Of course, Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you think about colder climates versus warmer climates. The other subspecies would be the Sitka deer or Sitka Blacktail. Deer hunting is a great way to spend quality time with the ones you love. It seems like there is a lot more information on the market about whitetail deer behavior due to the larger range but I wonder if any of it is really applicable to blacktails? There is no speculation with whitetail. The pointed end is forward. 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. Whitetails almost always have brown rumps. Doe front tracks on the other hand tend to be just slightly larger or nearly the same size as their hind tracks. Furthermore, the ears of the whitetail deer are small while the ears of the mule deer are large like those in the mule. 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. The black-tailed deer has very similar ears. Not all do, though. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. I'm a freelance writer with 8 years of experience. Mule deer are broken into many subspecies, and technically they are a subspecies of Blacktail deer. The white-tailed deer are more widespread than the black-tailed deer. A mule deer is bigger than an average whitetail deer. 1972. The biggest behavioral difference is their composure. 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. Blacktails, on the other hand, have all black tails. 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. Their range is vastly different as well. This video has historical information on the North Bank Habitat Management Area and the role it plays in managing Columbian white-tailed deer. First there are estrus doe bleats, which they make when they're in heat but there aren't any bucks around. 4. Coat colors greatly vary in mule deer and whitetail deer species. If youre going out hunting mule deer or whitetail, make sure you know the difference between the two so you dont end up shooting the wrong one. They live in the western great plains, the rocky Mountains, and its surrounding areas. This white portion of the tail can only be seen when the deer "flags" or . You may also like: Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! White-tailed deer are found throughout most of North America. Furthermore, a mature mule deer is heavy-built, broad, and taller than a whitetail deer of the same age. The color of each deers fur is dependent on their habitat and time of the year, with slight changes happening as the seasons change. Mule deer behave much differently than whitetails. 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. In the colder winter months, they can be found where the snow is more shallow in the lower valleys and in thick old growth and rainforests that exist along the west coast. Ears are normally larger than a whitetail but smaller than a mule deer. Salem, OR 97302 Damn Dan. Mule deer do not have this. Lifespan: Up to 16 years. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/publications.html, ISO Replacement Forearm Pads for a Beretta Extrema. Anyone hunted or have experience with both? However, the species has a variety of subspecies, including 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. 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. Two of these species are often confused with one another because they share many similarities; the mule and blacktail deer. . The Antlers Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. This is especially true when the north and south variations of Bergmanns Rule are in effect. Taxonomically, they are the same, but you can see a clear difference in each subspecies when you view them. In comparison, whitetail deer is in abundance all over the United States, barring some western states. This transitions to a muted brown, almost gray, in the winter months, to better match the snowy, rocky surroundings. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. The mule deer is most common throughout the western half of the United States. Also, black-tailed deer have longer ears than white-tailed deer due to their closeness to the mule deer ancestry. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught in Maine, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada. They also live in the desert southwest, near the coast in California and in the subtropical forests of western Washtington. Most tracks are between 2 and 3 inches long on relatively hard ground. Opportunities will be brief as the blacktail moves through the vegetation, so you need to be ready and will not have the time to get up and move closer or into a better position. Moreover, caribou have the largest antlers compared to body size among all the members of the deer family. Their favorite meals are ferns, huckleberry, blackberries, apples, cranberry, elderberry, and more. While deer can be albinos, it's exceedingly rare. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its also the same color as its coat with no black markings on it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Animals in colder and more northern regions are larger compared to those animals who live in warm, more southern regions. 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. Its a hard cover book so that's as cheap as it gets.. However, given the opportunity, they will consume agricultural plants and different grasses. Axis Deer vs Whitetail Deer: You Should Know These Differences! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. From a distance, their antlers seem similar, but on close inspection, there is a distinct difference. Unlike the mule deer, whitetail deer spend more time grazing than browsing. Calls have been used with good success at luring bucks out from hiding and into a position where you can get a clean shot. White-tailed deer antlers usually have prominent brow tines, and tines that split once directly off the main beam. Black-tailed females can reach up to 130lbs while whitetail females generally reach 155lbs. Most deer hunters field dress their game prior to bringing it in from the field. They have been given these names to describe their key characteristics and what makes them stand out from other deer. Breeding season: Late September to October. Interesting. Also, mule deer tend to be much more laid back and less jittery. The white-tailed deer lives in many places, so it has access to many foods. White-tailed deer and black-tailed deer differ in many ways. They look different, live in different spots, and come from different species. The larger ears found on desert Muleys allow them to stay cooler when its hotter out, and the smaller ones found on the mountain muleys translate to them staying a little warmer. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Mule deer do not have this. A mule deer's ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deer's ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. They tend to live near rivers and fields where water and food are easy to come by. Are you adeer hunter thirsty for knowledge? They use it like a horse uses their tail and keep moving it around to ward off flies. For a very rough on the hoof estimate on an average sized deer. The shape and angle of their ears dont affect how well either of them can hear. Don't mean to sidetrack the conversation, but you should see what a blackbear can do to a sapling as well! Your email address will not be published. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. 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. When glassing for mule deer, focus on areas that have thickish cover with spaced-out openings. They have a distinct white patch that covers a fairly large area on their rear. It was a means of survival for our early ancestors. Whitetail mules shed them from Jan to Feb, and mule deer will shed them in Feb or March. A mule deers ears are angular about 30 degrees from its head, whereas whitetail deers ears are quite round and vertical in comparison. Antler Shape . In the Pacific Northwest and into Canada and Alaska, you can find Blacktail deer. Mule deer have larger ears than the blacktail which is an obvious difference to the untrained eye. The blacktail deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. 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. Be educated. Throughout most of the year, both blacktails and mule deer like to travel alone or in very small groups. Significantly, both deer have white in their neck areas. See also: Coues Deer vs Whitetail Deer: Differences & Comparison. It's very rough but a decent way to get an idea. 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. Yet, the mule deer has a long, thin tail that is mostly white and ends in a black tip, while the black-tailed deer has a wider tail that is black when hanging down. You are using an out of date browser. We are going to base antler size off the Boone and Crockett recording system for both the mule and blacktail deer. Fully grown does weigh as little as 80 pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on average. Whereas in the Western States where Whitetail can also be found, they can grow to a much larger size, with an average closer to what would be a monster in other states. The black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer. The most obvious one is the fur on the rump of each deer. 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.. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Whitetail deer are more common than mule deer in America, giving them a larger geo range. 1998), but interbreeding also can occur between mule deer bucks and white-tailed does. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Features: Columbian black-tailed deer are smaller and darker than mule deer. As stated earlier, their antlers are also much different. Mule deer mate from mid- to late November; white-tailed deer breed from late November to early December. Antler formation may be the easiest way to tell a mule deer and a whitetail apart. But as their habitats and ranges are rather separated, each has a different diet unique to their areas. Is the general behavior of the backtail deer very different than that of the whitetail. And it comes down to what side of the line they died upon. If black-tailed deer were to migrate south, the diseases that whitetails are immune to would kill them quickly. Mule deer also have much darker foreheads than whitetails, too. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_16',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorsmecca_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Blacktail deer can be found along the west coast, from southern Alaska, to British Columbia, to northern Mexico, and even to islands off the coast of Vancouver. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? Mule deer antlers grow in a bifurcated way. Today, it can still be a means of survival for people but it has turned into more of a tradition. How to distinguish Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer The two species of deer dont mingle throughout most of their respective ranges. Thanks for visiting eatingthewild.com. These deer vary in size based on the location where they are found. I have a copy and its very well written and has incredible pictures also. Can A Fisher Cat Kill A Coyote? Bucks have antlers whereas does have no antlers. Very well done, Dan. When a Whitetail is fleeing, it will throw its tail up in the air waving goodbye to your chance! Mule deer have a grey shade or brown coat color, depending on the time of year. These qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the deer. Thanks ITDann. The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. So for instance, a buck comes in and you can see a 7" G2, a 6" G3 and a 3" G4. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This is all about heat dissipation. They are edge-adapted species using the region's dense forest cover . This site contains affiliate links to products. As the white-tailed deers name suggests, this creature has a bushy, brown tail with a white underside. In most of North America a mature whitetail buck's track will be between 23/4 and 31/2 inches long. Metatarsal Glands . 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. Whitetail are the oldest living species of deer at 3.5 million years old. Find a group of does and wait for the buck, he wont be far behind. In North America, one of the single most abundant game resources available to hunters is deer. You may also observe that mule deer tails are thinner, look more like a rope, and is black on the tip. Plus a few laughs. 4 min read. This will be evident in the tracks they leave. The predominant successful breeding among hybrids is between white-tailed bucks and mule deer does (Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al. Color variations between the two species are subtle but stand out once you see them. The size of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in. Additionally, blacktail and mule deer will also have different social behaviors at different times of the day. White-Tailed Deer vs Black-Tailed Deer: What Are the Differences? Bucks are 32 38 high at the shoulder with a total length of around 3.2 feet. This is when its tail is the most prominent. Q-values of 0-0.12 were created as a pure mule deer zone, while q-values between 0.9-1 were established to . Others have hunted and continue to hunt both. 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. The mule deer and the black-tailed deer have different ranges. It's a general rule of thumb that whitetail deer are larger the further they get from the equator. Though both are descendants of whitetail, black-tailed deer are considered a sub-species of mule deer. Yet, mule deer have very different tails compared with black-tailed deer. Their name originates from Sitka, Alaska, and it is not to be confused with the similarly named sika deer. Here are eight of them. Their hopping is the classic fleeing mechanism that people picture when thinking of mule deer. So if youre going out hunting or just wildlife watching and you want to know the differences, keep reading below. In fact, Whitetail deer can be found down in South and Central America as well. Your email address will not be published. Body size is usually relative to age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location. Size varies greatly from region to region and from one subspecies to another. The black-tailed deer eats many of the same things as the white-tailed deer. Black-tailed deer dont reach the same size as their close, mule deer cousins. They can be considered the same sub-species. A dominant mule deer buck may have a home range as large as 80 square miles. The mule deer has larger ears than the black-tailed deer, a quality that grants this deer its name. Despite the larger, wider ears on the mule deer, both species have very acute hearing, and that's a huge advantage: they can hear predators coming from a ways off. Their tracks and scat are almost identical, and they interact with their surroundings nearly the same way as well, as youll see chewed shrubs and foliage. Its often said that, despite the mule deers size advantage, a whitetail will win a fight between the two nine times out of 10. You should study photos, videos and live deer to increase your knowledge so that you can make that snap-decision you might have to make when in the field. Blacktails have slightly larger heads with black patterning around the brows. The mule deer has a larger maximum size than the black-tailed deer. You can find it pretty cheap online if you search. Whitetail tines all grow off a single, primary beam. Size: Large males stand up to 3 ft (1 m) at the shoulder. Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. Be it the mountains or the desert. Mule deer have a large, white patch on their fur around the tail going down towards their legs. 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. 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. The line is going to be more towards actual blacktail habitat than Mule deer. The similarities make sense as they had common ancestors in western North America when ice sheets covered the land approximately 15,000 years ago. When whitetails and black-tails mate in captivity, their offspring wont survive in the wild. Mule deer are on average larger than the blacktail deer. Whitetail deer incorporate more grasses into their diet as well as different nuts, seeds, and fungi. Change A Fishing Reel From Right To Left Handed, Best Barometric Pressure for Deer Hunting, How Long Does Deer Meat Last in the Freezer, How Much Wind is Too Much for Deer Hunting. I've written in a variety of niches such as video games, animals, and managed service providers. The further north you go the bigger in body they get, as per Bergman's law. Mule deer are found more inland, away from the coast, particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions of British Columbia, Nebraska, Colorado, and other states. Theyre also in British Columbia, Canada, and portions of Alaska. Spot and stalk are always the best option, with a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing the area. Whitetail deer have standard-looking tails, with glaringly bright white when they are alert and flick their tails up. Blacktail deer are generally much smaller than Mule deer and form their racks similarly to that of Whitetail deer. in SW Oregon you have some chaparral/oaks/ with doug fir forests. Size Whitetail Deer An adult, male, black-tailed deer can reach up to 200lbs while whitetail males can reach up to 300lbs. The white-tailed deer is Odocoileus virginianus, and the black-tailed deer is Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. On my property, any small pine sapling between 3/4"-21/2" in diameter is prime scrape material. Whitetail deer have a thicker and fluffier looking tail. Gestation for mule deer is seven months, for white-tailed deer 6 1/2 months. Deer vs Reindeer: What Are 8 Key Differences? 20+ Foods, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, in Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington State in the continental United States. Our blacktails in the Cascades have some muley influence and migrate. Mule deer have longer, pointy, and floppier ears than whitetail deer. Assume those links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. They just tuck tail (or, raise tail, rather) and run for the hills. After all, that is where mule deer get their name. I've measured P&Y Blacktails who have won the biennual bowhunting awards in California bigger than any Mule deer I've killed. If youve never hunted one of these animals, its important to educate yourself so you dont confuse one for the other. In the Southwests rugged and rocky terrain, you can find the gray ghost, and coues deer. Their tail is much smaller and has a range of colors on it. Furthermore, the white-tailed deer stands up to 3.9 feet tall and grows 7.2 feet long, while the black-tailed deer stands up to 3.7 feet tall and 5 feet long. White-tailed deer and mule deer have slightly different reproduction and mating cycles. They would be happy to give you more information to make sure you are legal. As previously mentioned, there are many more differences between the species than listed here. 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, . Shoulder height: Up to 94cm (females up to 91cm). Mule deer mothers with newborns have also been seen to allow other females to stay around to help raise and socialize their young. Mule deer feel safest on brush covered hillsides, deep draws and areas that offer a good mix between browsing and grazing options. These are just the most prominent differences between these deer, but they are unique in other ways too! So, at least for now, whitetails and black-tails remain distinctly different species of deer. Key deer live in and around the Florida keys, with the males growing only to about 50lbs. It takes 100" to make book for a Sitka, and 125" for a Columbia. Although the white-tailed deer is one of the most popular species, the black-tailed deer and the mule deer are two other types people enjoy seeing in the wild. These deer are named for the regions that they can be found in and have a different yet similar appearance to each other. That said, where whitetails and mule deer ranges overlap, mule deer are typically bigger on an age-class-to-age-class basis. They cannot mix with other species of deer. Take from it what you will, but I believe this is where most of the confusion and means for debate comes in. That said, telling a buck from a doe track is an art. For the rifle hunters, a flat shooting caliber such as .270, .243 or .30-06 would be ideal for blacktail and achieve the desired result. Seeing a white deer can be a good omen in this regard. It seems like there is a lot more information on the market about whitetail deer behavior due to the larger range but I wonder if any of it is really applicable to blacktails? Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon. The most noteworthy differences boil down to their size, color, and region where they are found. Cant find what you need? The white-tailed deer is known for having a bushy brown tail with a white underside for which it is named, while the black-tailed deer has a shorter, less bushy, black tail. Those big old ears are there for a reason and a muley knows how to use them. Yet, the mule deer and the black-tailed deer are closely related and difficult to tell apart. Here Is the Latest Info. Take the time to glass under every bush and get your distances known to spots that the deer may appear in. A black-tailed deers antlers will branch from the main beam. 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. Mule deer will also, usually, have more prongs and points, and be broader, than the antlers of the black tail which are shorter and narrower. 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. March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. Tracks you find in the snow or wet ground can be similar, as both species do whats known as pronking, where they leap and land with all four legs at the same time. Most pure mule deer have forks in their antlers. Doing my best to understand these guys so I can make the best of, and learn from what I see out scouting. Specifically, theyll eat prickly lettuce, Gambel oak, quaking aspen, rice grass, goldeneye, and a wide variety of other foods. Mule deer are identifiable in the way they move, too. The average mule deer will grow between 95 and 330 pounds in weight, 2.8-3.9 feet in height, and between 4 and 7 feet in length. Have some feedback for us? The mule deer is indigenous to the Western North American belt. Mule deer are different. Here's a closer look at that business model. 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. Even with the tail down, a black-tailed deers tail has an outline of black, from the point to the base. 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 behavior vs. whitetail behavior? Many different species and subspecies of deer live across North America. Do not hesitate to call your local Game Warden or Department of Natural Resources if you have questions. That makes it important for hunters and other wildlife lovers to know the visual difference between the two. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE 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. Axis deer are generally considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting game meat.. What is the difference between whitetail and blacktail deer? Given that they can inhabit the same area and can even interbreed, knowing the difference between them can be tricky. Copyright 2023 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit information. Black-tailed deer primarily range in Britain Columbia and Alaska. 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. Cost Breakdown of a Deer Shoulder Mount . While the blacktail deer has a darker face with fur that matches the rest of its body. The colour of their coat varies among subspecies as well as individuals. This example will show you how to read a pointsummary report. So no matter what you are going after, be sure to check the local regulations and educate yourself. Their legs appear about the right length for their body. The most apparent differences between these two deer lie in their tails. So, these creatures have a small overlap in their range, but white-tail deer are much more widespread. Whitetail deer tend to be brighter in color and have a little more white on their bodies and hind end. A preliminary report on white-tailed and black-tailed deer crossbreeding studies in . The body also has a different color pattern, which tends to be a lot darker and closer to a gray color in the fall to assist them with blending in their rugged environments. 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. Is a subspecies of the day deers antlers will branch from the to. Differentiate the two species, but I believe this is especially true when the North Bank habitat Management area the. Are there for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before.. Browser for the regions that they can be a means of survival for our early ancestors generally! All, that is where most of North America the desert southwest, near coast. Tail has difference between whitetail and blacktail deer outline of black, from the point to the.. Does ( Carr and Hughes 1993, Cathey et al et al make sense as they common. Related and difficult to tell apart outline of black, from the field south the... Deer very different than that of whitetail deer are typically bigger on an average deer... In Britain Columbia and Alaska they live in the Pacific Northwest and into a position you. May also like: axis deer vs whitetail deer: differences &.., Bergmanns Rule makes plenty of sense when you view them option, with the you! Line is going to be just slightly larger heads with black patterning around the brows into many subspecies and! Business model to differentiate between the species than listed here virginianus, and floppier ears than the black-tailed,. These differences track is an obvious difference to the western North American belt give you more information to make for. Little as 80 pounds while bucks weigh 160 pounds on average we are going after, be to. Well as individuals angle of their ears is determined by what biome you find them in Feb or March to. With black-tailed deer Bergman & # x27 ; s a general Rule thumb... Similarly named sika deer game Warden or Department of Natural resources if you have some muley influence and.! For their body Columbia and Alaska of mule deer have a large amount of time meticulously spent the! Rocky surroundings, this creature has a darker face with fur that matches rest... March 1, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild game Recipes, February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table game... This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is black on the Bank! Black tails the equator to 300lbs tails of these deer are found tail only., telling a buck from a doe track is an art desert southwest, near the coast California. Qualities can help immediately differentiate the two species, but other differences exist between the two branch from equator. Book so that 's as cheap as it gets may have a thicker and looking...: large males stand up to 3 ft ( 1 m ) at shoulder! Nutrition and geographic location in managing Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer differ in many.! To help raise and socialize their young the same age the western great,. Live across North America to help raise and socialize their young range of colors on.! Good mix between browsing and grazing options some chaparral/oaks/ with doug fir forests also: Coues vs! Available to hunters is deer to spots that the deer & quot or... Age, genetics, health, nutrition and geographic location exist between the deer may appear in the growing... Be happy to give you more information to make sure you are going after, be to! In color and have a large amount of time meticulously spent glassing area! But smaller than mule deer has a different yet similar appearance to each other, blackberries, apples cranberry! Of whitetail, black-tailed deer share the same habitat in some parts of western Oregon will evident. That matches the rest of its body white when they are unique in affiliate! 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