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I disagree with the biologist. That skull looks like a mulie. Could be verified if I had it handy to take a couple measurements...
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It's already been verified, but thanks anyway. How does the skull "look like a muley'? It was laying in a plum thicket for a long while when we found it. What type of measurements would you take?
Last edited by JGRaider; 05/30/12.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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The facial bone structure is different. The space between the antler burrs is one area, the space between the lachrymal glands is another. Not to mention it looks like the hide had a light face and dark forehead that is a characteristic of mulies.
Mulie and whitetail skulls are completely different...whitey heads are narrower, and the bridge of the nose rides up higher between the eye sockets.
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Ok. Keep in mind a mature whitetail is as big as the mule deer in this particular area. No offense intended, but I've killed over 30 whiteys and over 30 muleys. I'm well accustomed to knowing the difference in the capes/colors/characteristics of the head and face of each. Not the skull though, as I've never paid attention. Many of the whitetails we've killed do not use your avg WT form. They require a much bigger one. Not saying you don't know what your talking about by any stretch. Also, the hide, what was left of it, was very faded.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Has A WHITETAIL FRAME to me.Have seen very few mulies w/this type of frame. powdr
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I can tell you guys EXACTLY what this buck is with 100% certainty! Its BIG!
It looks WT to me but I can also see how to others it would look more like a mule deer.
Really doesnt matter, its a damn big buck and I'm thankful to see the picture
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Not to mention it looks like the hide had a light face and dark forehead that is a characteristic of mulies.
That is what skewed me to thinking Muley too.
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Definitely a whitetail frame! A giant for sure- 195" WOW!!
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There is also the off chance it is a hybrid.
Regarding body size...there is no arguement that a lot of mature whitetails require a larger form than mulies. The skull shape is different regardless though.
If you are so sure what it was, why did you ask us, and why did you ask a biologist? Seems like you had some doubt yourself...
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Heck of a buck. I'd guess hybrid.
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The main beams look like a whitetail. The crosses I've seen in this area end up colored like a mulie with a typical whitetail rack.
Last edited by jlboykin; 05/30/12.
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I've been told that a whitetail has a main beam and the tines eminate from it. And that a mule deer has bifurcated (split) beams. Until now I never had a problem discerning the two but this one appears to be a whitetail from what I can see.
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There is also the off chance it is a hybrid.
Regarding body size...there is no arguement that a lot of mature whitetails require a larger form than mulies. The skull shape is different regardless though.
If you are so sure what it was, why did you ask us, and why did you ask a biologist? Seems like you had some doubt yourself... Because there was another thread involving sheds that had characteristics of both WT and MD. Point was you can't always tell by forked #2's, etc. I asked a biologist because I wanted to be sure also, and he was 100% sure so I am too. No big deal either way, just think it's interesting.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Whitetail or mule deer?
Yes!
Our God reigns.
Harrumph!!!
I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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I would have to go with whitetail because of the frame. The main beams at the ends kind of swope down, and then up and in front of the skull/nose area. That is very charcteristic of a whitetail, especially a Texas whitetail. Most mule deers mains dont come in front of their skull/nose area, and are more out above their ears or sides of the head.
I would have shot first, and asked questions later.
Toby Joe
Last edited by TOBYJOETRUBY; 06/01/12.
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. Most mule deers mains dont come in front of their skull/nose area, and are more out above their ears or sides of the head.
False.
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All whitetail. The only trait of a muley is the forked G2s, but lots of whitetails have forked G2 tines. I'm looking at one right now that has forked G2 and G3 tines.
The brow tines are very whitetail-ish, as is the sweep of the main beams. Clearly shaped like a whitetail.
The only sure way to know is by examining the skull. I have a field guide to skulls will illustrate the differences between whitetail and mule deer skulls. I have a Sitka Blacktail and a whitetail here, and the differences are obvious. They'd be just as obvious on a mule deer. It's not so much a matter of measurements as it is shape, proportion, and suture lines. It would be hard to make a mistake.
Steve.
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