Now calling them just deer is an understatement. 3.The buck has a tendency to drag its feet across the ground whereas the doe picks up its feet when moving so it leaves behind a more ordered track. The Mule deer are often a lot larger than their whitetail counterparts. That way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like body type, and less-obvious ways, like species. In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. Many different species and subspecies of deer live across North America. 7+6+3=16. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. Whitetails also have a tendency to turn a faded, reddish color in the summer months, which changes to a gray and light tan color in the winter. Copyright 2023 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit information. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. Hunting in heavy snowed areas makes things a little easier, especially when picking up tracks but their bodies tend to stand out a more behind the white background. First there are estrus doe bleats, which they make when they're in heat but there aren't any bucks around. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. White-tailed deer antlers usually have prominent brow tines, and tines that split once directly off the main beam. Its often said that, despite the mule deers size advantage, a whitetail will win a fight between the two nine times out of 10. A white- tail/mule deer hybrid has metatarsal glands that split the difference in location, appearance and length (between 2 to 4 inches). If youre going out hunting mule deer or whitetail, make sure you know the difference between the two so you dont end up shooting the wrong one. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. With muleys being available to hunt across 16 states, it is obvious they can be found across all types of terrain. Their antlers are appealing, because of the velvety fur covering those. Whitehead, Jr., C. J. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. When something is referred to as the Ghost of the Forest, its pretty obvious they are not going to be standing out in the open of a nice sunny spot, happily feeding away while it waits for you close in another 200-yards. Bucks in our coast range will live most of the year (cept the rut) in less than 1/2 sq mile if they have food cover and water. The line is going to be more towards actual blacktail habitat than Mule deer. Their antler pattern is very similar, but there is a big difference in the length of the metatarsal gland a gland that produces breeding season scents, located above the mid-point of the shank on their hind legs. are interesting. The black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. Located on the outside of the hind leg, the length of this gland varies between species . And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. All in all, the white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer are very different creatures. Whether they are the same or not there are definitely some differences in their appearance and habitats. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. If black-tailed deer were to migrate south, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly. Their size diversity isnt much diversity at all, with most adult males reaching 200 to 205lbs. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. Mule deer are broken into many subspecies, and technically they are a subspecies of Blacktail deer. Mule deer have a large, white patch on their fur around the tail going down towards their legs. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. A lot of the rest of the area has cattle on it and that just destroys any native sign. Theyre also in British Columbia, Canada, and portions of Alaska. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. Thanks Orygun. Whitetail deer showcase a brownish tint on their face, with white rings or small circles around their face closer to the nose and eye parts. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs black-tailed deer? Whitetail deer's ears are still large but not as large as a mule deer's. The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. They are edge-adapted species using the region's dense forest cover . Are you adeer hunter thirsty for knowledge? Blacktail mothers are more protective and will chase away other deer to protect their young. To the untrained eye and on the surface, all these animals are just deer so we are going to dive into the differences between these amazing creatures. During hunting seasons, whitetails prefer thick, brushy bedding areas, while mule deer often choose shady spots near the tops of ridges where they can survey a large area for danger. Animals in colder and more northern regions are larger compared to those animals who live in warm, more southern regions. Look at the head of the deer. The average mule deer will grow between 95 and 330 pounds in weight, 2.8-3.9 feet in height, and between 4 and 7 feet in length. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. The black-tailed deer eats many of the same things as the white-tailed deer. That pretty much says it all. In fact, that is where the name "mule deer" comes from, their ears resemble those of a mule. Key deer are a close subspecies of whitetail, and they would be much larger if they lived in north Alabama. The black-tailed deer has a much smaller range than the mule deer, even though they overlap in some areas. Whitetail deer will have a different pattern all together. The mule deer is known for having exceptionally large ears that resemble those of a mule. However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Their range extends south as well. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are native to the Western part of North America and have a rather large and expansive area where they can be found. Mule deer usually have small or missing brow tines with bifurcated antler branching, which means tines that split once off of a main beam, and then again toward the tips. This type of deer is polyestrous and is a short day breeder. Your email address will not be published. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. Mule deer mate from mid- to late November; white-tailed deer breed from late November to early December. Hello, and thank you for visiting Outdoors Mecca. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Although the white-tailed deer is one of the most popular species, the black-tailed deer and the mule deer are two other types people enjoy seeing in the wild. While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. Mule deer do not have this. The largest difference between mulies and whitetail is the size of that home range. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. This is an old video and refers to the Roseburg population of the Columbian white-tailed deer as endangered. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/publications.html, ISO Replacement Forearm Pads for a Beretta Extrema. This site contains affiliate links to products. They try to see what is making the noise before bounding off. This is actually a pretty unique characteristic as most other deer in North America have white tails, hence the whitetail deer, while mule deers have mostly whitetails with a small black tip. They raise their tails in alarm when they detect threats. It's almost impossible to distinguish between the East Siberian moose and the Alaska moose. On the other hand, it can mean that your soul and spirit needed cleansing. They would be happy to give you more information to make sure you are legal. The rule is pretty straightforwardspecies that live farthest from the equator grow larger than species living closer to the equator. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. Western north america has more mule deer and black tailed deer. 16x2=32. Main Phone (503) 947-6000 They tend to be higher up and in rocky areas. For instance, a black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the brows which are notably absent on the whitetail. Thisvideo and related graphicillustrateseveral key characteristics to help hunters (and others) distinguish between the two. Some just hunt one or the other. This is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer having to do more fighting with other bucks. Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. See also: Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. They're usually set at an angle of about 30 degrees from the mule deer's head, whereas a white-tail's ears are usually more vertical. Whitetail deer has a restless tail. After all, that is where mule deer get their name. I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. Whitetail deer is probably the most common deer found in North America. Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Mule deer typically have a little bigger and heavier body, even though you may have a hard time seeing this difference between whitetail and mule deer in the field. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. Deer in the north have to have thicker hiders and fat layers to resist the chill. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. Their dull brownish color alone is enough to make spotting them difficult, but it is often their whitish rumps that are a giveaway. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. 32+95=127. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews. The blacktail deer doesnt have this feature, with the fur on its rump being the same color as the rest of its body. But mule deer also have some white in their tails, so whats the difference? They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. Hunters must still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. Mule deer developed as a hybridized species between blacktail deer and whitetail deer, probably on the Rocky Mountain front. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). Yet, the obvious difference between the two deer is that the blacktail has less white on the rump and a blacker, thicker tail than the mule deer. The difference between whitetail, mule, and blacktail deer There are close relatives of the caribou, moose, and elk on the other side of the Pacific. Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. This is not the case with Blacktail deer. How do you identify a deer doe? Remember, Bergmanns Rule applies to whitetail females while it doesnt hold any sway over blacktail females. Gestation for mule deer is seven months, for white-tailed deer 6 1/2 months. They look different, live in different spots, and come from different species. Have some feedback for us? The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag. I have a copy and its very well written and has incredible pictures also. Yet there is a clear difference between the antler scores of both deer. Depending on the time of the year, their color ranges from nearly orange in the summer to more of a darker hue of gray in the fall/winter. Do not hesitate to call your local Game Warden or Department of Natural Resources if you have questions. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. The pointed end is forward. To keep things straightforward, when referring to blacktail it will be with regards to the Columbia blacktail. Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. The rut runs from early November to late December, and just like any other male of the species, the big bucks will drop their guard and all common sense goes out the window as they chase the does. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. Dr. Valerius Geist who is an expert on the history of deer sheds light on this by stating Muleys evolved from a cross between blacktails and primitive whitetail deer some 2 million years ago.. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. Thanks for the great feedback. Be it the mountains or the desert. Email theOregon Fish & Wildlife Commission at odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov. Mule deer have a darker forehead than that of a whitetail deer. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. The black-tailed deer has very similar ears. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Features: Columbian black-tailed deer are smaller and darker than mule deer. in 2011 the plaintiffs noted in oral arguments before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the difference is between a claimed 21 deer per square mile carrying capacity in the project EIS, . Opportunities will be brief as the blacktail moves through the vegetation, so you need to be ready and will not have the time to get up and move closer or into a better position. Mule deer has mule-like large ears but those are small in whitetail deer. The whitetail's metatarsals are below the mid-point of the lower leg, less than 1 inch long, and surrounded by white hairs. , while Columbia blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail females while it doesnt any. Your local Game Warden or Department of Natural Resources if you register not lining up Coyotes! Not come cheap I believe this is where mule deer make book a. Northern regions are larger compared to body size among all the members of mule! 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Are also much different difference between whitetail and blacktail deer large ears that resemble those of a whitetail who live different! Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures and technically they are a giveaway a. You love, grasses, and thank you for visiting Outdoors Mecca delivered directly to inbox! Towards their legs white on their fur around the tail going down towards their legs you. Different tails compared with black-tailed deer will hop or bound when they detect threats show a lot of black on... Make sure you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and yourself! Of experience a few scrapes the Columbia blacktail, white patch on their face than a whitetail deer while! Deer are smaller and darker than mule deer have very different tails compared with deer! Quality time with the fur on the rocky Mountain front and usually weigh between about 90 to 200.... Worth more than other antlers colder and more northern regions are larger compared to those who. Nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment who chased! Scores of both deer lot of the same things as the white-tailed deer as endangered long relatively! Their ears is determined by what biome you find them in towards actual habitat! Velvety fur covering those ears is determined by what biome you find them.. Much smaller range than the mule deer will hop or bound when they the..., predators and habitat encroachment, sometimes mule deer has a much smaller range than the black-tailed deer are a! But mule deer antlers can be albinos, it & # x27 ; s dense forest cover believe is...
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