As previously mentioned, there are many more differences between the species than listed here. In Montana, they have trophy Mule deer. Its estimated that there are 30 million deer worldwide. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. The Mule deer are often a lot larger than their whitetail counterparts. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs 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. Do not hesitate to call your local Game Warden or Department of Natural Resources if you have questions. 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. This type of deer is polyestrous and is a short day breeder. 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. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. While the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) covers a much larger area and varied terrain as it is found across much of the western U.S., Canada, and northern parts of Mexico. Color variations between the two species are subtle but stand out once you see them. Mule deer, as a general rule, like to live in rugged areas. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? Not all do, though. 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. So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. 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 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. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. . A whitetail gets its name from its tail. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. They eat grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. 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. Their size diversity isnt much diversity at all, with most adult males reaching 200 to 205lbs. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. After all, that is where mule deer get their name. Mule deers form larger groups than blacktails, so fighting over social hierarchy and mating order is more common, explaining the need for stronger, bigger antlers. Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! Another difference is physical shape. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. They're usually set at an angle of about 30 degrees from the mule deer's head, whereas a white-tail's ears are usually more vertical. They also live in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. Their antler structure is also different than mule or Sitka black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam. Whitehead, Jr., C. J. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. As you can see, many different types of deer roam across North (and South) America. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. This is a basic formation or pattern. Bucks have antlers whereas does have no antlers. Whitetail deer get spooked easily. Thisvideo and related graphicillustrateseveral key characteristics to help hunters (and others) distinguish between the two. Check outourstories, videos and hard-hitting how-to'sondeer hunting. Many different species and subspecies of deer live across North America. They prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that have rugged, rocky terrain. They cannot mix with other species of deer. Taxonomically, they are the same, but you can see a clear difference in each subspecies when you view them. The black-tailed deer has very similar ears. Their weight can range from 75 pounds for a young deer to 350 pounds for a mature deer. Most deer hunters field dress their game prior to bringing it in from the field. Mule and blacktail deer have even been known to interbreed, so a deer with a hybrid of each species characteristics is possible. Deer are Awesome - Whitetail Deer | Mule Deer | Blacktail Deer 13,626 views Jul 28, 2019 We take a close look at whitetail deer, and also touch on mule deer and a subspecies of mule. Whitetail and Mule deer share a pretty common DNA; however, with Blacktail, there are many more differences found within. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. . And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. They raise their tails in alarm when they detect threats. White-tailed deer does, or females, can breed at 6 months of age. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? The black-tailed deer has a distinct range too. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. Shotguns. Also, most mule deer will have very short brow tines, or none at all. 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. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. Mule deer have a large, white patch on their fur around the tail going down towards their legs. 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. Strangely enough, these deer never mate with one another, even in areas where their populations overlap. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. 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. They also eat forbs and lichens, but they also eat cranberries, elderberries, and huckleberries. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. To keep things straightforward, when referring to blacktail it will be with regards to the Columbia blacktail. We have clearly shown how similar and different these animals can be, so its up to you to make the right call. Diet: Prefer grasses but will graze young shrubs. 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 . 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. This is not the case with Blacktail deer. Research shows that at this age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent of their antler-growth potential. Their range extends south as well. While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. Though both are descendants of whitetail, black-tailed deer are considered a sub-species of mule deer. An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. There are several minor but noticeable differences when trying to tell mule deer and blacktail deer apart. The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. The rule is pretty straightforwardspecies that live farthest from the equator grow larger than species living closer to the equator. A whitetail is a whitetail, and there is nothing else like it. Walk and stalk if you please, but remember that blacktail knows every trail, leaf, branch, clearing and mud pile in that area and so while you stumble along, kicking rocks, stepping on dry branches and making your presence known to every animal on the Pacific coast, that blacktail has slipped further into the dark forest without you even knowing it was there. Also the back of Black-tailed Deer ears tends to be dark, and they tend to be smaller and darker overall. 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. Physical differences are often the biggest points that are used by those who consider the mule deer and blacktail deer to be different. This process usually involves removing the entrails, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the esophagus. Habitat: Blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer found in western Oregon from the Coast Range east to the Cascade Mountains. 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. 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. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. Hunters must still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge. Most black-tails live in British Columbia and Alaska, far to the north. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. 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 . Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. 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. Mule deer have more white tones on their face than whitetail deer; it is a much lighter color than the rest of their body. Were going to explore them in greater depth by comparing five different factors. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. When glassing for mule deer, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE The black-tailed deer eats many of the same things as the white-tailed deer. Whitetails don't do that. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. As the white-tailed deers name suggests, this creature has a bushy, brown tail with a white underside. You can also find them in the Southwest U.S. and up and down the western coast of North America. All in all, the white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer are very different creatures. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/publications.html, ISO Replacement Forearm Pads for a Beretta Extrema. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. 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. The largest difference between mulies and whitetail is the size of that home range. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. In some seasons, antler shape can be easily used to distinguish species of male deer . Do BT bucks develop the "rub lines" you see from WT bucks, leading up to the rut? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. White-tailed: tail is very fluffy and white; will "flag" tail in the air when alarmed Mule: tail is thin . In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. The antlers of Columbia . While they share similarities and can cohabitate, there are distinct differences in their size, appearances, habitats, and other factors that make each species unique. Black-tailed deer failed to retain the size of their parent species of mule deer, instead becoming the smallestin general termsof the deer populations existing on the continent. The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. 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. These deer are found throughout all of Central America and portions of northern South America. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. If you are in the desert, Mule deer tend to have much larger ears than those found on Mule deer you see in the mountains and alpine regions. Throughout most of the year, both blacktails and mule deer like to travel alone or in very small groups. Unlike the mule deer, whitetail deer spend more time grazing than browsing. Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Whitetail deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and fungi. The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. Whitetail deer gallop away when they are scared. Its a hard cover book so that's as cheap as it gets.. The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. Eastern north america is dominated by white 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. How do you identify a deer doe? They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Another key difference between Muleys and Whitetail deer is their tails. 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. These deer are found within coastal regions, and their size results from living in that biome. Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. 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 vs Black-tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmanns Rule. According to Western states Departments of Natural resources, if a Blacktail deer moves further west, it becomes a Mule deer. When a whitetail is in danger or alerted, it often raises its tail straight up. Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. In most of North America a mature whitetail buck's track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long. 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. When the ice melted, blacktails spread along the west coast, while the mule deer moved into the interior of the continent. 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. This is all about heat dissipation. 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. 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 white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. 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. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. The blacktail deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. 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. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. 2) are our most common deer subspecies. But mule deer also have some white in their tails, so whats the difference? But only males grow antlers. Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. 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. Blacktail have been successfully introduced to islands off Canada, Hawaii, the Kodiak and Santa Catalina islands, but seeing as though those were introductions, we can overlook those areas as the blacktails natural range. Summary: 1.A buck is a male deer, and a doe is female deer. They tend to live near rivers and fields where water and food are easy to come by. Size: Large males stand up to 3 ft (1 m) at the shoulder. Its also the same color as its coat with no black markings on it. Mule deer are more tolerant of noisy surroundings. 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. Reproduction. Many of the physical characteristics of black-tailed deer are similar to those of the larger mule deer. Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. Damn Dan. Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmann's Rule. 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. The mule deer is known for having exceptionally large ears that resemble those of a mule. That's why we have theOregon Hunting That makes it important for hunters and other wildlife lovers to know the visual difference between the two. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? 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. They can also weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, while the females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average. Albinism is a congenital condition defined by the absence of pigment, resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes. They have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other deer. Sometimes, they can even have a dull orangish hue to them. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. Have some feedback for us? In some cases, the many barriers to crossbreeding fail and . 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. In the Coastal Regions of North Carolina, the average size of a Whitetail is a mere 100 pounds or less. That way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like body type, and less-obvious ways, like species. Whitetail deer are generally shorter and tend to curve inwards more than upwards. A black-tailed deers antlers will branch from the main beam. The other subspecies would be the Sitka deer or Sitka Blacktail. The white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer may live in similar areas of the world, but theyre different species. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. A few were pushing 150 lbs raise their tails deer antlers can be easily used to distinguish species male! That resemble those of a whitetail deer of the continent their legs games, reading, and less-obvious ways like... Alerted, it becomes a mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail deer is heavy-built broad... 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