Moment two men are charged by huge MOOSE in Montana after taunting the beast and ignoring warnings: Local brands them 'the dumbest people I've ever met in my life'

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Two tourists in Montana were charged at by a moose after taunting the animal and ignoring warnings from a local to step back.

Video of the incident was recorded by Jason Holfensperger and shows the pair mocking his advice by continuing to approach.

Immediately after one of the two men touches the back of the moose, he slips on the ice and the agitated animal charges towards him.

The video was recorded in Big Sky, southern Montana, on the evening of March 29.

Two tourists in Big Sky, Montana, taunted a moose and a man advising them to leave be

The video, recorded on March 29, captured the moment the moose reacted by charging at the man which eventually touched it

'It's a god damn wild animal, get the f**k away from it,' Holfensperger told the two, who responded by laughing and mocking the warning.

'Is it your moose?' one of the two men ask.

'It's not my moose but it's a goddamn wild animal,' responded Holfensperger.

The two both slowly shuffle towards the moose to taunt him. 'A little closer, a little closer,' one of them said provocatively.

'Let it be wild. You don't have to... Christ, you guys must be the dumbest people I've ever met in my life,' said Holfensperger. 'Go ahead, try. Go ahead, try. See what happens.'

'You wish it would hit me right now,' said one of the men.

Eventually one of them makes contact with the animal before trying to flee. The moose turned towards him and began to charge. As he did the man fell over and scrambled on all fours in an attempt to get back to his feet. 

As the moose moved towards the downed man with its head down, Holfensperger, was heard shouting, 'Get him!'

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game advises that although moose are generally peaceful they can pose a threat. Pictured is a moose in snow in Jasper, Canada

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game advises that although moose are generally peaceful they can pose a threat.

'When people repeatedly approach them or chase them away, moose become stressed and agitated. Each moose has a different tolerance level, but if they are harassed enough, many moose will respond aggressively,' it advises.

Moose are common across North America, including in almost all of Canada and north and northeastern parts of the United States. It has often been reported that moose are even more dangerous than bears because there are many more of them. 

The moose is one of the largest deer species and can reach 7-foot tall and weigh more than 1,500 pounds. They can also run at around 25 mph, which is at least twice the speed of the average human.

'Fortunately most moose charges are bluffs, warning you to stay back.' wrote the ADFG. 'But if a moose does charge, don't wait to find out if it's bluffing. Run.' 

Earlier this year a woman walking her dog was viciously trampled by a rogue moose in a freak encounter in Anchorage, Alaska.