Most black-tails live in British Columbia and Alaska, far to the north. The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Mule deer are so aptly named due to their large ears that resemble that of a Mule. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. These deer are found throughout all of Central America and portions of northern South America. 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? But there are telltale things to look for. Their ranges occasionally intercept, where you would be able to find both species in the same area. 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. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. 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. Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. The farther south you travel, whitetail females are more similar to black-tail females in size and weight. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. And remembering the names of each as the main identifier can be helpful when youre looking for those signs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. Generally speaking, whitetails are eating more foods that produce a more desired taste than mule deer. Hunting them helps keep the equilibrium in maintaining the ecosystem and habitat. Dr. Valerius Geist is considered the #1 mule deer authority in the world. The Sitka deer or Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is a subspecies of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), similar to the Columbian black-tailed subspecies ( O. h. colombianus ). Mule deer evolved from Blacktail deer. are interesting. Size: Large males stand up to 3 ft (1 m) at the shoulder. I'll try to post some pics, I've got quite a few scrapes. Most deer hunters field dress their game prior to bringing it in from the field. White-tailed deer does, or females, can breed at 6 months of age. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. They can be found in meadows, forest edges, and fields. 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. Research shows that at this age, most bucks have achieved 50 to 75 percent of their antler-growth potential. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. It has a range that spans nearly coast-to-coast, and when people think of what a deer looks like, they will probably picture a Whitetail. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. The blacktail deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) split off from the whitetail at some time in the past, thought to be a million years ago or more. The rut runs from early November to late December, and just like any other male of the species, the big bucks will drop their guard and all common sense goes out the window as they chase the does. Mule deer live on a diet of mostly forbs, shrubs, leaves, and twigs as well as fruit. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. Big game hunting and deer hunting especially have been around for thousands of years. Their facial fur follows this same pattern as well, with mule deer having brighter facial features with more white fur. 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. 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. 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 long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. Two forms of black-tailed deer or blacktail deer that occupy coastal woodlands in the Pacific Northwest of North America are subspecies of the mule deer . 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. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. Bucks have antlers whereas does have no antlers. Well provide several different ways to tell these animals apart! The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. This example will show you how to read a pointsummary report. Whitetails have smaller, more streamlined heads with white around the eyes. Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, Fig. White-tailed deer are one of the most common in the Americas, but there are some less-known creatures, like black-tailed deer. The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. The greatest differences between a white-tailed deer and a black-tailed deer can be found in their morphology and size. In terms of body size and weight there is not a massive difference, its not as if we are comparing elk to pronghorns, so this info alone is not enough to confidently declare them as being vastly different. Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis. 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. Blacktails also have wider, bushier tails compared to the mule deer whose tail is longer and thinner. The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. The biggest behavioral difference is their composure. The Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is smaller, stockier, and has a shorter face than other members of the black-tailed group. Blacktail deer, Columbian black-tailed deer. 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, . They have a distinct white patch that covers a fairly large area on their rear. While blacktails have similar ears, they are noticeably smaller than the mules, which is a great identification trick! According to Western states Departments of Natural resources, if a Blacktail deer moves further west, it becomes a Mule deer. The mule deer is known for eating forbs, shrubs, trees, and grass. Reproduction. Mule deer are more tolerant of noisy surroundings. The most apparent differences between these two deer lie in their tails. Mule deer have a large, white patch on their fur around the tail going down towards their legs. An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. Its also the same color as its coat with no black markings on it. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. 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. Named for Sitka, Alaska, as they are found mostly in Alaska. This is when its tail is the most prominent. A mule deer will generally be larger than a whitetail. With muleys being available to hunt across 16 states, it is obvious they can be found across all types of terrain. The rule is pretty straightforwardspecies that live farthest from the equator grow larger than species living closer to the equator. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. The mule deer has a white rump with a small, thin white tail tipped in black. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? The mule deer is the largest of the Odocoileus genus, standing, on the average, 40 to 42 inches at the shoulders and stretching 80 inches or so nose to tail. You may also like: Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! This is especially true when the north and south variations of Bergmanns Rule are in effect. Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? White-tailed deer grow antlers off a single beam, but the black-tailed deer have antlers that fork off the main beam. 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