difference between whitetail and blacktail deer

Mule deer behave much differently than whitetails. The entire mating season lasts from October to December. They cannot mix with other species of 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. And muddy it further behaviour-wise. 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 is probably the most common deer found in North America. Blacktails have slightly larger heads with black patterning around the brows. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_11',107,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-107{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. 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. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. 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. An adult buck will weigh from 150 to . 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. They rarely branch off anywhere besides the main tine. Also, most mule deer will have very short brow tines, or none at all. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Throughout most of the year, both blacktails and mule deer like to travel alone or in very small groups. 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. Hey I'm Karson. Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. That's why we have theOregon Hunting 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. Black-tailed deer and mule deer share a closer bloodline and share personality traits, such as hopping up the side of mountains to escape predators, whereas whitetail will simply bolt downhill, usually in search of water. 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. They raise their tails in alarm when they detect threats. Hunters must still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge. They can be found in meadows, forest edges, and fields. Their antlers have one long tine that stems from their skull. 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. A freelance writer of over 5 years, Thomas combines his passion for the great outdoors and writing skills to provide expert information & guides. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. The white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer may live in similar areas of the world, but theyre different species. Moreover, they share the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer. This is their number one defense against predators. While the blacktail deer has a darker face with fur that matches the rest of its body. Their antler pattern is very similar, but there is a big difference in the length of the metatarsal gland a gland that produces breeding season scents, located above the mid-point of the shank on their hind legs. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? And remembering the names of each as the main identifier can be helpful when youre looking for those signs. Whitetail deer will have a different pattern all together. Physical differences are often the biggest points that are used by those who consider the mule deer and blacktail deer to be different. Here are eight of them. In fact, Whitetail deer can be found down in South and Central America as well. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. Plus a few laughs. The Antlers Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. 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. A larger front track (above) of a white-tailed deer is stepped on by a smaller hind track. If you are interested in learning more information about the basic similarities and differences, Oregon State University offers a great reference page. Yet there is a clear difference between the antler scores of both deer. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Have some feedback for us? Thanks ITDann. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. 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. Your email address will not be published. The mule deer is known for having exceptionally large ears that resemble those of a mule. Their hopping is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. You should study photos, videos and live deer to increase your knowledge so that you can make that snap-decision you might have to make when in the field. Do Cast Iron Wood Stoves Need Fire Bricks? Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Not all do, though. Mule deer have more white tones on their face than whitetail deer; it is a much lighter color than the rest of their body. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/publications.html, ISO Replacement Forearm Pads for a Beretta Extrema. Description. Doe front tracks on the other hand tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same size as their hind tracks. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. Whitetail deer has a restless tail. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. Are you adeer hunter thirsty for knowledge? These deer are found within coastal regions, and their size results from living in that biome. If you have any questions for me, fill out a form on the contact page, send me an email at karson@huntinggearinsiders.com or leave a comment on the below. 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. Its also the same color as its coat with no black markings on it. Taxonomically, they are the same, but you can see a clear difference in each subspecies when you view them. November 15, 2022 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. In Iowa, people chase some of the worlds largest Whitetail deer. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE 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. Same species, yes but from the habitat and terrain to the very nature and movements of the blacktail versus the mule deer, in my books, they are completely different and anyone who is lucky enough to have hunted both will surely agree. Albinism is a congenital condition defined by the absence of pigment, resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes. Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. 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. In fact, several species and subspecies of deer are found throughout the world today. They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Anyone hunted or have experience with both? 2.The doe has a more pointed track when compared to the wide track of the buck. 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. Your email address will not be published. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. A whitetail is a whitetail, and there is nothing else like it. The ranges of each species have been well documented. Can A Fisher Cat Kill A Coyote? 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. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. It's a general rule of thumb that whitetail deer are larger the further they get from the equator. Sometimes, they can even have a dull orangish hue to them. 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. 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. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. 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. Adult buck mule deers can range from 4 to 7 feet long and can stand up to 4 feet tall before their antlers. 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. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. You are using an out of date browser. White-tailed deer eat a greater variety of foods because they can access more foods. Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. While the specifics of each deers size come down to genetics and diet, generally mule deer will be larger than blacktail deer. White-tailed deer tend to live in a variety of places. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! Whitetails have smaller, more streamlined heads with white around the eyes. This is especially true when the north and south variations of Bergmanns Rule are in effect. The mule deers scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. Meaning that they fork as they grow. Now that weve covered the major differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer, you should have a good idea of what makes them similar and what sets them apart. How to distinguish Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer Their weight can range from 75 pounds for a young deer to 350 pounds for a mature deer. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. They look different, live in different spots, and come from different species. Dr. Valerius Geist is considered the #1 mule deer authority in the world. This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. 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 ranges of the subspecies of blacktail overlap latitudes, but the blacktail deer exist no . Mule deer have larger ears than the blacktail which is an obvious difference to the untrained eye. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. Named for Sitka, Alaska, as they are found mostly in Alaska. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? It's very rough but a decent way to get an idea. 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. Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer weighs up to 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, and measures between 4 and 5.5 ft long! Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. They do this to feast on new-growth shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the spring. Mule deer antlers can vary greatly but will hardly ever resemble the formation and patterns of a whitetail. are interesting. With Mule deer, you get a much taller and more forky type of rack.

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