Identifying Whitetail Does...

[Doe Eyes]

I have a LEH for a whitetail doe in area 8-12. I definately do not want to make a mistake and shoot a mulie. I have heard that they are sometimes very hard to distinguish from one another.
Anyone have any tips for quick identification?
Thanks!

[stanway]

You haven't gone yet? I haven't had a chance to get out there yet either.

Stop by on your way and pick me up - I'll show you a couple of spots.


James

[smokey]

a tell tale sign that i have noticed is the big ass bushy white tail when there running away from me:mrgreen:

[hunter1947]

A whitetail has small ears and the hide is a lot lighter in color and when a whitetail flags you with its tail it is white and a lot bigger then that of a mule deer.
The whitetail deers tail will swings back and forth as it runs away from you.
A mule deer has big ears and the hide is darker then that of a whitetail as for the mule deers rear end is White around the hind quarters as for a black tail that is much shorter then that of a whitetail deer.

[guest]

You must see the A--, back end.
Your looking for a full brown tail with a white V shaped border on a Whitetail. When in alarm, usually the tail is then inverted above the back and flags back and forth, when running away from you, you will notice this flag as all white until the critter calms down.
On a Mule Deer, again you must see the A--, the backend. the overall butt will appear cream to white in color, rarely brown in the center, the tail will hang down, be about 6 inches long, also white in color BUTT, no pun intended have a black tip.
You must see the A-- to be sure for both, small ears on a white tail are evident compared to mule deer but you have to be sure.
Look in the regulations, they show both and don't shoot till your positive.
Good luck
C/T

[stanway]

Mule deer also do the 4 legged bound when fleeing. Whitetails run tail up (flagging).

[hunter1947]

Mule deer also do the 4 legged bound when fleeing. Whitetails run tail up (flagging).

Good point stanway.

[358win]

Here is the "wag" at work..

http://www.fnal.gov/pub/today/images04/oleynik_whitetail_deer_small.jpg (http://www.fnal.gov/pub/today/images04/oleynik_whitetail_deer.jpg)

[KevinB]

Google a bunch of photographs of WT and muley does - the difference is there, fairly subtle until you have looked at a few animals, and then it gets more obvious. It doesn't take too long to get to the point where you can tell right away, at least for most deer. Coloration of the legs, belly, and head, and head shape, is the most obvious thing to my eyes. Also look at photos of the rump areas of the 2 species and you'll again see pretty pronounced differences. If in doubt at all, just watch the doe for awhile, and she might move around and give you a better view. If you want to be really thorough, although this might sound silly, print out a few good photos and carry them around with you, and keep looking at them. It will probably help.

[rocksteady]

Your avatar is a mulie...

[bighornbob]

Mule deer also do the 4 legged bound when fleeing. Whitetails run tail up (flagging).

I would not rely on this. I have seen plenty of whitetails running and their tails were not raised.

BHB

[stanway]

I would not rely on this. I have seen plenty of whitetails running and their tails were not raised.

BHB


My point was that whitetails run and mulies 'bound'. You are right, I have seen whitetails run without the flag too.

James

[bochunk2000]

You can tell quite accurately from the face as well. Mulie does do have the big ears and darker bodies. Their faces are lighter than the rest of them. They have a darker skull cap over the brow and between the ears. White tail faces appear to be the same colour as the rest of the body with white/lighter circles around the eyes and mouth/nose.
Just my 2c.
Steve

[ruger#1]

The whitetail does i have seen in 8-12 are the same color as a mulie doe, i seen one that was a lighter color. Whitetail does have smaller ears and they flag their tails sometimes. If you can observe your animal for a while then you would see by the way they move, good luck and hunt safe.

[shoot to kill]

should be pretty straight forward, you must know what they look like if you passed the core

[M.Dean]

There's a pic in my gallery of 2 together, there bucks but the colour should be the same with a doe, when you glass a white tail you should notice the longer white tail. If your unsure, don't shoot until some one shows you the difference between the 2. The mule deer should have a grayer appearance to it, the whitie a little more tan look. Good Luck!

[DeerWhisperer]

Just dont shoot a fawn and leave it gut shot running around with it guts falling out. Found one last weekend wish I was quick enough to grab the license plate number of the *******s who shot it.

[1899]

Mule deer:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2095631963_d499a2e226.jpg?v=0
http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/285046356_e38fba6176.jpg?v=0


White Tail deer:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/1556043139_78263f9222.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/89/281851504_83c04c89b2.jpg?v=0