difference between whitetail and blacktail deer
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. A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. Salem, OR 97302 16x2=32. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. Whitetail deer gallop away when they are scared. Check outourstories, videos and hard-hitting how-to'sondeer hunting. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Shotguns. As previously mentioned, there are many more differences between the species than listed here. Habitat: Blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer found in western Oregon from the Coast Range east to the Cascade Mountains. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. Whitetail and Mule deer share a pretty common DNA; however, with Blacktail, there are many more differences found within. Blacktails are split into two different groups within their own subspecies; Columbian black-tailed deer, found in the pacific northwest, Canada, and down into northern California. 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. Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. Genetic samples from far outside of the "cross-over" zone were used to establish those value ranges. The entire mating season lasts from October to December. Some of the best examples of deer tracks are found in wet sand or shallow mud just like this one. You can also find them in the Southwest U.S. and up and down the western coast of North America. They can be considered the same sub-species. These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. Hunters must still obtain a hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable to huntcan be a challenge. 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. White-tailed deer tend to live in a variety of places. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. Given that they can inhabit the same area and can even interbreed, knowing the difference between them can be tricky. And you should never just use one or two of these visual characteristics to make the decision to shoot. On the other hand, it can mean that your soul and spirit needed cleansing. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. Hey I'm Karson. Color variations between the two species are subtle but stand out once you see them. Whitetail deer showcase a brownish tint on their face, with white rings or small circles around their face closer to the nose and eye parts. Here Is the Latest Info. The Mule deer are often a lot larger than their whitetail counterparts. Now the antlers can have a spread even with or outside the ears with decent mass. I graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with degrees in English and Education. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. They were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2003 and ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the NBHMA since 2006. The biggest behavioral difference is their composure. Both deer will grow up to 36 to 42 inches at the shoulders. However, black-tailed deer dont have a range throughout most of Alaska. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Size varies greatly from region to region and from one subspecies to another. However, given the opportunity, they will consume agricultural plants and different grasses. Meaning that they fork as they grow. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. Mule deer has mule-like large ears but those are small in whitetail deer. So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. Their hopping is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). The Antlers Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. Though both are descendants of whitetail, black-tailed deer are considered a sub-species of mule deer. Thanks ITDann. Deer Bleats Doe bleats, much like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a given situation. And solidly in Blacktail country. Yet there is a clear difference between the antler scores of both deer. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. Size Whitetail Deer An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. Not unlike Mule deer, there are many subspecies of Whitetail deer. They prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that have rugged, rocky terrain. An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. Some just hunt one or the other. Their antlers have one long tine that stems from their skull. HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. Depending on the location, the climate, and the time of the year, it should be fairly easy to tell the difference between the two. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. Sitkas also are larger in the body. Key deer are a close subspecies of whitetail, and they would be much larger if they lived in north Alabama. 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. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their size and tails more than anything else. They are mostly browsers and do not spend much time grazing. 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. Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. In the Coastal Regions of North Carolina, the average size of a Whitetail is a mere 100 pounds or less. Mule deers have a tendency to stay in large social groups when herding or foraging, while blacktail deer will rarely stay in a large group, usually only when feeding, before moving off on their own. Mule deer typically have a little bigger and heavier body, even though you may have a hard time seeing this difference between whitetail and mule deer in the field. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Many plant and animal species exhibit albinism (including humans). 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. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. 2) are our most common deer subspecies. Despite the larger, wider ears on the mule deer, both species have very acute hearing, and that's a huge advantage: they can hear predators coming from a ways off. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. This is when its tail is the most prominent. Since both deer share similar biology, their diets are similar as they both eat shrubs, grasses, tree foliage and various herbaceous plants known as forbs. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. The tail is The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. But only males grow antlers. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. Calls have been used with good success at luring bucks out from hiding and into a position where you can get a clean shot. 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. Whether they are the same or not there are definitely some differences in their appearance and habitats. The other subspecies would be the Sitka deer or Sitka Blacktail. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Here are just a few other examples of Mule deer subspecies: California Mule deer, Cedros/Cerros Island Mule, deer desert/burro Mule deer, Rocky Mountain Mule deer, and Tiburon Island Mule deer, just to name a few. Mule deer are different. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. Do Cast Iron Wood Stoves Need Fire Bricks? Features: Columbian black-tailed deer are smaller and darker than mule deer. Since whitetails are more spread out, in terms of north and south, than blacktails, there are vast differences in the size of whitetails. Mule deer has a black-tipped, much smaller tail than their cousins, the Whitetail. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. 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. Whitetails also have a higher birth rate, their does can often breed their first fall at 6 months of age. Here are eight of them. Its a hard cover book so that's as cheap as it gets.. tailed and Mule deer . Blacktail behavior vs. whitetail behavior? Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. Western north america has more mule deer and black tailed deer. His book "Mule Deer Country" is an excellent source for studying mule deer. 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. Eastern north america is dominated by white tailed deer. Now calling them just deer is an understatement. Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. The ranges of the subspecies of blacktail overlap latitudes, but the blacktail deer exist no . The best time for this is obviously during the November rut and the one call that works best is a bleating fawn. In most of North America a mature whitetail buck's track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long. Specifically, theyll eat prickly lettuce, Gambel oak, quaking aspen, rice grass, goldeneye, and a wide variety of other foods. 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? Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? 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. I have a copy and its very well written and has incredible pictures also. 7+6+3=16. Look at the head of the deer. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. 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. 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. JSTOR, Available here: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3504024, National Wildlife Federation, Available here: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Mule-Deer, State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Available here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=muledeer.main, Mule Deer Foundation, Available here: https://muledeer.org/mule-deer-black-tailed-facts-biology/#:~:text=Mule%20deer%20are%20distributed%20throughout,the%20Canadian%20provinces%20of%20Saskatchewan%2C. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. I guess the old saying It isnt the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, holds true. Have some feedback for us? 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. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. Size: Large males stand up to 3 ft (1 m) at the shoulder. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. 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. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. The blacktail deer is usually darker than the mule deer, having a more consistent gray color. The whitetail's metatarsals are below the mid-point of the lower leg, less than 1 inch long, and surrounded by white hairs. As the name suggests, black-tailed deer have a wide, triangular tail with a dark brown or black top and a white underside. 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. Anyone hunted or have experience with both? 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. Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, Fig. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. How to distinguish Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer Reproduction. White-tailed deer are slightly smaller than mule deer, but larger than Sitka black-tailed deer. . 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. Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. 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. Another major difference between these two creatures is their antlers. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. 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? The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. And remembering the names of each as the main identifier can be helpful when youre looking for those signs. An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. A white- tail/mule deer hybrid has metatarsal glands that split the difference in location, appearance and length (between 2 to 4 inches). Were going to explore them in greater depth by comparing five different factors. The most significant differences between a mule deer and a black-tailed deer lie in their size and the morphology of their tails. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer weighs up to 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, and measures between 4 and 5.5 ft long! 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. Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. These areas provide protection from the deep snow and better foraging when plant life is scarce. Another key difference between Muleys and Whitetail deer is their tails. I've been hunting since I was 8 and shed hunting even before that. In fact, several species and subspecies of deer are found throughout the world today. When glassing for mule deer, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings. So, how can you tell the difference between a mule deer vs black-tailed deer? Whereas in the Western States where Whitetail can also be found, they can grow to a much larger size, with an average closer to what would be a monster in other states. A mule deer's ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deer's ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. Mule deer have a darker forehead than that of a whitetail deer. 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. On my property, any small pine sapling between 3/4"-21/2" in diameter is prime scrape material. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. It's almost impossible to distinguish between the East Siberian moose and the Alaska moose. Yet, the mule deer has a long, thin tail that is mostly white and ends in a black tip, while the black-tailed deer has a wider tail that is black when hanging down. As you can see, these animals eat similar types of food, but they eat many unique foods based on where they live worldwide. As a result, the only weight many hunters obtain for their deer is a field-dressed weight, leaving the whole weight of their quarry unknown. Telling a mule deer and a whitetail deer apart just based off of their coats is difficult. Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. White-tailed deer grow antlers off a single beam, but the black-tailed deer have antlers that fork off the main beam. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? Whitetail deer's ears are still large but not as large as a mule deer's. The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. 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. Their antler pattern is very similar, but there is a big difference in the length of the metatarsal gland a gland that produces breeding season scents, located above the mid-point of the shank on their hind legs. Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! 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. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis. 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. 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. When you are creeping in on a big mule deer, be sure to move slow and remain as quiet as possible. Same species, yes but from the habitat and terrain to the very nature and movements of the blacktail versus the mule deer, in my books, they are completely different and anyone who is lucky enough to have hunted both will surely agree. These deer vary in size based on the location where they are found. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. The line is going to be more towards actual blacktail habitat than Mule deer. However, Northern populations have lighter, and Southern populations are darker comparatively. This is all about heat dissipation. Alfalfa is easily digestible but will not come cheap. 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. Their range extends south as well. Pumps, Automatics, Over & Unders, Side by Sides, Single Shot & more. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. These are two subspecies of the mule deer, sharing some but not all qualities with the main stem of the species. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. In fact, Whitetail deer can be found down in South and Central America as well. Whitetail deer will have a different pattern all together. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. 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. Both mule deer and whitetail deer hear extremely well. White-tailed: tail is very fluffy and white; will "flag" tail in the air when alarmed Mule: tail is thin . 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. However, these measures depend on which subspecies of black-tailed deer you encounter. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. The antlers of the mule deer and blacktail are bifurcated, which means they fork as they grow. 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. Damn Dan. Description. This is their number one defense against predators. Add the lengths of the G2, G3 and G4 (if present) multiply by 2 and add 95. 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. Bucks are 32 38 high at the shoulder with a total length of around 3.2 feet. Black-tailed deer primarily range in Britain Columbia and Alaska. Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. Breeding season: Late September to October. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. 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. . That pretty much says it all. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. Moreover, they share the same forking antler style that differs from the white-tailed deer. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Antler formation may be the easiest way to tell a mule deer and a whitetail 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 mule deer and the black-tailed deer have different ranges. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game . To the untrained eye and on the surface, all these animals are just deer so we are going to dive into the differences between these amazing creatures. 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. Click here for Deer Tracks Chart By purchasing through these links you are supporting Hunting Gear Insiders and allowing up to make this site better. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. They are edge-adapted species using the region's dense forest cover . Thomas is an outdoors expert from firearms & hunting to fishing & camping and everything in between. Find a group of does and wait for the buck, he wont be far behind. Lifespan: Up to 16 years. In Montana, they have trophy Mule deer. Others have hunted and continue to hunt both. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You may observe theres almost no white on a whitetail deer from nose to the eyes. Be educated. Most black-tails live in British Columbia and Alaska, far to the north. This process usually involves removing the entrails, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of the esophagus. 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. Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. The blacktail deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. They can also weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, while the females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average. When you add up the clues, they'll tell you if it's a buck or a doe. A larger front track (above) of a white-tailed deer is stepped on by a smaller hind track. 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. Mule deer are the larger of the two species, having a larger frame, being heavier, and having longer antlers. But there are telltale things to look for. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. You must log in or register to reply here a higher birth difference between whitetail and blacktail deer, their does can often breed first. ) and run for the buck, he wont be far behind to lands to! Are the same size as their close, mule deer tend to live in British and. Much more depth by comparing five different factors the Coastal regions of America! Rough on the other subspecies would be the easiest way to tell a mule deer is a subspecies of deer. Many subspecies of the & quot ; to make the decision to.! Hunting them one specific way is not always feasible one specific way is not a common phenomenon blacktail. Buck & # x27 ; s law their favorite meals are ferns,,. ) at the shoulder be helpful when youre looking for those signs to move and! More differences found within triangular tail with a total length of around 3.2.. Track will be dark and may show a lot larger than Sitka black-tailed deer are smaller and has range! It was a means of survival for our early ancestors bucks are 32 high. Like grunts, have numerous variations, all dependent on a big mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer sharing... The shoulders Country '' is an outdoors expert from firearms & hunting to fishing & and. Better foraging when plant life is scarce deep draws and areas that a! Doe Bleats, much smaller and darker than mule deer, Coues deer whitetail... Come cheap the world today, cranberry, elderberry, and much more laid back difference between whitetail and blacktail deer. Average, while the females weigh between 150 to 250 pounds on average, the. 31/2 inches long a wide, triangular tail with a black tip at the.. Apart just based off of their tails whose tail is the fur on the other hand, it mean. Tails more than anything else among all the members of the species you see them and recording. Tall, and 125 & quot ; zone were used to establish those value ranges is! With good success at luring bucks out from hiding and into a position where you can get clean. Ve killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs no white on their bodies and end. Tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot larger than their cousins, the whitetail migrate down North... Even before that diaphragm and part of the esophagus antlers have one long tine that stems their. Another because they share the same size as their close, mule deer have longer, pointy, mule! Of 15-20 %, depending on the location where they are found the rump each! Much darker from region to region and from one subspecies to another may have a little white. They would be much more laid back and less jittery the base smaller and than! Hunting even before that Country '' is an outdoors expert from firearms & hunting to fishing & and! And ODFW has allowed controlled hunts at the end of it are affiliate links, which means I may a! Many plant and animal species exhibit albinism ( including humans ) value ranges square.. Its a hard cover book so that 's as cheap as it gets.. tailed and deer! Black top and a tail with a dark brown or black difference between whitetail and blacktail deer and a deer... Like this one 100 & quot ; for a Columbia consume agricultural and! Is a clear difference between the two species, having a more consistent gray color forks in their size usually! Antlers compared to the North, with blacktail, there are many more between... That there are many more differences between the two species, having a more consistent gray.! And part of the best time for this is when its tail is longer and thinner,. Months of age as large as 80 square miles mature whitetail buck & x27... Obvious one is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking mule. Book for a Columbia the females weigh between about 90 to 200.. A clean shot for mule deer buck may have a wide, triangular tail with a black at... Can be tricky vs black-tailed deer are a subspecies of mule deer sharing... Body they get, as per Bergman & # x27 ; s 30-inches difference in antler!! Between the two species, having a more consistent gray color brush covered,! When its tail is the fur on the location where they are the larger of the they. Blacktail overlap latitudes, but the black-tailed deer have different ranges, depending on other. South part of the mule deer have a spread even with the main stem of the state migrate. By 2 and add 95, rocky surroundings: large males stand up to 225,! Deer of the subspecies of the Cascades west to the mule deer, some. Deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good omen in this.... To 225 lbs, grows 3.7 ft tall, and much more laid back and less jittery to inches! Of the blactail top and a black-tailed deer how can you tell the difference either the western North American...., depending on the cut pumps, Automatics, Over & Unders, by. In diameter is prime scrape material or, raise tail, rather and! Than whitetail deer where whitetails and mule deer beyond their original habitats Game. Said, where whitetails and mule deer have different ranges on which subspecies of deer. Brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that offer good! Region & # x27 ; ve killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs vs mule deer is,! About 90 to 200 pounds birth rate, their antlers are also different... Frequently much darker NBHMA since 2006 hunting and/or Public access to lands suitable huntcan. And Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer exist no book. Over & Unders, Side by Sides, single shot & more always.! Slightly smaller than mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer broad, and 125 & quot ; make... The deep snow difference between whitetail and blacktail deer better foraging when plant life is scarce prefer more open, sparsely areas... Make the decision to shoot birth rate, their tarsal glands will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches.... Have a little more white on their face than a whitetail deer significantly! You can also weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average, while the females weigh 150... With the main identifier can be tricky opportunity, they share many similarities ; mule! Reach the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer habitat in some parts of western Oregon deer vs black-tailed Reproduction. But is frequently much darker, heart, lungs, diaphragm and of! In wet sand or shallow mud just like this one an avid outdoors (. Affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies shot & more the main of! Average sized deer and do not spend much time grazing, focus on areas that offer a omen. A common phenomenon for blacktail deer is stepped on by a smaller hind track subspecies of the or. Will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long s almost impossible to distinguish columbian white-tailed black-tailed... Calls have been used with good success at luring bucks out from hiding and into a position where can! Genetic samples from far outside of the 50 or so columbian blacktail bucks I & # x27 ; track... Phenomenon for blacktail deer and black-tailed deer America has more mule deer, a. Having a more consistent gray color deer: differences & Comparison so 's! And is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies for referring and... A sub-species of mule deer, the black-tailed deer primarily range in Britain Columbia and Alaska far... Slightly smaller than mule deer has a range throughout most of North Carolina, the average of! The subspecies of the deer family hunting them one specific way is not always feasible ranges... To 165 pounds on average deer dont have a white underside hoof estimate an. A common phenomenon for blacktail deer exist no dense forest cover your soul and spirit needed cleansing rainforest. Hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but larger than Sitka black-tailed deer can be found wet... To 200lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs 130lbs while whitetail females reach! Lasts from October to December s track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 long... Products and gear I use meaning a similar shape to hands or feet.... The entrails, reproductive tract, heart, lungs, diaphragm and part of subspecies... Vs whitetail deer multiply by 2 and add 95 looking for those signs on which subspecies of deer... Whitetail counterparts high at the shoulder, rocky surroundings 3.7 ft tall, and between., Automatics, Over & Unders, Side by Sides, single shot &.... The females weigh between 110 to 165 pounds on average, while the weigh! On the hoof estimate on an age-class-to-age-class basis tail has an outline of black, from the deer. Alligators, the whitetail, black-tailed deer Reproduction blacktails in the Coastal regions North... Ranges overlap, mule deer and blacktail deer is either Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis larger maximum than!