How Many Men Would It Take to Defeat a Moose in Hand-to-Hand Combat?

“That moose is [bleeping] huge.”

If you’ve ever encountered a moose in the wild, you know they’re not to be messed with. Towering nearly 8 feet tall and weighing in at over 1,500 pounds, these massive mammals are more than just majestic — they’re terrifying. Country singer Colby Acuff knows this all too well, having had several close encounters with moose in his home state of Idaho.

So it’s probably not surprising that he’s developed a bit of a fascination with the question:

How many people would it take to take down a moose in hand-to-hand combat?

Acuff recently posed this hypothetical during an interview, clarifying that the fight would involve no weapons — just people versus moose. One interviewer responded with a pop culture reference, comparing the challenge to taking down an AT-AT from Star Wars. “You’d have to go for the legs,” they said. “But even that might not be enough.”

That’s when Colby delivered his number: 30 people.

“I always say 30,” he explained. “Because when it starts, it’s going to be heinous.”

The response stunned the interviewer, who admitted they might not fully grasp just how large and powerful a moose really is. According to Acuff, that’s the point — people consistently underestimate them. He joked that moose are strong enough to match the force of 30 men, which may sound exaggerated, but after hearing his near-miss stories, you might think twice before calling it hyperbole.

Moose aren’t typically aggressive, but they’re certainly capable of defending themselves with surprising speed and strength. Every year, there are reports of people and even vehicles being charged or damaged by moose — especially if the animal feels threatened or is protecting a calf.

While Acuff’s scenario is obviously tongue-in-cheek, it’s rooted in real respect for a creature that dominates any forest it wanders through. And maybe that’s the point: Don’t mess with a moose — even if you’ve got 29 friends backing you up.