Blacktail mothers are more protective and will chase away other deer to protect their young. Since mule deer live in less vegetative areas with harsher climates, they feed more on various grasses, clover, herbs, and brush such as sagebrush, pasture sage, bitterbrush, and prickly lettuce. Hey I'm Karson. 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. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. 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. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. 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. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. 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. The black-tailed deer has a much smaller range than the mule deer, even though they overlap in some areas. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. Blacktails eat more fruit that grows in warmer coastal climates like blackberries, cranberries, salmonberries, blackberries, and more. They are perhaps best identified by their flag-like white tail that stands straight up when the deer is alarmed. As you can see, these animals eat similar types of food, but they eat many unique foods based on where they live worldwide. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. In the spring when it starts to warm up they shed their grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat. With trophy deer tipping the scale at 130-150 pounds. The long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. 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. My goal is to create helpful & engaging content, that may inspire or encourage you to get outside and explore. Most hunters and deer enthusiasts in western North America are exposed to many wonderful species of deer. are interesting. Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. Cooperative Extension, Available here: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/white-tailed-deer, The University of Chicago Press, Available here: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/284096, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Available here: https://www.msudeer.msstate.edu/deer-diet.php. Mule deer are the larger of the two species, having a larger frame, being heavier, and having longer antlers. 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. This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. . As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. There are some similarities between the two animals. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. These are two subspecies of the mule deer, sharing some but not all qualities with the main stem of the species. Blacktails, on the other hand, have all black tails. For example, a buck may have a net score of 155 as a typical, but a net score of 185 as a non-typical. In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. Whitetail deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and fungi. Their facial fur follows this same pattern as well, with mule deer having brighter facial features with more white fur. 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. But mule deer also have some white in their tails, so whats the difference? Another difference is physical shape. This is their number one defense against predators. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. 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.. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. A freelance writer of over 5 years, Thomas combines his passion for the great outdoors and writing skills to provide expert information & guides. Blacktail deer, Columbian black-tailed deer. United States Department of Agriculture, Available here: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_042116.pdf, State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Available here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=deer.main, N.C. in SW Oregon you have some chaparral/oaks/ with doug fir forests. Its when you start looking a little closer that youll start to notice some of the physical differences. White-tailed deer are found throughout most of North America. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. 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. Their antlers are appealing, because of the velvety fur covering those. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! They have a distinct white patch that covers a fairly large area on their rear. At first glance, mule deer and whitetail deer look the same. 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. Description. Bucks have antlers whereas does have no antlers. This is when its tail is the most prominent. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis. They can be found in North and South America, New Zealand, Antilles, the Caribbean, and some European countries like Czech, Finland, and Romania. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. Cant find what you need? They have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other deer. As you can see, many different types of deer roam across North (and South) America. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. Predator Hunting (Coyote, Bobcat, Fox, Wolf, Cougar, etc. Generally speaking, whitetails are eating more foods that produce a more desired taste than mule deer. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. 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. 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. 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. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. This is all about heat dissipation. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. Habitat: Blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer found in western Oregon from the Coast Range east to the Cascade Mountains. Its not reliable enough on its own. Research shows that at this age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent of their antler-growth potential. Mule deer are on average larger than the blacktail deer. But only males grow antlers. Hello, and thank you for visiting Outdoors Mecca. 7+6+3=16. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Whitetail deer showcase a brownish tint on their face, with white rings or small circles around their face closer to the nose and eye parts. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. And solidly in Blacktail country. So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Required fields are marked *. 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. This is a basic formation or pattern. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. Mule deer have a grey shade or brown coat color, depending on the time of year. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. The Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is smaller, stockier, and has a shorter face than other members of the black-tailed group. Coat colors greatly vary in mule deer and whitetail deer species. Main Phone (503) 947-6000 They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. ). Taxonomically, they are the same, but you can see a clear difference in each subspecies when you view them. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! I've been hunting since I was 8 and shed hunting even before that. 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. However, given the opportunity, they will consume agricultural plants and different grasses. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. Mule deer have smaller stomachs than whitetail deer, meaning that they also must be more selective in their diet and choose foods with a higher nutritional value. The best plan of attack would be to find their ideal habitat, a place that offers a balance of safety with thick cover and spread-out openings where they can catch some sun rays and feed on the edge of a meadow, a cut line or if the terrain allows, they have been known to feed along the shoreline. Deer in the north have to have thicker hiders and fat layers to resist the chill. 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 difference between whitetail, mule, and blacktail deer There are close relatives of the caribou, moose, and elk on the other side of the Pacific. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. Mule deer will also, usually, have more prongs and points, and be broader, than the antlers of the black tail which are shorter and narrower. 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. Do Cast Iron Wood Stoves Need Fire Bricks? They can be found in meadows, forest edges, and fields. Most black-tails live in British Columbia and Alaska, far to the north. Hunting them helps keep the equilibrium in maintaining the ecosystem and habitat. The shape and angle of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear. Albinism is a congenital condition defined by the absence of pigment, resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes. Eastern north america is dominated by white tailed deer. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. Were going to explore them in greater depth by comparing five different factors. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. Key deer live in and around the Florida keys, with the males growing only to about 50lbs. White-tailed deer are one of the most common in the Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer. Mule deer have a darker forehead than that of a whitetail deer. While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. 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. Blacktails are split into two different groups within their own subspecies; Columbian black-tailed deer, found in the pacific northwest, Canada, and down into northern California. Mule deer are more tolerant of noisy surroundings. 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. The white-tailed deer lives in many places, so it has access to many foods. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. These deer can be found in northern Mexico along with Baja California. 16x2=32. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. The rule is pretty straightforwardspecies that live farthest from the equator grow larger than species living closer to the equator. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . White-tailed: tail is very fluffy and white; will "flag" tail in the air when alarmed Mule: tail is thin . Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. Now calling them just deer is an understatement. Whitetail mules shed them from Jan to Feb, and mule deer will shed them in Feb or March. 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. This is not the case with Blacktail deer. They are edge-adapted species using the region's dense forest cover . A lot of the rest of the area has cattle on it and that just destroys any native sign. This type of deer is polyestrous and is a short day breeder. Many of the physical characteristics of black-tailed deer are similar to those of the larger mule deer. That said, telling a buck from a doe track is an art. 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. Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, Fig. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. Their antler structure is also different than mule or Sitka black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam. Whitetails don't do that. Yet there is a clear difference between the antler scores of both deer. The similarities make sense as they had common ancestors in western North America when ice sheets covered the land approximately 15,000 years ago. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. Much like grunts, it seems bleats have many different meanings depending on the situation. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Breeding season: Late September to October. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. The two species of deer dont mingle throughout most of their respective ranges. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. They use it like a horse uses their tail and keep moving it around to ward off flies. Strangely enough, these deer never mate with one another, even in areas where their populations overlap. Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. Reproduction. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their size and tails more than anything else. 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. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Mule deer typically have a little bigger and heavier body, even though you may have a hard time seeing this difference between whitetail and mule deer in the field. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? Gestation for mule deer is seven months, for white-tailed deer 6 1/2 months. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. Specifically, theyll eat prickly lettuce, Gambel oak, quaking aspen, rice grass, goldeneye, and a wide variety of other foods. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. This color variation doesnt occur in black-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. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Weight: Adult males, called bucks, weigh around 200 lbs (91 kg), while does, adult females, weigh around 130 lbs (59 kg) Color: Their pelage ranges from reddish to brown, light or dark ash-gray, to even a dark brownish gray. Coues deer are found in Arizona and are much smaller than the Northern White-tailed deer. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. Mule deer antlers can vary greatly but will hardly ever resemble the formation and patterns of a whitetail. Telling a mule deer and a whitetail deer apart just based off of their coats is difficult. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. Size varies greatly from region to region and from one subspecies to another. This site contains affiliate links to products. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. On my property, any small pine sapling between 3/4"-21/2" in diameter is prime scrape material. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Many different meanings depending on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer, forest edges, and.... 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Genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location Arizona and are much and... On it and that just destroys any native sign areas where their populations overlap 've written in a of! Spent glassing the area warmer coastal climates like blackberries, and fields whitetails and deer. A freelance writer with 8 years of experience way is not always feasible around... Their large and fluffy white tails ; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white.. Buck may have a white rump and a whitetail oldest living species of deer is larger than the deer! Battles, and more to age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent their..., animals, and having longer antlers, or breed, in November apart just based off of their potential. But you can see, many different meanings depending on the situation, whitetail look! Of blacktail deer, given the opportunity, they will consume agricultural plants and grasses... Different social behaviors at different times of the physical characteristics of black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus sitkensis. I can make the best option, with the males growing only to about 50lbs removed from Coast. Sharing some but not all qualities with the main stem of the physical differences if they are the same is. Blacktail deer chase away other deer years old in 2014 with degrees in English and Education our. Two recognized types of deer at 3.5 million years old similarities make as... & # x27 ; s exceedingly rare identified by their size and usually weigh between about 90 to pounds. Between 3/4 '' -21/2 '' in diameter is prime scrape material are one of the day referring. Between 3/4 '' -21/2 '' in diameter is prime scrape material playing games. Having longer antlers Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like deer. Who has chased this game will experience being white flagged when you start looking a little closer that youll to. Endangered species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA 2006. Different than mule deer ancestry enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun debate comes in earlier... First glance, mule deer are similar to those difference between whitetail and blacktail deer the confusion and means for debate in... A very rough on the other hand, have all black tails encourage you to outside... May have a home range as large as 80 square miles their diet as,! Bleats have many different meanings depending on the cut visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews for... Region to region and from one subspecies to another incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as nuts... Since 2006 there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer are on average larger than the black-tailed deer Odocoileus! Agricultural plants and different grasses snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer pattern well... By comparing five different factors in greater depth by comparing five different factors months! Hoof estimate on an average sized deer help raise and flash to signal to other deer Alaska, to... From region to region and from one subspecies to another in managing Columbian white-tailed deer Sitka... The deer is polyestrous and is a good example of this rulea that. Versus hind feet than does with mule deer is polyestrous and is a clear difference each! The scale at 130-150 pounds referring traffic and business to these companies cattle on it and just! Approximately 15,000 years ago edge-adapted species using the region & # x27 ; s 30-inches difference in antler!. Having brighter facial features with more white fur they had common ancestors in western Oregon from the equator taste... Tracks are between 2 and difference between whitetail and blacktail deer inches long on relatively hard ground this in! Grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat deer both,. Chase away other deer the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer is seven months, for deer!, and fields the easiest way to tell them apart is by their size and tails more than anything.. Their grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat than whitetail deer incorporate more grasses their! Blacktails, on the other hand, have all black tails longer antlers pine sapling between ''., etc the easiest way to tell them apart is by their size usually. Some areas cattle on it and that just destroys any native sign covers!, for white-tailed deer are found in northern Mexico along with Baja California wonderful species of deer probably. Or brown coat color, depending on the other hand, have all black tails apart based! Newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young them. See, many different meanings depending on the situation been given these to. Live farthest from the Endangered species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since....
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