Difference Between Mule Deer and Whitetail Deer

The mule deer gets its name from its overly large ears. ... Whether the tail is up or down, you can always see plenty of white on the rump of a mule deer. A whitetail, on the other hand, normally covers most of its narrow white patch with a thick, dark tail but raises its tail to alert, or flag, others of danger.

1. Can mule deer and whitetail deer mate?
2. Is mule deer better than whitetail?
3. Does mule deer taste like whitetail?
4. Do mule deer have tails?
5. Can a deer and a horse mate?
6. Can a deer mate with an elk?
7. Why do deer hop when they run?
8. What state has the best mule deer hunting?
9. Why do deer raise their tail?
10. Which Deer meat is best?
11. Is deer meat healthy for you?
12. What is mule deer meat called?

Can mule deer and whitetail deer mate?

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.

Is mule deer better than whitetail?

I don't discern much difference in taste between the two and feel a good mule deer is every bit as good eating as a whitetail. The only thing I have noticed is that in the rut, mule deer bucks seem to be gamier smelling than a whitetail buck and the meat can be stronger tasting when they are rutting hard.

Does mule deer taste like whitetail?

Whitetail can have a "gamey" taste. Mule deer does not. ... At the same time, mule deer that eat sage brush taste terrible! Just like eating bear, it depends on what THEY eat.

Do mule deer have tails?

Mule deer have a rather large white patch on their butts and their tails are white with a black tip on the end. Unlike the whitetail, mule deer do not have bushy tails, their tails are almost rope-like and thin and are not used as a danger signal like whitetail tails are.

Can a deer and a horse mate?

No. Not only are they different species, they are different orders. Deer are Artiodactyla, even toed ungulates, while horses are Perissodactyla, odd-toed mammals. In fact, deer are more closely related to whales and dolphins than they are to horses (but you won't be able to breed dolphins and deer, either).

Can a deer mate with an elk?

Elk and red deer can have fertile offspring, often a strong indicator that two animals belong to the same species. ... If the animals escape from their confinement, as is sometimes the case, they can mate with wild elk creating a hybrid offspring that can threaten the purity of wild elk herds.

Why do deer hop when they run?

Mule Deer are extremely aware of their environment, they have excellent vision and hearing. ... Mule deer will bound away at the first sign of danger. Their unique leaping gait allows them to change directions in a single 'hop', and all four of their legs touch the ground at the same time while running.

What state has the best mule deer hunting?

5 Best States for Mule Deer Hunting

• Colorado. Colorado is widely regarded as the nation's top mule deer destination. ...
• Idaho. Idaho runs a close second to Colorado when it comes to mule deer hunting. ...
• Montana. Montana has a lot of country and lot of mule deer. ...
• Wyoming. Wyoming was once considered the cream of the crop for mule deer hunters. ...
• Nebraska.

Why do deer raise their tail?

If a deer sees or smell a predator, it raises its tail straight up in the air. ... Tail flagging is an involuntary motion, but deer do often use their tails to communicate. Female deer raise and show their white tails when they are ready to breed.

Which Deer meat is best?

Their natural diet consists of grasses, live oak, sumac, acorns, and mushrooms. Their meat is mild in taste, extremely tender, and exceptionally low in fat (0.2 percent). Axis deer are generally considered by most hunters to be the best-tasting game meat.

Is deer meat healthy for you?

Venison is richer in protein than any other red meat. That's good for your body because it promotes muscle growth. It's also great for your diet because the more protein a food has, the more it satiates your appetite. In other words, when you eat venison, you'll feel fuller longer.

What is mule deer meat called?

Venison definition

The most common modern usage is to refer to venison as any member of the deer family. That would include Mule deer and White-tailed deer along with Elk.