You should study photos, videos and live deer to increase your knowledge so that you can make that snap-decision you might have to make when in the field. Mule deer does take longer to mature. For instance, a black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the brows which are notably absent on the whitetail. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. Whitetail deer have spread out more than mule deer. Just ordered a copy. Coues deer are found in Arizona and are much smaller than the Northern White-tailed deer. And muddy it further behaviour-wise. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. 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. 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. As the white-tailed deers name suggests, this creature has a bushy, brown tail with a white underside. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. That pretty much says it all. If black-tailed deer were to migrate south, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. 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. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. This will be at no cost to you. Mule deer antlers can vary greatly but will hardly ever resemble the formation and patterns of a whitetail. Meaning that they fork as they grow. Mule deer developed as a hybridized species between blacktail deer and whitetail deer, probably on the Rocky Mountain front. Not all do, though. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. Interesting. Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. Description. Throughout most of the year, both blacktails and mule deer like to travel alone or in very small groups. The largest difference between mulies and whitetail is the size of that home range. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. When you add up the clues, they'll tell you if it's a buck or a doe. Whitetail deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and fungi. Thats because their coats change color depending on the season. This video and related graphic illustrate several key characteristics to help hunters (and others) distinguish between the two. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. A mule deers ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deers ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. 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. 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? They live in the southern half of Canada except near the west coast and almost all of the U.S. except for the Southwest near the Rocky Mountains. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! The white-tailed deer is known for having a bushy brown tail with a white underside for which it is named, while the black-tailed deer has a shorter, less bushy, black tail. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . This color can get even darker, almost black in some cases, in the winter months as the deer lives in more heavily forested areas, as the darker color helps conceal it in dark forests. tailed and Mule deer . They appear to be more social during mating season with many displays of dominance occurring with mature bucks, while younger bucks conduct similar engagements as a form of social bonding. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. 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. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. Visit the ODFW's agency site. Whitetails are much more aggressive than mule deer. Whitetail deer are more common than mule deer in America, giving them a larger geo range. White-tailed: tail is very fluffy and white; will "flag" tail in the air when alarmed Mule: tail is thin . Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. Their antlers have one long tine that stems from their skull. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. Mule deer mate from mid- to late November; white-tailed deer breed from late November to early December. They also live in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. Big game hunting and deer hunting especially have been around for thousands of years. 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 black-tailed deer has a distinct range too. Coloration has been known to change slightly when it comes to blacktails as they go from a grayish brown during the colder months to reddish brown in summer. 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 black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer only reaches a weight of 225 pounds, stands between 2 and 3.7 feet tall, and grows between 4 and 5.5 feet long. It's almost impossible to distinguish between the East Siberian moose and the Alaska moose. However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Mule Deer The average mule deer weight in Colorado is over 250 pounds, while an Illinois whitetail buck weighs just around 200 pounds. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart Mule deer will also, usually, have more prongs and points, and be broader, than the antlers of the black tail which are shorter and narrower. Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. This is all about heat dissipation. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. The most noteworthy differences boil down to their size, color, and region where they are found. Whitetail and Mule deer share a pretty common DNA; however, with Blacktail, there are many more differences found within. Physical differences are often the biggest points that are used by those who consider the mule deer and blacktail deer to be different. Columbian whitetail and Columbian blacktail live side by side in parts of Oregon. In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. Bushnell L Series 10x42mm Realtree Xtra Binoculars. 2.The doe has a more pointed track when compared to the wide track of the buck. However, given the opportunity, they will consume agricultural plants and different grasses. However, Northern populations have lighter, and Southern populations are darker comparatively. 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. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. Black-tailed deer are found on the Pacific Coast of North America in California, Oregon, and Washington. They are mostly browsers and do not spend much time grazing. Typically, the stock of the antlers on a mule deer buck is about 50% thicker than those on a black-tail deer. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. 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. The next time youre in a place where their ranges overlap, youll know exactly how to tell them apart! Pumps, Automatics, Over & Unders, Side by Sides, Single Shot & more. They have a distinct white patch that covers a fairly large area on their rear. Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. In fact, that is where the name "mule deer" comes from, their ears resemble those of a mule. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. White-tailed deer and mule deer have slightly different reproduction and mating cycles. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. 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. 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. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. I've been hunting since I was 8 and shed hunting even before that. Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. Whether they are the same or not there are definitely some differences in their appearance and habitats. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag. 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. Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. They may look alike at first glance, but their unique qualities make it simple to tell them apart. The biggest behavioral difference is their composure. An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. For example, a buck may have a net score of 155 as a typical, but a net score of 185 as a non-typical. Weight: Up to 94kg (females up to 56kg). Color variations between the two species are subtle but stand out once you see them. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Thanks, Mule Deer vs Whitetail 8 Key Differences To Tell Them Apart, Mule Deer vs. Whitetail Deer Visual Differences, indigenous to the Western North American belt, Mounting And Sighting In A Rifle Scope Updated [2021], Elk vs Moose The 7 Key Differences To Help You Tell The Two Apart, Best Single Stage Reloading Press Top 5 For 2021, Best Rubber Hunting Boots Reviews And Buyers Guide, Best Light For Coyote Hunting Full Buyers Guide, Best Night Vision Scope For Coyote Hunting Full Buyers Guide, Best Coyote Decoy For 2021 Full Buyers Guide. Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. Alfalfa bales are another commonly used feed for deer. That said, telling a buck from a doe track is an art. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. 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. Interestingly, they live in rural and suburban areas, so people commonly see them. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. . Whitetail deer are generally shorter and tend to curve inwards more than upwards. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. Take the time to glass under every bush and get your distances known to spots that the deer may appear in. Some of the best examples of deer tracks are found in wet sand or shallow mud just like this one. 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. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. They will shoot up their tail and run at the first sign of danger. A lot of the rest of the area has cattle on it and that just destroys any native sign. 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