Burro Deer

By Denny Vasquez

Each continent has its own species of animals that are the most popular with hunters. In Africa it is the Big Five. Here in North America we have our own Big Five, whitetail deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear and mule deer. These five species are the ones that top the list on surveys about which game animals North American hunters most often pursue. Let’s take a look at mule deer.

In different parts of their range the mule deer have many different names, just as pronghorns are often referred to as “goats”. In the desert southwest, mule deer are often referred to as “burro deer”. In some parts of their range they are called blacktails, even though we have a separate sub-species of the deer family that bears that name. In old Mexico they are called “Venado cola negra”.

Currently there are 7 recognized sub-species of mule deer in North America. They range from the rocky mountain mule deer of Canada, odocoileus hemionus heminous, which inhabit most of their namesake mountain range, to the desert mule deer of northern Mexico, odocoileus hemionus crooki. Each sub-species has made the necessary evolutionary adjustments for the portion of the continent that they inhabit. For example, desert mule deer tend to be smaller in stature then their mountainous cousins in order survive on less moisture.

The live weight of a mature desert mule deer buck will generally range from 150 to 200 pounds, while a rocky mountain buck in Canada can range from 250 to 300 pounds. Correlating this size differential, desert mule deer does will range between 100 to 130 pounds while their high country cousins will weigh as much as 150 to 200 pounds.

Most bucks of all sub-species will stand between 36 to 40 inches at the shoulders, while does are 2 to 4 inches shorter. Mule deer are pale gray in color, with the forehead, ear rims, nose, muzzle band and brisket having a blackish or darker coloration. And like their whitetail cousins, they are white along the belly and inside of the legs. However, unlike the whitetail, they have large distinctive rump patch that is beige or light in color, which when combined with their dark tail gives them the impression of having a “black tail”.

Mule deer are classified as dichotomous non-palmate antlered game. This means that as a species, they typically have branching antlers without a palmation. Their antlers are normally perfectly dichotomous, or branching, both the main and secondary beams. In some portions of the population non-branching secondary tines are quite common, such as among the desert mule deer of Texas. Conversely, extra-typical tines are uncommon in the same population.

Records are maintained by separating the typical and non-typical antler configurations of those animals harvested. The total score is dependent on the measurements of the right and left antlers. This usually includes the length of the main beam, secondary beams, brow tines, remaining tines; plus basal, secondary, third and fourth circumference measurements. Then the lengths of all non-typical tines are added to the score. In deciding if the head will be registered as typical or non-typical, it depends on the percent of non-typical antlers when compared to the typical portion of the rack.

The ears of a mule deer can be used to judge the trophy quality of the animal in question. The large ears of these deer have and average span of 20 to 21 inches, from point to point, when erect and in the attentive position. By comparing the spread of a bucks antlers to that of his ears, you can get a fair estimate of his trophy potential.

The gait of the mule deer is quite unique. It can be described best as a bounding run or bounce which is the result of all four feet striking the ground at the same time, hind feet striking just behind the forefeet. Then with a great heave, all four feet leave the ground at once. However, it must be noted that when mule deer are spooked, they can run a manner similar to a whitetail, and will cover great distances in a hurry.

Mule deer can be found in many varying habitats, from the high alpine meadows of the Rocky Mountains to the arid desert foothills of northern Mexico. From low creosote brush flats to the higher pinon studded ridge tops. The foliage that covers this landscape can range from the high country “quaking” aspens to acacias, junipers, pinon, yuccas, sotol, oak, ocotilla and various grasses. Because mule deer are primarily browsers, their preferred food sources are luchugilla, prickly pear cactus, acacia, guayacon, candelilla, mountain mahogany, sotol, yuccas, juniper, pinon and various masts and fruits. The availability of water and food sources influences the distribution of the mule deer population. Succulent forage can provide for some of their moisture requirements, but freestanding water is required for most of the year.

Beginning in late November, the estrus cycle of a mule deer doe occurs every 28 to 30 days and lasts for 24 to 30 hours. The normal number of cycles for a doe is 4 times and once the doe is impregnated, it takes between 200 to 208 days for birth. Fawns normally weigh from 5 to 10 pounds at birth. Twins are fairly common in mature does. Once born, the fawns are kept concealed for the first 4 to 6 weeks of life or until they are strong enough to accompany their mothers. Weaning usually coincides with the next rut.

Mule deer become sexually mature at 1-½ years of age, but some does may not breed until they are 2 ½ years old. This results in a lower reproduction rate than whitetails.

Most mule deer are gregarious by nature. The herds consist of does, fawns and immature males. Except, during the rut, the mature bucks form bachelor herds and spend most of the summer and fall months together. Once the runt begins, these bachelor groups disperse in search of receptive does.

Mule deer have a very acute sense of smell, which they use to great advantage. However, this sense of smell can be defeated if the hunter remembers how to use the air currents that are usually present in mule deer country. You have to remember that air flows upward during warmer hours and downward toward the valleys as the weather cools. These “burro” deer like to take advantage of these air currents by bedding down on the upper slopes after the sun peaks over a ridge.

The eyesight of the mule deer is another sense that they have learned to use to the disadvantage of any would be predator. They are good about bedding down in places that been selected to allow the mule deer a clear view of a great expanse of the surrounding territory. This allows them to see and avoid any approaching danger. High, shaded rimrocks are favorite sites for this vigilant actvity.

The larger ears of this species of deer also provide them with excellent hearing capabilities. However, they seem to rely more heavily upon their sense of smell to detect and avoid danger.

Some of the more common signs that are encountered in mule country are their tracks and fecal droppings. The fecal droppings are oblong in shape and are approximately ¾ inch long. The darker and moister the fecal droppings are when encountered, the fresher they are. If they are dried and whitish in appearance, then they are fairly old.

Across their habitat, mule deer are hunted by one of four methods. The first is that of using a vehicle to drive around the territory until a suitable animal is spotted. In Texas, the outfitters have developed a “high rack” system to be used while driving around. A raised shooting platform of some type is attached to the top of the vehicle in an attempt to give the hunter a better view of the surrounding countryside.

Another method is to glass the mostly likely spots from a high point. Once the suitable animal is spotted, a stalk is planned so that the hunter can get to within shooting range. Another productive method is to walk along the ridge tops looking for likely hiding places. Once a suspected hiding place is located, such as brushy canyons, the hunter throws rocks into the brush in an attempt to scare a bedded animal into flight, hoping to get a ethical shot. Spooked deer can make for exciting, but rather difficult shooting as they “hop” up the opposite slope. During the mid-day muleys tend to bed up in the shade of high rimrocks. Still-hunting these areas can be highly productive and allow the hunter to easily get within muzzleloading rifle range. One final method that the muzzleloading hunter can use is take up a stand overlooking watering holes and mineral licks or heavily used food sources.

A mature mule deer buck can be a tough critter to bring down, especially if they have been alerted and the adrenaline is pumping though his veins. Therefore, it is advisable for the blackpowder hunter to use a firearm that provides adequate knock down power. In traditional round ball guns, the preferred calibers are .50 caliber and above. In the modern inlines, heavy flat shooting conicals or fast shooting sabotted bullets of the proper construction are preferred. For modern arms any caliber over .270 with well properly constructed bullets will suffice. In either case the most important aspect of the shot is proper shot placement. After all, it doesn’t matter what you hunt with, if you can’t place your projectile properly in an ethical shot, you will only wound the buck and probably lose the animal. This is unacceptable to all ethical hunters.

The venison of a mule deer is delicious. Unlike whitetails, before or at the beginning of the rut, even the largest mature bucks furnish fine tender meat. Hides from these deer make excellent leather goods such as tanned “buckskin”, clothes, gloves, etc.

I hope that this information is helpful to you and provides some new insight into one of North America’s Big Five, the Mule Deer.