Hope this guy has moose-related-incidents covered by his car insurance.
I don’t know what was going through the mind of this mother moose as it rocketed right towards a parked car, but I’m assuming it decided to play chicken with the SUV for good reason. And honestly, I’m surprised that the damage wasn’t worse considering how large (and in charge) this moose was.
Bull moose can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand over six feet tall at the shoulder. Cow moose (females), on the other hand, usually weigh around 1,000 pounds and stand over five feet tall at the shoulder. These massive creatures are the largest members of the deer family and the second largest animal to roam North America.
They also apparently don’t understand how cars work. That could be said for most animals I suppose, but the moose in this video really showcased that they have no accident avoidance instinct whatsoever. I don’t want to group all moose in this category, but this cow isn’t helping the brand, if you catch my drift.
Though we don’t know exactly where this video was taken, the person who took the video – named Josh Caldwell – says he’s had plenty of run ins with moose over the years. It appears that he was out running some of his hunting dogs when he and a mama moose came to a head on a dirt trail.
Based upon the moose’s behavior, the dogs in the area triggered her fight response, and she came running right at them and the parked SUV the man was sitting in. She either built up too much momentum to stop, or it was her plan the entire time… but she barreled right into the front right of the vehicle. Perhaps she didn’t see the car… moose are known for not having the best vision, which is why they will often charge first and ask questions later if they feel threatened.
Caldwell couldn’t believe it, and he’s certainly grateful that he got it on video for the rest of the world to see. He posted the video to Instagram with the caption:
“Big momma decided that they wanted a ride in the Toyota today! I have had a few run in with moose over the years but usually if you just stop and go the other way they leave you alone! Today was a different story!”
What an incredible video… I’d like to see what that front right bumper (and headlight) looks like.
Some people in the comments blamed Caldwell for having his dogs out and about. Others were simply mesmerized by the mother moose’s power and willingness to run full steam ahead into the SUV.
“I braced for impact just watching that.”
“That cow probably had a calf nearby.”
“All moms like to take rides in Toyotas.”
“The only time someone can tell the truth to the insurance company that a moose did, indeed, run into their vehicle.”
“The moose literally drifted.”
“These mommas are just doing what they can to protect their little ones.”
Yeah, no kidding… this one was willing to square up with an SUV and put a dent in it. Just goes to show there’s nothing a mother won’t do to protect her offspring. Thankfully the dogs weren’t harmed during the encounter… moose will easily stomp out a dog, and the result can be devastating. That being said… she probably could’ve bluff charged here and saved herself and the car owner a lot of trouble.
