Add organization

Are moose dangerous in Norway?

How to behave near a moose, when it can attack and the risk on the roads.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

Moose in Norway are normally shy, but a cow with a calf can be easily provoked, and moose are a real traffic hazard. Keep your distance, as 50 metres can already be too close. In 2025–2026, 997 moose were killed by motor vehicles and 331 by trains, according to SSB.

a shield icon with a check mark next to a tent and a small no-campfire sign on a green hillside

Why

  1. Nesodden municipality's advice on moose in residential areas says moose are normally shy, but a cow with a calf can be much more easily provoked than a bull.
  2. Store norske leksikon says most moose calves are born in June, some in late May, and a cow with newborn calves stays close to them, ready to defend them physically.
  3. Statens vegvesen says most collisions between vehicles and moose happen from autumn to spring, and most wildlife collisions occur at dusk or dawn.

Details

In Norway, moose have traditionally been most common in Trøndelag and eastern Norway, and hunters shot 26,609 moose in the 2025–2026 season, according to SSB. Before a moose attacks, it normally gives repeated warnings, so watch its body language and move away if it seems irritated. Never send a dog after a moose. If you hit a moose, set up a warning triangle and call the police on 02800, since failing to report a collision is an offence.

Tip

When you see a moose, there is no reason to walk closer: go around it or wait until it has moved on.

What may differ

Take extra care near cows with calves in late spring and early summer, when the calves are born. On the roads, the risk is highest from autumn to spring and at dusk and dawn.

People also ask

  • Are there moose in Norway?
  • Is it dangerous to meet a moose?

Sources

Information checked on 15 October 2026.

  • Are there mosquitoes and midges in Norway?

    Mosquitoes and biting midges are common in Norway in summer, but in Norway their bites are harmless, although they itch and can swell.

    Checked at:

  • Is dumpster diving legal in Norway?

    Dumpster diving is generally not legal in Norway, because the bins usually stand on private property and the waste belongs to the business until it is collected.

    Checked at:

  • Do police officers in Norway carry guns?

    Yes, Norwegian police officers have generally carried firearms on duty since 1 July 2025, within limits set by the Norwegian Police Directorate (Politidirektoratet).

    Checked at:

  • Are there many homeless people in Oslo?

    The City of Oslo counted 1,459 homeless households in its own survey in late 2024, using the national definition of homelessness.

    Checked at:
Help