The other subspecies would be the Sitka deer or Sitka Blacktail. Email theOregon Fish & Wildlife Commission at odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov. by Lakna. And solidly in Blacktail country. Mule deer developed as a hybridized species between blacktail deer and whitetail deer, probably on the Rocky Mountain front. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. 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. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. Given that they can inhabit the same area and can even interbreed, knowing the difference between them can be tricky. Thisvideo and related graphicillustrateseveral key characteristics to help hunters (and others) distinguish between the two. Another major difference between these two creatures is their antlers. 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. That way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like body type, and less-obvious ways, like species. Deer in the north have to have thicker hiders and fat layers to resist the chill. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. 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? The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. Black-tailed deer are descendants of whitetail, the latter of which has walked the landscape of North America for roughly 3.5 million years. Sometimes, they can even have a dull orangish hue to them. Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. With muleys being available to hunt across 16 states, it is obvious they can be found across all types of terrain. The tail is Much like grunts, it seems bleats have many different meanings depending on the situation. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. This is when its tail is the most prominent. Whitetail deer gets its name due to its whitetail. The Mule deer are often a lot larger than their whitetail counterparts. Now calling them just deer is an understatement. In fact, that is where the name "mule deer" comes from, their ears resemble those of a mule. The pointed end is forward. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmann's Rule. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. 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 . However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Summary: 1.A buck is a male deer, and a doe is female deer. 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. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Mule deer have a darker forehead than that of a whitetail deer. You can also find them in the Southwest U.S. and up and down the western coast of North America. The mule deer is larger than the black-tailed deer, weighing 330 pounds and standing 3.8 ft tall and measuring 7 feet long at its greatest compared to the black-tailed deer, weighing up to 225 pounds and standing 3.7 feet tall, and measures 4-5.5. ft tall. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. I've been hunting since I was 8 and shed hunting even before that. Columbian whitetail and Columbian blacktail live side by side in parts of Oregon. Or as difficult as finding them. You may observe theres almost no white on a whitetail deer from nose to the eyes. The rule is pretty straightforwardspecies that live farthest from the equator grow larger than species living closer to the equator. You can find it pretty cheap online if you search. Today, were going to explore the many differences between the white-tailed deer vs black-tailed deer and show you what sets these creatures apart. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check outourstories, videos and hard-hitting how-to'sondeer hunting. Generally speaking, whitetails are eating more foods that produce a more desired taste than mule deer. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. They are much smaller than Mule deer but larger than Blacktail deer, these are the most popular big game in North America. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. Find a group of does and wait for the buck, he wont be far behind. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. A mule deer is bigger than an average whitetail deer. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! There are many factors to differentiate mule deer and whitetail deer for hunting or observing their lifestyles. Not all do, though. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. Were going to explore them in greater depth by comparing five different factors. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. The white-tailed deer lives in many places, so it has access to many foods. Sitkas also are larger in the body. 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. Here Is the Latest Info. The next time youre in a place where their ranges overlap, youll know exactly how to tell them apart! 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. When the ice melted, blacktails spread along the west coast, while the mule deer moved into the interior of the continent. Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. 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. 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. Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. Cost Breakdown of a Deer Shoulder Mount . Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmanns Rule. However, Northern populations have lighter, and Southern populations are darker comparatively. Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! 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. Antler Shape . White-tailed deer tend to live in a variety of places. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! However, these measures depend on which subspecies of black-tailed deer you encounter. We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. Antler formation may be the easiest way to tell a mule deer and a whitetail apart. The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. Antlers Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures. Mule deer mate from mid- to late November; white-tailed deer breed from late November to early December. In North America, one of the single most abundant game resources available to hunters is deer. Their antlers are appealing, because of the velvety fur covering those. Body size and facial features indicate a mule deer but the tail is usually dark chocolate brown or black on top and white underneath. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews. Bucks love the small saplings, and yes, they're blacktails. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. The most apparent differences between these two deer lie in their tails. The easiest way to tell them apart are by some of their physical characteristics. Mule deer has a black-tipped, much smaller tail than their cousins, the Whitetail. Axis deer are generally considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting game meat.. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. Those big old ears are there for a reason and a muley knows how to use them. 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 most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. Yes, we get it body size within a species can vary according to diet and habitat but for the most part, the figures below are general sizes. The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag. 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. This is an old video and refers to the Roseburg population of the Columbian white-tailed deer as endangered. White-tailed deer grow antlers off a single beam, but the black-tailed deer have antlers that fork off the main beam. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. 4. Mule Deer vs Black-tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. The size difference in the heads is only slight, and it would be difficult to tell them apart without physically measuring them. And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. 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 . 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. While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. Patterning is as simple as finding the migration trails. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. Telling a mule deer and a whitetail deer apart just based off of their coats is difficult. Mule deer have a grey shade or brown coat color, depending on the time of year. November 15, 2022 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. 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