What is special about mule deer?
Mule deer are selective feeders. Instead of eating large quantities of low-quality feed like grass, they must select the most nutritious plants and parts of plants. Because of this, mule deer have more specific forage requirements than cattle or elk that share their habitat.
What is the difference between whitetail and mule deer?
Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white. This white portion of the tail can only be seen when the deer “flags” or holds its tail aloft as a signal to other deer.
Why are they called mule deer?
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.
How big can a mule deer get?
120 – 330 lbsMale, Adult
95 – 200 lbsFemale, Adult
Mule deer/Mass
Can mule deer breed with whitetail?
Whitetail bucks will breed with mule deer does, and the offspring usually retain the whitetail characteristics. Reverse mating — mule deer bucks to whitetail does — is rarer. So where the two species share a common range, the whitetail tends to dominate.
Are whitetail or mule deer harder to hunt?
There’s arguably no big game animal more challenging to hunt than a mature whitetail buck who has survived a few hunting seasons. Whitetails were my first childhood hunting crush and hunting them brings back fond memories. These days, mule deer are my true love when it comes to big game hunting.
Where do mule deer hang out during the day?
The deer you can find during the summer months are typically in the same area during the hunt. Mule deer might not run the same program every day, but they are habitual in the drainages, basins, and areas they hang out in.
How much bigger is a mule deer than a whitetail?
Mule deer does weigh in between 100 and 220 pounds, whereas white-tailed does come in anywhere from 90-200 lbs. Whitetails also have a higher birth rate, their does can often breed their first fall at 6 months of age. Mule deer does take longer to mature.