Sometimes, you get what you deserve.
You just don’t mess with animals, especially one of the largest animals to roam our forests.
Moose are the largest members of the deer family. The average male moose can weigh up to 1,200 pounds, while the average female moose can weigh up to 800 pounds. Male moose grow paddle shaped antlers every year, which can span up to six feet across.
Moose are well adapted to life in the winter and have several unique adaptations to help them survive. One of these adaptations is their thick fur, which helps to insulate them from the cold. Moose also have long, powerful legs that allow them to move through deep snow and they are able to swim through icy water to reach food. But, these harsh conditions still take their toll, leading to increased mortality rates.
Snowmobiling is a popular winter activity to get people outside during the cold months. These machines allow people to get deep into the woods in areas they would never be able to reach without. Riding them through the snow creates beat down paths.
Animals use these sled trails as a resting point where it is easier from them to walk. They always search for the easiest path, especially during the winter.
And while moose generally will avoid people, if they feel threatened, they will attack. Especially when a female moose (cow), has a young calf with her.
These guys are seen filming as the go along a trail on their sleds, with a moose running full tilt in front of them on the trail.
Admitting that they have never seen a moose up close, the snowmobilers don’t let up and keep on going, pushing the moose to run further to safety. The moose is afraid and tired… not a good combo.
The moose stops as it has enough of the running, and finally turns towards them as they come to a halt too. It walks towards the sled with its ears straight back, a clear sign of its anger.
The sledder, gets his machine between to moose and himself. He tries to back away but the moose charges him, throwing a few good kicks to the man’s back. The man runs and gets behind his buddy as the moose then stares them down before deciding to get out of there.
Lesson learned… idiots.
Snowmobiler Shoots Charging Moose From His Sled
You just can’t make this stuff up.
Thank goodness for the new helmet cams because it makes it so even more crazy stuff is caught on camera when people are just out and about enjoying life.
Moose, or any animal who doesn’t hibernate for that matter, have it rough throughout the winter months.
They don’t have jackets, houses to stay in, or fire to keep them warm… they’re really just out here roughing it the whole time.
For a moose, food becomes scarcer, meaning they have to expend extra energy constantly just to survive all while wading chest deep in snow.
Then they come across a free and clear area like a road or trail and everything that comes across it is trying to move it out of the way. They’re hungry, they’re cold, they’re pissed… and now they gotta move?
Needless to say, moose can be some of the most aggressive mammals in North America when the situation is right… or, wrong.
That being said, you can’t help but feel slightly bad for the moose in this video.
Often times moose only charge because they are angry. They wear their emotions, much like humans. They don’t want to, but if they feel threatened and mad, they’re coming for ya.
As the snowmobiler slows up and starts to yell at the moose who is staring at him, you know this is the case. The moose just wants a few minutes of rest time of this nice trail through the woods.
At no fault of his own, the snowmobiler wants the moose out his way. He even has good practice, stays far back and uses noise to his advantage.
The moose comes in charging as the sledder yells for his life. He catches amazing footage and gets very lucky as the moose charges and lets out a fury of kicks at him. The moose backs off as the man stumbles to grab something.
He pulls out a Glock, which isn’t the most common tool to have in the woods on a snowmobile but it’s a good thing he did. He pleads for the moose to stop but it won’t listen.
As it runs at him again he shoots a warning at its feet as it keeps charging. The man chooses his life over the moose, and rightfully so. He outs four quick shots into the moose, dropping it down as he speeds past it to get out of the dangerous situation.
This video caused a bit of outrage and I understand why, but this man protected himself and the person he was with. They can cause serious harm a person, and for some reason this moose wasn’t backing down.
And as far as not taking some of the meat, trust me… that moose fed a number of animals that night, and I’d venture to guess that not much of it was left by the next day.
