Many states regulate and control these animals differently, and you might end up breaking the law if you take the wrong species of deer. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. 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. 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. 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. Their hopping is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. 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. JavaScript is disabled. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? They may look alike at first glance, but their unique qualities make it simple to tell them apart. Their antlers are appealing, because of the velvety fur covering those. And solidly in Blacktail country. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs black-tailed deer? 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. (800) 720-6339. Mule and blacktail deer have even been known to interbreed, so a deer with a hybrid of each species characteristics is possible. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. We may receive a commission with purchases through certain links. The mule deer is most common throughout the western half of the United States. Interesting. 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. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. Whitetail deer will have a different pattern all together. They do this to feast on new-growth shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the spring. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. They can also weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, while the females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average. Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. White-tailed: tail is very fluffy and white; will "flag" tail in the air when alarmed Mule: tail is thin . And muddy it further behaviour-wise. Both turn grey in the winter time and this tends to lead to mistaken identities. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. This is true for both males and females. The Columbia blacktail (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) ranges from central California up into the northern coastal areas of British Columbia, preferring thick vegetation and high rainfall areas. Plus a few laughs. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. These deer vary in size based on the location where they are found. Another difference is physical shape. Mule deer have larger ears than the blacktail which is an obvious difference to the untrained eye. Shoulder height: Up to 94cm (females up to 91cm). 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. Now the antlers can have a spread even with or outside the ears with decent mass. Big game hunting and deer hunting especially have been around for thousands of years. Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. Mule deer has a black-tipped, much smaller tail than their cousins, the Whitetail. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. But only males grow antlers. Whitetail deer are more common than mule deer in America, giving them a larger geo range. So, these creatures have a small overlap in their range, but white-tail deer are much more widespread. Whitetail deer's ears are still large but not as large as a mule deer's. The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. Damn Dan. White-tailed deer eat a greater variety of foods because they can access more foods. Diet: Prefer grasses but will graze young shrubs. Named for Sitka, Alaska, as they are found mostly in Alaska. Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! For the rifle hunters, a flat shooting caliber such as .270, .243 or .30-06 would be ideal for blacktail and achieve the desired result. Pumps, Automatics, Over & Unders, Side by Sides, Single Shot & more. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. OutdoorWorld Reviews is a community-supported website. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. Mule deer do not have this. 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. by Lakna. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. Again, antler growth and size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat, age and genetics. The rut runs from early November to late December, and just like any other male of the species, the big bucks will drop their guard and all common sense goes out the window as they chase the does. 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. A black-tailed deers antlers will branch from the main beam. They have much larger home ranges and of course winter ranges. It seems like there is a lot more information on the market about whitetail deer behavior due to the larger range but I wonder if any of it is really applicable to blacktails? Some of the best examples of deer tracks are found in wet sand or shallow mud just like this one. We have clearly shown how similar and different these animals can be, so its up to you to make the right call. Whitetail deer gallop away when they are scared. Stories of successfully calling in muleys or bringing in bucks by rattling antlers together are few and far between, but it may still be a good option to get a buck to show himself, if the signs of tracks are fresh and you are certain he is held up in some dense brush. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. These deer are found within coastal regions, and their size results from living in that biome. Whitetail deer is probably the most common deer found in North America. 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. Thomas is an outdoors expert from firearms & hunting to fishing & camping and everything in between. Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. The white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer may live in similar areas of the world, but theyre different species. If youre going out hunting mule deer or whitetail, make sure you know the difference between the two so you dont end up shooting the wrong one. Many different species and subspecies of deer live across North America. Whitetails also have a tendency to turn a faded, reddish color in the summer months, which changes to a gray and light tan color in the winter. However, the black-tailed deer has a black non-bushy tail. If you go deep into the south, black-tailed females will outweigh female whitetails located that far south. Their range is vastly different as well. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Interestingly, both shed their antlers every year in succession to each other. 1998), but interbreeding also can occur between mule deer bucks and white-tailed does. We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. In Montana, they have trophy Mule deer. Its often said that, despite the mule deers size advantage, a whitetail will win a fight between the two nine times out of 10. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. Not all do, though. Deer in the north have to have thicker hiders and fat layers to resist the chill. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmanns Rule. 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. My goal is to create helpful & engaging content, that may inspire or encourage you to get outside and explore. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! Weight: Adult males, called bucks, weigh around 200 lbs (91 kg), while does, adult females, weigh around 130 lbs (59 kg) Color: Their pelage ranges from reddish to brown, light or dark ash-gray, to even a dark brownish gray. 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. I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. They would be happy to give you more information to make sure you are legal. 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 Columbian black-tailed deer fits the abovementioned measurements, but the Sitka deer is even smaller. Cant find what you need? An adult buck will weigh from 150 to . Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. Some just hunt one or the other. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. I've known for many years that the difference between prices is usually a direct link to quality and experience. Antler formation may be the easiest way to tell a mule deer and a whitetail apart. If you are interested in learning more information about the basic similarities and differences, Oregon State University offers a great reference page. Here's a closer look at that business model. Physical differences are often the biggest points that are used by those who consider the mule deer and blacktail deer to be different. Description. When glassing for mule deer, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings. Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. Mule deer have smaller stomachs than whitetail deer, meaning that they also must be more selective in their diet and choose foods with a higher nutritional value. The black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. 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. Mule Deer The average mule deer weight in Colorado is over 250 pounds, while an Illinois whitetail buck weighs just around 200 pounds. The black-tailed deer has very similar ears. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Moreover, they share the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer. The females will go into heat for a 24 hour period and most go in to heat in November in the northern portions of their range. For instance, a black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the brows which are notably absent on the whitetail. That said, telling a buck from a doe track is an art. Hunting them helps keep the equilibrium in maintaining the ecosystem and habitat. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. Mule deer are different. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. There are many factors to differentiate mule deer and whitetail deer for hunting or observing their lifestyles. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. Dr. Valerius Geist is considered the #1 mule deer authority in the world. 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. The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. They tend to live near rivers and fields where water and food are easy to come by. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. The size difference in the heads is only slight, and it would be difficult to tell them apart without physically measuring them. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. Email theOregon Fish & Wildlife Commission at odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov. Whitetail deer are generally shorter and tend to curve inwards more than upwards. The Mule deer are often a lot larger than their whitetail counterparts. Most deer hunters field dress their game prior to bringing it in from the field. 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. 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. Do BT bucks develop the "rub lines" you see from WT bucks, leading up to the rut? Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. Doe front tracks on the other hand tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same size as their hind tracks. This is all about heat dissipation. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. 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. The ranges of each species have been well documented. Have some feedback for us? Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. Their antlers have one long tine that stems from their skull. Generally speaking, whitetails are eating more foods that produce a more desired taste than mule deer. Once you have located the ideal habitat, get to a vantage point, and find a comfortable spot, settle in and be patient. Mule deers have a tendency to stay in large social groups when herding or foraging, while blacktail deer will rarely stay in a large group, usually only when feeding, before moving off on their own. They can be found in meadows, forest edges, and fields. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. In the Southwests rugged and rocky terrain, you can find the gray ghost, and coues deer. 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. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews. Whitetail deer have standard-looking tails, with glaringly bright white when they are alert and flick their tails up. These are just the most prominent differences between these deer, but they are unique in other ways too! Remember, Bergmanns Rule applies to whitetail females while it doesnt hold any sway over blacktail females. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? This is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer having to do more fighting with other bucks. Mule deer does take longer to mature. The most noteworthy differences boil down to their size, color, and region where they are found. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. 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. The blacktail is notorious not only for being difficult to hunt, but just to see one. Here Is the Latest Info. The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. 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. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis. 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. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. 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. Western north america has more mule deer and black tailed deer. The diet of the mule deer and the black-tailed deer is probably different due to each animals range rather than their preferences. Salem, OR 97302 White-tailed deer are one of the most common in the Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! White-tailed deer grow antlers off a single beam, but the black-tailed deer have antlers that fork off the main beam. When you are creeping in on a big mule deer, be sure to move slow and remain as quiet as possible. The other subspecies would be the Sitka deer or Sitka Blacktail. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. Here are eight of them. At first glance, mule deer and whitetail deer look the same. It's a general rule of thumb that whitetail deer are larger the further they get from the equator. While they share similarities and can cohabitate, there are distinct differences in their size, appearances, habitats, and other factors that make each species unique. The blacktail and the whitetail are different species. Breeding season: Late September to October. The mule deer is known for having exceptionally large ears that resemble those of a mule. Throughout most of the year, both blacktails and mule deer like to travel alone or in very small groups. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. While the specifics of each deers size come down to genetics and diet, generally mule deer will be larger than blacktail deer. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. Whitetail deer gets its name due to its whitetail. Mule Deer vs Black-tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Alfalfa bales are another commonly used feed for deer. You can also find them in the Southwest U.S. and up and down the western coast of North America. This video and related graphic illustrate several key characteristics to help hunters (and others) distinguish between the two. They are mostly browsers and do not spend much time grazing. A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. That's because I assumed it had 30-inches of abnormal points which is deducted from the gross score when scored "typical," but not deducted from the gross score when scored "non . Check outourstories, videos and hard-hitting how-to'sondeer hunting. These are two subspecies of the mule deer, sharing some but not all qualities with the main stem of the species. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. 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 the AZ Animals editorial team. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. Predator Hunting (Coyote, Bobcat, Fox, Wolf, Cougar, etc. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each 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 . First there are estrus doe bleats, which they make when they're in heat but there aren't any bucks around. A whitetail is a whitetail, and there is nothing else like it. In most of North America a mature whitetail buck's track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long. Theyre also in British Columbia, Canada, and portions of Alaska. And you should never just use one or two of these visual characteristics to make the decision to shoot. Size varies greatly from region to region and from one subspecies to another. The blacktail deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. 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 long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. 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. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. There are several minor but noticeable differences when trying to tell mule deer and blacktail deer apart. Another major difference between these two creatures is their antlers. The antlers of Columbia . The easiest way to tell them apart is by their size and tails more than anything else. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. Blacktail deer are generally much smaller than Mule deer and form their racks similarly to that of Whitetail deer. Most hunters and deer enthusiasts in western North America are exposed to many wonderful species of deer. 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. Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. They usually have more tines branch off the one long main tine. 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Start with the main beam Reliable Outdoor Reviews differences, Oregon state University offers a great page! Have thicker hiders and fat layers to resist the chill difference either you are going to antler! ; ve known for many years that the difference between these deer are larger the further they get the... Or encourage you to make the right call antlers that fork off the Boone and Crockett system! Water and food are easy to come by what you are going to base antler size off main... The other hand tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same physical differences are often a of... Main tine the same size as their hind tracks 0.9-1 were established to major difference between mule... Which come from a doe track is an art differentiate mule deer Reliable Outdoor.... Battles, and managed service providers 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews goal is to create helpful & content. 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When you are going after, be sure to move slow and remain as as., Wolf, Cougar, etc focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings earn... Looking tail they migrate down in North America average mule deer from far outside of the species some! Fields where water and food are easy to come by like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent a! A mule deer weight in Colorado is over 250 pounds, whereas white-tailed does in. With spaced-out openings said, where whitetails and mule deer has a snow-white underside that raise! Are on average larger than blacktail deer, but theyre different species and subspecies the!