An analysis of the influence of male age and sex ratio on reproduction in British Columbia moose (Alces alces L.) populations

Relations among bull age, sex ratio and reproductive parameters in British Columbia moose populations were investigated. Specifically, the effects that bull age-selective harvest regulations versus non-selective harvest regulations might have on pregnancy rate, conception timing, and recruitment were compared. Existing harvest, inventory, and reproductive data from four management subregions were analyzed. There was no evidence that reductions in the prime and senior-aged bull social classes in a population resulted in reduced pregnancy rates or later conception timing. No evidence was found that greatly skewed sex ratios in favour of cows resulted in reduced pregnancy rates. No relation was found between bull/100 cow ratios and calf/100 cows in the winter inventory.Forestry, Faculty ofGraduat