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. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. Many states regulate and control these animals differently, and you might end up breaking the law if you take the wrong species of deer. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. The white-tailed deer measures 150 lbs to 405 lbs, grow 1.7 ft to 3.9 ft tall and measures 3.3 to 7.2 feet long. 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. This is an old video and refers to the Roseburg population of the Columbian white-tailed deer as endangered. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! November 15, 2022 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. This example will show you how to read a pointsummary report. 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. 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. These deer are found within coastal regions, and their size results from living in that biome. However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Eastern north america is dominated by white tailed deer. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. 2019 -2022Outdoorworld.reviews - Reliable Outdoor Reviews. The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. Look at the head of the deer. Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. 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? Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . in SW Oregon you have some chaparral/oaks/ with doug fir forests. Their antler structure is also different than mule or Sitka black-tailed deer with antler points growing off one main beam. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. 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. Coues deer are found in Arizona and are much smaller than the Northern White-tailed deer. Copyright 2023 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit information. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. While the specifics of each deers size come down to genetics and diet, generally mule deer will be larger than blacktail deer. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. Each species offers a very unique adventure that outdoorsmen cherish. The most noteworthy differences boil down to their size, color, and region where they are found. White-tailed deer grow antlers off a single beam, but the black-tailed deer have antlers that fork off the main beam. 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. Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. Whitetails are found throughout the United Stateseverything east of the Rocky Mountain chain and well into Canada heading north. Its also the same color as its coat with no black markings on it. Mule deer does take longer to mature. As the name suggests, black-tailed deer have a wide, triangular tail with a dark brown or black top and a white underside. It's very rough but a decent way to get an idea. However, their territories do overlap in some locations. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? 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. These deer vary in size based on the location where they are found. Albinism is a congenital condition defined by the absence of pigment, resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes. Mule deer have more white tones on their face than whitetail deer; it is a much lighter color than the rest of their body. However, these measures depend on which subspecies of black-tailed deer you encounter. When tracking deer, it could be difficult to know which of the two are nearby without seeing them for yourself. in 2011 the plaintiffs noted in oral arguments before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the difference is between a claimed 21 deer per square mile carrying capacity in the project EIS, . Coat colors greatly vary in mule deer and whitetail deer species. That said, its very difficult to use this parameter alone to make the decision to shoot. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. The mule deer is known for eating forbs, shrubs, trees, and grass. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. Whitetail deer are more common than mule deer in America, giving them a larger geo range. Blacktail deer are generally much smaller than Mule deer and form their racks similarly to that of Whitetail deer. The mule deer and the black-tailed deer have different ranges. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer in every measure. For example, a buck may have a net score of 155 as a typical, but a net score of 185 as a non-typical. Thanks ITDann. These deer are found along the Pacific Coast of North America. 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. The main thing to remember is this overall two-toed shape, sometimes described as "heart shaped". The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. Antler size We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. The Columbian black-tailed deer fits the abovementioned measurements, but the Sitka deer is even smaller. The black-tailed deer has a distinct range too. 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. Whitetails don't do that. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? Have some feedback for us? In the spring when it starts to warm up they shed their grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat. For instance, a black-tailed deer typically has a lot of black shading on the brows which are notably absent on the whitetail. An interesting thing that kept coming up while doing research into the mule deer vs blacktail saga, was the number of journals that referred to the blacktail as a sub-species of mule deer and then seemingly the same number of journals that referred to the mule deer as a hybridized species of the blacktail. Given that they can inhabit the same area and can even interbreed, knowing the difference between them can be tricky. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. This is different than how Whitetail antlers grow, which come from a single beam and branch out as they grow. The largest difference between mulies and whitetail is the size of that home range. 1972. Again, antler growth and size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat, age and genetics. Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. Blacktail deer, Columbian black-tailed deer. 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.. Animals in colder and more northern regions are larger compared to those animals who live in warm, more southern regions. Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. Body size and facial features indicate a mule deer but the tail is usually dark chocolate brown or black on top and white underneath. If you go deep into the south, black-tailed females will outweigh female whitetails located that far south. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. You May Be Surprised. Size varies greatly from region to region and from one subspecies to another. Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. They live in the southern half of Canada except near the west coast and almost all of the U.S. except for the Southwest near the Rocky Mountains. 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. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Black-tailed deer are descendants of whitetail, the latter of which has walked the landscape of North America for roughly 3.5 million years. 1998), but interbreeding also can occur between mule deer bucks and white-tailed does. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. 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. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. In the Coastal Regions of North Carolina, the average size of a Whitetail is a mere 100 pounds or less. Another difference is physical shape. But only males grow antlers. 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. And you should never just use one or two of these visual characteristics to make the decision to shoot. 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