1910October

EDITOR’S NOTES by Chester Moore – October 2019

In Search Of Mule Deer/Whitetail Hybrids

SO, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN whitetail and mule deer meet up?

It’s a question that has intrigued me since I heard stories of mysterious whitetail/mule deer hybrids years ago.

While on a mission to photograph Merriam’s turkey in Colorado for my Turkey Revolution project, my wife Lisa and I stopped at a beautiful location to look for mule deer. We found a big bachelor group with some large males feeding in a meadow.

Then from a distance, came more deer. I assumed they were muleys too, but after glassing, I realized they were whitetails.

Eventually, they made their way to the mule deer. Most passed by, but a couple merged with them and began to feed. This is what you see in the included photo.

It was interesting to see this interaction.

I plan on returning in the fall when the rut is on. Bucks might get along now, but how about when their antlers are hard, and testosterone is jacked up?

The whitetails will be fighting one another, and the muleys will be battling it out as well. But will they fight one another? Who will win?

Even more intriguing is the possibility of whitetail and mule deer mating. Longstanding studies by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials show some interesting dynamics, including hybridization.

“Where mule deer and white-tailed deer coexist, interbreeding does occur,” TPWD reported. “The long-term effects are unknown, and for most areas, the extent of hybridization is not known. The highest incidence of hybridization in the Trans-Pecos occurs in the eastern part of the region where high populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer coexist. Biologists say up to 15 percent of deer may be hybrids where both species occupy the same range.”

“DNA sequencing techniques were used to determine the extent of hybridization in the Panhandle (Donley County) where the ranges of both species overlap. Results indicated a hybridization frequency of eight percent.”

TPWD reported antler characteristics, tail coloration, and ear length are not reliable in recognizing hybrids. They said hunters could identify hybrids by the metatarsal gland located on the outside of the rear leg between the hock and the hoof. It typically will measure about 3 /4-inches long in whitetails and about four-inches long in mule deer.”

“The metatarsal gland of hybrids is intermediate in length, measuring about two inches long. It has been theorized that white-tailed bucks initiate occurrences of hybridization, but interbreeding also can occur between mule deer bucks and white-tailed does.

Hybrids appear to have at least a limited degree of fertility. Hybridization is a concern to managers who see it as a threat to their mule deer herd.

Whitetail numbers have reached historic highs in most of their range. They are healthy virtually everywhere, whereas mule deer are on the decline in many areas.

They are indeed an animal that requires conservation action now. Whitetails aren’t going away soon, but mule deer are definitely on the downswing.

If you’re like me and have an interest in mule deer, you might want to check out the Mule Deer Foundation, which has a Texas chapter.

Their goals are as follows:

• To restore, improve and protect mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free-ranging and huntable deer populations.

• To encourage and support responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations, and landowners.

• To promote public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management.

• To support and encourage responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer.

• To support regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.

• To develop programs that focus on recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation.

We will be dedicating an increasing amount of content on mule deer at fishgame.com in our Wilderness Wednesday newsletter and also doing some investigations on the species in Texas here in Texas Fish & Game.

For now, I am seeking photos of whitetail/mule deer hybrids.

If you have seen or shot any or deer you suspect might be hybrids, send photos to cmoore@fishgame.com.

I am also seeking out photos of big mule deer killed both in the Trans Pecos and Panhandle. We will be doing an exclusive photo gallery of Texas muleys and would love for you to participate.

I believe this is a topic that needs more coverage. I look forward to seeing what other outdoor lovers are seeing and taking.

 

DIGITAL BONUS

 

Whitetail and Mule Deer Hybrids?

 

This video shows some deer that I suspect are hybrids between whitetails and mule deer.

 

Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com

 

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