A mature bull moose weighs between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds and stands 6 to 7 feet tall at the shoulder.
A bull moose is one of the biggest land animals in North America. Just how big? A big bull can weigh as much as a grand piano and stand taller than most doorframes.
How Big Is a Bull Moose?
Average Bull Moose Weight
Most bull moose fall in the 1,200 to 1,600-pound range, depending on subspecies and age. Weight also swings with the season — bulls pack on fat before the rut, then burn through it fast during mating season.
Average Bull Moose Height at the Shoulder
A bull moose typically stands 6 to 7 feet at the shoulder. Add the head and antlers, and a moose at full alert can tower well over that. For comparison, an average front door is about 6.5 to 7 feet tall — a big bull moose can match that height at the shoulder alone.
Largest Bull Moose Ever Recorded
The largest bull moose ever recorded weighed 1,808 pounds and stood 7 feet 8 inches tall, according to Guinness World Records. It was an Alaska moose, taken in 1897. That’s still the benchmark hunters and biologists measure every giant bull against today.
More Posts: Moose Sizes by Species: Weight, Height & Length
Bull Moose Size by Subspecies
Alaska Bull Moose Size
The Alaska moose (also called the Yukon moose) is the biggest subspecies on Earth. Bulls stand nearly 7 feet at the shoulder and weigh between 1,200 and 1,800 pounds. This is the moose most people picture when they think “giant.”
Northwestern (Western Canada) Bull Moose Size
The Northwestern moose ranks second in size. Bulls can top 6.5 feet at the shoulder and weigh close to 1,600 pounds. They live across western Canada and small pockets of Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Eastern Bull Moose Size
Eastern moose bulls reach around 6 feet tall and weigh up to 1,400 pounds. They’re found in Maine, New England, and eastern Canada — smaller than the Alaska moose but still massive compared to almost every other North American mammal.
Shiras Bull Moose Size
The Shiras moose is the smallest subspecies, but “small” is relative here. Bulls still weigh up to 1,200 pounds and stand about 6 feet at the shoulder. They roam the Rocky Mountains, including Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.
Bull Moose vs. Cow Moose Size Comparison
Weight Difference Between Bull and Cow Moose
Bull moose typically outweigh cow moose by 300 to 500 pounds. Cows generally weigh 800 to 1,300 pounds, while bulls range from 1,200 to 1,800 pounds.
Height and Body Frame Differences
Bulls also carry a bulkier frame through the shoulders and neck. Cows are leaner and slightly shorter at the shoulder, built more for mobility and calf-rearing than raw mass.
Why Bull Moose Grow So Much Larger
Bulls need extra size and muscle to compete during the rut (mating season), when males clash head-to-head for breeding rights. Bigger bulls win more fights and pass on their genes, which drives the size gap over generations.
More Posts: Alaska Yukon Moose Size, Weight, Height, Length & Antlers
Bull Moose Size Comparison to Other Animals
Bull Moose vs. Elk Size
A bull elk stands about 5 feet at the shoulder and weighs 600 to 1,000 pounds. A bull moose is roughly 2 feet taller and can weigh twice as much. Even a small Shiras bull moose outweighs most bull elk.
Bull Moose vs. Horse Size
An average thoroughbred horse stands about 5 feet 4 inches at the withers. A bull moose beats that by over a foot. Even record-setting draft horses, some of the tallest ever measured, barely match the height of the biggest Alaska bulls.
Bull Moose vs. Human Size
The average American man stands 5 feet 9 inches and weighs about 200 pounds. A bull moose can be over a foot taller and outweigh him by 1,000 pounds or more. Standing next to a mature bull, most people barely reach its shoulder.
Bull Moose vs. Bison Size
Bison actually outweigh moose, reaching up to 2,000 pounds. But bison stand only about 6 feet at the shoulder — shorter than a big bull moose. Moose win on height; bison win on raw weight.
Bull Moose vs. Elephant Size
There’s no contest here. An African elephant can reach 13 feet tall and weigh up to 14,000 pounds — nearly 10 times heavier than the biggest bull moose. Moose are giants in North America, but elephants are in a different league entirely.
Bull Moose Antler Size Comparison
Average Bull Moose Antler Spread
A trophy Alaska bull typically carries a spread of 60 to 70 inches. Canada moose (Eastern and Northwestern) trophies usually run closer to 50 inches, while a big Shiras bull spread lands around 40 inches.
Record-Breaking Bull Moose Antlers
The largest antler spread ever documented on a hunted bull reached 80 inches — over 6.5 feet wide. That’s wider than most adult humans are tall.
How Fast Bull Moose Antlers Grow
Bull moose regrow their entire rack every single year. During peak growth in summer, a bull can add up to a pound of antler bone per day, gaining as much as 80 pounds of antler in just a few months.
More Posts: Shiras Moose Size, Weight, Height, Antlers & How It Compares to Other Moose
FAQ’s About Bull Moose Size
How much does a bull moose weigh?
A bull moose weighs 1,200 to 1,600 pounds on average. The largest ever recorded weighed 1,808 pounds.
How tall is a bull moose at the shoulder?
A bull moose stands 6 to 7 feet tall at the shoulder. The tallest ever measured was 7 feet 8 inches.
What is the biggest bull moose ever recorded?
The biggest bull moose ever recorded was an Alaska moose weighing 1,808 pounds and standing 7 feet 8 inches tall.
Are bull moose bigger than elk?
Yes. A bull moose is roughly 2 feet taller and can weigh twice as much as a bull elk.
Hi, I’m Natalie Collins, the admin at MooseSizes.com. We simplify animal sizes, measurements, and wildlife comparisons with easy-to-follow guides, useful size charts, and accurate information to help you understand animal dimensions with confidence.
