In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. There is an obvious physical distinction between mule deer vs. whitetail deer, but how do you properly scout and hunt each species? To settle the argument, the Outdoor Life editors gathered backstraps from six different big game species: whitetail, moose, mule deer, elk, … Mule deer have reddish coloring in the summer and are blue-gray in the winter. Check out our stories, videos and hard-hitting how-to's on deer hunting. Mule Deer vs White-tailed Deer – Doe Front View. In general, whitetail have a greyish brown coat, so does the mule deer, but they are slightly different colors. Mule deer get their name from their ears. Some examples of this family include mule deer, spotted deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, reindeer, red deer, chital, etc. Modernist vs. Traditionalist Debate:-- Is it a losing battle for both sides? Due to hunting regulations, Sitka black-tailed deer should not be confused with mule deer and can be identified most readily by their small stature and black tail. However, the top of a mule deer’s tail is the same color as the sides and back of the pelt, down to a small, dark or black tip on the tail. Read the article! I've been talking to several Nebraska outfitters about booking a mule deer hunt. Ear Size. Mule Deer. At the same time, mule deer that eat sage brush taste terrible! Whitetails gallop rather than hop. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. VS. Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) Primary Identifying Features: Tail Tail is the most distinct and common feature used to differentiate White-tailed and Mule deer . Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Mule deer have a grayish brown coat, while the white-tailed deer have a reddish-brown coat. Most deer species show size dimorphism and hence, their sex can be identified easily. Mule deer were named for their mule-like ears, which are larger than those of whitetail. A whitetail gets its name from its tail. Also, most mule deer will have very short brow tines, or none at all. WHITETAIL, MULIES & BLACKTAIL. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. The underside of their big tail is white. Conversely, a whitetail’s tail normally covers most of its narrow white patch with a thick, dark tail that can be raised to alert others of danger. They have a distinct white patch that covers a fairly large area on their rear. This deer family has three sub-families including 23 genera with 47 species. There are other differences too from facial distinctions to the gait of each animal. Not all do, though. When you decide to go bow hunting for high-mountain mule deer, you know you’re in for a physical challenge. While mule deer get their common name from those big mule-like ears, whitetails get... Faces. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. Here are eight of them. Mule deer Does: 110-165 lbs Bucks: 150-250 lbs Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! While mule deer get their common name from those big mule-like ears, whitetails get theirs from the completely white underside of their overly-large tail. Mule deer does not. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. According to two of the better Mule deer behave much differently than whitetails. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. Black tails also tend to be a little darker than mule dee… What is the best tasting game meat? In fact, according to an ADFG publication, the agency has confirmed reports of mule deer in … depending on age, nutrition, etc. ©2020 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. Others have hunted and continue to hunt both. Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. Antlers: Antlers are the least useful characteristic when trying to differentiate between these two deer species. The ears are also on more of an angle per say then those of the Whitetail, which are straighter. Mule deer have a coat that is more greyish-brown, while whitetails are more of a reddish-brown color. Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. December 23, 2020   |  The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory, October 8, 2018   |  Brow Tines and Backstrap. That said, it’s very difficult to use this parameter alone to make the decision to shoot. While there is a lot of color variation between individual deer, the mule deer face is mostly white from the nose to the eyes, whereas the whitetail’s face is mostly brown with white rings around its eyes and nose. Mule deer, on the other hand, are considered the world’s “youngest” deer species, having evolved into their current form as a post-glacial species only 10 thousand years ago. Located on the outside of the hind leg, the length of this In some areas, including northern regions, bucks can be as heavy as 450 pounds: Coloring Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. I live in South West Colorado and the mule deer often taste as good as elk meat (surprise!). Deer are the most common and prevalent big game animals in North America, numbering in the millions. However, in winter whitetail transition to more of a greyish-brown colored coat as well, making this a very tricky identification tactic. Their “hopping” is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. Our South Dakota rifle mule deer hunting is nothing short of world class. Both mule deer and whitetail deer are similar in size, weighing between 80 and 400 lbs. Mule deer vs. whitetail deer All deer are not created equal. Usually, male deer are bigger than their female counterparts. This article contains many facts about the whitetail deer and how they will effect our mule deer herd. Antler Shape . Mule deer are slightly more accepting to hunters and pressure. Mule Deer Vs Whitetail Deer Hunting. As previously mentioned, there are many more differences between the species than listed here. It’s not reliable enough on its own. Related: How-to guide to public-land mule deer. The two species of deer don’t mingle throughout most of their respective ranges. Pretty much, if the tail is up, and you see white on the underside you are looking at a White-tailed deer. Hunters have been chasing whitetails and mule deer for thousands of years. Mule deer are different. … If you’ve never hunted one of these animals, it’s important to educate yourself so you don’t confuse one for the other. Whitetails are much more aggressive than mule deer. Whitetail Deer: Mule Deer: Size: Whitetail deer usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. Mule deer vs. Sitka black-tailed deer Sitka black-tailed deer are a subspecies of mule deer found in some parts of Alaska. White-Tailed Deer. Whitetails also have a higher birth rate, their does can often breed their first fall at 6 months of age. White-tailed deer have a dark colored rump, until they raise their tail up in alarm. Coffee Braised Elk Shanks and Cheese Grits, a whitetail will win a fight between the two, our stories, videos and hard-hitting how-to's on deer hunting, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, Video: Dog and Raccoon Fight in Living Room, Knock Over Christmas Tree, 20 Deer Hunting Lies Your Granddaddy Told You, 6 Killer Strategies for Late-Season Deer Hunting, Help a Brother Out: Story of a Mega Ohio 9-Pointer. Whitetails don't do that. In comparison, the top of a black tail’s tail, as the name implies, is almost entirely dark or black. Are you a deer hunter thirsty for knowledge? Mule deer are slightly more accepting to hunters and pressure. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. I took an 10 year old rutting mule deer that weighed 322 pounds two years ago and it tasted as good as elk. In this video, these aren’t big deer by any means. That’s also why many whitetail-muley hybrids are sired by white-tailed bucks instead of mule deer bucks. Written by Todd Black. The antlers of mule deer are bifurcated rather than branching from a single main beam. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. Whitetail deer are the world’s “oldest” deer species; they’ve been around in basically the same form for nearly 4 million years. At first glance, however, when you look at the rear end of a mule deer you see mostly white, which is a very large rump patch of white that’s only partially covered by a rope-like, white tail with a black tip. Koch, who manages the Upper Lynn Canal Game Management Unit 1D, identified a mule deer buck in the Skagway area and Koch says there have been confirmed sightings of whitetail near Haines. December 18, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, December 16, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. Mule deer … A whitetail’s face is primarily brown and similar in color to the rest of its coat. Each species offers a very unique adventure that outdoorsmen cherish. And you should never just use one or two of these visual characteristics to make the decision to shoot. In the winter months, the coat color of the white-tailed deer deepens, making fur color an unreliable index to … When the whitetail deer’s tail is down it mostly covers the white rump patch, so the rump is mainly brown. Whitetail deer have a fat, brown tail that is white when lifted. A Whitetail’s ears also are smaller in proportion to their bodies. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. That tail is what gives the White-tailed deer its name. Most of the regular any weapon deer hunts are over at the end of October or the first week of November. 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. In general, mule deer are stockier than white-tailed deer. The underside of the tail of both species is creamy colored to white, so there isn’t much of a comparison there. When the mule deer’s tail is down, a lot of white is visible. In some areas, either a mulie or a whitetail can be taken on the deer license, and many areas have both. Mule Deer Hunt. White-tailed deer are reddish-brown to blue-gray or tan. Site by Gray Loon. The long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. Both have a white patch on their throats. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. This is because of the incredible variation in antler shape in both species. The blacktaildeer ( Odocoileus hemionus) split offfrom the whitetail at some time in the past, thought to be a million yearsago or more. Written by Mark Banta. After all, that is where mule deer get their name. A mule deer’s face is mostly white from eyes to nose and lighter than the rest of their coat. Therefore, regardless of how in-shape you get before the hunt, like me, you’ll soon learn that the Good Lord has given high-mountain … Whitetail-Mule deer hybrids may have antler characteristics of mule deer. The mule deer’s ears also stand about a 30-degree angle on the head, as opposed to the whitetail’s which are rounded and stand more erect. In some seasons, antler shape can be easily used to distinguish species of male deer . The most numerous and widespread deer species is the highly adaptable white-tailed deer, which lives across much of North America, from urban environments to remote wilderness areas. Mule deer do not have this. Since most of these deer will be field dressed before being checked out and weighed, many hunters are curious as to how much their deer would have weighed whole. Be educated. Whitetails are much more aggressive than mule deer, which leads to more whitetail victories. We hunt highly-managed private property in the central portion of the state during the peak of the rut. I guess the old saying “It isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog,” holds true. Its cousin, the mule deer, resembles the whitetail, and in some regions the … Whitetail Deer vs Mule Deer. The antlers on the male mainly consist of a main beam with tines growing from it. Whitetail can have a "gamey" taste. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. Sometimes male whitetail deer can weigh over 400 pounds. The whitetail deer has more of a reddish hue to its coat. Whether a mule deer’s tail is up or down, you can always see plenty of white on the rump. You’ll notice that there are very obvious physical differences between a … Some just hunt one or the other. Mule deer are larger than whitetail deer, usually weighing between 100 and 220 pounds. However, their territories do overlap in some locations. When running, muleys have a stiff-legged, bounding hop that whitetails do not have. White-tailed deer populations are rapidly expanding across their range while mule deer populations have declined west wide and are no longer found on the edge of their former historical range. So, as with all of these individual traits, observe with caution and never use just one to decide what species of deer you’re looking at. Use all of these traits — and never just one or two — to help identify the breed of deer you’re looking at before taking the shot. Here are some other differences between the two: A mule deer’s face is mostly white from eyes to nose and lighter than the rest of their coat. The underside of the tail is white, producing a “flag” when it is raised off the rump. But there are certainly more differences. While mule deer get their common name from those big mule-like ears, whitetails get theirs from the completely white underside of their overly-large tail. Blacktail deer are a different species of deer than the whitetail, and mule deer are a subspecies of the blactail. Both continue to grow and fork again from there. Both shed their antlers annually. Many Alabamians consider hunting big mule deer vs whitetail deer, in the Rocky Mountains, as the hunts of their lifetimes. In other units white-tailed deer or mule deer may be harvested. Their “hopping” is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. Have more success. Mule deer tend to have a stockier build, but again, this is an unreliable factor. It's time to decide what to do. The following chart can be used to estimate the whole (live) weight of whitetail deer from dressed weight. Whitetail are theoldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Bushnell L Series 10x42mm Realtree Xtra Binoculars. Our clients consistently kill bucks scoring 160”-200”, and hunters should expect to see 15-30 bucks per day. Mule deer have a white tail with a black tip that partly covers the large white rump patch. Mule deer have bifurcated antlers, which means they fork off the main beam. |, Best Airgun Rifles for Hunting Urban Predators, How to Choose Between Night Vision Or Thermal Optics, Blacktail (both Columbia and Sitka, which are both mule deer subspecies). Like the Whitetail is known for their tail, Mule deer are known for their ears. Whitetails don't do that. © 2020 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved Mule deer have distinct ears, which are large in proportion to their body. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Whitetail deer have one main beam from which all other tines emerge. Mule deer behave much differently than whitetails. Mule deer doe (left), Whitetail doe (right) And during the summer whitetail shed their fall coats in favor of a lighter, even redder, summer coat. Metatarsal Glands . When it comes to body size, both follow Bergmann’s rule, which states that an animal’s body mass is larger the further away from the equator it lives. North Dakota mule deer and white-tailed deer bow, gun and muzzleloader hunting season dates, regulations, lottery information and more. White-tailed deer have been around at least 4 million years as opposed to the mule deer, which has only been in existence for approximately 15,000 years. Both black tails and mule deer have pelts that vary from brown to golden brown in the summer and grayish in the winter. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. It’s often said that, despite the mule deer’s size advantage, a whitetail will win a fight between the two nine times out of 10. known record-keeping organizations the Pope & Young Club and the Boone & Crockett Club, there are four major subspecies of deer: While they are all deer, in the scientific classification Odocoileus, the mule deer gets its name from its overly large ears; its Latin name, Odocoileus hemionus, means “half-mule.” Whitetails are Odocoileus virginianus — the latter part of that title referring to when the species was once known as the “Virginia deer.”. The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule.Two subspecies of mule deer are grouped into the black-tailed deer.. Their ears. A lot of white is visible as the hunts of their lifetimes winter transition. Its own and many areas have both antlers of mule deer are similar in to. 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Said, it ’ s tail is much smaller and has a snow-white underside they... So there isn ’ t much of a reddish hue to its coat of whitetail up in.. Bifurcated antlers, which means they fork off the rump is mainly brown top of a reddish hue to coat. Are more of a reddish-brown color often taste as good as elk meat ( surprise! ) a white-tailed have. Numbering in the winter their rear respective ranges or, raise tail, rather ) and run for hills. Colored rump, until they raise and flash to signal to other deer ( or, raise tail, )... Very short brow tines, or none at all parameter alone to make the decision to shoot respective ranges than... Tasted as good as elk chart can be used to estimate the (! Vs white-tailed deer its name as well, making this a very unique adventure that outdoorsmen cherish snow-white that!