You’ll notice that there are very obvious physical differences between a whitetail deer and a mule deer when you look close enough. There are a few different deer species living here in North America. Unlike the related White-tailed deer, mule deer are generally more association with land west of the Missouri River, more specifically with the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Antlers: Antlers are the least useful characteristic when trying to differentiate between these two deer species. Zbone 22-Aug-09. We shoot and eat it year round in central Texas. This photo of whitetail deer was in September. These different movement tactics reflect the environments that these animals adapted to and help them better escape predators. In North America, there are two very popular types of deer when it comes to deer hunting. StickFlicker 22-Aug-09. This white part is seen when the whitetail deer raises its tail up (known as flagging) when alerted of the presence of a predator. These are the whitetail deer and the mule deer. Black. But those that do often find themselves witnessing sights like this one. At issue is the question of hybrids. I'm wondering if anyone has had the opportunity to eat both species of deer when they are eating the same thing, such as alfalfa or corn. Because of this we really limit the number of mule deer … This mule deer got his butt kicked by this whitetail in northern Utah. Whitetails don't do that. Coloration varies depending on the time of year. A mule deer’s diet is usually composed of weeds, leaves, and twigs. The whitetail deer, otherwise known as the Virginia deer, is a member of the North American deer family. Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. Is there a difference? Mule deer are indigenous to western North America and are named for their large ears. Whitetail-Mule deer hybrids may have antler characteristics of mule deer. A whitetail-mule deer hybrid has metatarsal glands that split the difference, usually measuring between 2-4 inches and encircled with white hair. Mule Deer Hunt. Mule deer behave much differently than whitetails. Furthermore, whitetail deer have reddish-brown fur, while mule deer have greyish-brown fur. Earl E. Nove....mber 22-Aug-09. Whitetails have white coloured fur under their tails, whereas mule deer have white tails with a black tip. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. Black tails also tend to be a little darker than mule dee… Mule deer are larger than whitetail deer, usually weighing between 100 and 220 pounds. Whitetail and mule deer move in strikingly different ways: a whitetail deer wags its tall tail as it gallops away, while mule deer stot up and over shrubs. Hence, this is the main difference between whitetail and mule deer. It’s important to properly identify any animal you’re about to hunt. The mule deer are much better in CO and a 150"+ whitetail is a reasonable expectation in a lot of places IC-A Re: Mule deer vs. Whitetail- which would you shoot? Our clients consistently kill bucks scoring 160”-200”, and hunters should expect to see 15-30 bucks per day. The mule deer are iconic in the west and a prized animal by many hunters. They have a less graceful body and they run without lifting their tails. When you decide to go bow hunting for high-mountain mule deer, you know you’re in for a physical challenge. One of the more obvious but often quite confusing difference between the two is their tails. The whitetail deer actually has a dark tail that has a completely white underside. Sitkas, coues and axis to name a few. After all, that is where mule deer get their name. Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. 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The whitetail deer is an herbivore and has an average lifespan of 5-11 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. The underside of the tail of both species is creamy colored to white, so there isn’t much of a comparison there. You would think their names would be a dead giveaway in terms of identifying and differentiating the two, but that’s not exactly the case. … Sure is tender, though. whitetail vs mule deer? Many Alabamians consider hunting big mule deer vs whitetail deer, in the Rocky Mountains, as the hunts of their lifetimes. Please read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Identifying a deer is easier if only one species lives in the area but the range of whitetail deer and mule deer overlaps (as well as a few other species of deer with smaller ranges). Several years ago, Terry Kennedy and Johnny McDonald, licensed deer breeders in the state, used artificial insemination to impregnate captive whitetail does with mule deer semen from out of state. All rights reserved. If hunting it is absolutely essential that one can distinguish between the Whitetail and Mule deer to ensure a mistake is not made and the wrong species is taken without the proper tag. And with an estimated population of 200 animals here in Utah (expected to double yearly) the whitetails are looking to displace our beloved muley here in Utah as well. Naveen is a Doctoral Student in Agroforestry, former Research Scientist and an Environmental Officer. Mule deer does take longer to … StickFlicker 22-Aug-09. In some areas, including northern regions, bucks can be as heavy as 450 pounds: Coloring this website says “their coat color is reddish brown in the summer and changes to grey brown during summer.”. Mule deer were named for their mule-like ears, which are larger than those of whitetail. The other is that mule deer run substantially larger than Northeastern whitetailed deer. This is because of the incredible variation in antler shape in both species. The goal was to produce hybrid bucks with larger racks and thus, higher value to hunters. Both mule and white-tail are good eating but axis deer (spotted) is best of all. The mule deer, otherwise known as black-tailed deer, can be found throughout western North America down to southern Baja Mexico as well as in certain Canadian provinces. However, two species stand alone as the undeniable favorites of both nature enthusiasts and hunters. They have a graceful body and they run with tails lifted. Also, no season on axis because it was brought in from India and has become a nuisance, using up rangeland of native deer. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. This Little Whitetail Packs a Serious Punch. Mule Deer vs. White-Tail Deer: Behavioral Differences So now that you have a pretty good idea of the physical differences between white-tails and mules, let's take a look at some of the other differentiating factors between these two types of deer—and how they'll make a difference in your hunt. Its scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. Whitetail Vs Mule Deer. Both black tails and mule deer have pelts that vary from brown to golden brown in the summer and grayish in the winter. It often bounces away (called “stotting”) when alarmed. The whitetail deer actually has a dark tail that has a completely white underside. tonyo6302 22-Aug-09. Sometimes male whitetail deer can weigh over 400 pounds. Whitetail Deer: Mule Deer: Size: Whitetail deer usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. Whitetail Deer. Its cousin, the mule deer, resembles the whitetail, and in some … There are many different species of deer around the world. About Mule deer. The whitetail deer has a generally smaller body compared to the mule deer. Rooselk 22-Aug-09. 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.. Looking at their faces, the whitetail deer has a brown face with white circles around its eyes and nose, whereas the mule deer has a mostly white face. Among the species of deer native to North America we can find the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).While the white-tailed deer lives throughout the United States, the mule deer inhabits only part of it. Furthermore, whitetail deer have reddish-brown fur, while mule deer have greyish-brown fur. The Ears. DOUGLAS — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has confirmed or suspects seven different cases of in-field mix-ups resulting in the illegal take of mule deer or whitetail bucks in the Chiricahua Mountains and San Bernardino Valley areas since Oct. 24. In fact the whitetail are starting to displace mule deer in Idaho, Montana, and Canada and the Mule deer ranges are significantly smaller than their historic ranges. However, whitetails have a main beam with individual tines coming up. When it comes to their antlers, the whitetail deer has a main shaft, with the rest all pointing upwards. Whitetail vs. Mule Deer By Josh Honeycutt author of Brow Tines and Backstrap March 14, 2016. Two year-old mule deer are most frequently mistaken for hybrids. In comparison, the top of a black tail’s tail, as the name implies, is almost entirely dark or black. Copying is allowed with active link to TheyDiffer.com. The first, and one that is sometimes shared by gunners from wide areas who have hunted both the whitetail and the mule deer is that the muley is stupid by comparison with the whitetail. Filed Under: Animals Tagged With: antlers of mule deer, indigenous deer species, Mule, Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus, Odocoileus virginianus, Virginia deer, White-tailed deer, Whitetail, Whitetail Deer. White-tailed Deer Vs. Mule Deer Don’t Mix. The Rump. Mule Vs Whitetail Deer: Understanding Their Intelligence and Behavior. Conversely, the tail of the mule deer is white and has a dark tip. Fur Color. Mule deer have a coat that is more greyish-brown, while whitetails are more of a reddish-brown color. Travis Smola These are the major differences between mule deer and whitetails. Whitetail deer use speed and agility to outrun their predators. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. Contributors to this thread: Fran 22-Aug-09. Mule deer take 7 months to produce a fawn while whitetail deer take only 6.5 months. The Old Sarge 22-Aug-09. 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. Whitetail deer tend to be smaller than mule deer. Most hunters don’t live in places where they can see both whitetails and mule deer run in the same circles. @media (max-width: 1171px) { .sidead300 { margin-left: -20px; } } by Todd A. 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. The Mule and Whitetail deer also have similar brown coats making it even that much more difficult for a new hunter. Whitetails also have a higher birth rate, their does can often breed their first fall at 6 months of age. MULE DEER HUNTS . There is an obvious physical distinction between mule deer vs. whitetail deer, but how do you properly scout and hunt each species? The ears of the whitetail deer are smaller in proportion to its head, compared to the large ears of the mule deer. He has more than ten years of diverse experience as a Zoologist and Environmental Biologist. Fran 22-Aug-09. The antlers of mule deer are bifurcated rather than branching from a single main beam. Difference between Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle, Difference between English and American bulldog, Has a brown face with white circles around eyes and nose, Ears are smaller in proportion to the head, Ears are larger in proportion to the head, Antlers have a main shaft with lines pointing upwards, Fat dark tail, with completely white underside, Has a graceful body and runs with tail lifted, Has a less graceful body and runs without lifting its tail, Difference between a Whitetail Deer and a Mule Deer. One of the more obvious but often quite confusing difference between the two is their tails. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. Their “hopping” is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. Here is what a mule deer looks like: And here is what a whitetail deer looks like: First, notice the faces. Video taken on November 19, 2010. jay.s 22-Aug-09. This particular mammal can live up to 11 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. While we do have a population of mule deer, the ratio to whitetail is about 2/3 to 1/3, so hunters shouldn't expect to only see mule deer. Mule Deer vs. Whitetail Deer. The mule deer’s antlers, on the other hand, fork out repeatedly. With the recent and increased sightings and harvest of White-tailed Deer in Utah, I thought it would be interesting to share a few facts regarding these two species and the challenges which will be faced by the mule deer. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), also known as the whitetail or Virginia deer, is a medium-sized deer native to North America, Central America, Ecuador, and South America as far south as Peru and Bolivia. However, their range overlaps in some areas, and you may be left wondering whether you just saw a white-tailed deer or a mule deer. Posted August 2, 2011 by manager. Mule Deer vs White-tailed Deer – Doe Front View. The whitetail deer has a generally smaller body compared to the mule deer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. Mule deer are slightly more accepting to hunters and pressure. Our South Dakota rifle mule deer hunting is nothing short of world class. Whitetail deer refers to a North American deer with a rather long tail white on the under surface and the males of which have forward-arching antlers while mule deer refers to a long-eared deer of western North America that is larger and more heavily built than the white-tailed deer. 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. We hunt highly-managed private property in the central portion of the state during the peak of the rut. The mule deer may not be as fast as the whitetail deer but they are effective in moving through rugged terrain. Mule Deer Vs Whitetail Deer Hunting. Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. This article will give you a clear-cut rundown of the characteristics of the whitetail deer and the mule deer, to help you clearly distinguish between the two. 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