My most intense moment in the woods took place this past hunting season.

My father had been attacked by two bull moose two days before this happened. We were hunting in an area I had scouted, and I was fully aware of the overabundant moose population.......but I failed to realize they had zero fear of people. It seems they have hardly any human contact, and therefore no fear whatsoever of people.

I had already filled my deer tag for the year, but took my rifle with me in case I might see a bear or coyote. I intended to make my way to a remote location and build a fire to sit by for the day, while marking it by GPS for future reference. After I had the fire going, I was walking around gathering wood - when I heard very loud footsteps and breaking branches. I looked up to see a cow moose staring me down.

Normally this wouldn't have concerned me, but knowing my father's experience with the rogue bulls I was a little nervous. The moose could have reached me faster than I could reach my rifle. I jumped up on a log, waved my hand in the air, and yelled "GIT!"
The cow just looked at me and walked a few steps closer. Then I heard another moose moving in my direction from behind a small knoll........I thought "great, here comes the bull.....now I'm screwed!"

Finally it's head peers over the top of the knoll and I see it is a calf. Now I feel a little better, but both of them are still closer to me than I am to my rifle. And no matter how loud I yell, clap my hands, and jump up and down, they don't budge. They take a few steps closer, the cow eyeing me hard. I jump off the log and run at her (while yeliing *&*#$^##%) and finally they both ease off a few feet. I kept running, turning towards the firs and grabbing my rifle.

The cow made a bluff charge, and I brought the rifle up, centering the crosshairs between her eyes. I did not want to shoot, but was prepared to if need be. I considered firing a shot in the air, but decided not to, and instead I charged at them again.....this time with my rifle ready. The calf took off at a gallop, and the cow ran and then stopped......looking back at me before taking off down the trail.

That was the most nervous I have ever been around wild animals.....moose are more dangerous than any bear, and deserve respect! In fact, a huge bull charged my vehicle last fall and totalled it!