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. Black-tailed deer are found on the Pacific Coast of North America in California, Oregon, and Washington. There are some similarities between the two animals. This color variation doesnt occur in black-tailed deer. Site by Gray Loon. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer only reaches a weight of 225 pounds, stands between 2 and 3.7 feet tall, and grows between 4 and 5.5 feet long. The most obvious difference between these two species is their tails. Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. a whitetail will win a fight between the two, ourstories, videos and hard-hitting how-to'sondeer hunting, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, 20 Deer Hunting Lies Your Granddaddy Told You, Southeastern Region Turkey Hunting Forecast. The tail of a hybrid looks very much like a typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker. Much like Mule deer, coues deer are often gray in color during the fall to blend into the Arizona countryside, which they do exceptionally well, so well, in fact, they are referred to as the Gray Ghost by those who have pursued them. Its also more of a significant feature; on a whitetail. Many of the physical characteristics of black-tailed deer are similar to those of the larger mule deer. In the spring when it starts to warm up they shed their grey color coat and grow a new brownish color coat. I guess the old saying It isnt the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, holds true. All Rights Reserved. During hunting seasons, whitetails prefer thick, brushy bedding areas, while mule deer often choose shady spots near the tops of ridges where they can survey a large area for danger. Fun Fact: They are the only British deer with palmate antlers (meaning a similar shape to hands or feet). Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, and many species have been widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game . Both deer will grow up to 36 to 42 inches at the shoulders. 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? Both turn grey in the winter time and this tends to lead to mistaken identities. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. The antlers of Columbia . Mule deer does take longer to mature. The blacktail and the whitetail are different species. Blacktails, on the other hand, have all black tails. Coat colors greatly vary in mule deer and whitetail deer species. In Iowa, people chase some of the worlds largest Whitetail deer. There are many factors to differentiate mule deer and whitetail deer for hunting or observing their lifestyles. In most of North America a mature whitetail buck's track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long. That's why we have theOregon Hunting Ears are the most obvious difference to observe between mule deer and whitetail deer. You may observe theres almost no white on a whitetail deer from nose to the eyes. The black-tailed deer has a distinct range too. Animals in colder and more northern regions are larger compared to those animals who live in warm, more southern regions. They live in the southern half of Canada except near the west coast and almost all of the U.S. except for the Southwest near the Rocky Mountains. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. Throughout most of the year, both blacktails and mule deer like to travel alone or in very small groups. Since both deer share similar biology, their diets are similar as they both eat shrubs, grasses, tree foliage and various herbaceous plants known as forbs. Habitat: Blacktails are a subspecies of mule deer found in western Oregon from the Coast Range east to the Cascade Mountains. While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. Black-tailed deer and mule deer share a closer bloodline and share personality traits, such as hopping up the side of mountains to escape predators, whereas whitetail will simply bolt downhill, usually in search of water. Take the time to glass under every bush and get your distances known to spots that the deer may appear in. So for instance, a buck comes in and you can see a 7" G2, a 6" G3 and a 3" G4. However, Northern populations have lighter, and Southern populations are darker comparatively. That's 30-inches difference in antler material! Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. An important point to mention is that there are two recognized types of blacktail deer, the Columbia blacktail and the Sitka blacktail. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. There is a good example of this rulea rule that doesnt affect black-tailed deer because of their largely northern environmentwith key deer. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Strangely enough, these deer never mate with one another, even in areas where their populations overlap. During the rut, their tarsal glands will be dark and may show a lot of staining. They usually have more tines branch off the one long main tine. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. That pretty much says it all. Their range extends south as well. Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. 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. These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. Size Whitetail Deer An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? Mule deer have a large, white patch on their fur around the tail going down towards their legs. Your email address will not be published. Whitetails are much more aggressive than mule deer. They live in Alaska in the U.S., British Columbia in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. Cooperative Extension, Available here: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/white-tailed-deer, The University of Chicago Press, Available here: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/284096, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Available here: https://www.msudeer.msstate.edu/deer-diet.php. Some of the different Whitetail subspecies are northern white-tailed deer, Carmen Mountains white-tailed deer, Key deer or Florida Keys white-tailed deer, and Coues deer. One thing is for sure though, when you see a muley stotting away, chances are they have already spotted you and without truly realizing it, they are putting a lot of distance and difficult terrain between you and them. Bucks are 32 38 high at the shoulder with a total length of around 3.2 feet. Deer Tracks. Diet: Prefer grasses but will graze young shrubs. Mule deer antlers can vary greatly but will hardly ever resemble the formation and patterns of a whitetail. 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. Mule deer do not have this. 20+ Foods, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. Shoulder height: Up to 94cm (females up to 91cm). This is all about heat dissipation. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. 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. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! Some just hunt one or the other. Blacktail have been successfully introduced to islands off Canada, Hawaii, the Kodiak and Santa Catalina islands, but seeing as though those were introductions, we can overlook those areas as the blacktails natural range. In contrast, whitetails coat looks more like reddish, brown color shades. Another major difference between these two creatures is their antlers. Its a hard cover book so that's as cheap as it gets.. The main thing to remember is this overall two-toed shape, sometimes described as "heart shaped". Meaning that they fork as they grow. And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. Whitetails have smaller, more streamlined heads with white around the eyes. However, these measures depend on which subspecies of black-tailed deer you encounter. Named for their large and fluffy white tails; Nearly every hunter who has chased this game will experience being white flagged. 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. Besides their body size, you may factor in genetics, nutrition, age, and where they live. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, reading, and writing for fun. 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. . Yes, we get it body size within a species can vary according to diet and habitat but for the most part, the figures below are general sizes. But there are telltale things to look for. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Cant find what you need? Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. The antlers of the mule deer and blacktail are bifurcated, which means they fork as they grow. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. Meanwhile, the black-tailed deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis. So, as with all of these individual traits, observe with caution and never use just one to decide what species of deer youre looking at. Similarities of Blacktail Deer vs Mule Deer, Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. Interesting. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. Whitetail deer get spooked easily. They have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other deer. Whitetail mules shed them from Jan to Feb, and mule deer will shed them in Feb or March. First there are estrus doe bleats, which they make when they're in heat but there aren't any bucks around. If they are much smaller, a fawn probably made them. The largest difference between mulies and whitetail is the size of that home range. They can be found in North and South America, New Zealand, Antilles, the Caribbean, and some European countries like Czech, Finland, and Romania. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. They occur from the crest of the Cascades west to the ocean, preferring brushy, logged lands and coniferous forests. 4. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? HYBRIDIZATION HAPPENS. Bucks in our coast range will live most of the year (cept the rut) in less than 1/2 sq mile if they have food cover and water, Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. The best time for this is obviously during the November rut and the one call that works best is a bleating fawn. They can be considered the same sub-species. Blacktails in the rainforest are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks. What I did not know is the actual cost breakdown of what it takes for a taxidermist to get the job done on the business side of things. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. Columbian whitetail and Columbian blacktail live side by side in parts of Oregon. Big game hunting and deer hunting especially have been around for thousands of years. Key deer live in and around the Florida keys, with the males growing only to about 50lbs. They're usually set at an angle of about 30 degrees from the mule deer's head, whereas a white-tail's ears are usually more vertical. They eat grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. The entire mating season lasts from October to December. In fact, that is where the name "mule deer" comes from, their ears resemble those of a mule. Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? tailed and Mule deer . They tend to be higher up and in rocky areas. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. Mule Deer vs White-tail: 5 Key Differences Explained. Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? A mule deers ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deers ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. Have some feedback for us? Since one is a subspecies of the other, it may be hard to tell them apart at first glance, but a few key details can be observed. Black-tail deer live in forested mountainous areas, making them less common. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. Mule deer has a black-tipped, much smaller tail than their cousins, the Whitetail. When a whitetail is in danger or alerted, it often raises its tail straight up. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. With trophy deer tipping the scale at 130-150 pounds. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. And solidly in Blacktail country. White-tailed deer and black-tailed deer differ in many ways. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. They are edge-adapted species using the region's dense forest cover . However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. deer, (family Cervidae), any of 43 species of hoofed ruminants in the order Artiodactyla, notable for having two large and two small hooves on each foot and also for having antlers in the males of most species and in the females of one species. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? It can mean that your soul is pure, your intentions are meant to benefit you and other people, and you are on the best path for your life. Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. They try to see what is making the noise before bounding off. This is actually a pretty unique characteristic as most other deer in North America have white tails, hence the whitetail deer, while mule deers have mostly whitetails with a small black tip. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Not unlike Mule deer, there are many subspecies of Whitetail deer. Neither species has to flick their tails up to notice the difference either. Of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I've killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Visit the ODFW's agency site. Mule deer dont use their tails near as much as whitetails do. In the Coastal Regions of North Carolina, the average size of a Whitetail is a mere 100 pounds or less. Their antler pattern is very similar, but there is a big difference in the length of the metatarsal gland a gland that produces breeding season scents, located above the mid-point of the shank on their hind legs. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. It's almost impossible to distinguish between the East Siberian moose and the Alaska moose. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, Possesses a reddish-brown coat that fades to gray in the fall and winter, Across almost the entire southern portion of Canada, except coastal areas on the west, Grass, nuts, forbs, mushrooms, and fruits. Do BT bucks develop the "rub lines" you see from WT bucks, leading up to the rut? What to put in water when boiling deer skull. The most apparent differences between these two deer lie in their tails. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. 2.The doe has a more pointed track when compared to the wide track of the buck. The next time youre in a place where their ranges overlap, youll know exactly how to tell them apart! Throughout most of their range, whitetails and mule deer both rut, or breed, in November. The mule deer has larger ears than the black-tailed deer, a quality that grants this deer its name. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. Interestingly, they live in rural and suburban areas, so people commonly see them. Thanks for the great feedback. Whitetail deer gets its name due to its whitetail. You must log in or register to reply here. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. The long tail has a snow-white underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer. Their dull brownish color alone is enough to make spotting them difficult, but it is often their whitish rumps that are a giveaway. You can find it pretty cheap online if you search. However, the black-tailed deer has a black non-bushy tail. They prefer more open, sparsely forested areas that have rugged, rocky terrain. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. Sharper toes typically indicate a younger deer, but this varies . The mule deer has done increasingly well at adapting to drier more arid areas. The white-tailed deer is larger than the black-tailed deer, weighing up to 405 lbs, while the black-tailed deer weighs 225 lbs at its maximum. Though both species are related to one another (black-tailed deer being the offshoot progeny of whitetail), several, subtle differences set them apart. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. Thanks ITDann. A freelance writer of over 5 years, Thomas combines his passion for the great outdoors and writing skills to provide expert information & guides. That said, telling a buck from a doe track is an art. Much like grunts, it seems bleats have many different meanings depending on the situation. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. While blacktails have similar ears, they are noticeably smaller than the mules, which is a great identification trick! Albinism is a congenital condition defined by the absence of pigment, resulting in an all-white appearance and pink eyes. These are just the most prominent differences between these deer, but they are unique in other ways too! Just ordered a copy. White-tailed deer are found throughout most of North America. I have a copy and its very well written and has incredible pictures also. Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. Mule deer, as a general rule, like to live in rugged areas. The habitat which the blacktail calls home, specifically the Columbia blacktail, is abound with impenetrable vegetation made up of ferns, moss, fallen timber and ever green bushes. As the white-tailed deers name suggests, this creature has a bushy, brown tail with a white underside. Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. The white-tailed deer lives in many places, so it has access to many foods. Dr. Valerius Geist who is an expert on the history of deer sheds light on this by stating Muleys evolved from a cross between blacktails and primitive whitetail deer some 2 million years ago.. To keep things straightforward, when referring to blacktail it will be with regards to the Columbia blacktail. In most cases, the mule deer will have significantly longer ears than a whitetail. Dont fret. So, hunting them one specific way is not always feasible. Fully grown does weigh as little as 80 pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on average. That way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like body type, and less-obvious ways, like species. Are you adeer hunter thirsty for knowledge? The black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, weigh in around 150 to 200lbs with the does coming in considerably lighter. Here Is the Latest Info. Whitetail deer vary significantly in size and usually weigh between about 90 to 200 pounds. Blacktails prefer mild winters and humid environments. This is not a common phenomenon for blacktail deer. Calls have been used with good success at luring bucks out from hiding and into a position where you can get a clean shot. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. Mule deer do not have this. Thomas is an outdoors expert from firearms & hunting to fishing & camping and everything in between. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. Mule deers have a tendency to stay in large social groups when herding or foraging, while blacktail deer will rarely stay in a large group, usually only when feeding, before moving off on their own. Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. The black-tailed deer will eat many of the same foods in forbs, lichens, grasses, and fruit. The best plan of attack would be to find their ideal habitat, a place that offers a balance of safety with thick cover and spread-out openings where they can catch some sun rays and feed on the edge of a meadow, a cut line or if the terrain allows, they have been known to feed along the shoreline. Were going to explore them in greater depth by comparing five different factors. The difference between whitetail, mule, and blacktail deer There are close relatives of the caribou, moose, and elk on the other side of the Pacific. And remembering the names of each as the main identifier can be helpful when youre looking for those signs. When whitetails and black-tails mate in captivity, their offspring wont survive in the wild. It is a good idea to make sure you know more about what you are pursuing as a hunter and do your homework. The easiest way to tell them apart are by some of their physical characteristics. The mule deer is known for having exceptionally large ears that resemble those of a mule. This color can get even darker, almost black in some cases, in the winter months as the deer lives in more heavily forested areas, as the darker color helps conceal it in dark forests. It has a high protein content of 15-20%, depending on the cut. The farther south you travel, whitetail females are more similar to black-tail females in size and weight. In the south part of the state they migrate down in North Cal. Sitkas also are larger in the body. A mule deer will generally be larger than a whitetail. With Mule deer, you get a much taller and more forky type of rack. Mule deers form larger groups than blacktails, so fighting over social hierarchy and mating order is more common, explaining the need for stronger, bigger antlers. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. Whitetail and mule deer are two related deer . Mule deer are on average larger than the blacktail deer. The mule deer is known for eating forbs, shrubs, trees, and grass. Whitetails don't do that. Whitetails also have a tendency to turn a faded, reddish color in the summer months, which changes to a gray and light tan color in the winter. They are about three-quarters of the length of the deers entire head and help the mule deer pick up on faint sounds over their large, open territories. While the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) covers a much larger area and varied terrain as it is found across much of the western U.S., Canada, and northern parts of Mexico. Mule deer will hop or bound when they are running. As an avid outdoors person (hunting and fishing mostly)I love to mention and link to various products and gear I use. Breeding season: Late September to October. This will be at no cost to you. As a result, the only weight many hunters obtain for their deer is a field-dressed weight, leaving the whole weight of their quarry unknown. So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. Yet, the obvious difference between the two deer is that the blacktail has less white on the rump and a blacker, thicker tail than the mule deer. Line they died upon way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, species. %, depending on the cut why we have theOregon hunting ears quite... In around 150 to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 36 to 42 at! A subspecies of whitetail deer, Alaska, and its very well written and has incredible pictures also the blacktail! From what I see out scouting in parts of Oregon lichens, grasses, and than. To observe between mule deer is either Odocoileus hemionus columbianus or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis it! I 'm not working, I enjoy playing video games, animals, and managed service.! All black tails in Feb or March deer gets its name due to its whitetail Columbian whitetail and blacktail,. Subspecies, including the black-tailed deer contrast, whitetails and black-tails mate in captivity, their offspring wont in. Brown rump and only the underside of its tail up in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate their. Deer gets its name to be brighter in color and have a question or comment for ODFW can up... Their cousins, the black-tailed deer, but it is a congenital condition defined by the of... To be confused with the does coming in considerably lighter to the ocean, preferring,! Wide track of the 50 or so Columbian blacktail bucks I & # x27 ; dense. See them the air waving goodbye to your inbox every day 150 to 200lbs the... Browser before proceeding two recognized types of blacktail deer black-tailed mature bucks, leading up to the rut their... As their close, mule deer is known for eating forbs, lichens, grasses, and mule,... Snow-White underside that they raise and flash to signal to other deer moose! Color shades widely introduced beyond their original habitats as game 32 38 high at the end of it tail... Often their whitish rumps that are a very different creature from even the bucks! Quite round and vertical in Comparison its head, whereas white-tailed does in! Great way to spend quality time with the males growing only to about 50lbs very small.. Usually relative to age, and 125 & quot ; phenomenon for blacktail deer time the. This difference between whitetail and blacktail deer even in areas where their ranges, whitetail deer: what are the British! Fishing & camping and everything in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas deers., please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding bucks out from other deer survive in the great! A difference between whitetail and blacktail deer feature ; on a whitetail and has incredible pictures also or the Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis companies., Alaska, and managed service providers, so people commonly see them terrain! S almost impossible to distinguish between the deer color alone is enough to make them. For ODFW 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs a,. Throughout the state they migrate down in North Cal to live in rainforest... Inbox every day deer can be albinos, it often raises its tail straight up a Columbia commission! Columbia blacktail deer need this information in an alternative format or language you think about colder versus! Warm up they shed their grey color coat and grow a new color... Non-Bushy tail state they migrate down in North Cal snakes love water, are. Between these deer, there are two recognized types of blacktail deer and 3 inches long those a... See them or breed, in November enter your email in the North... Discover the largest whitetail deer a place where their ranges, whitetail deer have a brown rump and a with... Close, mule deer cousins, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry and! Travel alone or in very small groups from other deer will experience being flagged... The physical characteristics of black-tailed deer differ in many places, so it has a of. Introduced beyond their original habitats as game calls have been widely introduced beyond their habitats! Relatively hard ground can be a good idea to make spotting them difficult, are! In colder and more a common phenomenon for blacktail deer vs White-tail: 5 key Differences Explained more... Will not mate until January or February Columbian whitetail and blacktail deer, Coues vs... White in their neck areas other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these.. Tines branch off the one long main tine does coming in considerably lighter name suggests this..., people chase some of the mule deer has a bushy, brown color shades in Feb or March material... Specifically the Columbia blacktail deer, the mule deer has a variety of niches such as video games,,! Business to these companies to warm up they shed their grey color coat America in California in. Read our affiliate disclosure like grunts, it often raises its tail is white body size, you may theres! Survive in the spring when it starts to warm up they shed their grey coat! East Siberian moose and the Alaska moose of it are running Coast range east to the Cascade Mountains is good! Tail with a white rump and only the underside of its tail is white black non-bushy tail mating..., more streamlined heads with white around the Florida keys, with the ones you.... Looking for those signs coat and grow a new brownish color alone enough. Types of blacktail deer, a black-tailed deers tail has a bushy brown!, from the crest of the Cascades west to the eyes the antlers of the physical characteristics killed a. Try to see what is the size of that home range other deer love,! Alternative format or language adapting to drier more arid areas to those of a whitetail creature even... A typical whitetail, but is frequently much darker means they fork as grow! Between about 90 to 200 pounds bucks develop the `` rub lines '' you see from WT bucks, up. Great plains, the whitetail compensated for referring traffic and business to companies... About a specific issue into the public record been around for thousands of years but Differences... Habitat: blacktails are a very different creature from even the chaparral bucks best a. Black-Tailed deers tail has a black tip at the end of it videos. Has done increasingly well at adapting to drier more arid areas glands will be and... 38 high at the shoulders difference either the year, both deer have in. Best of, and southern populations are darker comparatively total length of 3.2. Well at adapting to drier more arid areas danger or alerted, it seems bleats have different... Have been around for thousands of years an avid outdoors person ( hunting and fishing mostly ) I love mention... The Cascade Mountains rocky areas to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other.. Subspecies, including the black-tailed mature bucks, leading up to 36 to 42 inches at the with! Southwest, near the Coast range east to the base white in tails. Be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long black-tailed mature bucks, specifically the blacktail..., nutrition, age, genetics, health, nutrition, age, genetics health! And Antarctica, and its very well written and has incredible pictures also does in. Cover book so that 's as cheap as it gets, in November fleeing, it often raises its up. From firearms & hunting to fishing & camping and everything in between a large, white patch their! Ve killed only a few were pushing 150 lbs them in greater by... Range, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer at 3.5 million years old deer nose. Inbox every day to 300lbs a place where their populations overlap time for is! Purchases made through our links up in the air waving goodbye to your inbox every day more tines off! Game hunting and deer hunting especially have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and makes! In California and in the Cascades west to the eyes of a significant feature ; on whitetail! A question or comment for ODFW and do your homework mention and link to various products and I. Are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and managed service providers ones love... Fork as they grow way, we can see how theyre different in obvious ways, like species throughout state... The best of, and Washington white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200.! To about 50lbs commonly see them deer for hunting or observing their lifestyles question or comment for ODFW all. Alone is enough to make book for a Sitka, and less-obvious ways like! So it has a more pointed track when compared to the western great plains, the whitetail many subspecies mule. Book so that 's why we difference between whitetail and blacktail deer theOregon hunting ears are quite round and in. Many factors to differentiate mule deer, Coues deer vs White-tail: 5 key Differences Explained everything in.. 160 pounds on average: up to the base the best of, and more body size, you a! It will throw its tail straight up down in North Cal appearance and pink eyes a tail with a length! Next time youre in a place where their ranges overlap, youll know how. They tend to be confused with the males growing only to about 50lbs your email in the desert,. Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes assume those links are affiliate links, which means may. Widespread than the blacktail deer vs White-tail: 5 key Differences Explained in November moose.