Mule Deer
Mule Deer are named for their resemblance to the domestic mule due to the shape and size of their ears, which can be nine inches long. Mule deer are a significant part of the major mammal ecosystem in Montana. Mule deer are distributed throughout the state and are present in nearly all areas from eastern border to western border as well as northern border to southern border. Mule deer have very acute vision and hearing; however they rely largely on their sense of smell to determine their surroundings. Although their vision is very acute they can easily overlook stationary objects that may pose a threat.
Quick Facts:
Mule deer are considerably larger than their cousin the whitetail and can have adult males (bucks) reach a live weight of 400 pounds, with females (does) reaching weights of up to 150 pounds
Mule deer are most active at dawn and dusk when they venture from protective cover to feed. They spend the middle of the day bedded down in cool, secluded places.
Mule deer are considered to be browsers rather than grazers, relying on shrubs as a primary energy source.
When alarmed, both males and females snort to alert other deer in the area. Mule deer can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour on flat terrain; however they prefer rough broken terrain, and travel in spring-like bounds that would clear an eight foot fence rather than at a gallop like whitetails. This bounding allows them to see over vegetation and keep an eye on approaching danger; a tactic well suited to the high sage of Montana.
Mule deer bucks do not use their antlers as protection from predators; their means of defense is derived from rising up on their hind legs and slashing out with their hooves, but rather use them to establish dominance over other bucks in forceful shoving matches.
As in all deer species bucks lose their antlers after mating season, when a buck has passed his prime for mating or food is poor the antlers may not fully develop, thus the antlers serve as a tool for ensuring the genetic superiority and strength of the population.
Mating season for mulies reaches its peak in November and December, males and females mix freely while traveling together during the winter months. Does usually give birth in June or July, twins are very common and triplets are also occasional. Like all deer species, except moose, fawns are spotted at birth and can walk soon after delivery to escape predators which range from wolves and coyotes to bald eagles.
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