Mule deer vs. whitetail deer While mule deer get their common name from those big mule-like ears, whitetails get theirs from the completely white underside of their overly-large tail. I grew up hearing how mule deer was best suited for feeding stock dogs. The mule deer are iconic in the west and a prized animal by many hunters. There are other differences too from facial distinctions to the gait of each animal. Looking at their faces, the whitetail deer has a brown face with white circles around its eyes and nose, whereas the mule deer has a mostly white face. North America is home to two species of deer, the white-tailed deer and the mule deer. Aside from that outfitters look close to the same. It is important to be able to do so, as hunting regulations are distinctly different between them. Geographical distribution is wider for whitetails compared to mule deer, which is because whitetails have a tremendous genetic variation among them. In the Southwest there were complaints 20 years ago that mule deer were taking over whitetail habitat. Geographical distribution is wider for whitetails compared to mule deer, which is because whitetails have a tremendous genetic variation among them. I've killed 13 Mule Deer (no giants + Does) all spot & stalk & under 35 yds. While the white-tailed deer inhabits most of the contiguous United States, the mule deer inhabits less of it. I haven't experienced bad mule deer, but eat 15 whitetails to every mule deer also so maybe I just haven't hit a bad one yet? They say its terrible eating. It is important to be able to do so, as hunting regulations are distinctly different between them. The reason I'm curious is the FWP Hunt Planner shows whitetail distributed throughout that unit, with a 55%/45% WT/MD harvest ratio. Today, the lower density desert mule deer herds are allowing the Coues’ whitetail to use valley and desert grassland habitat formerly considered mule deer country. You’ll notice that there are very obvious physical differences between a whitetail deer and a mule deer when you look close enough. Because of this we really limit the number of mule deer hunters that we take in per year. The same people will claim to love whitetail. We eat a lot of whitetail. Among the species of deer native to North America we can find the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).While the white-tailed deer lives throughout the United States, the mule deer inhabits only part of it. Usually out of bow range. Mule deer vs. whitetail deer While mule deer get their common name from those big mule-like ears, whitetails get theirs from the completely white underside of their overly-large tail. BIL shot a young spike mule deer this year, and that deer stunk to high heaven, but I cooked up some back strap and it tasted just like white tail. The same people will claim to love whitetail. Folks have told me that Mule deer were not so tasty. While it isn’t really common, it isn’t unheard of for a whitetail and mule deer to go head-to-head.. Mule deer outweigh whitetails by quite a bit. To be honest, telling the difference between whitetail and mule deer can require a lot of practice and visual quizzes before … BIL shot a young spike mule deer this year, and that deer stunk to high heaven, but I cooked up some back strap and it tasted just like white tail. There are other differences too from facial distinctions to the gait of each animal. How To Correctly Identify Whitetail and Mule DeerAre you able to distinguish the difference between a whitetail and a mule deer? I grew up hearing how mule deer was best suited for feeding stock dogs. How To Correctly Identify Whitetail and Mule DeerAre you able to distinguish the difference between a whitetail and a mule deer? We eat a lot of whitetail. I am a converted whitetail deer hunter and am learning the behaviors and differences between whitetail deer and mule deer. I haven't experienced bad mule deer, but eat 15 whitetails to every mule deer also so maybe I just haven't hit a bad one yet? They say its terrible eating. I Mule Deer bowhunted only high mountain Mulies (10,000 ft. in Aug mostly) Spot & stalk very possible & if spooked usually run aways, stop & look back.