Description: Mule deer are common in Idaho. They are usually dark gray-brown and they have a white patch on their rumps, along with a small, black-tipped tail. Mule deer are often confused for their close cousins, white tailed deer, but they are different in several ways. They carry their tails in a droopy position, while white tailed deer carry their white tails in an upright position. Mule deer also move differently than white tailed deer; when startled, they seem to jump, with all four feet hitting the ground together in what looks like a series of leaps. Mule deer also have very large ears and larger antlers than white tailed deer.    

 
  Mule deer doe (female) 

Fun Facts: Mule deer are probably the most common large-game animal in Idaho, with a population of over 300,000.

 Mule deer buck (male) foraging for food