Michigan Drivers Beware: Moose Are Hitting Highways

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), 60 moose have been killed in vehicle collisions in the last four years — mostly on highways in Baraga, Marquette, and Iron Counties. The DNR says most crashes happen in September and October, when bull moose are distracted by love and not, apparently, by oncoming traffic.

Moose vs Deer: Why Moose Crashes Are Worse

Unlike deer, which are no fun to collide with, a moose can total your ride — or at least give you a terrifying story to tell at work. While nearly every Michigan driver has a tale about meeting Bambi on a back road, only a select few have encountered Bullwinkle in the wild. Thankfully, no human deaths have been reported, though the odds aren't great when you meet a literal half-ton animal at 65 mph.

Michigan ranks fourth in the nation for deer collisions, with over 58,000 in 2024 alone, resulting in an average of $130 million in damage each year. But at least our deer don't tower over our cars like something out of "Jurassic Park: Yooper Edition."

So next time you're complaining about hitting a deer (or, more accurately, a deer hitting your car), remember — somewhere in Marquette, there's a driver wondering if they just hit a moose...or if the moose hit them.

RELATED: UPDATE New Data: Michigan Car - Deer Collisions By County

What Drivers Need to Know

Moral of the story: whether it's deer in the Lower Peninsula or moose in the U.P., the DNR advises all drivers to slow down, stay alert, and don't be the person with a story about hitting a moose.