Game ID
Mule Deer
Migratory Sierra deer that move downhill with the first heavy snow.
Key ID marks
- Large mule-like ears
- White rump patch
- Narrow white tail with a black tip
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
150–250 lb bucks
Best season
Varies by zone
Where
High Sierra, east slope
Look-alikes
Blacktail (dark-topped tail).
Find it here