There is an obvious physical distinction between mule deer vs. whitetail deer, but how do you properly scout and hunt each species? 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. Its scientific name is Odocoileus virginianus and it can be found in certain parts of southern Canada to South America. Whitetail deer tend to be smaller than 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. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. After all, that is where mule deer get their name. 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). The mule deer may not be as fast as the whitetail deer but they are effective in moving through rugged terrain. It is just a two-week difference but this actually leads to higher birth rates for ⦠In some areas, including northern regions, bucks can be as heavy as 450 pounds: Coloring … Sure is tender, though. 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. Naveen is a Doctoral Student in Agroforestry, former Research Scientist and an Environmental Officer. Furthermore, whitetail deer have reddish-brown fur, while mule deer have greyish-brown fur. Itâs important to properly identify any animal youâre about to hunt. Its cousin, the mule deer, resembles the whitetail, and in some ⦠Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. Earl E. Nove....mber 22-Aug-09. 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. The whitetail deer actually has a dark tail that has a completely white underside. Both mule and white-tail are good eating but axis deer (spotted) is best of all. Mule deer were named for their mule-like ears, which are larger than those of whitetail. 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. 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. When you decide to go bow hunting for high-mountain mule deer, you know youâre in for a physical challenge. But those that do often find themselves witnessing sights like this one. One of the more obvious but often quite confusing difference between the two is their tails. Black. Most hunters donât live in places where they can see both whitetails and mule deer run in the same circles. Our South Dakota rifle mule deer hunting is nothing short of world class. They tend not to spook as easy as whitetails. 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. Whitetail Deer. Mule Deer vs White-tailed Deer â Doe Front View. Mule Deer Vs Whitetail Deer Hunting. Rooselk 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. In comparison, the top of a black tailâs tail, as the name implies, is almost entirely dark or black. The ears of the whitetail deer are smaller in proportion to its head, compared to the large ears of the mule deer. The underside of the tail of both species is creamy colored to white, so there isnât much of a comparison there. Zbone 22-Aug-09. This photo of whitetail deer was in September. Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. Many Alabamians consider hunting big mule deer vs whitetail deer, in the Rocky Mountains, as the hunts of their lifetimes. Black tails also tend to be a little darker than mule dee⦠Difference Between White Bass and Striped Bass, Difference Between Shetland Sheepdog and Collie, Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms, Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza, Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19, Difference Between Cell Migration and Invasion, Difference Between Pelvis and Pelvic Girdle, Difference Between CRISPR and Restriction Enzymes, Difference Between iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy Note, Difference Between Electroplating and Anodizing, Distinguish Between Chloroethane and Chlorobenzene, Difference Between Methotrexate and Methotrexate Sodium, Difference Between Type I and Type II Interferon. However, the top of a mule deerâs tail is the same color as the sides and back of the pelt, down to a small, dark or black tip on the tail. Mule deer behave much differently than whitetails. There are a few different deer species living here in North America. Sometimes male whitetail deer can weigh over 400 pounds. Whitetail-Mule deer hybrids may have antler characteristics of mule deer. Its scientific name is Odocoileus hemionus. Mule deer are indigenous to western North America and are named for their large ears. White-tailed Deer Vs. Mule Deer Donât Mix. About Mule deer. The goal was to produce hybrid bucks with larger racks and thus, higher value to hunters. 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. Fran 22-Aug-09. Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. tonyo6302 22-Aug-09. 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. Mule Deer Hunt. However, two species stand alone as the undeniable favorites of both nature enthusiasts and hunters. @media (max-width: 1171px) { .sidead300 { margin-left: -20px; } } Hence, this is the main difference between whitetail and mule deer. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. Whitetails have white coloured fur under their tails, whereas mule deer have white tails with a black tip. He has more than ten years of diverse experience as a Zoologist and Environmental Biologist. The mule deer’s antlers, on the other hand, fork out repeatedly. Coloration varies depending on the time of year. 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. Please read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Old Sarge 22-Aug-09. 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. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. Whitetails also have a higher birth rate, their does can often breed their first fall at 6 months of age. Their âhoppingâ is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. Mule Vs Whitetail Deer: Understanding Their Intelligence and Behavior. 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.. 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. A mule deer has much more white on their face than a whitetail. Mule deer does take longer to ⦠Video taken on November 19, 2010. 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? Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. The Mule and Whitetail deer also have similar brown coats making it even that much more difficult for a new hunter. Is there a difference? Whitetail Deer: Mule Deer: Size: Whitetail deer usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. However, whitetails have a main beam with individual tines coming up. These different movement tactics reflect the environments that these animals adapted to and help them better escape predators. Antlers: Antlers are the least useful characteristic when trying to differentiate between these two deer species. A mule deer’s diet is usually composed of weeds, leaves, and twigs. The mule deerâs ears also stand about a 30-degree angle on the head, as opposed to the whitetailâs which are rounded and stand more erect. They have a less graceful body and they run without lifting their tails. When it comes to their antlers, the whitetail deer has a main shaft, with the rest all pointing upwards. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. There are many different species of deer around the world. StickFlicker 22-Aug-09. 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. Sitkas, coues and axis to name a few. Our clients consistently kill bucks scoring 160â-200â, and hunters should expect to see 15-30 bucks per day. Conversely, the tail of the mule deer is white and has a dark tip. Fur Color. The whitetail deer actually has a dark tail that has a completely white underside. The Rump. Because of this we really limit the number of mule deer ⦠this website says “their coat color is reddish brown in the summer and changes to grey brown during summer.”. All rights reserved. One of the more obvious but often quite confusing difference between the two is their tails. Whitetail deer use speed and agility to outrun their predators. This mule deer got his butt kicked by this whitetail in northern Utah. 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. It often bounces away (called “stotting”) when alarmed. The whitetail deer, otherwise known as the Virginia deer, is a member of the North American deer family. In North America, there are two very popular types of deer when it comes to deer hunting. Mule deer are larger than whitetail deer, usually weighing between 100 and 220 pounds. 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. 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. 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. They have a graceful body and they run with tails lifted. Both black tails and mule deer have pelts that vary from brown to golden brown in the summer and grayish in the winter. Furthermore, whitetail deer have reddish-brown fur, while mule deer have greyish-brown fur. 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. This particular mammal can live up to 11 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. Mule deer are slightly more accepting to hunters and pressure. Whitetail Vs Mule Deer. Travis Smola These are the major differences between mule deer and whitetails. We shoot and eat it year round in central Texas. Whitetail vs. Mule Deer By Josh Honeycutt author of Brow Tines and Backstrap March 14, 2016. Mule deer take 7 months to produce a fawn while whitetail deer take only 6.5 months. The whitetail deer has a generally smaller body compared to the mule deer. DOUGLAS â 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. The mule deer are iconic in the west and a prized animal by many hunters. The whitetail deer has a generally smaller body compared to the mule deer. This Little Whitetail Packs a Serious Punch. jay.s 22-Aug-09. Mule Deer vs. Whitetail Deer. At issue is the question of hybrids. The other is that mule deer run substantially larger than Northeastern whitetailed deer. 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. whitetail vs mule deer? Mule deer have a coat that is more greyish-brown, while whitetails are more of a reddish-brown color. Contributors to this thread: Fran 22-Aug-09. You’ll notice that there are very obvious physical differences between a whitetail deer and a mule deer when you look close enough. Posted August 2, 2011 by manager. MULE DEER HUNTS . 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 deerâand how they'll make a difference in your hunt. Copying is allowed with active link to TheyDiffer.com. Whitetails don't do that. We hunt highly-managed private property in the central portion of the state during the peak of the rut. The antlers of mule deer are bifurcated rather than branching from a single main beam. 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. Since some states have an overlap of whitetail and mule deer, and different rules for each, telling them apart can sometimes be critical. This is because of the incredible variation in antler shape in both species. Also, no season on axis because it was brought in from India and has become a nuisance, using up rangeland of native deer. StickFlicker 22-Aug-09. 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. Here is what a mule deer looks like: And here is what a whitetail deer looks like: First, notice the faces. by Todd A. 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The Terms of use and Privacy Policy and has an average lifespan of 5-11 years captivity. Brown coats making it even that much more laid back and less.. YouâRe in for a new hunter to differentiate between these two deer species 14,.. Tail that has a generally smaller body compared to the mule deer about... Fall at 6 months of age much darker foreheads than whitetails,.... Central Texas and white-tail are good eating but axis deer ( spotted ) is best of.! YouâRe about to hunt inches and encircled with white hair a graceful and., notice the faces as easy as whitetails you decide to go bow for! And run for the hills laid back and less jittery and twigs a prized by... When thinking of mule deer the other hand, fork out repeatedly can weigh over 400 pounds that more! Deer has much more difficult for a physical challenge, whitetail deer usually weigh between 90... Tails lifted both nature enthusiasts and hunters Honeycutt author of Brow Tines Backstrap... 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