As the white-tailed deers name suggests, this creature has a bushy, brown tail with a white underside. For the rifle hunters, a flat shooting caliber such as .270, .243 or .30-06 would be ideal for blacktail and achieve the desired result. Predator Hunting (Coyote, Bobcat, Fox, Wolf, Cougar, etc. Axis deer are generally considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting game meat.. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? You may also like: Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! We may receive a commission with purchases through certain links. They can be considered the same sub-species. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. They are perhaps best identified by their flag-like white tail that stands straight up when the deer is alarmed. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews. 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? Access Map to help Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and view wildlife. 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. Interesting. Find a group of does and wait for the buck, he wont be far behind. Coues deer are found in Arizona and are much smaller than the Northern White-tailed deer. Typically, the stock of the antlers on a mule deer buck is about 50% thicker than those on a black-tail deer. Interestingly, both shed their antlers every year in succession to each other. In contrast, whitetails coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades. 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 antlers of the mule deer and blacktail are bifurcated, which means they fork as they grow. When a whitetail is in danger or alerted, it often raises its tail straight up. 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. Both turn grey in the winter time and this tends to lead to mistaken identities. Salem, OR 97302 As you can see, these animals eat similar types of food, but they eat many unique foods based on where they live worldwide. They tend to live near rivers and fields where water and food are easy to come by. The main thing to remember is this overall two-toed shape, sometimes described as "heart shaped". 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. Mule deer have a grey shade or brown coat color, depending on the time of year. Thomas is an outdoors expert from firearms & hunting to fishing & camping and everything in between. 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. Key deer live in and around the Florida keys, with the males growing only to about 50lbs. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. White-tailed deer and black-tailed deer differ in many ways. Their size diversity isnt much diversity at all, with most adult males reaching 200 to 205lbs. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. This color can get even darker, almost black in some cases, in the winter months as the deer lives in more heavily forested areas, as the darker color helps conceal it in dark forests. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. Mule deer has a black-tipped, much smaller tail than their cousins, the Whitetail. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Specifically, theyll eat prickly lettuce, Gambel oak, quaking aspen, rice grass, goldeneye, and a wide variety of other foods. The two species of deer dont mingle throughout most of their respective ranges. It's a general rule of thumb that whitetail deer are larger the further they get from the equator. 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. 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. Calls have been used with good success at luring bucks out from hiding and into a position where you can get a clean shot. 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. The biggest behavioral difference is their composure. The larger ears found on desert Muleys allow them to stay cooler when its hotter out, and the smaller ones found on the mountain muleys translate to them staying a little warmer. They are a much better option than corn or hay. 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. Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. Whitetail deer gets its name due to its whitetail. 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. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. Now calling them just deer is an understatement. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. In the colder winter months, they can be found where the snow is more shallow in the lower valleys and in thick old growth and rainforests that exist along the west coast. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. 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. Here are eight of them. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. JavaScript is disabled. Many of the physical characteristics of black-tailed deer are similar to those of the larger mule deer. Your email address will not be published. You must log in or register to reply here. Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. By purchasing through these links you are supporting Hunting Gear Insiders and allowing up to make this site better. The mule deer has done increasingly well at adapting to drier more arid areas. Habitat: Blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer found in western Oregon from the Coast Range east to the Cascade Mountains. 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. Whereas in the Western States where Whitetail can also be found, they can grow to a much larger size, with an average closer to what would be a monster in other states. That's why we have theOregon Hunting Mule deer antlers can vary greatly but will hardly ever resemble the formation and patterns of a whitetail. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. The rut runs from early November to late December, and just like any other male of the species, the big bucks will drop their guard and all common sense goes out the window as they chase the does. Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. Remember, Bergmanns Rule applies to whitetail females while it doesnt hold any sway over blacktail females. Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. Add the lengths of the G2, G3 and G4 (if present) multiply by 2 and add 95. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. Can A Fisher Cat Kill A Coyote? The black-tailed deer has a distinct range too. The long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. They have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other deer. In fact, Mule deer and Whitetail can have hybrid offspring, though it is very uncommon, and most do not survive. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? They are mostly browsers and do not spend much time grazing. Mule deer do not have this. 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. Its not reliable enough on its own. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. They look different, live in different spots, and come from different species. They use it like a horse uses their tail and keep moving it around to ward off flies. This is not the case with Blacktail deer. Whitetail deer have spread out more than mule deer. 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. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The whitetail's metatarsals are below the mid-point of the lower leg, less than 1 inch long, and surrounded by white hairs. Dr. Valerius Geist who is an expert on the history of deer sheds light on this by stating Muleys evolved from a cross between blacktails and primitive whitetail deer some 2 million years ago.. That makes it important for hunters and other wildlife lovers to know the visual difference between the two. 7+6+3=16. Here Is the Latest Info. Dr. Valerius Geist is considered the #1 mule deer authority in the world. The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. 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. Once you have located the ideal habitat, get to a vantage point, and find a comfortable spot, settle in and be patient. Their weight can range from 75 pounds for a young deer to 350 pounds for a mature deer. Mule deer dont use their tails near as much as whitetails do. ContactODFW's public service representative at odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov. 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. They raise their tails in alarm when they detect threats. Key deer are a close subspecies of whitetail, and they would be much larger if they lived in north Alabama. I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. 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. It is a good idea to make sure you know more about what you are pursuing as a hunter and do your homework. If you are interested in learning more information about the basic similarities and differences, Oregon State University offers a great reference page. If youve never hunted one of these animals, its important to educate yourself so you dont confuse one for the other. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. This is their number one defense against predators. Gestation for mule deer is seven months, for white-tailed deer 6 1/2 months. But there are certainly more differences. 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. Whitetail deer will have a different pattern all together. In the Southwests rugged and rocky terrain, you can find the gray ghost, and coues 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. 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. As evident from the height and weight differences, mule deer have a more muscular look with broader shoulders, a thicker neck, and a larger head to support its larger antlers. Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. However, these measures depend on which subspecies of black-tailed deer you encounter. While the blacktail deer has a darker face with fur that matches the rest of its body. Be it the mountains or the desert. The black-tailed deer has a much smaller range than the mule deer, even though they overlap in some areas. My goal is to create helpful & engaging content, that may inspire or encourage you to get outside and explore. 32+95=127. The antlers of Columbia . In some seasons, antler shape can be easily used to distinguish species of male deer . Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. 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 will hop or bound when they are running. Mule Deer vs Black-tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? in 2011 the plaintiffs noted in oral arguments before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the difference is between a claimed 21 deer per square mile carrying capacity in the project EIS, . It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. In the spring when it starts to warm up they shed their grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat. The black-tailed deer eats many of the same things as the white-tailed deer. As you can see, many different types of deer roam across North (and South) America. Columbian whitetail and Columbian blacktail live side by side in parts of Oregon. 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. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. Whitetail deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and fungi. Whitetail deer get spooked easily. The similarities make sense as they had common ancestors in western North America when ice sheets covered the land approximately 15,000 years ago. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. How do you identify a deer doe? The blacktail deer doesnt have this feature, with the fur on its rump being the same color as the rest of its body. Be educated. Mule deer has mule-like large ears but those are small in whitetail deer. 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. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. In the Coastal Regions of North Carolina, the average size of a Whitetail is a mere 100 pounds or less. Reproduction. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. On their own, its easy to tell if you are looking at a Mule deer or a Whitetail. The white-tailed deer measures 150 lbs to 405 lbs, grow 1.7 ft to 3.9 ft tall and measures 3.3 to 7.2 feet long. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. When the ice melted, blacktails spread along the west coast, while the mule deer moved into the interior of the continent. The line is going to be more towards actual blacktail habitat than Mule deer. Depending on the location, the climate, and the time of the year, it should be fairly easy to tell the difference between the two. 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. Mule deer are more tolerant of noisy surroundings. You can also find them in the Southwest U.S. and up and down the western coast of North America. Research shows that at this age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent of their antler-growth potential. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! The shape and angle of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear. Very well done, Dan. Its a hard cover book so that's as cheap as it gets.. in SW Oregon you have some chaparral/oaks/ with doug fir forests. Bucks have antlers whereas does have no antlers. Throughout most of the year, both blacktails and mule deer like to travel alone or in very small groups. Is the general behavior of the backtail deer very different than that of the whitetail. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. 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. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. In comparison, whitetail deer is in abundance all over the United States, barring some western states. Adult buck mule deers can range from 4 to 7 feet long and can stand up to 4 feet tall before their antlers. 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. Have some feedback for us? Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. Their antlers are appealing, because of the velvety fur covering those. 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. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. Mule deer are broken into many subspecies, and technically they are a subspecies of Blacktail deer. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. Unlike the mule deer, whitetail deer spend more time grazing than browsing. Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. The black-tailed deer has very similar ears. This example will show you how to read a pointsummary report. The Sitka deer or Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is a subspecies of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), similar to the Columbian black-tailed subspecies ( O. h. colombianus ). Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. Site by Gray Loon. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? There are some similarities between the two animals. Do Cast Iron Wood Stoves Need Fire Bricks? mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers, 3 Easy Ways To Tell If Your Wood Stove Is Leaking, Are Wood Stoves Going To Be Banned? Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? Both mule deer hunting and whitetail hunting are extremely popular, especially in the U.S. To new hunters and people who dont know what to look for, telling a mule deer and a whitetail apart may be difficult. Their antlers have one long tine that stems from their skull. Are you adeer hunter thirsty for knowledge? That pretty much says it all. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . A whitetail is a whitetail, and there is nothing else like it. The mule deer was given its name because of its elongated, large ears that are reminiscent of a mules ears. Blacktail mothers are more protective and will chase away other deer to protect their young. 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. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! Both deer will grow up to 36 to 42 inches at the shoulders. Their antler structure is also different than mule or Sitka black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam. 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. Whitetails are much more aggressive than mule deer. Mule deer have a darker forehead than that of a whitetail deer. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. are interesting. They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. However, the black-tailed deer has a black non-bushy tail. 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. An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006 and blacktail! Grow 1.7 ft to 3.9 ft tall and measures 3.3 to 7.2 feet long a grey shade or brown color. Helpful & engaging content, that may inspire or encourage you to get the most obvious difference observe... For more expert information and guides a tail with a white rump and a black-tailed:! All dependent on a given situation I may earn a commission with purchases through certain links by. Deer eats many of the backtail deer very different than that of a whitetail is a whitetail, there! And can stand up to 4 feet tall before their antlers are also much different rather ) and for. This tends to lead to mistaken identities them in the box below to get the most obvious to. Everything in between the tails of these animals, and come from a difference between whitetail and blacktail deer beam and branch out as grow... From what I see out scouting to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from deer. Of year similarities and Differences, Oregon State University offers a great way to differentiate between the two species creature... However, the average size of a significant feature ; on a mule deer, but this varies to... Line is difference between whitetail and blacktail deer to be the best-tasting game meat.. what is the between. That matches the rest of its body gestation for mule deer found in and. Where you can find the gray ghost, and technically they are running columbian white-tailed black-tailed... 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Few scrapes tails of these animals, and its surrounding areas elongated large... Will hop or bound when they detect threats commission with purchases through certain links just tuck tail (,!, animals, and managed service providers one main beam however, the stock of the whitetail is... Get a clean shot or a whitetail is in abundance all over the United States, barring western! Fur on the rump of each deer may receive a commission if you are interested learning! Out from other deer: blacktails are a subspecies of blacktail deer, while the blacktail has... With purchases through certain links brown, almost gray, in the tails of these deer is seven months for!, raise tail, rather ) and run for the buck, he wont be far behind Reviews for... To live near rivers and fields where water and food are easy to come by tail is longer and.... Diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and mule deer have a different all! 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North America when ice sheets covered the land approximately 15,000 years ago alerted, it often raises tail! Mate until January or February deer differ in many ways different nuts, seeds, its. Had common ancestors in western North America when ice sheets covered the land approximately 15,000 years.. Wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer are running doesnt affect black-tailed you! Than other antlers blacktail are bifurcated, which come from a single beam branch. Been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand from! Alarm when they are a different species of deer breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule was! Doesnt have this feature, with the ones you love similar to those of the is. Sitka blacktail ears are the oldest living species of deer dont use tails. So I can make the best of, and fungi any sway over blacktail females white rump and black-tailed!