Moose Rutting Season

Moose Rut Season


The Active Moose Rut Season Time and Duration

The active peak of rutting season for moose is the first two weeks of October. Farther North in the hemisphere is earlier as South is a bit later.

Early in September, however, even though no mating occurs, moose cows behavior changes towards bulls that begins to allow courtship. Bull moose come down from altitudes into the valleys and cows will socialize with bulls for the purpose of reproduction. Moose may be witnessed in small groups at this stage. Fights among bulls at this time may be possible as they begin to compete for the right to court cows.

During this early rutting phase, bulls and cows can be heard vocalizing sounds that are not usually heard at other times of the year. Moose Bulls are normally quiet, but as the rutting season starts, bull moose will announce their presence with a low-frequency grunting or gulping sounds that many call a croak.



Beginning of the Moose Rut

In the first two weeks of October, bulls will court cows for mating purposes. The largest and heaviest of the Deer family may still be seen in groups during this time, with both Bulls and Cows potentially competing for mates. Moose Bulls will chase off or even fight rivals for mating rights, while cows that occupy the same area may also chase each other away from a favourite bull moose.

While cow moose are in estrous the bulls will stay in the area, mating several times to ensure successful breeding happens.



Moose Rut Season Videos




2 Big Bulls Meet - The End of the Moose Rut »

Expecting a possible Battle/Fight between two Big Bull Moose, the Fact that the Cow is no longer in Estrus kept this situation a little more relaxed and possibly even Playful. These two Big Bulls obviously know each other well as they appear to have worked out who the Boss is in a previous Fight. One seemed to want to Play, while the Other was a little more cautious.




Magnificent Bull Moose Courting Cow During the Rut »

This Magnificent Bull Moose Courts a Cow nearing the end of the Moose Rut. There was not a lot of vocalization, but a close look at the Flehmen response can be seen.




Huge Bull Moose Pursues Receptive Cow during the Moose Rut »

This Big Bull Moose is being very Vocal while He Pursues a Receptive Cow during the Moose Rut. It was a Beautiful October Evening for time with these Magnificent Creatures. This is one of the Best captures of Rutting Moose Bull Vocalizations we have to date.




Huge Bull Moose Courting Cow During the Rut »

We were lucky to witness this huge bull courting a receptive cow during the Moose Rut. The active peak of rutting season for moose is generally the first two weeks of October. Farther North in the hemisphere is earlier as South is a bit later. Moose bulls may court cows for several days during their mating season. The largest and heaviest of the Deer family can often be seen in groups during this time, with both Bulls and Cows potentially competing for mates. Moose Bulls will chase off or even fight rivals for mating rights, while cows that occupy the same area may also chase each other away from a favorite bull moose. You can hear some vocalizations between the bull and cow along with seeing some very rare behavior in these gentle giants.




Big Bull Moose with Broken Antler Courting and Young Bulls Sparring During the Rut »

Big Bull Moose with one broken antler likely due to a fight with the larger Bull, also seen here courting a cow during the rut. Two younger Bulls also stayed in the mix following the largest Bull and Cow with persistence. These two young fellas performed a bit of sparring exercise that shows quite a difference in size between the two. Another Cow(was with the Bull with one antler) gives us a great demonstration of her reach in these beautiful Fall colors. All of these Moose were in very close proximity to each other.




Big Bull Moose pursuing Cow with Calf and an Extra Arrival during the Moose Rut »

The third Big Bull Moose pursuing a cow with a calf during the Moose Rut. You can hear lots of vocalizations between the Cow and Bull in this video. Most cow moose during the rut have an estrous cycle that lasts 24-25 days, however, cows may only be receptive to bulls for a brief 15-27 hour period. Here, the Big Bull smells the urine of this cow and follows with his Flehmen Response.. which is how a Bull Moose investigates the cow's readiness to mate. This Big Bull continued to pursue the Cow, but another arrival caused them all to take a step back. The arrival of another young large Bull caused a bit of a gentle dance and lots more vocalizations, but no real conflicts as He moved off shortly after seeing the larger Bull. All of these gentle Giants looked very healthy and happy, which is wonderful to witness.




Moose Cow Running her Calf Away During the Rut »

This Moose Calf was gone the very next day. Moose calves will stay with their Mother at least until breeding season in their second year of growth. Once estrus starts during Moose rutting season, a moose cow will often chase away her young bull calf in it's second year, while female moose calves may stay with or near their mothers for several years. Moose mothers typically do not chase female calves away; rather they will eventually wander away, but almost always stay near their home territory. Sorry for some blur and darkness(it was late).. these were not ideal conditions and we wanted to give lots of room.




Bull Moose Warming Up for The Rutting Season in Canada's Rockies »

An amazing Bull Moose Warming Up for His Rut Season in Canada's Rockies. You can hear him communicating if you listen closely. This Bull Moose spent some time with 2 different females within just a couple hours in one day, but the companionship didn't last yet on this day.




Big Bull Moose with Cow and Calf During the Rut »

The second Mating Pair seen this Moose Rut, with this being the Largest Bull Moose seen in this area of the Canadian Rockies. All three looking very Healthy, this happy big Calf is possibly his as well. They spent a few days together before being seen mating and later in that evening, this big Bull decided to move on to another territory in search of another Cow.. disappearing in the forest after using this bridge to cross the river. You can hear some of the vocalizations between this Bull and Cow in the video.




The Gentle Giant Moose in a Canadian Rockies Fall »

The Gentle Giant of Canada's Rockies; here are several Moose during the Fall and around the Rutting Season. The beginning offers an opportunity to hear some vocalizing between a Bull and Cow during an encounter.




Three Healthy Bulls Entering the Moose Rut »

Three of the Healthiest Bull Moose we have seen in this small area, at one time. This year, the Canadian Rockies rainfall seemed to be above normal and temperatures were a little warmer, enabling moose vegetation to be available longer. Even higher altitudes showed thick green grass and trees up until just a few days ago(of these captures). For Moose here, this was very good, as they are certainly looking more Healthy and Heavier than normally seen in this area of Canada's Rockies. These three amazing specimens are currently occupying overlapping territories that will likely cause paths to cross during the Rut again very shortly.







Moose Rut in Canada

Moose Rut Season Captured in Nature on Video..

View more Moose(Alces alces) rutting season videos with Wildlife On Video.

Popular Moose Rut Videos »
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All Moose Rut Season Videos

Moose Rut
We were lucky to witness this huge bull courting a receptive cow during the Moose Rut. The active peak of rutting season for moose is generally the first two weeks of October. Farther North in the hemisphere is earlier as South is a bit later. Moose bulls may court cows for several days during their mating season. The largest and heaviest of the Deer family can often be seen in groups during this time, with both Bulls and Cows potentially competing for mates. Moose Bulls will chase off or even fight rivals for mating rights, while cows that occupy the same area may also chase each other away from a favorite bull moose. You can hear some vocalizations between the bull and cow along with seeing some very rare behavior in these gentle giants.

More Moose Rut Encounters:   5

Moose Rut Season