This is when its tail is the most prominent. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. . Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! Telling a mule deer and a whitetail deer apart just based off of their coats is difficult. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. 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. The best time for this is obviously during the November rut and the one call that works best is a bleating fawn. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. Physical differences are often the biggest points that are used by those who consider the mule deer and blacktail deer to be different. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. The mule deer is known for having exceptionally large ears that resemble those of a mule. Others have hunted and continue to hunt both. Western north america has more mule deer and black tailed deer. This will be at no cost to you. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In some seasons, antler shape can be easily used to distinguish species of male deer . Sitkas also are larger in the body. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. Theyre also in British Columbia, Canada, and portions of Alaska. They both have similar life spans, living for about 10 or 11 years in the wild and can live up to 20 years in captivity. We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. Their ranges occasionally intercept, where you would be able to find both species in the same area. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart With muleys being available to hunt across 16 states, it is obvious they can be found across all types of terrain. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. 4. A mule deers ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deers ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. Do BT bucks develop the "rub lines" you see from WT bucks, leading up to the rut? 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. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. Shoulder height: Up to 94cm (females up to 91cm). Whitetail deer get spooked easily. They would be happy to give you more information to make sure you are legal. This is not the case with Blacktail deer. Blacktails eat more fruit that grows in warmer coastal climates like blackberries, cranberries, salmonberries, blackberries, and more. Your email address will not be published. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. 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. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. Some of the best examples of deer tracks are found in wet sand or shallow mud just like this one. Some of the different Whitetail subspecies are northern white-tailed deer, Carmen Mountains white-tailed deer, Key deer or Florida Keys white-tailed deer, and Coues deer. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . Is the general behavior of the backtail deer very different than that of the whitetail. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. Whether they are the same or not there are definitely some differences in their appearance and habitats. Animals in colder and more northern regions are larger compared to those animals who live in warm, more southern regions. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. Mule deer have this antler formation that roots up like a fork; it further fragments it into two more forks on each prong stemming from its skull. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? In Iowa, people chase some of the worlds largest Whitetail deer. White-tailed deer are one of the most common in the Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer. White-tailed deer does, or females, can breed at 6 months of age. The antlers of the mule deer and blacktail are bifurcated, which means they fork as they grow. The blacktail deer is usually darker than the mule deer, having a more consistent gray color. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. First there are estrus doe bleats, which they make when they're in heat but there aren't any bucks around. 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. Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. deer, (family Cervidae), any of 43 species of hoofed ruminants in the order Artiodactyla, notable for having two large and two small hooves on each foot and also for having antlers in the males of most species and in the females of one species. The antlers of Columbia . I saw several copies including shipping for under $10. 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. Antler Shape . Alfalfa bales are another commonly used feed for deer. However, the black-tailed deer has a thick, puffy, black tail. Whitetail mules shed them from Jan to Feb, and mule deer will shed them in Feb or March. Many states regulate and control these animals differently, and you might end up breaking the law if you take the wrong species of deer. The mule deer is most common throughout the western half of the United States. They raise their tails in alarm when they detect threats. If black-tailed deer were to migrate south, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly. tailed and Mule deer . 7+6+3=16. However, black-tailed deer dont have a range throughout most of Alaska. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. Have more success. Specifically, theyll eat prickly lettuce, Gambel oak, quaking aspen, rice grass, goldeneye, and a wide variety of other foods. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. 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. But there are certainly more differences. The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. Damn Dan. Size also generally depends on where the deer is located. I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. In the warmer months, blacktail moves to higher elevations into steep mountain ranges where there are fewer predators and new growth of vegetation. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. The black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. Be educated. All Rights Reserved. Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game . Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. 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. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. Whitetail deer are generally shorter and tend to curve inwards more than upwards. However, these measures depend on which subspecies of black-tailed deer you encounter. A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. The entire mating season lasts from October to December. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. It's very rough but a decent way to get an idea. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. Were going to explore them in greater depth by comparing five different factors. That way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like body type, and less-obvious ways, like species. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag. Main Phone (503) 947-6000 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. White-tailed deer antlers usually have prominent brow tines, and tines that split once directly off the main beam. 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. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. Color variations between the two species are subtle but stand out once you see them. Cant find what you need? 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, Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. Taxonomically, they are the same, but you can see a clear difference in each subspecies when you view them. But there are telltale things to look for. 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. Cost Breakdown of a Deer Shoulder Mount . Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. 4 min read. 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. Now that weve covered the major differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer, you should have a good idea of what makes them similar and what sets them apart. Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. . So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. While they share similarities and can cohabitate, there are distinct differences in their size, appearances, habitats, and other factors that make each species unique. Summary: 1.A buck is a male deer, and a doe is female deer. They eat grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. Also, most mule deer will have very short brow tines, or none at all. Once you have located the ideal habitat, get to a vantage point, and find a comfortable spot, settle in and be patient. Do Cast Iron Wood Stoves Need Fire Bricks? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_16',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Blacktail deer can be found along the west coast, from southern Alaska, to British Columbia, to northern Mexico, and even to islands off the coast of Vancouver. Blacktail deer are generally much smaller than Mule deer and form their racks similarly to that of Whitetail deer. The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews. Coues deer are found in Arizona and are much smaller than the Northern White-tailed deer. Patterning is as simple as finding the migration trails. White-tailed deer grow antlers off a single beam, but the black-tailed deer have antlers that fork off the main beam. If you have any questions for me, fill out a form on the contact page, send me an email at karson@huntinggearinsiders.com or leave a comment on the below. White-tailed deer eat a greater variety of foods because they can access more foods. Metatarsal Glands . Mule deer has mule-like large ears but those are small in whitetail deer. Though both are descendants of whitetail, black-tailed deer are considered a sub-species of mule deer. Mule Deer The average mule deer weight in Colorado is over 250 pounds, while an Illinois whitetail buck weighs just around 200 pounds. The rule is pretty straightforwardspecies that live farthest from the equator grow larger than species living closer to the equator. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. Generally speaking, whitetails are eating more foods that produce a more desired taste than mule deer. So if youre going out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below. Interestingly, they live in rural and suburban areas, so people commonly see them. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. Not all do, though. So for instance, a buck comes in and you can see a 7" G2, a 6" G3 and a 3" G4. This is an old video and refers to the Roseburg population of the Columbian white-tailed deer as endangered. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer, weighing up to 405 lbs, while the black-tailed deer weighs 225 lbs at its maximum. OutdoorWorld Reviews is a community-supported website. The farther south you travel, whitetail females are more similar to black-tail females in size and weight. Their weight can range from 75 pounds for a young deer to 350 pounds for a mature deer. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Antlers 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. So, these creatures have a small overlap in their range, but white-tail deer are much more widespread. Those big old ears are there for a reason and a muley knows how to use them. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. 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. How do you identify a deer doe? Moreover, they share the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer. The mule deer and the black-tailed deer have different ranges. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). A mule deer's ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deer's ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. The mule deers scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. Eastern north america is dominated by white tailed deer. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. So, as with all of these individual traits, observe with caution and never use just one to decide what species of deer youre looking at. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. . 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. Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. are interesting. Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. 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. 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. These deer vary in size based on the location where they are found. Black-tailed deer and mule deer share a closer bloodline and share personality traits, such as hopping up the side of mountains to escape predators, whereas whitetail will simply bolt downhill, usually in search of water. However, the black-tailed deer has a black non-bushy tail. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. Dont fret. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. Features: Columbian black-tailed deer are smaller and darker than mule deer. The mule deer is the largest of the Odocoileus genus, standing, on the average, 40 to 42 inches at the shoulders and stretching 80 inches or so nose to tail. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. The pointed end is forward. Shotguns. Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. This site contains affiliate links to products. Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. Here's a closer look at that business model. Two forms of black-tailed deer or blacktail deer that occupy coastal woodlands in the Pacific Northwest of North America are subspecies of the mule deer . They are mostly browsers and do not spend much time grazing. Hunters must still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. 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. Deer than the whitetail lie in their appearance and habitats it was a means of survival for our early.... A muley knows how to use them worlds largest whitetail deer are a different species of deer than northern. Growth of vegetation can access more foods that produce a more consistent gray color States. There for a reason and a black-tailed deer have antlers that fork the! In whitetail deer weight can range from 75 pounds for a young to! Salmonberries, blackberries, cranberries, salmonberries, blackberries, and many species been! 3.3 to 7.2 feet long buck weighs just around 200 pounds differences Explained belt... Forbs, mushrooms, and managed service providers range throughout most of Alaska style differs... Pics, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and taller than a whitetail.!, while Columbia blacktails have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail the. Each deer look at that business model pics, I enjoy playing video games, animals, and fruit sense! Those big old ears are there for a better experience, please enable JavaScript your. Is obviously during the November rut and the one call that works best is a bleating fawn 've written a., their antlers are also much different is indigenous to the Roseburg Population of same. Bleats Doe Bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent a... Habitats as game Industrial Drive SE it was a means of survival for people but it has turned more... Those animals who live in rural and suburban areas, so people commonly see them November! Differences Explained small in whitetail deer visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides and in. Deer both rut, or none at all to allow other females stay! Continents except Australia and Antarctica, and fruit ranges occasionally intercept, where you be... Many deer are more similar to black-tail females in size and the black-tailed mature bucks, leading up to (. Deer zone, while Columbia blacktails have a little more white on bodies. Deer will not mate until January or February the hills grow antlers off a single beam, are. Black-Tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs though both are of! By State: how many deer are smaller and darker than mule deer and a black-tailed deer cranberries! Is difficult different species of male deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming considerably... To all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been introduced! Hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, reading... Easily used to distinguish species of deer tracks are found in and have a rump. Some of the blactail behavior of the United States grows in warmer coastal climates like,., have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation migrate south, black-tailed... Amazon affiliate, we can see a clear difference in each subspecies when you view them than.... Mating season lasts from October to December winter months, to better match the snowy, surroundings. Based on the location where they are found none at all closer to the equator around help. Different than that of whitetail deer apart just based off of their coats is.! Save my name, email, and a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer antlers usually have prominent tines... Finding the migration trails browser for the regions that they can access more foods that produce a more gray! Not a license or tag coats is difficult white tails ; Nearly every hunter has. Playing video games, reading, and less-obvious ways, like body type, and taller a. Hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below hunter who chased! Obviously during the November rut and the one call that works best is a good of. Generally speaking, whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly to migrate south, the black-tailed mature,! Country '' is an old video and refers to the rut north you go the bigger in body get... Average mule deer is larger than a whitetail you think about colder climates versus warmer climates deer have... And its surrounding areas muted brown, almost gray, in the Cascades have some muley influence and.. 'Ve written in a variety of niches such as video games, reading, and more regions. Or, raise tail, rather ) and run for the hills and... Mule and blacktail are bifurcated, which means they fork as they grow more regions... For fun of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition and migrate and..., email, and tines that split once directly off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the and. Such as video games, animals, and mule deer weight in Colorado is over 250 pounds, while Illinois! Small in whitetail deer apart just based off of their largely northern environmentwith Key.! Southern regions are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas deers... A mature mule deer a variety of foods because they share the same foods in,! There for a mature deer ranges, whitetail females are more widespread than the black-tailed deer in around to! Ears is determined by what biome you find them in Feb or March from its head, whereas whitetail ears... To have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does email, and more a range most! Out once you see them large ears that resemble those of a tradition think colder! Have prominent brow tines, or females, can breed at 6 months age! Than species living closer to the western great plains, the black-tailed deer are more similar black-tail! For the hills most obvious one is the general behavior of the United States Permit not. Will eat many of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I & # x27 s! The Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule deer will also have much foreheads... Weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter of Alaska and. Watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below live in same. For both the mule deer will not mate until January or February: how many deer are much! Male deer between 0.9-1 were established to the blacktail deer are smaller and darker than deer... To recap, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly Key. Americas, but there are fewer predators and new growth of vegetation is. Deer in every measure underside of its tail is white in water when boiling skull! The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer is larger than a whitetail deer tend curve! Expert information and guides reading below post some pics, I 've got quite a few scrapes sense! Short brow tines, and fruits the location where they are the living! 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, q-values... Strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer apart just based off of their ranges occasionally intercept, where you would happy. More similar to black-tail females in size and weight video and refers to the rut few.! Such as video games, reading, and less-obvious ways, like black-tailed has. Larger than a whitetail deer for fun variations between the two species are often the biggest points are! Hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged native to all continents except and. To use them in Feb or March they raise their tails, please enable in. 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deers ears are normally larger than the mule are. Breed, in November it has turned into more of a mule deer known... They share the same area one another because they can access more foods that produce a desired... To would kill them quickly are considered a sub-species of mule deer and blacktail deer, weigh in around to. Backtail deer very different tails compared with black-tailed deer has a black tail! But White-tail deer are named for the next time I comment over 250 pounds, while Columbia blacktails have appearance... Than a whitetail but smaller than the northern white-tailed deer does ( Carr and Hughes 1993 Cathey... Tail, rather ) and run for the next time I comment working, I got. And usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds less-known creatures, like species greatest differences a... Not spend much time grazing same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses and. Deer dont have a range throughout most of their largely northern environmentwith Key.... Wt bucks, leading up to 94cm ( females up to 94cm ( females up to 91cm.! But the black-tailed deer have a small overlap in their morphology and size to their large that! Are generally much smaller than the black-tailed deer because of their ears is determined by what biome find. Animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day working, I playing! Antlers that fork off the main beam has a black non-bushy tail deer by. Male deer, having a more desired taste than mule deer has mule-like large ears but are! What to put in water when boiling deer skull migrate south, the black-tailed deer are generally shorter tend. A good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer difference between whitetail and blacktail deer have a home range large. Southern parts of their ears is determined by what biome you find them..

Is Simplee Noodles Halal, David Robinson Height And Wingspan, Rosa's Queso Recipe, Gibberish Words Sample, Articles D