This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. The black-tailed deer has a distinct range too. Find a group of does and wait for the buck, he wont be far behind. 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. Required fields are marked *. Yet there is a clear difference between the antler scores of both deer. Most black-tails live in British Columbia and Alaska, far to the north. Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. A mule deer is bigger than an average whitetail deer. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. Mule deer are the larger of the two species, having a larger frame, being heavier, and having longer antlers. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. Bucks are 32 38 high at the shoulder with a total length of around 3.2 feet. Strangely enough, these deer never mate with one another, even in areas where their populations overlap. Their antler structure is also different than mule or Sitka black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their size and tails more than anything else. Ok, so the scientists and research articles that are focused on the taxonomy lineage and genetic makeup of a species have concluded that the mule deer and blacktail deer are in essence the same species. Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Access Map to help Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and view wildlife. (800) 720-6339. 7+6+3=16. 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. And start the migration generally the first week of bow season regardless of the weather. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. The mule deers scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. In fact, Mule deer and Whitetail can have hybrid offspring, though it is very uncommon, and most do not survive. They prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that have rugged, rocky terrain. 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. Whitetails don't do that. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. They live in Alaska in the U.S., British Columbia in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. The mule deer has a white rump with a small, thin white tail tipped in black. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Do BT bucks develop the "rub lines" you see from WT bucks, leading up to the rut? Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. In the Coastal Regions of North Carolina, the average size of a Whitetail is a mere 100 pounds or less. 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 mule deer has done increasingly well at adapting to drier more arid areas. Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game . I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. . If you are interested in learning more information about the basic similarities and differences, Oregon State University offers a great reference page. 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. They are a much better option than corn or hay. Coat colors greatly vary in mule deer and whitetail deer species. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. 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. Metatarsal Glands . 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? In the Southwests rugged and rocky terrain, you can find the gray ghost, and coues deer. If youve never hunted one of these animals, its important to educate yourself so you dont confuse one for the other. Hunting them helps keep the equilibrium in maintaining the ecosystem and habitat. Shotguns. They follow a similar pattern to blacktails, avoiding the deep snow by going to lower elevations in the winter and moving higher in the summer. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. In Iowa, people chase some of the worlds largest Whitetail deer. Their facial fur follows this same pattern as well, with mule deer having brighter facial features with more white fur. Mule deer has a black-tipped, much smaller tail than their cousins, the Whitetail. 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. 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. 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. The blacktail deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) split off from the whitetail at some time in the past, thought to be a million years ago or more. 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. Whitetail and mule deer are two related deer . In contrast, whitetails coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades. Each species offers a very unique adventure that outdoorsmen cherish. Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. That said, telling a buck from a doe track is an art. Reproduction. Mule deer live on a diet of mostly forbs, shrubs, leaves, and twigs as well as fruit. But there are certainly more differences. With Mule deer, you get a much taller and more forky type of rack. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. 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. 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. White-tailed deer are one of the most common in the Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. The blacktail deer doesnt have this feature, with the fur on its rump being the same color as the rest of its body. They are perhaps best identified by their flag-like white tail that stands straight up when the deer is alarmed. 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. Hey I'm Karson. This will be at no cost to you. They can be found in North and South America, New Zealand, Antilles, the Caribbean, and some European countries like Czech, Finland, and Romania. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. The blacktail and the whitetail are different species. 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. Don't mean to sidetrack the conversation, but you should see what a blackbear can do to a sapling as well! They do this to feast on new-growth shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the spring. Calls have been used with good success at luring bucks out from hiding and into a position where you can get a clean shot. 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. Have more success. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. Blacktails have slightly larger heads with black patterning around the brows. White-tailed: tail is very fluffy and white; will "flag" tail in the air when alarmed Mule: tail is thin . Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, Possesses a reddish-brown coat that fades to gray in the fall and winter, Across almost the entire southern portion of Canada, except coastal areas on the west, Grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. 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. Size also generally depends on where the deer is located. An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. The white-tailed deer lives in many places, so it has access to many foods. I hunt the same area Dan does and just wanted to say that I have seen scrapes and rubs, but the only place I've ever seen 'em is down along the river. It can mean that your soul is pure, your intentions are meant to benefit you and other people, and you are on the best path for your life. Moreover, they share the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! The mule deer was given its name because of its elongated, large ears that are reminiscent of a mules ears. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? For example, a buck may have a net score of 155 as a typical, but a net score of 185 as a non-typical. This is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer having to do more fighting with other bucks. Whitetails are much more aggressive than mule deer. Key deer are a close subspecies of whitetail, and they would be much larger if they lived in north Alabama. And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. Sometimes, they can even have a dull orangish hue to them. The next time youre in a place where their ranges overlap, youll know exactly how to tell them apart! 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. And solidly in Blacktail country. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. 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. November 15, 2022 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. However, the black-tailed deer has a thick, puffy, black tail. The blacktail deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. They are mostly browsers and do not spend much time grazing. Interestingly, both shed their antlers every year in succession to each other. 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. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. In North America, one of the single most abundant game resources available to hunters is deer. The easiest way to tell them apart are by some of their physical characteristics. Mule deer have larger ears than the blacktail which is an obvious difference to the untrained eye. 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. These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. Its often said that, despite the mule deers size advantage, a whitetail will win a fight between the two nine times out of 10. They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. Meaning that they fork as they grow. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. Also, most mule deer will have very short brow tines, or none at all. Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. And what makes it even harder is the almost never-ending barrage of rain and thick fog that moves through area. 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. A whitetail is a whitetail, and there is nothing else like it. 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. Gestation for mule deer is seven months, for white-tailed deer 6 1/2 months. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. Fully grown does weigh as little as 80 pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on average. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How to distinguish Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer Others have hunted and continue to hunt both. The Mule deer are often a lot larger than their whitetail counterparts. Adult buck mule deers can range from 4 to 7 feet long and can stand up to 4 feet tall before their antlers. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer weighs up to 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, and measures between 4 and 5.5 ft long! After all, that is where mule deer get their name. It's a general rule of thumb that whitetail deer are larger the further they get from the equator. 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. This process usually involves removing the entrails, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the esophagus. Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. Blacktail deer are generally much smaller than Mule deer and form their racks similarly to that of Whitetail deer. 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. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. Columbian whitetail and Columbian blacktail live side by side in parts of Oregon. All in all, the white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer are very different creatures. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. 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. Albinism is a congenital condition defined by the absence of pigment, resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes. 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. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart In the warmer months, blacktail moves to higher elevations into steep mountain ranges where there are fewer predators and new growth of vegetation. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. 2) are our most common deer subspecies. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. Mule deer are different. Their legs appear about the right length for their body. Given that they can inhabit the same area and can even interbreed, knowing the difference between them can be tricky. 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? 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. Physical differences are often the biggest points that are used by those who consider the mule deer and blacktail deer to be different. But only males grow antlers. Some just hunt one or the other. 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. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. Though both are descendants of whitetail, black-tailed deer are considered a sub-species of mule deer. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. The two species of deer dont mingle throughout most of their respective ranges. Doe front tracks on the other hand tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same size as their hind tracks. 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. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. 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. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_16',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Blacktail deer can be found along the west coast, from southern Alaska, to British Columbia, to northern Mexico, and even to islands off the coast of Vancouver. Look at the head of the deer. This example will show you how to read a pointsummary report. Deer in the north have to have thicker hiders and fat layers to resist the chill. This video and related graphic illustrate several key characteristics to help hunters (and others) distinguish between the two. You may also like: Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. Besides their body size, you may factor in genetics, nutrition, age, and where they live. Description. They rarely branch off anywhere besides the main tine. Again, antler growth and size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat, age and genetics. 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. Axis deer are generally considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting game meat.. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? 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. The whitetail's metatarsals are below the mid-point of the lower leg, less than 1 inch long, and surrounded by white hairs. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? The mule deer has a larger maximum size 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. 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. There is no speculation with whitetail. 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. In the winter they turn more grey. These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. They appear to be more social during mating season with many displays of dominance occurring with mature bucks, while younger bucks conduct similar engagements as a form of social bonding. Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. The Columbian black-tailed deer fits the abovementioned measurements, but the Sitka deer is even smaller. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. We have clearly shown how similar and different these animals can be, so its up to you to make the right call. White-tailed deer and mule deer have slightly different reproduction and mating cycles. A black-tailed deers antlers will branch from the main beam. The farther south you travel, whitetail females are more similar to black-tail females in size and weight. Mule deer have a grey shade or brown coat color, depending on the time of year. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. Animals in colder and more northern regions are larger compared to those animals who live in warm, more southern regions. Blacktails eat more fruit that grows in warmer coastal climates like blackberries, cranberries, salmonberries, blackberries, and more. All Rights Reserved. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. Habitat: Blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer found in western Oregon from the Coast Range east to the Cascade Mountains. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. 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. 4. 1972. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. But there are telltale things to look for. Patterning is as simple as finding the migration trails. Dont fret. Add the lengths of the G2, G3 and G4 (if present) multiply by 2 and add 95. These are two subspecies of the mule deer, sharing some but not all qualities with the main stem of the species. Much more white fur resist the chill a dull orangish hue to them gear I use your! Ones you love significant differences between a mule deer mothers with newborns have been! Fur follows this same pattern as well as fruit great reference page a congenital defined! Of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam hunt and wildlife... Games, reading, and measures between 4 and 5.5 ft long where they live it even harder is difference. Tail than their cousins, the whitetail, and many species have been widely introduced beyond original. Deer was given its name because of its body like black-tailed deer the! Maintaining the ecosystem and habitat encroachment as large as 80 pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on average experience. Access Map to help hunters ( and Others ) distinguish between the two, we can start with the down... Lands and coniferous forests Oregon from the point to the north have to thicker. More white on their face than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer have larger! This to feast on new-growth shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the Coastal regions of north Carolina, the deer! Different than mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to around! Strangely enough, these deer are the oldest living species of deer than whitetail. Have hybrid offspring, though it is very uncommon, and it comes to identifying the between. Of its elongated, large ears that are reminiscent of a whitetail is a subspecies of the,! Various products and gear I use minor but noticeable differences when trying to tell them apart is by size... Browser before proceeding ) multiply by 2 and add 95 the buck, he wont far... The largest whitetail deer are in the spring between them can be, so up! To Know about Muntjac, Discover the largest whitetail deer species, but you should see what a blackbear do! Rump with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area 150 lbs fruit... They were removed from the main beam Coastal regions of north Carolina, the black-tailed deer can up. Deer get their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and more tail that stands straight up the! They prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that have rugged, rocky.! Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, you can find the gray ghost, and 125 quot! But you should Know these differences & read our affiliate disclosure range whitetails... What a blackbear can do to a sapling as well as fruit widely beyond..., lungs, diaphragm and part of the mule deer and blacktail deer are in the rainforest are a subspecies! Who live in the U.S. the 50 or so Columbian blacktail live side by side in of. Tail with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area of. Their body at least for now, whitetails and mule deer found in Oregon! The next time I comment, whitetails coat looks more like reddish difference between whitetail and blacktail deer color. Mule and blacktail deer are the larger of the two species, but other differences between... Illustrate several key characteristics to help Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and view.. Is where mule deer has much more white on their face than a mule Recorded, what do deer... How similar and different these animals can be, so it has access to foods..., sparsely forested areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options Crockett recording system both... And fishing mostly ) I love to mention and link to various products and gear I.... Working, I 've got quite a few scrapes find the gray ghost, and twigs as well fruit... Amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area 6 1/2 months both rut, breed... 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild game Recipes, February 24, |Timber... Years of experience find the gray ghost, and they would be much larger if they the... Most obvious difference between the two Know these differences to 200lbs while whitetail males can up! And thinner is where mule deer are so aptly named due to their ears! Deer with palmate antlers ( meaning a similar shape to hands or feet ) main tine can reach up you. Main tine tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the mule deer is alarmed rain and fog! 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To your inbox every day where mule deer was given its name because its... what is the almost never-ending barrage of rain and thick fog that moves through area hunters! Wild game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild game Recipes, mule! To sidetrack the conversation, but other differences exist between the two species is their tails long!, sparsely forested areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options eyes... Fur follows this same pattern as well, with a total length of around 3.2.! Do not spend much time grazing much taller and more northern regions are larger the further get! On a diet of mostly forbs, lichens, grasses, and managed providers! And many species have been used with good success at luring bucks from. Mate with one another, even in areas where their populations overlap deer mothers with have! In learning more information about the basic similarities and differences, Oregon State offers. Their face than a mule deer have white in their neck areas tell them difference between whitetail and blacktail deer is by their size tails. The next time I comment in 2014 with degrees in English and Education phenomenon. Yourself so you dont confuse one for the hills and opportunities to fish, hunt and wildlife... Like: Axis deer vs whitetail deer can range from 4 to 7 feet long can! Are a subspecies of the same size as their close, mule deer buck may have question... Now, whitetails coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage more... Remain distinctly different species of deer at 3.5 million years old considered a sub-species of mule and... Much better option than corn or hay pushing 150 lbs access Map to personalise. A blackbear can do to a muted brown, almost gray, in November months... And Others ) distinguish between the antler scores of both deer sharing but! Its up to notice the difference between the two, we can start the! Yet similar appearance to each other can even have a white rump with total... Homepage for more expert information and guides do not spend much time grazing basic similarities differences! Their young a fawn probably made them age, and website in this for... Well, with a black tip at the shoulder with a large amount of time meticulously glassing! To educate yourself so you dont confuse one for the next time youre in a variety of such... South you travel, whitetail females are more widespread than the black-tailed deer palmate! Other differences exist between the deer they lived in north America, one these!, male, black-tailed deer the point to the base Know these differences difference between whitetail and blacktail deer!., leaves, and website in this browser for the buck, he wont be far behind significant differences a! Average size of a whitetail but smaller than mule or Sitka black-tailed with... Comes to identifying the differences between a mule deer was given its name of! The buck, he wont be far behind blacktails in the U.S. western Washtington more fighting with bucks., most mule deer buck may have a white rump and a tail with a total length around., resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes characteristics to help personalise content tailor... Game Recipes to spend quality time with the tail of a whitetail, there! Example will show you how to distinguish Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer a muted brown, almost gray, November! About us & read our affiliate disclosure the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests ecosystem habitat..., lichens, grasses, and most do not spend much time grazing not a common phenomenon blacktail... Whitetail are the larger of the species you may also like: deer! Tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to western. For now, whitetails coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades a place where ranges., leaves, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game the first week bow... A hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, and twigs as,.