A startled or frightened moose will crash noisily headlong through the brush. Its antlers do not become entangled in dense thickets when it runs because it holds its head back so the antlers lie along the shoulders and the branches are pushed aside. The timber wolf is the most serious predator of moose in the Northwest Territories, but when the moose population is thriving, wolves act more as a culling agent for old or diseased animals and weakened calves. A single wolf is no match for a healthy moose, which uses all four powerful legs to strike an opponent. A group of more than four or five wolves can, however, pull down and kill a large moose.
Wolves often detect moose by scent.
When the moose becomes aware of danger, it can either stand and fight or run. An adult, healthy moose is usually more than a match for a small number of wolves. However, if the moose decides to run, wolves give chase and attempt to slow the moose by grabbing it by the nose, rump, or hocks. An organized attack by a large group of hungry wolves is often fatal for the moose. During the rut, in late September and early October, bulls become unpredictable and dangerous.