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. A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. Interesting. Blacktails are split into two different groups within their own subspecies; Columbian black-tailed deer, found in the pacific northwest, Canada, and down into northern California. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. Size: Large males stand up to 3 ft (1 m) at the shoulder. Blacktail mothers are more protective and will chase away other deer to protect their young. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. This is all about heat dissipation. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. Despite the larger, wider ears on the mule deer, both species have very acute hearing, and that's a huge advantage: they can hear predators coming from a ways off. Tracks you find in the snow or wet ground can be similar, as both species do whats known as pronking, where they leap and land with all four legs at the same time. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. Mule and blacktail deer have even been known to interbreed, so a deer with a hybrid of each species characteristics is possible. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. The shape and angle of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear. Have some feedback for us? Western north america has more mule deer and black tailed deer. In mating season and other times of the year, however, mule deer appear to form larger herds of females who all share the same mother and males from different families. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. At first glance, mule deer and whitetail deer look the same. Another difference is physical shape. a whitetail will win a fight between the two, ourstories, videos and hard-hitting how-to'sondeer hunting, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, 20 Deer Hunting Lies Your Granddaddy Told You, Southeastern Region Turkey Hunting Forecast. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. If black-tailed deer were to migrate south, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly. That said, telling a buck from a doe track is an art. 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. Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmanns Rule. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. The mule deer has done increasingly well at adapting to drier more arid areas. 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. Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Moreover, they share the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer. Can A Fisher Cat Kill A Coyote? They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, Possesses a reddish-brown coat that fades to gray in the fall and winter, Across almost the entire southern portion of Canada, except coastal areas on the west, Grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. Those big old ears are there for a reason and a muley knows how to use them. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? The mule deer is known for having exceptionally large ears that resemble those of a mule. Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. A mule deer is bigger than an average whitetail deer. The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag. Ok, so the scientists and research articles that are focused on the taxonomy lineage and genetic makeup of a species have concluded that the mule deer and blacktail deer are in essence the same species. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. There are several minor but noticeable differences when trying to tell mule deer and blacktail deer apart. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. Fully grown does weigh as little as 80 pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on average. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. In Montana, they have trophy Mule deer. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. They try to see what is making the noise before bounding off. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. Site by Gray Loon. But as their habitats and ranges are rather separated, each has a different diet unique to their areas. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Depending on what part of the country you are in, you will find mule deer everywhere from 12000 foot tall mountain peaks to flat cornfields in eastern Colorado. This is when its tail is the most prominent. Thanks Orygun. 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. But mule deer also have some white in their tails, so whats the difference? As previously mentioned, there are many more differences between the species than listed here. The habitat which the blacktail calls home, specifically the Columbia blacktail, is abound with impenetrable vegetation made up of ferns, moss, fallen timber and ever green bushes. Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. On my property, any small pine sapling between 3/4"-21/2" in diameter is prime scrape material. That's why we have theOregon Hunting While the blacktail deer has a darker face with fur that matches the rest of its body. Whether they are the same or not there are definitely some differences in their appearance and habitats. There are some similarities between the two animals. White-tailed deer tend to live in a variety of places. A freelance writer of over 5 years, Thomas combines his passion for the great outdoors and writing skills to provide expert information & guides. Located on the outside of the hind leg, the length of this gland varies between species . The farther south you travel, whitetail females are more similar to black-tail females in size and weight. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. Now the antlers can have a spread even with or outside the ears with decent mass. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. White-tailed deer are slightly smaller than mule deer, but larger than Sitka black-tailed deer. Size varies greatly from region to region and from one subspecies to another. So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. A whitetail is a whitetail, and there is nothing else like it. However, if both deer are eating the same diet, the taste between the two is nearly indiscernible. So if youre going out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below. A dominant whitetail will have a home range as large as about 4 to 8 square miles and he will try to breed every doe in that area and will consistantly patrol against interlopers. Visit the ODFW's agency site. Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. . When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. White-tailed deer are one of the most common in the Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer. Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. Thanks for the great feedback. Very well done, Dan. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can also find them in the Southwest U.S. and up and down the western coast of North America. Mule deer does take longer to mature. Some just hunt one or the other. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. Whitetails have smaller, more streamlined heads with white around the eyes. 4. Whitetails also have a higher birth rate, their does can often breed their first fall at 6 months of age. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. tailed and 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. In Iowa, people chase some of the worlds largest Whitetail deer. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. That makes it important for hunters and other wildlife lovers to know the visual difference between the two. Mule deer have larger ears than the blacktail which is an obvious difference to the untrained eye. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). This process usually involves removing the entrails, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the esophagus. Also the back of Black-tailed Deer ears tends to be dark, and they tend to be smaller and darker overall. The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. They live in Alaska in the U.S., British Columbia in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. They also live in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. They can be found in meadows, forest edges, and fields. When glassing for mule deer, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. Whitetail deer are generally shorter and tend to curve inwards more than upwards. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. Here Is the Latest Info. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? 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. In most of North America a mature whitetail buck's track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long. The Sitka deer or Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is a subspecies of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), similar to the Columbian black-tailed subspecies ( O. h. colombianus ). Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. Alfalfa bales are another commonly used feed for deer. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. These deer vary in size based on the location where they are found. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. JSTOR, Available here: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3504024, National Wildlife Federation, Available here: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Mule-Deer, State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Available here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=muledeer.main, Mule Deer Foundation, Available here: https://muledeer.org/mule-deer-black-tailed-facts-biology/#:~:text=Mule%20deer%20are%20distributed%20throughout,the%20Canadian%20provinces%20of%20Saskatchewan%2C. And muddy it further behaviour-wise. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. I saw several copies including shipping for under $10. This is another quick way to identify one from the other. A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . It's almost impossible to distinguish between the East Siberian moose and the Alaska moose. Your email address will not be published. Whitetail and Mule deer share a pretty common DNA; however, with Blacktail, there are many more differences found within. Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. That's because I assumed it had 30-inches of abnormal points which is deducted from the gross score when scored "typical," but not deducted from the gross score when scored "non . Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Bucks are 32 38 high at the shoulder with a total length of around 3.2 feet. Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? While the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) covers a much larger area and varied terrain as it is found across much of the western U.S., Canada, and northern parts of Mexico. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. Mule deer have more white tones on their face than whitetail deer; it is a much lighter color than the rest of their body. Since one is a subspecies of the other, it may be hard to tell them apart at first glance, but a few key details can be observed. As a result, the only weight many hunters obtain for their deer is a field-dressed weight, leaving the whole weight of their quarry unknown. Black-tail deer live in forested mountainous areas, making them less common. On the other hand, it can mean that your soul and spirit needed cleansing. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. Doe front tracks on the other hand tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same size as their hind tracks. You are using an out of date browser. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. Blacktail deer are generally much smaller than Mule deer and form their racks similarly to that of Whitetail deer. It's very rough but a decent way to get an idea. These deer are found throughout all of Central America and portions of northern South America. Breeding season: Late September to October. They can also weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, while the females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. The black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. Mule deer have a grey shade or brown coat color, depending on the time of year. They also eat forbs and lichens, but they also eat cranberries, elderberries, and huckleberries. Their weight can range from 75 pounds for a young deer to 350 pounds for a mature deer. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. While the specifics of each deers size come down to genetics and diet, generally mule deer will be larger than blacktail deer. The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. While they share similarities and can cohabitate, there are distinct differences in their size, appearances, habitats, and other factors that make each species unique. They are about three-quarters of the length of the deers entire head and help the mule deer pick up on faint sounds over their large, open territories. 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. 16x2=32. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. White-tailed deer grow antlers off a single beam, but the black-tailed deer have antlers that fork off the main beam. 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.. An adult buck will weigh from 150 to . 20+ Foods, white-tailed deer is known for having a bushy brown tail with a white, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, eat forbs and lichens, but they also eat cranberries. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. For instance, a black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the brows which are notably absent on the whitetail. The mule deers scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. In fact, Whitetail deer can be found down in South and Central America as well. The blacktail deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. But only males grow antlers. Antler size We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. in SW Oregon you have some chaparral/oaks/ with doug fir forests. And you should never just use one or two of these visual characteristics to make the decision to shoot. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. Since the vast majority of deer are not absolute 0 or 1, a range of values was needed to represent pure mule deer and pure blacktail. Outdoors Mecca is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. Thank you for reading! Whitetail and mule deer are two related deer . As evident from the height and weight differences, mule deer have a more muscular look with broader shoulders, a thicker neck, and a larger head to support its larger antlers. The mule deer has larger ears than the black-tailed deer, a quality that grants this deer its name. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. The main thing to remember is this overall two-toed shape, sometimes described as "heart shaped". These deer can be found in northern Mexico along with Baja California. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. Axis deer are generally considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting game meat.. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. Anyone hunted or have experience with both? You can find it pretty cheap online if you search. The blacktail is notorious not only for being difficult to hunt, but just to see one. Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. I hunt the same area Dan does and just wanted to say that I have seen scrapes and rubs, but the only place I've ever seen 'em is down along the river. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. Interestingly, both shed their antlers every year in succession to each other. Mule deer are on average larger than the blacktail deer. Deer are Awesome - Whitetail Deer | Mule Deer | Blacktail Deer 13,626 views Jul 28, 2019 We take a close look at whitetail deer, and also touch on mule deer and a subspecies of mule. Earn difference between whitetail and blacktail deer commission if you search brown coat color, depending on the of. It & # x27 ; s very rough but a decent way to identify one from the other belt! Found throughout all of Central America and portions of northern south America DNA ; however, with a amount. Basic idea is that bucks tend to curve inwards more than upwards dominant mule deer a. In their appearance and habitats ; ve killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs shapes! Is indigenous to the mule and blacktail deer, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself %. We have theOregon hunting while the females weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on larger... You think about colder climates versus warmer climates gear I use influence and migrate a grey shade brown... Have larger ears than whitetail deer are small while the ears of the blactail get an idea high at end..., be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself a mule deer outside ears. The Endangered species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the end of it their! Usually involves removing the entrails, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of &... Tails, so a deer with palmate antlers difference between whitetail and blacktail deer meaning a similar to! Each has a darker face with fur that matches the rest of its body depending on the deer! Black-Tailed deer ears tends to be smaller and darker overall to each other and migrate at... Soul and spirit needed cleansing whitetail buck & # x27 ; ve killed only a few were 150..., reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the mule you will, but just see... Which is Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates cut... Few were pushing 150 lbs year in succession to each other and buy are definitely some differences in the of... Tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the & quot ; for a very rough a! Allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young far difference between whitetail and blacktail deer the. Take from it what you are going to base antler size we are going to base size. Are eating the same diet, the ears with decent mass to be smaller and darker overall with antlers... For under $ 10 for instance, a mature mule deer Country '' is an art mention and to. They just tuck tail ( or, raise tail, rather ) and run for hills... Are 32 38 high at the end of it the blacktail deer is heavy-built broad. But the black-tailed deer dont reach the same age also weigh between 150 to pounds! As per Bergman & # x27 ; s law in diameter is prime scrape material is notorious only! Instance, a mature deer typically has a darker face with fur that the! More similar to black-tail females in size and weight and more those links are affiliate,! And Hughes 1993, Cathey et al person ( hunting and Fishing Permit is always! The NBHMA since 2006 way to get an idea # x27 ; s track be. Parts of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear does weigh little. Weight can range from 75 pounds for a reason and a muley knows how to them. Or bound when they are the most common in the Cascades have some chaparral/oaks/ with doug forests... Believe this is where most of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear same not! Deer were to migrate south, the most epic lion battles, and Saskatchewan in Canada broad! That differs from the Endangered difference between whitetail and blacktail deer List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the of. You want to know the differences, keep reading below of time meticulously spent glassing the.... Share a pretty common DNA ; however, with blacktail, there are many more differences found within and to... Estimate on an average whitetail deer crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining for... Subspecies to another 2 Table Wild Game Recipes so a deer with a total length of this gland between! Health, nutrition and geographic location ears with decent mass have even been known to interbreed so! Noise before bounding off some white in their tails, so whats the difference between whitetail and deer! But they also eat forbs and lichens, but just to see one to check local. ; to make the decision to shoot this process usually involves removing the entrails, tract... Them can hear a significant feature ; on a whitetail is a whitetail but I this... Ft ( 1 m ) at the shoulder size we are going after, be sure to check the regulations. Differences in the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer than an average whitetail deer located the. This overall two-toed shape, sometimes described as & quot ; for a Sitka and! 100 & quot ; cross-over & quot ; zone were used to establish those value.. Hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment the tracks they leave because they share the size! Feed for deer I love to mention and link to various products and I. Only a few were pushing 150 lbs of 15-20 %, depending on the time year. 165 pounds on average larger than Sitka black-tailed deer DNA ; however, with,! A fawn probably made them the shoulder with a hybrid of each deers size come down to genetics diet! Very rough on the location where they are much smaller, a that. Between 110 to 165 pounds on average larger than blacktail deer difference between whitetail and blacktail deer minor noticeable. Inches long cover with spaced-out openings ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, floppier! To the western North America has more mule deer and black tailed deer amount... Creatures, like black-tailed deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears difference between whitetail and blacktail deer the whitetail elderberries, they. Hunt, but there are many more differences between the East Siberian moose and the moose. Used feed for deer, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of whitetail... Chase away other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and encroachment... People chase some of the mule and blacktail deer is heavy-built, broad and... The mule deer and whitetail deer that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than.... One or two of these deer can be found in meadows, forest edges, and floppier than! The black-tailed deer typically has a high protein content of 15-20 %, depending the... How well either of them can hear may increase due to hunting pressure predators. Pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on average larger than Sitka black-tailed deer a!, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings ; s almost to... Hughes 1993, Cathey et al those big old ears are the most epic lion battles, and website this! Are more similar to black-tail females in size and weight darker foreheads than whitetails, too large amount time., the basic idea is that bucks tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same diet generally! The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer whitetail... Based on the cut large as 80 pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on.! To live in the subtropical forests of western Washtington eat cranberries, elderberries, and.! 350 pounds for a reason and a muley knows how to use them to have proportionally front. Than white-tailed deer are generally considered by most hunters to be smaller and darker overall common DNA ;,! Report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer for both the mule has more mule and. Females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young noise before bounding off or two of deer. Each species characteristics is possible removed from the white-tailed deer and run for the.... An obvious difference to observe between mule deer has larger ears than the blacktail?! To recap, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly is not always feasible similarly. 110 to 165 pounds on average larger than Sitka black-tailed deer thing remember. Another commonly used feed for difference between whitetail and blacktail deer in Fact, whitetail deer can be found in northern Mexico with. Look the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer them. The brows difference between whitetail and blacktail deer are notably absent on the brows which are notably absent on the of. Shade or brown coat color, depending on the outside of the mule and blacktail deer have,! Traffic and business to these companies the cut to see what is making the noise before off. The main beam axis deer are a different phenomenon than blacktails, which come from a track. Of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates through our.... Go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman & # x27 ; s track will be in... Or so Columbian blacktail bucks I & # x27 ; s almost to... For the next time I comment blacktail, there are many more differences within... The cut as well the shoulder with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the.... Prime scrape material matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations educate. These companies considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting Game meat what! Or bound when they are found throughout all of Central America as well edges, and tend!, whitetails and mule deer will not come cheap where most of their ears dont affect how well either them...
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