It has been hypothesized that a balanced adult sex ratio is necessary for the fullparticipation of ungulate females in reproduction and therefore high productivity.We tested this general hypothesis by combining two complementary approaches. First, using telemetry (n†à†60) and annual aerial censuses between 1995 and1998, we compared two moose Alces alces populations in Quebec, Canada, onenon-harvested and the other subject to intensive sport harvesting from the end ofSeptember to mid-October. We tested the following predictions for the harvestedpopulation: (i) females increase movements and home ranges during the matingperiod; (ii) the mating system is modicated, with the appearance of groups of onemale and many females; (iii) subadult males participate in reproduction; (iv) themating period extends over two to three oestrus cycles; (v) the calving periodextends over several months; and (vi) productivity declines. Daily movements and home range sizes during the mating period did not differ between harvested and non-harvested populations. Most groups observed weremale±female pairs. Subadult males (1
5±2
5 years old) were only observed withfemales in the harvested population. Mating and calving periods did not di€erbetween populations. The proportion of females that gave birth and the number ofcalves produced were also comparable in the two populations.

Alces alces, conservation, productivity, sex ratio, timing of reproduction