Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) 

     The mule deer inhabits the deserts, prairies and mountains of our western states.  It is a deer of the open spaces, less furtive perhaps than the brush-loving whitetail, but a fine game animal in its own right.  Its rack, which differs from the whitetail's in conformation, is generally larger and trophy bucks are more prevalent.The blacktail deer is a relative of the mule deer, as can be seen by its similar antlers, and bears the same scientific name.  It is smaller than the mule deer, however, and inhabits a limited range in the Pacific coastal forests.

     A full grown deer can stand 40 to 42 inches high at the shoulder and measure almost 6 ½ feet in length.  The average weight is 175 pounds to 200 pounds.  Blacktail deer are smaller standing only 38 inches high.The ears on the mule deer are 8 to 9 inches long and about 6 inches wide.  The blacktail's ears are about 6 ½ inches long and narrower.

     The antlers on an adult mule-deer buck are large and heavy.  Each antler divides into two main reams, and each beam forks into two tines.  There is also a brow tine, which westerners disregard in counting the number of points.

     When the mule deer is excited or nervous the hair around the outside of the lachrymal glands of the eye flares out.  They also have tarsal glands on their hocks.  This is the most active gland.  It gives off a strong, musky odor after the deer urinates and the hair around it becomes saturated.  This is the musk that hunters usually get on their hands and on the meat when they are not careful.

     Both deer can track each other with a yellow, waxy secretion from the interdigital gland.  Both deer have 32 teeth; 8 incisors, 12 premolars and 12 molars.  Deer do not have any teeth in the top jaw at the front of the mouth.      

     Like many males of the deer family Mule Deer bucks prefer to keep bachelor habits through most of the year.  Deer split up at the end of winter.  Bucks reach the summer range first.  The does travel more slowly since they are usually pregnant. 

     Mule Deer feed mainly in the early morning and late in the day to avoid heat during the summer months.  The deer are aware of their water supply in the area and if the mother does not get enough water then her milk supply is affected.

     Deer feed on fescue grass, bluegrass and needlegrass which are the most important herbage.  During the winter they feed on berries, cedar, oak, bitter-brush which is a favorite and other items like nuts and local wildflowers.

     While living in a more inaccessible area, the mule deer has not been subjected to as much hunting pressure and is thus less wary than the whitetail.  A whitetail has the good sense to remain hidden if it feels that it is in sufficient cover, but a mule deer usually becomes too nervous to hold still and bounds away.  If the whitetail does make a break, it usually doesn't stop until it is again safe in a thick copse.  Just before the deer reaches cover it stops for a last look at whatever disturbed it sometimes too long to allow a hunter time to shoot.

     Both the mule deer and whitetail have excellent hearing; their sense of smell is more highly developed.  Their long ears increase their hearing ability.  They hear many sounds they cannot identify.  The deer cannot tell the difference of sounds.  If a breeze is blowing from the right direction, the deer instantly can identify the scent of a man or a predator. 

     The deer's eyesight is keen and quick to catch motion, but it often overlooks a stationary object even though that object is in the open.