Black-tailed deer primarily range in Britain Columbia and Alaska. 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. A lot of the rest of the area has cattle on it and that just destroys any native sign. Thanks Orygun. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! Reproduction. Are you adeer hunter thirsty for knowledge? 4 min read. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. Very well done, Dan. Research shows that at this age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent of their antler-growth potential. With trophy deer tipping the scale at 130-150 pounds. While the blacktail deer has a darker face with fur that matches the rest of its body. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Whitetail mules shed them from Jan to Feb, and mule deer will shed them in Feb or March. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. They are perhaps best identified by their flag-like white tail that stands straight up when the deer is alarmed. ). Copyright 2023 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit information. Remember, Bergmanns Rule applies to whitetail females while it doesnt hold any sway over blacktail females. 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. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. With Mule deer, you get a much taller and more forky type of rack. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. 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. Its not reliable enough on its own. Hello, and thank you for visiting Outdoors Mecca. Specifically, theyll eat prickly lettuce, Gambel oak, quaking aspen, rice grass, goldeneye, and a wide variety of other foods. A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . 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. The print of a deer's cloven hoof is a split heart shape. There is no speculation with whitetail. The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . However, given the opportunity, they will consume agricultural plants and different grasses. Main Phone (503) 947-6000 Its a hard cover book so that's as cheap as it gets.. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game . 20+ Foods, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. Not unlike Mule deer, there are many subspecies of Whitetail deer. The tail is A mule deer is bigger than an average whitetail deer. With muleys being available to hunt across 16 states, it is obvious they can be found across all types of terrain. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. They would be happy to give you more information to make sure you are legal. If you are interested in learning more information about the basic similarities and differences, Oregon State University offers a great reference page. Now the antlers can have a spread even with or outside the ears with decent mass. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. Do Cast Iron Wood Stoves Need Fire Bricks? An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. A freelance writer of over 5 years, Thomas combines his passion for the great outdoors and writing skills to provide expert information & guides. Access Map to help Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and view wildlife. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. Mule deer are broken into many subspecies, and technically they are a subspecies of Blacktail deer. Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. Many plant and animal species exhibit albinism (including humans). When a whitetail is in danger or alerted, it often raises its tail straight up. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. White-tailed deer are found throughout most of North America. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. Thats because their coats change color depending on the season. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. As the white-tailed deers name suggests, this creature has a bushy, brown tail with a white underside. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. Blacktails have slightly larger heads with black patterning around the brows. 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. White-tailed deer does, or females, can breed at 6 months of age. Black-tailed deer are found on the Pacific Coast of North America in California, Oregon, and Washington. Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. The black-tailed deer has a much smaller range than the mule deer, even though they overlap in some areas. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Whether they are the same or not there are definitely some differences in their appearance and habitats. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. . 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 shape and angle of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear. Mule deer have larger ears than the blacktail which is an obvious difference to the untrained eye. Size also generally depends on where the deer is located. Located on the outside of the hind leg, the length of this gland varies between species . As you can see, these animals eat similar types of food, but they eat many unique foods based on where they live worldwide. Thank you for reading! I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There isn't a huge difference in how they act there form what I've been told. This is their number one defense against predators. Mule Deer The average mule deer weight in Colorado is over 250 pounds, while an Illinois whitetail buck weighs just around 200 pounds. 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. I saw several copies including shipping for under $10. Their range extends south as well. Sitkas also are larger in the body. Summary: 1.A buck is a male deer, and a doe is female deer. Whitetail deer gallop away when they are scared. The white-tailed deer is Odocoileus virginianus, and the black-tailed deer is Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. 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. 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. In Montana, they have trophy Mule deer. 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. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? They are a much better option than corn or hay. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart Breeding season: Late September to October. In Iowa, people chase some of the worlds largest Whitetail deer. 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. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? They usually have more tines branch off the one long main tine. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. Thanks for the great feedback. Mule deer have a darker forehead than that of a whitetail deer. Shoulder height: Up to 94cm (females up to 91cm). Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. 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. 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 . Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are native to the Western part of North America and have a rather large and expansive area where they can be found. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. 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