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Feature of the Week 09-06 Mule Deer
By:
OFH Staff Melissa
,
OutdoorsForHer
, Permalink:
Feature of the Week 09-06 Mule Deer
09/08/2009 7:33 PM
Feature of the Week 09/06 – Mule Deer
Physical Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Mule deer are distinct from other deer by their mule like ears. The ears may reach lengths of 10 inches. The mule deer appears much stockier than the whitetail deer. Its coat has a dark gray color in the winter and a reddish brown color in the summer. The antlers grow in a 'Y' formation from the head and are used to gain dominance status.
Height at shoulders----3 1/2 feet
Weight ---- Male 125-400 lbs, Female 100-150 lbs
Top Speed ---- 40 mph
Jump Height ---- 8 feet
Jump Distance ---- 20 feet
Reproduction Cycle
The breeding season begins in October and ends in December with the peak of the rut in November. Males shed their antlers between January and February. After a 200 day gestation period the females give birth in the spring (April-June). 1 to 4 fawns may be born at a time. On average a female will give birth to two fawns.
Range
Western Canada, Western U.S. as far as Texas and east to Wisconsin
Habitat
Forest Edges, Mountains, Hills
Food
Douglas-fir, cedar, yew, aspen, willow, acorns, dogwood, grapes, mushrooms, ferns, mistletoe, berries, & apples
Predators
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Comments on this Article
Re:I am also a predator of the mule deer but not a very good one. These deer can hear you coming from a very long ways away (hence the satelites on the side of their heads) and are extremely difficult to sneak up on. In Wyoming, mature, large bucks will be found in higher country, usually within stands of aspen trees mixed with sagebrush. Finding a place where they are bedded down or intercepting them on a commonly used trail are the best ways to get on them for bowhunting. After many conversations with fellow bowhunters, I have decided that mule deer are much harder to get with a bow than elk, antelope, whitetail, bear, or mountain lion.
M!$$ JE$$!CA
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Re:So true Jessica! Mule deer are very hard to hunt. I have being hunting several years whitetail, and I think sometimes mule are much harder. It could be the terrain as well. But, yes, they are hard to hunt!
Melissa Ahonen
Outdoors For Her Admin |
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Joined: 07/23/2009
Location: WY, USA