When you are creeping in on a big mule deer, be sure to move slow and remain as quiet as possible. Key deer are a close subspecies of whitetail, and they would be much larger if they lived in north Alabama. 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. Some just hunt one or the other. The pointed end is forward. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. 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. Features: Columbian black-tailed deer are smaller and darker than mule deer. In the spring when it starts to warm up they shed their grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat. They are perhaps best identified by their flag-like white tail that stands straight up when the deer is alarmed. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures. Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. How to distinguish Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? It's almost impossible to distinguish between the East Siberian moose and the Alaska moose. Diet: Prefer grasses but will graze young shrubs. 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. Whitetail deer are generally shorter and tend to curve inwards more than upwards. Dont fret. Both deer will grow up to 36 to 42 inches at the shoulders. OutdoorWorld Reviews is a community-supported website. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. Mule deer do not have this. In the winter they turn more grey. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. Any alfalfa farmer will tell you, alfalfa can attract deer as well as any other type of feed. However, these measures depend on which subspecies of black-tailed deer you encounter. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs black-tailed deer? These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. Many states regulate and control these animals differently, and you might end up breaking the law if you take the wrong species of deer. 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. Blacktails, on the other hand, have all black tails. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail 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. The mule deer is known for eating forbs, shrubs, trees, and grass. 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? Cost Breakdown of a Deer Shoulder Mount . Not all do, though. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. 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. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed 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 whitetail gets its name from its tail. This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. 2) are our most common deer subspecies. Hey I'm Karson. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? On my property, any small pine sapling between 3/4"-21/2" in diameter is prime scrape material. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. They prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that have rugged, rocky terrain. During hunting seasons, whitetails prefer thick, brushy bedding areas, while mule deer often choose shady spots near the tops of ridges where they can survey a large area for danger. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. All in all, the white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer are very different creatures. 2.The doe has a more pointed track when compared to the wide track of the buck. This site contains affiliate links to products. And remembering the names of each as the main identifier can be helpful when youre looking for those signs. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Both mule deer and whitetail deer hear extremely well. This is a basic formation or pattern. 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 mule deer was given its name because of its elongated, large ears that are reminiscent of a mules ears. The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. Thanks for the great feedback. Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. Whereas in the Western States where Whitetail can also be found, they can grow to a much larger size, with an average closer to what would be a monster in other states. These are just the most prominent differences between these deer, but they are unique in other ways too! Whitetail deer gallop away when they are scared. A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . The ranges of the subspecies of blacktail overlap latitudes, but the blacktail deer exist no . The other subspecies would be the Sitka deer or Sitka Blacktail. Well provide several different ways to tell these animals apart! A white- tail/mule deer hybrid has metatarsal glands that split the difference in location, appearance and length (between 2 to 4 inches). Very well done, Dan. By purchasing through these links you are supporting Hunting Gear Insiders and allowing up to make this site better. Weight: Up to 94kg (females up to 56kg). Lifespan: Up to 16 years. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. The black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. 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. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. Many plant and animal species exhibit albinism (including humans). Pumps, Automatics, Over & Unders, Side by Sides, Single Shot & more. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. Mule deer are different. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. 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. Reproduction. Research shows that at this age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent of their antler-growth potential. To keep things straightforward, when referring to blacktail it will be with regards to the Columbia blacktail. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. A larger front track (above) of a white-tailed deer is stepped on by a smaller hind track. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). How do you identify a deer doe? 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. 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 ranges of each species have been well documented. Their tracks and scat are almost identical, and they interact with their surroundings nearly the same way as well, as youll see chewed shrubs and foliage. 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. Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart The long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. Access Map to help Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and view wildlife. Were going to explore them in greater depth by comparing five different factors. Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. in SW Oregon you have some chaparral/oaks/ with doug fir forests. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. With Mule deer, you get a much taller and more forky type of rack. 1998), but interbreeding also can occur between mule deer bucks and white-tailed does. The Columbian black-tailed deer fits the abovementioned measurements, but the Sitka deer is even smaller. With trophy deer tipping the scale at 130-150 pounds. And you should never just use one or two of these visual characteristics to make the decision to shoot. This is all about heat dissipation. Whitehead, Jr., C. J. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. 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. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. Its also the same color as its coat with no black markings on it. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? Most deer hunters field dress their game prior to bringing it in from the field. . Shoulder height: Up to 94cm (females up to 91cm). Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. The main thing to remember is this overall two-toed shape, sometimes described as "heart shaped". The next time youre in a place where their ranges overlap, youll know exactly how to tell them apart! Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! 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 blacktail deer doesnt have this feature, with the fur on its rump being the same color as the rest of its body. Mule deer has mule-like large ears but those are small in whitetail deer. Thank you for reading! 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. Mule deer antlers can vary greatly but will hardly ever resemble the formation and patterns of a whitetail. Mule deer are on average larger than the blacktail deer. Since both deer share similar biology, their diets are similar as they both eat shrubs, grasses, tree foliage and various herbaceous plants known as forbs. The whitetail's metatarsals are below the mid-point of the lower leg, less than 1 inch long, and surrounded by white hairs. tailed and Mule deer . 20+ Foods, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! The mule deer is most common throughout the western half of the United States. Their hopping is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE 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.. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Shotguns. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. Their antler structure is also different than mule or Sitka black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam. Remember, Bergmanns Rule applies to whitetail females while it doesnt hold any sway over blacktail females. The main difference between whitetail and mule deer is that the whitetail deer has a dark coloured face whereas the mule deer has a white coloured face. This video and related graphic illustrate several key characteristics to help hunters (and others) distinguish between the two. Meaning that they fork as they grow. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. This is true for both males and females. There are several minor but noticeable differences when trying to tell mule deer and blacktail deer apart. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . Thats because their coats change color depending on the season. White-tailed deer are slightly smaller than mule deer, but larger than Sitka black-tailed deer. They can be considered the same sub-species. The Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is smaller, stockier, and has a shorter face than other members of the black-tailed group. This process usually involves removing the entrails, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the esophagus. Their legs appear about the right length for their body. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! These deer vary in size based on the location where they are found. This is especially true when the north and south variations of Bergmanns Rule are in effect. From a distance, their antlers seem similar, but on close inspection, there is a distinct difference. Description. I saw several copies including shipping for under $10. This will be at no cost to you. The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. 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. Their range extends south as well. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. 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. The print of a deer's cloven hoof is a split heart shape. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. The white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer may live in similar areas of the world, but theyre different species. However, their territories do overlap in some locations. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. 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. 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