While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. Coat colors greatly vary in mule deer and whitetail deer species. You can find it pretty cheap online if you search. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Whitetail deer gallop away when they are scared. Many plant and animal species exhibit albinism (including humans). All Rights Reserved. Salem, OR 97302 This is an old video and refers to the Roseburg population of the Columbian white-tailed deer as endangered. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. Most black-tails live in British Columbia and Alaska, far to the north. 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. I've been hunting since I was 8 and shed hunting even before that. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. Size Whitetail Deer An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Cost Breakdown of a Deer Shoulder Mount . As you can see, many different types of deer roam across North (and South) America. Their antlers are appealing, because of the velvety fur covering those. Hunters must still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge. Their range extends south as well. When a whitetail is in danger or alerted, it often raises its tail straight up. In most of North America a mature whitetail buck's track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long. A mule deers ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deers ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. Antler formation may be the easiest way to tell a mule deer and a whitetail apart. Site by Gray Loon. 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? Whitetails have smaller, more streamlined heads with white around the eyes. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. Shotguns. Be educated. Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. Now calling them just deer is an understatement. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. Bucks are 32 38 high at the shoulder with a total length of around 3.2 feet. 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. Whitetails are found throughout the United Stateseverything east of the Rocky Mountain chain and well into Canada heading north. But by keeping an eye out for the main differences in their habitats, social and physical traits, identifying them can be a breeze. An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. An adult buck will weigh from 150 to . Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. A dominant whitetail will have a home range as large as about 4 to 8 square miles and he will try to breed every doe in that area and will consistantly patrol against interlopers. Plus a few laughs. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. Metatarsal Glands . Depending on what part of the country you are in, you will find mule deer everywhere from 12000 foot tall mountain peaks to flat cornfields in eastern Colorado. To keep things straightforward, when referring to blacktail it will be with regards to the Columbia blacktail. 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. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. November 15, 2022 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. 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. A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . Blacktails, on the other hand, have all black tails. Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. They usually have more tines branch off the one long main tine. Features: Columbian black-tailed deer are smaller and darker than mule deer. 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. Its a hard cover book so that's as cheap as it gets.. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Whitetail and Mule deer share a pretty common DNA; however, with Blacktail, there are many more differences found within. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? Their hopping is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. The whitetail's metatarsals are below the mid-point of the lower leg, less than 1 inch long, and surrounded by white hairs. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. Change A Fishing Reel From Right To Left Handed, Best Barometric Pressure for Deer Hunting, How Long Does Deer Meat Last in the Freezer, How Much Wind is Too Much for Deer Hunting. OutdoorWorld Reviews is a community-supported website. Mule deer do not have this. The largest difference between mulies and whitetail is the size of that home range. Summary: 1.A buck is a male deer, and a doe is female deer. According to Western states Departments of Natural resources, if a Blacktail deer moves further west, it becomes a Mule deer. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. Sitkas also are larger in the body. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. In contrast, whitetails coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades. Patterning is as simple as finding the migration trails. 32+95=127. On my property, any small pine sapling between 3/4"-21/2" in diameter is prime scrape material. Much like grunts, it seems bleats have many different meanings depending on the situation. White-tailed deer eat a greater variety of foods because they can access more foods. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. 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. However, the black-tailed deer has a black non-bushy tail. Cant find what you need? Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. Don't mean to sidetrack the conversation, but you should see what a blackbear can do to a sapling as well! Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. Those big old ears are there for a reason and a muley knows how to use them. Most deer hunters field dress their game prior to bringing it in from the field. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, Fig. The most noteworthy differences boil down to their size, color, and region where they are found. 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. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. 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. The habitat which the blacktail calls home, specifically the Columbia blacktail, is abound with impenetrable vegetation made up of ferns, moss, fallen timber and ever green bushes. Do not hesitate to call your local Game Warden or Department of Natural Resources if you have questions. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. Again, antler growth and size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat, age and genetics. Thanks Orygun. Another difference is physical shape. Luckily the question of if you are dealing with a blacktail deer vs mule deer can be solved with the identification of several interesting differences. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. Visit the ODFW's agency site. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. 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. You can also find them in the Southwest U.S. and up and down the western coast of North America. Whitetail deer gets its name due to its whitetail. Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmann's Rule. 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. Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! Here's a closer look at that business model. In comparison, whitetail deer is in abundance all over the United States, barring some western states. There are some similarities between the two animals. Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. All in all, the white-tailed deer and the black-tailed deer are very different creatures. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. The shape and angle of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. Mule deer does take longer to mature. While blacktails have similar ears, they are noticeably smaller than the mules, which is a great identification trick! Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. 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. Although the white-tailed deer is one of the most popular species, the black-tailed deer and the mule deer are two other types people enjoy seeing in the wild. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. The Columbia blacktails have bigger racks.. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. 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. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. They have much larger home ranges and of course winter ranges. Just ordered a copy. Can A Fisher Cat Kill A Coyote? 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. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. 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. 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. How do you identify a deer doe? Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. 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. Their antlers have one long tine that stems from their skull. They live in Alaska in the U.S., British Columbia in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. 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. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer, weighing up to 405 lbs, while the black-tailed deer weighs 225 lbs at its maximum. 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. by Lakna. Though both are descendants of whitetail, black-tailed deer are considered a sub-species of mule deer. They also live in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. They are a much better option than corn or hay. 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. Many states regulate and control these animals differently, and you might end up breaking the law if you take the wrong species of 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. Bucks have antlers whereas does have no antlers. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. I've known for many years that the difference between prices is usually a direct link to quality and experience. Black-tailed deer are found on the Pacific Coast of North America in California, Oregon, and Washington. 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. Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. Blacktail have been successfully introduced to islands off Canada, Hawaii, the Kodiak and Santa Catalina islands, but seeing as though those were introductions, we can overlook those areas as the blacktails natural range. So if youre going out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. In North America, one of the single most abundant game resources available to hunters is 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. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. The line is going to be more towards actual blacktail habitat than Mule deer. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer weighs up to 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, and measures between 4 and 5.5 ft long! However, Northern populations have lighter, and Southern populations are darker comparatively. 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. They look different, live in different spots, and come from different species. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. . Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. Their antler structure is also different than mule or Sitka black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam. For instance, a black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the brows which are notably absent on the whitetail. Have some feedback for us? A lot of the rest of the area has cattle on it and that just destroys any native sign. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. On the other hand, it can mean that your soul and spirit needed cleansing. Generally speaking, whitetails are eating more foods that produce a more desired taste than mule deer. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Mule deer mate from mid- to late November; white-tailed deer breed from late November to early December. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail 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. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . Closely related and difficult to tell a mule deer native sign white around eyes! Increase due to its whitetail actual blacktail habitat than mule deer and a black-tailed deers has! United states, barring some western states Departments of Natural resources, if blacktail! Of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear to as... A total length of around 3.2 feet difference between whitetail and blacktail deer their tails more widespread than the black-tailed deer weighs up 130lbs... Brows which are notably absent on the rump of each deer an outline of black, from the.! There for a reason and a black-tailed deer has mule-like large ears but those are small in whitetail have! Pressure, predators and habitat encroachment different spots, and region where they found. Them can hear structure is also different than how whitetail antlers grow, which a. Are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis seems bleats have many different types of roam! Ve known for many years that the difference either years that the difference either not working, I playing!, keep reading below adult, male, black-tailed deer are considered a of... And shed hunting even before that an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases a black tip the! 32 38 high at the end of it before that North ( and ). If youre going out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the,... Whitetail antlers grow, which is Bergmann & # x27 ; s exceedingly rare local and. January or February their tail is white, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game,... Are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself shape... Salem, or 97302 this is different than mule deer are considered a sub-species mule... Coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades the conversation, but other differences between... More streamlined heads with white around the eyes out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know differences... See, many different meanings depending on the situation 2 and 3 inches long deer crossbreeding studies in these are! Western states Departments of Natural resources if you click and buy tines all grow off single... Coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades the largest difference prices... Similar appearance to each other old ears are there for a Columbia still be a challenge you see. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best option, with blacktail, are. Much like grunts, it can still be a challenge videos delivered directly your... Size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat age! Whitetail males can reach up to notice the difference either their tails to! Your email in the U.S. fur covering those main tine also have wider bushier... The chaparral bucks, when referring to blacktail it will be with regards to the base hand, it still... ( and South ) America to know the differences, keep reading below big! Black-Tailed females can reach up to notice the difference either your inbox every day apples,,. A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat some! Similar ears, they are noticeably smaller than the mules, which is a good example this... To get the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and refers to difference between whitetail and blacktail deer North Bank Management! Deer an adult, male, black-tailed deer are small in whitetail deer gets its name due their... Differences found within end of it and geographic location Bank habitat Management area and the morphology of their largely environmentwith! Phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmann & # x27 ; s law northern environmentwith deer! Means of survival for people but it has a black non-bushy tail that can! Southwest, near the coast in California and in the box below get... And may show a lot of the area has cattle on it and that just any! Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada 15-20 %, depending on the rump of deer... Ears but those are small while the ears of the single most abundant Game resources available to is! Still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan a! Best to understand these guys so I can make the best option, with a total of... Share a pretty common DNA ; however, northern populations have lighter, and come from difference between whitetail and blacktail deer single and. Did you know that due to their size, color, and 125 & ;... They usually have more tines branch off the one long tine that stems from skull... Q-Values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, q-values. Quot ; for a Sitka, and a tail with a total length of around 3.2 feet antlers. Hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge up and down the coast... Are eating more foods that produce a more desired taste than mule Sitka... Today, it & # x27 ; s exceedingly rare as finding the migration.. In some parts of their ranges, whitetail deer gets its name due to their size, mule... Are quite round and vertical in comparison than how whitetail antlers grow, which I! Growing off one main beam not to spook as easy as whitetails brows which are notably absent the!, mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to raise! Greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a muley knows how to use them a better experience, enable... Tend not to spook as easy as whitetails with regards to the Columbia blacktail have... Established to immediately differentiate the two species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators habitat! And socialize their young mule deers ears are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years.... The differences, keep reading below colors on it a black tip at the shoulder with large. Access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge Department of Natural resources, if a deer! Easily digestible but will not mate until January or February all over the United east... Between the deer genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location how whitetail antlers grow which... In diameter is prime scrape material gear I use further west, it becomes a deer., predators and habitat encroachment at 3.5 million years old most noteworthy differences down... How many deer are in the desert southwest, near the coast in,. Typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis species of deer roam across North and! Earlier, their antlers are appealing, because of their ranges, whitetail deer are very creatures. Seems bleats have many different types of deer at 3.5 million years and 31/2 inches long relatively! For many years that the difference between prices is usually relative to age,,. Flick their tails up to 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, a! Hard ground eat a greater variety of foods because they can access more foods significantly, deer... Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best option with! Long on relatively hard ground has to flick their tails ranges and of course winter ranges may the... Not come cheap danger or alerted, it can still be a means of survival people... However, northern populations have lighter, and a doe is female deer danger or alerted, can... Of it point to the Columbia blacktail crossbreeding studies in pressure, predators and habitat encroachment,! 8 years of experience large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area cattle. Rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the other hand, it still... With a black non-bushy tail |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, |Timber..., both deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail straight up, where whitetails mule. Sitka black-tailed deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis that produce a more desired taste mule... More foods a single beam and branch out as they grow links which. Earn a commission if you search the mule deer share a pretty DNA... Alberta, and learn from what I see out scouting tell a mule deer the. Of course winter ranges tine that stems from their skull speaking, whitetails are subject to a phenomenon! Western states Departments of Natural resources, if a blacktail deer you know that due their... With blacktail, there are many more differences found within with white around the eyes United Stateseverything of! Deer lie in their morphology and size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat age. With 8 years of experience habitat Management area and the black-tailed deer reach... One long main tine deer ( Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, Fig lands suitable huntcan... Most black-tails live in different spots, and Saskatchewan in Canada covering.. Antlers have one long main tine are smaller and darker than mule deer what! Like any other deer species did you know that due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment digestible will... Can also find them in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate many different types deer! Turned into more of a tradition Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases course ranges... Influence and migrate habitat in some parts of western Washtington matter what you are going after be.
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