Blacktail Deer VS Mule Deer

[TESKELLY]

I have a question I thought I'd throw out to you all while I look into this a little further myself. Region 2 Deer are considered Blacktails part of the Mule Deer family and region 3 they are simply Mule Deer. Now if your on the border of region 2 and 3 will there not be a chance of Blacktails crossing over into region 3 and Mulies into region 2? And if so does one need to be aware of this when identifying what your shooting at? My concern is that I'm in region 2 hunting a buck and shoot one to find out its what they would consider a Mule Deer and should have been a 4 point buck before I shot it. Make sense or do I just stick with what region I am in and shoot any buck like it says in the regs?

[adriaticum]

I region 2 it doesn't have to be a 4 point. Any buck will do as long as it's black tailed.
In region 3 it has to be a 4 point buck in September and November. Only in October can you shoot any buck.
And there is not antlerless in region 3.
That's how I understand it.

[Darksith]

no, you don't need to be aware of a difference in species, just know the region or MU you are in and follow those rules. If it has a black tail it is the same tag, same quota for the MU, there is no distinction between a black tail and a mule deer. Adriaticum is simply muddying the waters

[Wade]

I would think in region 2 and 3 a buck is a buck right. I don't know what the regs say for region 2-3 off hand, but it might say " any buck for region 2". And "4 pt bucks for region 3" if there is a difference you need to know what region your hunting in

[batman66]

As far as I understand, mule deer are not allowed to cross the border.
From what I have read the regulations consider them to be the same thing, so it all depends what management unit you are in

[adriaticum]

As far as I understand, mule deer are not allowed to cross the border.
From what I have read the regulations consider them to be the same thing, so it all depends what management unit you are in

What do you mean, they travel without a passport?

[Darksith]

I would think in region 2 and 3 a buck is a buck right. I don't know what the regs say for region 2-3 off hand, but it might say " any buck for region 2". And "4 pt bucks for region 3" if there is a difference you need to know what region your hunting in

he does, he already said hes hunting in region 2...so its any buck. Its got antlers, blast away. No need to worry about the difference between sub species (mule/black tail)

[luckofthedraw]

Same tag for mule and blacktail. Therefore...same species no? I recently have started searching for the "Ghost of the Pacific" and would like to know the differences in the Mule/Blacktail if others could help.

[Elkhound]

Blacktail.....like a really smaller but smarter version of a mulie.

Mulie.....larger than a BT and is the hybrid of a Whitetail and a Blacktail deer from way back

[TESKELLY]

Sounds good thanks guys.

[bushpig slayer]

mulies also have a huge white rump patch and blacktails don't

[Sofa King]

Blacktail.....like a really smaller but smarter version of a mulie.

Mulie.....larger than a BT and is the hybrid of a Whitetail and a Blacktail deer from way back

the bt is a subspecies of the mule deer.
a mulie is no hybrid.
whitetail and mule are 2 different species.

[Elkhound]

the bt is a subspecies of the mule deer.
a mulie is no hybrid.
whitetail and mule are 2 different species.


Sorry duallie. DNA testing proved it years ago. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/muledeer.pdf

Check out half way down the page under evolution

[ruger#1]

For many years the Columbian Blacktail Deer has been considered a subspecies of the Mule deer, however recent DNA testing has proven this not to be the case. In Valerius Geist's informative book Mule Deer Country he explains that by testing the mitochondrial DNA (the mothers DNA ) of the three species (blacktail, whitetail and mule deer), researchers have now determined that it was the mating of Whitetail does, and Blacktail buck's, that gave rise to the Mule deer and not the opposite as was once suspected.
.
Many now believe that millions of years ago the Whitetail expanded its range down the east coast of the United States, across Mexico and up the West coast where it evolved into the Columbian Blacktail. This migration and relationship may help explain the strong resemblance in appearance and psychological characteristics between the Blacktail and Whitetail.

Thousands of years later the recently evolved Blacktail's range spread eastward from the Pacific coast and the Whitetail's range again expanded westward. As some point the two deer species met again and the Blacktail bucks, displaced the Whitetail bucks, and bred the Whitetail does. Many researches now believe it is this hybridization that produced what is now known as the Mule Deer.

[caddisguy]

he does, he already said hes hunting in region 2...so its any buck. Its got antlers, blast away. No need to worry about the difference between sub species (mule/black tail)

Is this definitely the case? I thought I recall reading about some Whitetails having moved into the Hope area. This is my first season hunting and I have been looking at as many pictures/videos as possible, but sometimes I still see Mulies that I could have sworn were WT (ie: not much of a white rump, tail same color as back but white around the edge, antlers that fork and then fork again)

I am leaving for 2-2 on the 12th and staying for 3 or 4 nights. Though my chances of seeing a buck around there are slim to none--I have seen 3 bucks in about 100-150 flyfishing trips in the last 15 years--my thought process was along the lines of: If it has antlers, 99.8% change it is BT/Mulie, but what about that 0.2%? Heck, there's Elk in Maple Ridge now.

If only I could just do a DNA test before shooting...

[Elkhound]

LMAO. Doesnt matter where you hunt. You are correct. Animal identification is a must......ALWAYS

[adriaticum]

Sorry duallie. DNA testing proved it years ago. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/muledeer.pdf

Check out half way down the page under evolution

I think you are both wrong.
Mule deer was created when Harry:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAa2rHiD8zY/TxVsWrlNvhI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/p4WmzsB0xyY/s1600/Mule-362104.jpeg

met Sally:

http://stevecreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/doe_2465.jpg

and instantly the sparks flew in all directions.

[ruger#1]

Is this definitely the case? I thought I recall reading about some Whitetails having moved into the Hope area. This is my first season hunting and I have been looking at as many pictures/videos as possible, but sometimes I still see Mulies that I could have sworn were WT (ie: not much of a white rump, tail same color as back but white around the edge, antlers that fork and then fork again)

I am leaving for 2-2 on the 12th and staying for 3 or 4 nights. Though my chances of seeing a buck around there are slim to none--I have seen 3 bucks in about 100-150 flyfishing trips in the last 15 years--my thought process was along the lines of: If it has antlers, 99.8% change it is BT/Mulie, but what about that 0.2%? Heck, there's Elk in Maple Ridge now.

If only I could just do a DNA test before shooting...
It is in the regulations. That a small herd of whitetails are living on an island. They are in between Chilliwack and Hope.

[RoscoeP]

I think you are both wrong.
Mule deer was created when Harry:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAa2rHiD8zY/TxVsWrlNvhI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/p4WmzsB0xyY/s1600/Mule-362104.jpeg

met Sally:

http://stevecreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/doe_2465.jpg

and instantly the sparks flew in all directions.

Hey good one, LOL! Roscoe

[ruger#1]

What is it. From a quick glance. http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Blacktail_three_point.jpg

[caddisguy]

What is it. From a quick glance. http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Blacktail_three_point.jpg

My guess would be on a BT or Mulie, but I wouldn't shoot in region 2 unless it also had a huge white rump and a black tip on the tail.

[ruger#1]

http://youtu.be/VfZ_xaBUJx4

[ruger#1]

My guess would be on a BT or Mulie, but I wouldn't shoot in region 2 unless it also had a huge white rump and a black tip on the tail.
I will also add. A blacktail will flag it's tail like a whitetail. That is one way you can find them in a clearcut.Just look for a white flicker of their tail. Also if there are stumps. They like to lay on the top side. In Oct and November they make trails like the whitetail do. Following the same path. And that path is stomped down good.

[sarg]

What is it. From a quick glance. http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Blacktail_three_point.jpg
black tail

[Wade]

If BIG 4pt black tail got into a fight with an average size 3pt mulie what deer do you think would win???

[warnniklz]

it's all about chasing tail
http://www.kimsallawayphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/black_tail_deer_sallaway_4266.jpg

http://www.zealoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/winter-deer.jpg

[Shooter]

What is it. From a quick glance. http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Blacktail_three_point.jpg

Although you should never id a deer by the antlers at a quick glance I would guess it is a Whitetail.

[Wade]

Although you should never id a deer by the antlers at a quick glance I would guess it is a Whitetail.
Looks like a good sized blackmail to me