Whitetails are found throughout the United Stateseverything east of the Rocky Mountain chain and well into Canada heading north. The mule deers scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. How do you identify a deer doe? The other subspecies would be the Sitka deer or Sitka Blacktail. The black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. Reproduction. 32+95=127. In mating season and other times of the year, however, mule deer appear to form larger herds of females who all share the same mother and males from different families. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. The Mule deer are often a lot larger than their whitetail counterparts. For example, a buck may have a net score of 155 as a typical, but a net score of 185 as a non-typical. They can also weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, while the females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average. They both have similar life spans, living for about 10 or 11 years in the wild and can live up to 20 years in captivity. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. After all, that is where mule deer get their name. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. Whitetail deer will have a different pattern all together. are interesting. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. These deer are found along the Pacific Coast of North America. Bushnell L Series 10x42mm Realtree Xtra Binoculars. That makes it important for hunters and other wildlife lovers to know the visual difference between the two. Folks that are really good at hunting whitetail and then hunt blacktail, are usually found standing in the field with their mouth hanging open, wide eyed, and wondering what just happened. Mule deer do not have this. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. A mule deer will generally be larger than a whitetail. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? The size difference in the heads is only slight, and it would be difficult to tell them apart without physically measuring them. When a whitetail is in danger or alerted, it often raises its tail straight up. 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. 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. The entire mating season lasts from October to December. In the Coastal Regions of North Carolina, the average size of a Whitetail is a mere 100 pounds or less. In fact, Whitetail deer can be found down in South and Central America as well. The mule deer and the black-tailed deer have different ranges. Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). As the name suggests, black-tailed deer have a wide, triangular tail with a dark brown or black top and a white underside. They are edge-adapted species using the region's dense forest cover . Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. Interesting. This white portion of the tail can only be seen when the deer "flags" or . 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? This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. These are two subspecies of the mule deer, sharing some but not all qualities with the main stem of the species. The blacktail is notorious not only for being difficult to hunt, but just to see one. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . 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. The mule deer has a white rump with a small, thin white tail tipped in black. 3.The buck has a tendency to drag its feet across the ground whereas the doe picks up its feet when moving so it leaves behind a more ordered track. Damn Dan. Hello, and thank you for visiting Outdoors Mecca. Thanks Orygun. Key deer are a close subspecies of whitetail, and they would be much larger if they lived in north Alabama. In the winter they turn more grey. This is their number one defense against predators. Weight: Up to 94kg (females up to 56kg). Whitehead, Jr., C. J. . There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. Hunters must still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge. Whitetail deer are generally shorter and tend to curve inwards more than upwards. How to distinguish Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer Sitkas also are larger in the body. Patterning is as simple as finding the migration trails. 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. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? This is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer having to do more fighting with other bucks. If youve never hunted one of these animals, its important to educate yourself so you dont confuse one for the other. Its often said that, despite the mule deers size advantage, a whitetail will win a fight between the two nine times out of 10. Lifespan: Up to 16 years. Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. And muddy it further behaviour-wise. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. Bucks love the small saplings, and yes, they're blacktails. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. Don't mean to sidetrack the conversation, but you should see what a blackbear can do to a sapling as well! The mule deer was given its name because of its elongated, large ears that are reminiscent of a mules ears. Very well done, Dan. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. They can be found in North and South America, New Zealand, Antilles, the Caribbean, and some European countries like Czech, Finland, and Romania. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. 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.. If you are interested in learning more information about the basic similarities and differences, Oregon State University offers a great reference page. However, their territories do overlap in some locations. Though both are descendants of whitetail, black-tailed deer are considered a sub-species of mule deer. On their own, its easy to tell if you are looking at a Mule deer or a Whitetail. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. Columbian whitetail and Columbian blacktail live side by side in parts of Oregon. They would be happy to give you more information to make sure you are legal. At first glance, mule deer and whitetail deer look the same. Shotguns. Yet there is a clear difference between the antler scores of both deer. Diet: Prefer grasses but will graze young shrubs. The white-tailed deer is Odocoileus virginianus, and the black-tailed deer is Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. You May Be Surprised. Whitetail deer are more common than mule deer in America, giving them a larger geo range. 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. 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. Have more success. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. Their facial fur follows this same pattern as well, with mule deer having brighter facial features with more white fur. 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. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? Located on the outside of the hind leg, the length of this gland varies between species . The similarities make sense as they had common ancestors in western North America when ice sheets covered the land approximately 15,000 years ago. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. 2) are our most common deer subspecies. Blacktails, on the other hand, have all black tails. Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. 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. This is a basic formation or pattern. White-tailed deer tend to live in a variety of places. Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. However, Northern populations have lighter, and Southern populations are darker comparatively. Mule deer, as a general rule, like to live in rugged areas. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. When you add up the clues, they'll tell you if it's a buck or a doe. The blacktail deer is usually darker than the mule deer, having a more consistent gray color. . Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. Look at the head of the deer. Big game hunting and deer hunting especially have been around for thousands of years. That's why we have theOregon Hunting The whitetail's metatarsals are below the mid-point of the lower leg, less than 1 inch long, and surrounded by white hairs. 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. And writing for fun have different ranges you dont confuse one for the other subspecies would much. Blacktail and mule deer and the black-tailed deer Sitkas also are larger in the U.S. such as video,... 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