They tend to be higher up and in rocky areas. Mule Deer The average mule deer weight in Colorado is over 250 pounds, while an Illinois whitetail buck weighs just around 200 pounds. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. A mule deer will generally be larger than a whitetail. . When you are creeping in on a big mule deer, be sure to move slow and remain as quiet as possible. They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. Walk and stalk if you please, but remember that blacktail knows every trail, leaf, branch, clearing and mud pile in that area and so while you stumble along, kicking rocks, stepping on dry branches and making your presence known to every animal on the Pacific coast, that blacktail has slipped further into the dark forest without you even knowing it was there. Theyre also in British Columbia, Canada, and portions of Alaska. Not all do, though. As you can see, these animals eat similar types of food, but they eat many unique foods based on where they live worldwide. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. The entire mating season lasts from October to December. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. That makes it important for hunters and other wildlife lovers to know the visual difference between the two. Mule deer does take longer to mature. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. The mule deer is larger than the black-tailed deer, weighing 330 pounds and standing 3.8 ft tall and measuring 7 feet long at its greatest compared to the black-tailed deer, weighing up to 225 pounds and standing 3.7 feet tall, and measures 4-5.5. ft tall. With trophy deer tipping the scale at 130-150 pounds. mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers, 3 Easy Ways To Tell If Your Wood Stove Is Leaking, Are Wood Stoves Going To Be Banned? Both mule deer hunting and whitetail hunting are extremely popular, especially in the U.S. To new hunters and people who dont know what to look for, telling a mule deer and a whitetail apart may be difficult. Black-tailed deer are descendants of whitetail, the latter of which has walked the landscape of North America for roughly 3.5 million years. Strangely enough, these deer never mate with one another, even in areas where their populations overlap. Early hunting season, especially for the bow hunters will find the mule deer high up where they prefer the cooler temperatures, as the season moves on, they will make their way into areas of sage brush. The most apparent differences between these two deer lie in their tails. Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? A constant debate that seems to emerge around the fireplace at hunting camp is the question of are mule deer and blacktail the exact same species or completely different? White-tailed deer antlers usually have prominent brow tines, and tines that split once directly off the main beam. The two species of deer dont mingle throughout most of their respective ranges. Interesting. I've been hunting since I was 8 and shed hunting even before that. Is the general behavior of the backtail deer very different than that of the whitetail. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. What I did not know is the actual cost breakdown of what it takes for a taxidermist to get the job done on the business side of things. 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. Both turn grey in the winter time and this tends to lead to mistaken identities. Here's a closer look at that business model. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer weighs up to 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, and measures between 4 and 5.5 ft long! The ranges of each species have been well documented. Same species, yes but from the habitat and terrain to the very nature and movements of the blacktail versus the mule deer, in my books, they are completely different and anyone who is lucky enough to have hunted both will surely agree. Add the lengths of the G2, G3 and G4 (if present) multiply by 2 and add 95. There are several minor but noticeable differences when trying to tell mule deer and blacktail deer apart. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. 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 freelance writer of over 5 years, Thomas combines his passion for the great outdoors and writing skills to provide expert information & guides. A mule deer is bigger than an average whitetail deer. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. They raise their tails in alarm when they detect threats. Whitetail and Mule deer share a pretty common DNA; however, with Blacktail, there are many more differences found within. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. Sitka black-tailed deer are closely related to the larger Columbia black-tailed deer of the Pacific Northwest, and both are considered subspecies of the (even larger) mule deer of the American West. These are two subspecies of the mule deer, sharing some but not all qualities with the main stem of the species. The mule deer is known for eating forbs, shrubs, trees, and grass. The blacktail deer is a subspecies of the mule 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. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Be it the mountains or the desert. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_11',107,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-107{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Whitetail deer is probably the most common deer found in North America. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. As you can see, many different types of deer roam across North (and South) America. 16x2=32. Mule and blacktail deer have even been known to interbreed, so a deer with a hybrid of each species characteristics is possible. These deer are found within coastal regions, and their size results from living in that biome. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. 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. The blacktail deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) split off from the whitetail at some time in the past, thought to be a million years ago or more. Bucks are 32 38 high at the shoulder with a total length of around 3.2 feet. This will be at no cost to you. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. When the ice melted, blacktails spread along the west coast, while the mule deer moved into the interior of the continent. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. The best plan of attack would be to find their ideal habitat, a place that offers a balance of safety with thick cover and spread-out openings where they can catch some sun rays and feed on the edge of a meadow, a cut line or if the terrain allows, they have been known to feed along the shoreline. The line is going to be more towards actual blacktail habitat than Mule deer. Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. According to Western states Departments of Natural resources, if a Blacktail deer moves further west, it becomes a Mule deer. White-tailed deer are found throughout most of North America. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. Much like Mule deer, coues deer are often gray in color during the fall to blend into the Arizona countryside, which they do exceptionally well, so well, in fact, they are referred to as the Gray Ghost by those who have pursued them. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. 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. Here are just a few other examples of Mule deer subspecies: California Mule deer, Cedros/Cerros Island Mule, deer desert/burro Mule deer, Rocky Mountain Mule deer, and Tiburon Island Mule deer, just to name a few. Telling a mule deer and a whitetail deer apart just based off of their coats is difficult. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. I guess the old saying It isnt the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, holds true. You must log in or register to reply here. Mule deer do not have this. The white-tailed deer is Odocoileus virginianus, and the black-tailed deer is Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. If black-tailed deer were to migrate south, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. Besides their body size, you may factor in genetics, nutrition, age, and where they live. These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. Since mule deer live in less vegetative areas with harsher climates, they feed more on various grasses, clover, herbs, and brush such as sagebrush, pasture sage, bitterbrush, and prickly lettuce. The farther south you travel, whitetail females are more similar to black-tail females in size and weight. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. Thanks for the great feedback. Thanks Orygun. Most hunters and deer enthusiasts in western North America are exposed to many wonderful species of deer. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. However, their territories do overlap in some locations. 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. The white-tailed deer measures 150 lbs to 405 lbs, grow 1.7 ft to 3.9 ft tall and measures 3.3 to 7.2 feet long. November 15, 2022 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Many states regulate and control these animals differently, and you might end up breaking the law if you take the wrong species of deer. Typically, the stock of the antlers on a mule deer buck is about 50% thicker than those on a black-tail deer. The fur of the mule deer is brown with a reddish tone in the summer months. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. Whitetails don't do that. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. And what makes it even harder is the almost never-ending barrage of rain and thick fog that moves through area. Anyone hunted or have experience with both? When tracking deer, it could be difficult to know which of the two are nearby without seeing them for yourself. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? Whitetail deer have spread out more than mule deer. Besides the color of each deers tail, there are a few other differences in their fur and coloration that help tell the difference between one and the other. A larger front track (above) of a white-tailed deer is stepped on by a smaller hind track. Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. Another key difference between Muleys and Whitetail deer is their tails. Their range extends south as well. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Given that they can inhabit the same area and can even interbreed, knowing the difference between them can be tricky. But only males grow antlers. Mule deer dont use their tails near as much as whitetails do. 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. The tail is 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. Mule deers form larger groups than blacktails, so fighting over social hierarchy and mating order is more common, explaining the need for stronger, bigger antlers. They also eat forbs and lichens, but they also eat cranberries, elderberries, and huckleberries. Antler formation may be the easiest way to tell a mule deer and a whitetail apart. With a shoulder height of 31 42 and a nose-to-tail length of 3.9 6.9 ft. A mature mule deer buck will tip the scales from 160 to 330 lbs. An adult buck will weigh from 150 to . This is another quick way to identify one from the other. In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. They have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other deer. Not all do, though. A black-tailed deers antlers will branch from the main beam. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. The biggest behavioral difference is their composure. The mule deer has larger ears than the black-tailed deer, a quality that grants this deer its name. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! They eat grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. In the spring when it starts to warm up they shed their grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat. The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. 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. 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. But there are certainly more differences. We have clearly shown how similar and different these animals can be, so its up to you to make the right call. Can A Fisher Cat Kill A Coyote? White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . So if youre going out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below. The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. There is no speculation with whitetail. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. Alfalfa bales are another commonly used feed for deer. I saw several copies including shipping for under $10. Mule deer has mule-like large ears but those are small in whitetail deer. Whitetails are much more aggressive than mule deer. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. Mule deer have larger ears than the blacktail which is an obvious difference to the untrained eye. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. 7+6+3=16. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. 4. Depending on the location, the climate, and the time of the year, it should be fairly easy to tell the difference between the two. White-tailed deer are one of the most common in the Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer. Subspecies of the mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas offer! 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