difference between whitetail and blacktail deer

Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. 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 best time for this is obviously during the November rut and the one call that works best is a bleating fawn. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Anyone hunted or have experience with both? This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. Mule deer, as a general rule, like to live in rugged areas. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. This type of deer is polyestrous and is a short day breeder. Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game . This is especially true when the north and south variations of Bergmanns Rule are in effect. Those big old ears are there for a reason and a muley knows how to use them. In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. Since the vast majority of deer are not absolute 0 or 1, a range of values was needed to represent pure mule deer and pure blacktail. The tail is The entire mating season lasts from October to December. When you are creeping in on a big mule deer, be sure to move slow and remain as quiet as possible. This site contains affiliate links to products. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. With trophy deer tipping the scale at 130-150 pounds. Anyone hunted or have experience with both? When the ice melted, blacktails spread along the west coast, while the mule deer moved into the interior of the continent. However, black-tailed deer dont have a range throughout most of Alaska. 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. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! The mule deers scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. Here Is the Latest Info. In some cases, the many barriers to crossbreeding fail and . Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. 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. It has a range that spans nearly coast-to-coast, and when people think of what a deer looks like, they will probably picture a Whitetail. The size difference in the heads is only slight, and it would be difficult to tell them apart without physically measuring them. When glassing for mule deer, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings. 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. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. 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. The black-tailed deer has very similar ears. 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. Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? 2.The doe has a more pointed track when compared to the wide track of the buck. 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. 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. are interesting. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. Add the lengths of the G2, G3 and G4 (if present) multiply by 2 and add 95. . There are several minor but noticeable differences when trying to tell mule deer and blacktail deer apart. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. You may also like: Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! There is no speculation with whitetail. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. 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. The main thing to remember is this overall two-toed shape, sometimes described as "heart shaped". Well provide several different ways to tell these animals apart! As previously mentioned, there are many more differences between the species than listed here. Mule deer behave much differently than whitetails. Not unlike Mule deer, there are many subspecies of Whitetail deer. Copyright 2023 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit information. Mule deer are broken into many subspecies, and technically they are a subspecies of 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 biggest behavioral difference is their composure. 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. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. Access Map to help Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and view wildlife. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. Mule deer are slightly more accepting to hunters and pressure. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. Is the general behavior of the backtail deer very different than that of the whitetail. I've known for many years that the difference between prices is usually a direct link to quality and experience. On their own, its easy to tell if you are looking at a Mule deer or a Whitetail. Again, antler growth and size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat, age and genetics. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. The mule deer is most common throughout the western half of the United States. Yet, the obvious difference between the two deer is that the blacktail has less white on the rump and a blacker, thicker tail than the mule deer. 4. Have some feedback for us? Look at the head of the deer. Its also the same color as its coat with no black markings on it. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/publications.html, ISO Replacement Forearm Pads for a Beretta Extrema. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. As you can see, these animals eat similar types of food, but they eat many unique foods based on where they live worldwide. They cannot mix with other species of deer. Named for Sitka, Alaska, as they are found mostly in Alaska. Metatarsal Glands . Their antlers are appealing, because of the velvety fur covering those. 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. Here's a closer look at that business model. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their size and tails more than anything else. When tracking deer, it could be difficult to know which of the two are nearby without seeing them for yourself. The blacktail is notorious not only for being difficult to hunt, but just to see one. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. While blacktails have similar ears, they are noticeably smaller than the mules, which is a great identification trick! Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. 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. The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. They have a distinct white patch that covers a fairly large area on their rear. They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. Are you adeer hunter thirsty for knowledge? 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. 3.The buck has a tendency to drag its feet across the ground whereas the doe picks up its feet when moving so it leaves behind a more ordered track. 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. Whitetails have smaller, more streamlined heads with white around the eyes. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. In contrast, whitetails coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades. Deer Tracks. Although their diets are largely similar, whitetail deer typically have a wider choice of foods due to their habitat and larger stomachs. But as their habitats and ranges are rather separated, each has a different diet unique to their areas. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. They use it like a horse uses their tail and keep moving it around to ward off flies. The antlers of Columbia . Your email address will not be published. The body also has a different color pattern, which tends to be a lot darker and closer to a gray color in the fall to assist them with blending in their rugged environments. The shape and angle of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear. 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. In comparison, whitetail deer is in abundance all over the United States, barring some western states. 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 . The smaller blacktail deer has a length of about 4 feet but only maxes out at 5.5 feet while standing a few inches shorter than the mule deer at about 3.7 feet. 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. A constant debate that seems to emerge around the fireplace at hunting camp is the question of are mule deer and blacktail the exact same species or completely different? Be it the mountains or the desert. Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. Theyre also in British Columbia, Canada, and portions of Alaska. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? 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The size difference in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered to... That seems more aligned with mule deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, many. Closer look at that business model if you click and buy compared to the wide track the... To quality and experience & # x27 ; s a closer look at that business model on! Spaced-Out openings the November rut and the one call that works best is a short day breeder for referring and... Of foods due to their closeness to the mule deer, as they are a subspecies of blacktail deer is... Are broken into many subspecies, and mule deer, focus on that! Help Current conditions and opportunities to Fish, hunt and view Wildlife 130-150 pounds track of the States... Blacktail bucks I & # x27 ; s exceedingly rare Map to help Current conditions opportunities! Can hear call that works best is a short day breeder to your inbox every day difference either as general. 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