a dangerous encounter with a bull moose after approaching the animal and seemingly attempting to pet it. The moose stood up, turned its attention to the man, and made an aggressive move. The man quickly hit the ground, and fortunately, the moose lost interest and walked away. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential danger in getting too close to wild animals, even when they seem calm.

Foolish Approach

Tourist Plays Dead After Moose Charge In Jackson Hole
TouronsOfYellowstone/ Instagram

The man approached the moose, seemingly unaware of the potential danger.

Moose’s Reaction

Tourist Plays Dead After Moose Charge In Jackson Hole
TouronsOfYellowstone/ Instagram

The moose stood up and turned its attention to the man, showing signs of agitation.

Quick Reflexes

Tourist Plays Dead After Moose Charge In Jackson Hole
TouronsOfYellowstone/ Instagram

The man quickly hit the ground as the moose made an aggressive move.

Moose Walks Away

Tourist Plays Dead After Moose Charge In Jackson Hole
TouronsOfYellowstone/ Instagram

Thankfully, the moose lost interest and walked away peacefully.

Capturing the Moment

Tourist Plays Dead After Moose Charge In Jackson Hole
TouronsOfYellowstone/ Instagram

Despite the danger, the man managed to capture the incident on his phone.

General Advice

Tourist Plays Dead After Moose Charge In Jackson Hole
TouronsOfYellowstone/ Instagram
  • Moose aren’t inherently aggressive but will defend themselves if they perceive a threat.
  • Enjoy viewing them from a distance.

Specific Guidelines

Dark moose. Image via Depositphotos
  • Give Moose Plenty of Room: Especially around cows with calves.
  • Pay Attention to Surroundings: Moose blend in well and can be hard to see.
  • Keep It Calm: If the moose hasn’t detected you, keep it that way.
  • Move Away Slowly: If the moose knows you’re there, talk softly and move away.
  • Avoid Aggression: Convince the moose you aren’t a threat.
  • Take Cover or Run: If you think the moose will charge, take cover or run.

Signs of Upset

moose
Dark moose in the field. Image via Depositphotos.
  • Ears Laid Back and Hackles Up: Likely to charge.
  • Bluff Charge: A warning to get back, which should be taken seriously.

What to Do if Charged

Dark moose in the wetland. Image via Depositphotos.
  • Run: Unlike with bears, it’s okay to run from a moose.
  • Curl Up if Knocked Down: Protect your head and stay still.
  • Wait for Safety: Only move once the moose has backed off to a safe distance.

Respect Wildlife

Alaska moose
A bull moose in South Fork Eagle River, Alaska. Image via Paxson Woelber, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance is crucial for safety.

Awareness and Education

Brown moose, family of albino moose. Image via Depositphotos.

Educate yourself on how to handle encounters with wild animals.

Follow Guidelines

Moose
Moose in Tierpark Oberwald (Karlsruhe, Germany). Image via MartinThoma, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Follow safety guidelines provided by the National Parks Service to ensure both human and animal safety.

Conclusion

Moose
Moose (Alces alces), Chugach State Park, Alaska, United States. Image via Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The man’s close encounter with a bull moose in Jackson Hole highlights the importance of respecting wildlife and following safety guidelines. While the incident ended without injury, it serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of approaching wild animals too closely.

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