Washington State is home to three types of deer: the Mule Deer, the Coastal Black-tailed Deer, and the White-tailed Deer. These populations are largely separated by the boundary of the Cascade Mountains. Understanding the differences in their physical features, behaviors, and geographic distributions allows for accurate identification in the wild.
Mule Deer: Characteristics and Range
The Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) is the largest of the deer found in Washington. Its common name comes from its large, dark-edged ears, resembling those of a mule. The Mule Deer’s coat is generally tan to light brown, transitioning to a more salt-and-pepper gray in winter.
A key identification feature is the tail, which is thin and rope-like, mostly white with a small, black tip. When fleeing, Mule Deer employ a unique, stiff-legged bounding movement known as stotting or pronking. In this gait, all four feet simultaneously push off and land, a movement suited for navigating rugged, uneven terrain.
The distribution of the Mule Deer is concentrated almost exclusively in the semi-arid environments east of the Cascade Mountain crest. They thrive in the shrub-steppe, open forests, and sagebrush meadows that characterize eastern Washington. Mule Deer that summer at high elevations often undertake seasonal migrations to reach lower-elevation winter ranges, sometimes traveling up to 40 miles or more.
Coastal Black-tailed Deer: Identification and Habitat
The Coastal Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) is a subspecies of the Mule Deer, but it has distinct characteristics and a segregated habitat. These deer are smaller than their eastern counterparts, with adult bucks typically weighing between 140 and 200 pounds. The tail is the most reliable way to distinguish this deer, as it is notably broader and thicker than the Mule Deer’s tail.
The tail is dark brown to black across the top, often grading to entirely black near the tip, which gives the deer its name. When alarmed, the deer raises its tail, revealing a broad, white underside as a warning signal.
This subspecies is found predominantly in the dense, moist coniferous and mixed forests covering western Washington, from the Cascade Crest to the Pacific Ocean. They are well-adapted to the coastal climate, inhabiting areas with brushy undergrowth and logged lands. Black-tailed Deer tend to remain within a small home range, typically about one square mile, throughout the year.
White-tailed Deer: Distinct Features and Distribution
The White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the third type found in Washington, distinguished by features that set it apart from the Mule Deer and Black-tailed Deer. A key identifying trait is the structure of the antlers on the male deer. Unlike the Mule Deer’s antlers, which fork and re-fork, the tines of the White-tailed Deer’s antlers grow upward from a single main beam.
The tail is perhaps the most obvious feature, as it is large and bushy. The underside of this tail is pure white, and when raised during alarm, it creates a visual signal. When fleeing, the White-tailed Deer moves with a full gallop or sprint, a fluid motion that differs significantly from the bounding stot of the Mule Deer.
The White-tailed Deer population is concentrated primarily in the northeastern and eastern parts of the state, particularly near the Columbia River tributaries. While less numerous statewide than the Mule Deer, they are the dominant species in certain northeastern locations. A small, protected subspecies, the Columbian White-tailed Deer, is also found in limited riparian habitats along the lower Columbia River in the state’s southwest corner.