About the Journal
Alces
A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose (Alces alces)
Annual meetings of the North American Moose Conference and Workshop began in 1963 and a brief summary of events was circulated in mimeographed form. The first formal publication of The Proceedings followed the 5th meeting in Alaska in 1968. Regular annual issues were not produced until 1972 (considered Vol. 8). The new name Alces was adopted for the journal in 1981 (Vol. 17) and the present double-column format was begun in 1988 (Vol. 24). The majority of manuscripts still arise from the Annual Meeting but an increasing proportion are submitted year-round from researchers in Canada, U.S.A., Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Russia, and China. All submissions are peer reviewed before acceptance.
The first permanent editor of the "moose journal" was Harold Cumming, School of Forestry, Lakehead University (1978-82), followed by Patrick Karns, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (1983-85). From 1986 - 1997, Vols. 22 - 33 were co-edited by Murray Lankester, Department of Biology, Lakehead University, and Tim Timmermann, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Thunder Bay. A Board of Associate Editors comprised of distinguished moose researchers was formally established in 1996. Warren Ballard (Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas) and Art Rodgers (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research, Thunder Bay) co-edited Vols. 34 - 37 (1998 - 2001). Vince Crichton (Manitoba Conservation, Winnipeg, Manitoba), James Peek (University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho), and Art Rodgers co-edited Vol. 34 (2), which included papers from the 4th International Moose Symposium held at Fairbanks, Alaska, in May 1997. Art Rodgers edited Vol. 38 (2002). Volumes 39-43 were co-edited by Art Rodgers and Gerry Redmond (Maritime College of Forest Technology, Fredericton, New Brunswick). The structure of the Alces Editorial Board was revised following the 43rd North American Moose Conference and Workshop in 2007. Art Rodgers assumed the responsibilities of Alces Business Editor. Peter Pekins (University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire) became the Chief Editor of Alces and Gerry Redmond took on the role of Submissions Editor for Vols. 44 - 47. In 2011, Roy Rea (University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia) became the Alces Submissions Editor. In 2024, Pete Pekins retired, and Rich Harris (University of Montana) was selected to be the new Chief Editor of Alces.
The journal has been produced in the Lakehead University Print Shop since 1978 (Vol.14). Articles are published online, available at the Alces website, free of charge. Each year, a small number of copies are printed and sent to institutional, government, and personal subscribers. Off-prints of individual articles can be purchased by authors.. The journal is self-supporting, with the occasional donation from hosting jurisdictions and individuals. As of 2024, page charges are $50.00 CDN/pg) and are levied to cover rising production costs. Back issues of Alces are available through the Lakehead University Alumni Bookstore.
