4. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game . I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. The mule deer is the largest of the Odocoileus genus, standing, on the average, 40 to 42 inches at the shoulders and stretching 80 inches or so nose to tail. Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, Fig. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? These deer are found along the Pacific Coast of North America. 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. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. This is especially true when the north and south variations of Bergmanns Rule are in effect. That way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like body type, and less-obvious ways, like species. Axis deer are generally considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting game meat.. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? I have a copy and its very well written and has incredible pictures also. In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. While the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) covers a much larger area and varied terrain as it is found across much of the western U.S., Canada, and northern parts of Mexico. However, black-tailed deer dont have a range throughout most of Alaska. But there are certainly more differences. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. Mule Deer vs Black-tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Whitetail deer have spread out more than mule deer. Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. Thank you for reading! Reproduction. 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? 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. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. Antler size We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. 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. Here's a closer look at that business model. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer weighs up to 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, and measures between 4 and 5.5 ft long! There are some similarities between the two animals. The mule deer is known for eating forbs, shrubs, trees, and grass. These deer can be found in northern Mexico along with Baja California. Mule deer, as a general rule, like to live in rugged areas. These deer are found within coastal regions, and their size results from living in that biome. What I did not know is the actual cost breakdown of what it takes for a taxidermist to get the job done on the business side of things. They have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other deer. They do this to feast on new-growth shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the spring. You may also observe that mule deer tails are thinner, look more like a rope, and is black on the tip. . 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. Moreover, they share the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? 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. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. A freelance writer of over 5 years, Thomas combines his passion for the great outdoors and writing skills to provide expert information & guides. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. 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? When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. But there are telltale things to look for. 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. Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. This is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer having to do more fighting with other bucks. A mule deers ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deers ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and guides! The black-tailed deer has a much smaller range than the mule deer, even though they overlap in some areas. The ranges of each species have been well documented. Many of the physical characteristics of black-tailed deer are similar to those of the larger mule deer. Not unlike Mule deer, there are many subspecies of Whitetail deer. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. From a distance, their antlers seem similar, but on close inspection, there is a distinct difference. Size Whitetail Deer An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs black-tailed deer? The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. Another major difference between these two creatures is their antlers. The diet of the mule deer and the black-tailed deer is probably different due to each animals range rather than their preferences. According to Western states Departments of Natural resources, if a Blacktail deer moves further west, it becomes a Mule deer. Be educated. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. They can also weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, while the females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average. 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. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Deer in the north have to have thicker hiders and fat layers to resist the chill. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. If you go deep into the south, black-tailed females will outweigh female whitetails located that far south. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. 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 are different. Gestation for mule deer is seven months, for white-tailed deer 6 1/2 months. They live in Alaska in the U.S., British Columbia in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, Possesses a reddish-brown coat that fades to gray in the fall and winter, Across almost the entire southern portion of Canada, except coastal areas on the west, Grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. To recap, the basic idea is that bucks tend to have proportionally larger front versus hind feet than does. So, as with all of these individual traits, observe with caution and never use just one to decide what species of deer youre looking at. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. 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. 16x2=32. Now calling them just deer is an understatement. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. 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}. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. 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