Hunting for newbies : whitetail vs mule deer differences.

[GunNutt86]

Hey guys, just wanted to start this thread for all the people who are new to hunting deer. Post pics if you have them showing the differences between mule and whitetails.

Ill start

Generally mule deer are a bit bigger/heavier than white tails. Mule deer have bigger, wider ears and they hop when they run. They also have black coloring on their tails. Mule deer have more white coloring on their faces during winter.

Whitetails sprint when they run, they don't hop like mulies.
When they run they also erect their tails straight into the air. They also have more greyish coloring on their faces in the winter months. Anything else you guys can add?

[Lefty-Canuck]

I know when I took Hunter training this was all covered.

LC

[Pathfinder76]

Laughing!

[trophybook]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

I know when I took Hunter training this was all covered.

LC

X2

[Mike_W]

The only deciding factor is the tail. I would make a shot based on other factors but with hybrids and whatnot the only true deciding factor is the tail.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Mike_W

The only deciding factor is the tail. I would make a shot based on other factors but with hybrids and whatnot the only true deciding factor is the tail.

And some people assume that every mule deer without branched antlers, or every whitetailed deer with branched antlers, must be a hybrid.

[Bergerboy]

If you're hunting whitetail and you come across "a real dumb one" better look again.

[Mike_W]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And some people assume that every mule deer without branched antlers, or every whitetailed deer with branched antlers, must be a hybrid.

Hence the whatnot. Well there is probably some interbreeding there is only mule deer and whitetail deer in Alberta and it's the tail that determines this.