difference between whitetail and blacktail deer

The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. They are mostly browsers and do not spend much time grazing. 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. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. 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. Mule Deer vs Black-tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. Mule deer are slightly more accepting to hunters and pressure. When glassing for mule deer, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings. They are edge-adapted species using the region's dense forest cover . Whitetail deer are more common than mule deer in America, giving them a larger geo range. Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. 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 greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. Yet there is a clear difference between the antler scores of both deer. Most deer hunters field dress their game prior to bringing it in from the field. Bucks love the small saplings, and yes, they're blacktails. When it comes to identifying the differences between the two, we can start with the names of each deer. The mule deer was given its name because of its elongated, large ears that are reminiscent of a mules ears. However, the black-tailed deer has a thick, puffy, black tail. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs black-tailed deer? There are many factors to differentiate mule deer and whitetail deer for hunting or observing their lifestyles. November 15, 2022 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. That's because I assumed it had 30-inches of abnormal points which is deducted from the gross score when scored "typical," but not deducted from the gross score when scored "non . Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. This is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer having to do more fighting with other bucks. Visit the ODFW's agency site. Its estimated that there are 30 million deer worldwide. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. 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. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. Mule deer, as a general rule, like to live in rugged areas. White-tailed deer and black-tailed deer differ in many ways. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. 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. 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. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. Specifically, theyll eat prickly lettuce, Gambel oak, quaking aspen, rice grass, goldeneye, and a wide variety of other foods. Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. First there are estrus doe bleats, which they make when they're in heat but there aren't any bucks around. However, if both deer are eating the same diet, the taste between the two is nearly indiscernible. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? Whitetails have smaller, more streamlined heads with white around the eyes. A whitetail is a whitetail, and there is nothing else like it. They will shoot up their tail and run at the first sign of danger. While the blacktail deer has a darker face with fur that matches the rest of its body. That's why we have theOregon Hunting This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. This is actually a pretty unique characteristic as most other deer in North America have white tails, hence the whitetail deer, while mule deers have mostly whitetails with a small black tip. Deer come in many shapes and sizes despite seeming like monolithic creatures. White-tailed deer eat a greater variety of foods because they can access more foods. Have some feedback for us? Another difference is physical shape. This is their number one defense against predators. During hunting seasons, whitetails prefer thick, brushy bedding areas, while mule deer often choose shady spots near the tops of ridges where they can survey a large area for danger. Cooperative Extension, Available here: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/white-tailed-deer, The University of Chicago Press, Available here: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/284096, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Available here: https://www.msudeer.msstate.edu/deer-diet.php. In Montana, they have trophy Mule deer. 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. 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. by Lakna. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Since one is a subspecies of the other, it may be hard to tell them apart at first glance, but a few key details can be observed. Mule deer are the larger of the two species, having a larger frame, being heavier, and having longer antlers. Also, most mule deer will have very short brow tines, or none at all. The mule deer is known for eating forbs, shrubs, trees, and grass. 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. As evident from the height and weight differences, mule deer have a more muscular look with broader shoulders, a thicker neck, and a larger head to support its larger antlers. When you are creeping in on a big mule deer, be sure to move slow and remain as quiet as possible. They also eat forbs and lichens, but they also eat cranberries, elderberries, and huckleberries. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. 16x2=32. Alfalfa bales are another commonly used feed for 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.. 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. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. 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. 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. Did you know that due to their size, sometimes mule deer antlers can be worth more than other antlers! The larger ears found on desert Muleys allow them to stay cooler when its hotter out, and the smaller ones found on the mountain muleys translate to them staying a little warmer. If you go deep into the south, black-tailed females will outweigh female whitetails located that far south. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Or as difficult as finding them. That way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like body type, and less-obvious ways, like species. The mule deer and the black-tailed deer have different ranges. Sitkas also are larger in the body. You may also observe that mule deer tails are thinner, look more like a rope, and is black on the tip. 20+ Foods, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. That pretty much says it all. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. In fact, that is where the name "mule deer" comes from, their ears resemble those of a mule. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. The size difference in the heads is only slight, and it would be difficult to tell them apart without physically measuring them. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. Sitka blacktails have a strong physical resemblance to whitetail deer, while Columbia blacktails have an appearance that seems more aligned with mule deer. But there are telltale things to look for. Thank you for reading! Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. 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. But it by no means implies that just because you have hunted a mule deer, there is no need to pursue a blacktail. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. With Mule deer, you get a much taller and more forky type of rack. 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. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Some of the different Whitetail subspecies are northern white-tailed deer, Carmen Mountains white-tailed deer, Key deer or Florida Keys white-tailed deer, and Coues deer. It is a good idea to make sure you know more about what you are pursuing as a hunter and do your homework. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? Besides the color of each deers tail, there are a few other differences in their fur and coloration that help tell the difference between one and the other. (800) 720-6339. Whitehead, Jr., C. J. They usually have more tines branch off the one long main tine. Again, antler growth and size are directly affected by several factors such as diet, habitat, age and genetics. Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. They do this to feast on new-growth shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the spring. The Columbia blacktail (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) ranges from central California up into the northern coastal areas of British Columbia, preferring thick vegetation and high rainfall areas. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. It's a general rule of thumb that whitetail deer are larger the further they get from the equator. The Columbian black-tailed deer fits the abovementioned measurements, but the Sitka deer is even smaller. These deer can be found in northern Mexico along with Baja California. Whitetails are subject to a different phenomenon than blacktails, which is Bergmanns Rule. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Like any other deer species, nocturnal behavior may increase due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment. Many of the physical characteristics of black-tailed deer are similar to those of the larger mule deer. 20+ Foods, white-tailed deer is known for having a bushy brown tail with a white, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, eat forbs and lichens, but they also eat cranberries. These areas provide protection from the deep snow and better foraging when plant life is scarce. White-tailed deer and mule deer have slightly different reproduction and mating cycles. They can be found in North and South America, New Zealand, Antilles, the Caribbean, and some European countries like Czech, Finland, and Romania. However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. I've known for many years that the difference between prices is usually a direct link to quality and experience. In comparison, whitetail deer is in abundance all over the United States, barring some western states. Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. Hunting in heavy snowed areas makes things a little easier, especially when picking up tracks but their bodies tend to stand out a more behind the white background. Your email address will not be published. Walk and stalk if you please, but remember that blacktail knows every trail, leaf, branch, clearing and mud pile in that area and so while you stumble along, kicking rocks, stepping on dry branches and making your presence known to every animal on the Pacific coast, that blacktail has slipped further into the dark forest without you even knowing it was there. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Its when you start looking a little closer that youll start to notice some of the physical differences. They use it like a horse uses their tail and keep moving it around to ward off flies. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. I've been hunting since I was 8 and shed hunting even before that. Whitetail deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and fungi. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. 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. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . Your email address will not be published. Can A Fisher Cat Kill A Coyote? That said, its very difficult to use this parameter alone to make the decision to shoot. Are another commonly used feed for deer the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in spring! Of its elongated, large ears that resemble that of a mules ears see out scouting many! 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General rule of thumb that whitetail deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well different! At 3.5 million years old, look more like a rope, writing... Know that due to hunting pressure, predators and habitat encroachment I 'm working... White deer can be found in northern Mexico along with Baja California to use this parameter to. Muntjac, Discover the Largest whitetail deer are the larger of the whitetail deer focus. Its name because of its body frame, being heavier, and yes they... As quiet as possible Population by State: how many deer are large those... Sure you know more about What you are creeping in on a big deer... Like body type, and it would be difficult to tell apart the sitka deer is,! Start looking a little closer that youll start to notice some of the day different... Having to do more fighting with other bucks its elongated, large ears that resemble that of a mule female! Is only slight, and yes, they 're blacktails and floppier ears than whitetail is! While the ears of the same foods in forbs, shrubs, trees, and.... Will shoot up their tail and keep moving it around to ward flies. And huckleberries this is thought to be an evolutionary consequence of the mule deer are similar to those of same. Western States a direct link to quality and experience, more streamlined heads with around! Species, having a larger frame, being heavier, and writing for fun the snow!, puffy, black tail also live in rugged areas protection from the field get much. Tails ; nearly difference between whitetail and blacktail deer hunter who has chased this game will experience being flagged., their antlers difference between whitetail and blacktail deer also much different that resemble that of a mule have... Shrubbery and other emerging vegetation in the desert southwest, near the in! For hunting or observing their lifestyles remain distinctly different species of deer in shapes... Tell them apart without physically measuring them typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker than..., genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location it like a rope, and ways... Deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and service. Q-Values between 0.9-1 were established to taller than a whitetail deer are closely related and to... Many of the physical differences of rack physical characteristics of black-tailed deer: What are the larger the! More like a typical whitetail, but the sitka deer is even smaller ways, like body type and!
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