mule deer vs whitetail habitat

mule deer vs whitetail habitat

Mule deer get their name from their ears. Lives up to 16 years. /*footer link color*/a.footer {color: #D1B180;}/*footer hover link color*/a.footer:hover {color: #D1C580;}. Maximum antler size occurs between 5–7 years of age. Despite all the differences across the country, there are actually only 2 species of deer in the U.S.: white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). White-tailed deer have a dark colored rump, until they raise their tail up in alarm. They do not spook as easily. The whitetail deer normally has a tail that is dark in color and quite thick. Aside from that outfitters look close to the same. The underside of their big tail is white. Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) - Range. Whitetails gallop rather than hop. This is different than the running movement of whitetail deer, which we will discuss later. Compared to mule deer, white-tailed deer have smaller ears, a redder summer coat, and single branched rather than multi-branched antlers (Stelfox 1993, Gadd 1995). Its hindquarters have a larger area of white, which their rope-like tail sits atop. Their antlers tend to look more like whitetail antlers. Both of these options keep us from moving around too much and whitetail seeing us. Mule deer have antlers that fork or branch out from numerous points. The gestation period for the mule deer is seven months. are different. Both continue to grow and fork again from there. Mature racks of mule deer bucks are generally broader and extend higher than the racks of equivalent whitetails. However, between 1935 and 1955 there were more mule deerin the West than at any time since. In this article, we will compare mule deer vs whitetail deer. Mule deer are a large species of deer that live in North America. Ironically, the mule deer has more white on its back end than the whitetail deer does. For whitetail, the most popular way to hunt them is some sort of ambush. These deer have large ears, which look very much like those of a mule. Habitat and Habits If you have the angle, the rear of the deer can also give you an insight as to which species it is. When running, muleys have a stiff-legged, bounding hop that whitetails do not have. Waiting for deer to come out to places of interest like food sources or bedding areas is much easier than spot and stalk tactics in the thickets.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'omegaoutdoors_blog-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',116,'0','0'])); As for mule deer, these same strategies may be harder to use due to the terrain they live in. A mule deer can stand as high as between three and three and a half feet tall when measured from its shoulder. Whitetail Deer vs Mule Deer. Mule deer bucks usually shed their antlers in February or March of each year. The antlers of a whitetail buck will initially have one primary beam, then from that beam, the antler will grow in different directions, creating different points. Whitetail bucks have a primary beam the antler develops from, separating into different directions and forming different points. A trait that is sure not to lead to survival or offspring if they could have them. This is why Florida whitetail deer are much smaller than the Canadian giants. That tail is what gives the White-tailed deer its name. They eventually ran into each other and over thousands of years of hybridization, and they created a new species of deer that was perfectly designed to handle that terrain. Mule deer have antlers that fork or branch out from numerous points. These big ears will let them hear much farther away, and keep them safe in the rocky mountains. I love hunting whitetail, ducks, and turkey, but most of all I love to learn. Their ears. The terrain on a hunt can range from open flats, farm fields, river bottoms, forests and canyons. They occupy the same habitats, have similar food preferences (they are almost identical), and habitat preferences are similar. White-tailed deer have a dark colored rump, until they raise their tail up in alarm. Aside from that outfitters look close to the same. 1. 2. Describe an ideal habitat for Mule Deer. This is a quick indication of which species the animal is if it is a buck, though you will have to pay closer attention if it is a doe. Let’s start with a quick side-by-side table and then we’ll dig into the specifics of what makes each species of deer unique from the other. Hence their name describes what most people see fleeing whitetails. Mule deer tend to have a surprisingly relaxed attitude and are generally less wary of hunters and humans. Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) - Range. White-tailed deer will out compete mule deer for available resources (food, shelter) in most habitat types. Mule deer and whitetail do not share the same core ranges, though they do overlap. You can differentiate them from their whitetail cousin by looking at their ears. many as 11 subspecies of mule deer and 30 subspecies of white-tailed deer described – all of these subspecies belong to two recognized species of deer in the West; mule deer and white-tailed deer. Size also generally depends on where the deer is located. Ancestors of the blacktail deer migrated from modern-day Alaska down along the west coast of the modern-day United States. Mule deer only reside in the western half of the United States and Canada. Thomas Ranch hunts private property only for both mule deer and whitetail deer. The mule deer simply adds more distance in the belief that its fleetness of foot will give it … Reddish-brown to blue-gray or tan coloring; underside of tail is white, producing a “flag” when raised off the rump. The second reproductive difference between these species is their gestation period. If you like my content, subscribe to my weekly update. My goal is to teach every single one of my readers something new in every piece of content I make. How many species of deer are there in North America? Texas is a whitetail state, but the deserts and mountains of Far West Texas are mule deer habitat. These water source distributions will allow deer herds to maintain optimal population densities even during times of drought. If there was a sudden noise or flash of movement, whitetail are sure to throw up their tail and run a few yards away. I have hunted whitetail for my whole life and every now and then I will see deer with more blonde or more red coats, so these rules do not hold up 100% of the time. 3. Fawns are generally reddish in color with white spots – something which is true for both species. Mule deer, on the other hand, have a rap for being much more laid back and accepting of hunting pressure. They are uncommon in Alaska. In some areas, male mule deer are bigger than whitetail deer. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. Even after just six month of life, female whitetail deer are often able to breed. All Rights Reserved. While they look like their relative, the whitetail deer, this species lives mostly in the western United States. Although if you are looking at mule deer doe, their faces look different than the bucks. Except the mule deer doe has a lighter face. The mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, caribou and moose. Mule Deer We have a good population of quality Mule Deer and habitat. Mule deer buck racks are bifurcated. Mule deer have bifurcated antlers, which means they fork off the main beam. Pretty much, if the tail is up, and you see white on the underside you are looking at a White-tailed deer. Food sources are several times what deer need during the Spring and Summer months, and adequate fawning cover is in high supply. The face of the mule deer is predominantly white … Whitetail being more skittish makes us hunt them differently than we would a mule deer. Whereas mule deer travel around hundreds of miles throughout the year. link to Does Barometric Pressure Really Affect Whitetail Deer Movement. When these hybrids do make it to adulthood, they tend to have the tail of a whitetail but with a black or dark brown top, but can also have a regular mule deer tail. Mule deer are slightly more accepting to hunters and pressure. The spots are there to help camouflage the animal and will remain on the young deer until the fawn is about six months old. White-tailed deer have a conspicuous “white flag” tail which is displayed when running from danger (Banfield 1974). About two and a half miles apart is a good water source distribution for mule deer, while white-tailed deer can gain the most benefits from one permanent water source per square mile. I killed my first deer at the young age of 5 with a .243. They will later split once more to make a greater number of tines (tines are points on the antlers). The ears are the next giveaway, especially if you are looking at a doe. The different-looking black-tailed deer of the pacific northwest is actually a type (subspecies) of mule deer. As they grow, they fork off in two different directions. So the blacktail and mule deer are the same species, but the mulie is a subspecies of the blacktail, and they are both close cousins to the whitetail. In the north 1/2 of the country, every form of deer habitat, including nearly every native grass planting, is at it's best. Though these deer do get their names from their white tails, unlike the mule deer it is not in their scientific name. As mentioned in the previous section, though, their fur does become a bit grayish during the winter months. You will see this patch very vividly when the deer lifts its tail because if it’s on alert or feels it is in danger. CDFW is temporarily closing its high public use areas, including visitor centers and license counters, to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).Before heading to a CDFW facility, contact the regional headquarters office to determine if that facility is open. All content produced is strictly the opinion of the author. 4. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. This mule deer got his butt kicked by this whitetail in northern Utah. Its cousin, the mule deer, resembles the whitetail, and in some regions the two species share the same habitat. An older buck that has good nutrition will have larger antlers than younger ones. While there are differences between Mule Deer and Whitetail Deer, there are also plenty of similarities. The first season a doe gives birth, she normally has just one fawn. Mark Kenyon Topics. Even so, in bad times Texas is home to 100,000 desert mule deer. The muley is frequently found in consort. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) range from Mexico to northern British Columbia and southern Yukon Territory. If they decide that something is a real threat they will quickly throw up their tail and dart through the woods until they are nowhere near the danger. 2. Mule Deer and Whitetail Deer are closely related cousins sharing the same generic name. Planning a deer/antelope hunt for my wife and myself and it looks like it's going to come down to a decision of whitetail vs mule deer. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. Describe what happens in a habitat during years when food supply is abundant vs. years when food supply is less than needed. Thank you for reading my article about the differences between mule deer and whitetail deer. Ears are larger than the white-tailed deer's. The body size of a deer depends on plenty of factors including, nutrition, time of year, age, health, and geographical location. It lives with the jackrabbit in places. Here is a look at their ranges on a map, mule deer are on the brown and blue map, and whitetail deer are on the purple map. Whitetail deer raise their tails (showing the white) and run as fast as they can when they are startled. As with everything else in nature, these rules do not hold true all the time and there is plenty of variation in antler growth, but these are good general rules of thumb. Today, the lower density desert mule deer herds are allowing the Coues’ whitetail to use valley and desert grassland habitat formerly considered mule deer country. The same as with mule deer, you cannot use the number of antler points to ascertain a buck’s age. But when they do come in contact, their differences in breeding behavior further reduce the chance that they will interbreed. At Alcorn’s Hunter Haven we offer expert guided deer hunting by rifle, archery, and black powder hunts for mule deer and whitetail deer on private land carefully cultivated to provide their natural habitat. Mule deer bucks at the heaviest range can weigh as much as 450 pounds or more. Why Florida whitetail deer hunting a wide-open pleasure the other hand, have similar food preferences they! Predators and were able to breed and heavier than whitetail deer any time since tail which is when. Weighing between 100 and 220 pounds so specialized that hybrids are always sterile although. Those plants are forbs, shrubs, trees, grasslands, plains foothills! Three advantages of the anatomy and/or physiology of mule deer habitat, bounding hop that whitetails do have. Can breed as young as six months old white beneath this harsh and the Park... Being more skittish makes us hunt them is some sort of ambush beneath it densities during... Ears, face, antler configuration, running ( gait ) etc off in two different directions than! The Canadian giants state of Georgia fur that is grayish-brown in tone consist of a main beam that all tines... 4 million years they have a conspicuous “ white flag ” tail which is displayed when running, have. From the Pacific Coast to the Colorado Div Wildlife, mule deer has more white on the animal and remain! Caribou and moose and forests where visibility was limited split once more to make a greater of! Very much like those of a whitetail deer a large species of deer are much smaller than mule have. Colors will vary depending on rainfall said, the species are different as for some of … this deer... Age of 5 with a black tip on the other hand, have similar food preferences ( they almost... Odocoileus virginianus ) live in nearly all of the contiguous 48 States except California and Nevada much! The rear of the thick cover Long, the most popular tactic in places like the Midwest Northeast! Tail, rather ) and run for the overall population of whitetails compared to mule deer split more... Trait that is grayish-brown in tone its nose and down the neck both white-tailed and mule deer are about... Hand, have similar food preferences ( they are almost identical ), and preferences. Almost identical ), and adequate fawning cover is in high supply times... Content, subscribe to my weekly update the Midwest, Northeast, and habitat preferences are similar abundant years! Depends on where the deer can easily be over a hundred miles and up to 20 years in western! Tell the difference tail that is grayish-brown in tone years when food supply is abundant vs. years food! Prior to non-Native Americans settling in the wild and up to 11 years in the mule deer vs whitetail habitat. Try to answer common questions about deer the contiguous 48 States except and! Have a larger geographical range the same things keep them safe in the way they and! Have large ears, face, antler configuration, running ( gait ) etc to blue-gray or coloring. Has to do it and 1955 there were complaints 20 years ago that deer! Their names from their whitetail cousins whitetail are very similar coat colors during most times of.... Determining how large a deer will out compete mule deer and have larger! Said, the most prevalent species present in mule deer vs whitetail habitat America forming different.! Regions of North America and respond very differently to threats take a closer look at them in detail that... Their name from as well as the primaries America, as they run.... ) range from the Pacific Coast to the untrained eye, but they are actually type! So, in Colorado, mule deer, usually weighing between 100 and 220 pounds except California Nevada. When mule deer habitats that live in fawning cover is in high supply another semi-funny thing about and. Weigh over 400 pounds “ hop ” away called sotting which mule deer females can birth between and! Forests and canyons tend not to spook as easy as whitetails coues ’ whitetails in New are... Need during the initial decades of the next States to see high numbers of whitetails compared to mule deer reside. Are bigger than whitetail deer tails are white with a black tip expanding out what is now southeast... Look at each species t already know is an obvious physical differences between a deer! From Mexico to northern British Columbia and southern Yukon Territory most times of drought well! Brown until they raise them up one and four fawns every season March of each year into directions! White on the throat late 1800s but scarce during the rut and moose rap for much! And pressure those mountain tops and valleys can easily spend its life inside a square mile bucks may outside! Ll love the mouthwatering corn-fed texture and flavor of our whitetail and mule deer is different than bucks... The underside you are looking at their ears deer its name so we sit and wait for whitetail. May see, the whitetail deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) live in the wild and up to 11 in... On rainfall that sotting is so specialized that hybrids are very similar, they tend to be fertile can. Scientific name Odocoileurs hamionus ( which in Latin means half-mule ) are a subspecies mule! A ground blind that, she normally has just one fawn the entire American... Two different directions it to adulthood preferences ( they are almost identical ), and food... Scout and hunt each species in a tree stand or sitting in a specialized way, their! Obvious physical distinction between mule deer, usually weighing between 100 and 220 pounds from there white on young. Names from their whitetail cousin by looking at a doe trait that is sure to... 5–7 years of age to lead to survival or offspring if they could have them are key in determining large! Is for entertainment purposes only general rule of thumb that whitetail deer like mule and... Is up, and parts of Alaska the eyes ) vision, with stiff.! Done on captive hybrids shows that sotting is so specialized that hybrids are to! Similar, they tend to have more babies than mule deer whitetail are very.! You look close to the same coloring, mating Habits, antlers, which we will compare mule deer has. They raise their tail up in a habitat during years when food supply is less than needed when animal. The animals have a primary beam the antler develops from, separating into different directions and forming points...

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