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 tail is 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The blacktail is notorious not only for being difficult to hunt, but just to see one. 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. In terms of body size and weight there is not a massive difference, its not as if we are comparing elk to pronghorns, so this info alone is not enough to confidently declare them as being vastly different. Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. Furthermore, the white-tailed deer stands up to 3.9 feet tall and grows 7.2 feet long, while the black-tailed deer stands up to 3.7 feet tall and 5 feet long. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Thats because their coats change color depending on the season. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? So if youre going out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . Required fields are marked *. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. Mule deer are on average larger than the blacktail deer. 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. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? Mule deer, as a general rule, like to live in rugged areas. And you should never just use one or two of these visual characteristics to make the decision to shoot. 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. Theyre also in British Columbia, Canada, and portions of Alaska. Be it the mountains or the desert. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. In the colder winter months, they can be found where the snow is more shallow in the lower valleys and in thick old growth and rainforests that exist along the west coast. 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. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. 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. The ranges of each species have been well documented. They eat grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. 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}. The white-tailed deer lives in many places, so it has access to many foods. Have some feedback for us? Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. Hunting them helps keep the equilibrium in maintaining the ecosystem and habitat. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Another difference is physical shape. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. This white portion of the tail can only be seen when the deer "flags" or . They prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that have rugged, rocky terrain. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? Research shows that at this age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent of their antler-growth potential. Their legs appear about the right length for their body. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . However, their territories do overlap in some locations. Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. Well provide several different ways to tell these animals apart! Each species offers a very unique adventure that outdoorsmen cherish. They can also weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, while the females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average. OutdoorWorld Reviews is a community-supported website. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. You are using an out of date browser. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. With trophy deer tipping the scale at 130-150 pounds. The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag. Very well done, Dan. The similarities make sense as they had common ancestors in western North America when ice sheets covered the land approximately 15,000 years ago. The biggest behavioral difference is their composure. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs black-tailed deer? Mule deer mate from mid- to late November; white-tailed deer breed from late November to early December. Yet, the mule deer has a long, thin tail that is mostly white and ends in a black tip, while the black-tailed deer has a wider tail that is black when hanging down. Antlers 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. They can be found in meadows, forest edges, and fields. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. This is especially true when the north and south variations of Bergmanns Rule are in effect. These deer can be found in northern Mexico along with Baja California. 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. I saw several copies including shipping for under $10. 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. In the Southwests rugged and rocky terrain, you can find the gray ghost, and coues deer. It's a general rule of thumb that whitetail deer are larger the further they get from the equator. 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews. Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. 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. They live in Alaska in the U.S., British Columbia in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. The blacktail deer doesnt have this feature, with the fur on its rump being the same color as the rest of its body. Hello, and thank you for visiting Outdoors Mecca. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. The blacktail deer is usually darker than the mule deer, having a more consistent gray color. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? Big game hunting and deer hunting especially have been around for thousands of years. Interestingly, both shed their antlers every year in succession to each other. Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. Mule deer are different. Whitetail deer will have a different pattern all together. Mule deer are the larger of the two species, having a larger frame, being heavier, and having longer antlers. In Montana, they have trophy Mule deer. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. This is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer having to do more fighting with other bucks. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Habitat: Blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer found in western Oregon from the Coast Range east to the Cascade Mountains. However, the black-tailed deer has a thick, puffy, black tail. In fact, several species and subspecies of deer are found throughout the world today. Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. Others have hunted and continue to hunt both. The most apparent differences between these two deer lie in their tails. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. There are many factors to differentiate mule deer and whitetail deer for hunting or observing their lifestyles. Eastern north america is dominated by white tailed deer. 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. Use all of these traits and never just one or two to help identify the breed of deer youre looking at before taking the shot. But mule deer also have some white in their tails, so whats the difference? Albinism is a congenital condition defined by the absence of pigment, resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes. This type of deer is polyestrous and is a short day breeder. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Whitetails are found throughout the United Stateseverything east of the Rocky Mountain chain and well into Canada heading north. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. My goal is to create helpful & engaging content, that may inspire or encourage you to get outside and explore. Bucks love the small saplings, and yes, they're blacktails. The mule deer has done increasingly well at adapting to drier more arid areas. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. Salem, OR 97302 Features: Columbian black-tailed deer are smaller and darker than mule deer. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. 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. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. The larger ears found on desert Muleys allow them to stay cooler when its hotter out, and the smaller ones found on the mountain muleys translate to them staying a little warmer. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . It's very rough but a decent way to get an idea. The long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. These deer are found along the Pacific Coast of North America. 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. They will shoot up their tail and run at the first sign of danger. 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. 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. 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. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. Hunting in heavy snowed areas makes things a little easier, especially when picking up tracks but their bodies tend to stand out a more behind the white background. 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. Mule deer have a darker forehead than that of a whitetail deer. They rarely branch off anywhere besides the main tine. From a distance, their antlers seem similar, but on close inspection, there is a distinct difference. Mule deer do not have this. Now the antlers can have a spread even with or outside the ears with decent mass. All Rights Reserved. In Iowa, people chase some of the worlds largest Whitetail deer. Visit the ODFW's agency site. ). As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Black-tailed deer are found on the Pacific Coast of North America in California, Oregon, and Washington. The Antlers Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. One thing is for sure though, when you see a muley stotting away, chances are they have already spotted you and without truly realizing it, they are putting a lot of distance and difficult terrain between you and them. Mule deer do not have this. A larger front track (above) of a white-tailed deer is stepped on by a smaller hind track. Coat colors greatly vary in mule deer and whitetail deer species. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. Sitkas also are larger in the body. . They do this to feast on new-growth shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the spring. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. Some of the best examples of deer tracks are found in wet sand or shallow mud just like this one. Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmann's Rule. In comparison, whitetail deer is in abundance all over the United States, barring some western states. 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. 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. Mule deer has a black-tipped, much smaller tail than their cousins, the Whitetail. The pointed end is forward. And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. 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. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Depending on the location, the climate, and the time of the year, it should be fairly easy to tell the difference between the two. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. For instance, a black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the brows which are notably absent on the whitetail. But there are telltale things to look for. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Doe front tracks on the other hand tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same size as their hind tracks. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. . 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. 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 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. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. The black-tailed deer eats many of the same things as the white-tailed deer. 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. Strangely enough, these deer never mate with one another, even in areas where their populations overlap. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. tailed and Mule deer . These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. Physical differences are often the biggest points that are used by those who consider the mule deer and blacktail deer to be different. 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