Lek is a territorial mating strategy, which is widely spread amongst males in the fallow deer, Dama dama high-density population. A group of fallow deer was studied where males exhibit a mixed mating system with territorial (single temporary stands, leks) and non-territorial strategies during the rut. Reproductive success was estimated indirectly by counting females/minute held per male on both the lek and single temporary stands. In contrast to other reports, males on leks were accompanied with significantly less females compared to those on single temporary stands. The results suggest that under specific conditions (over-abundance of adult males compared to females) attracting females on the lek need not be the most effective one.