Game ID
Columbian Blacktail Deer
The common deer of the foothills and coast ranges. Smaller than mule deer.
Key ID marks
- Tail dark or black across the whole top
- Forked (branching) antlers
- Smaller ears than mule deer
Track ID
Heart-shaped split hoof, pointed tip faces travel direction. About 2–3.5 in long; mule deer run slightly larger than blacktail. Dew claws show behind the print in soft mud or when running. Mule deer bound with all four feet together (stotting) leaving grouped sets.
Typical size
100–180 lb bucks
Best season
Varies by zone
Where
Oak foothills and timber in D3–D6
Look-alikes
Mule deer (white rump, black-tipped tail).
Fish & Game notes
Zone tag required; antlered bucks only on general tags. Check the CDFW deer digest.
Current CDFW regulations →Find it here