are there blak tail deer in illinios?

Question

i know some one who may have seen 2 of them in jerseyville

while turkey hunting.

Answer 1

Not likely. He probably saw a white tail that was a little dark. Blacktail are strictly a Pacific Northwest deer.



Whitetails are Odocoileus virginianus

http://www.mnh2.si.edu/education/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=231



It is easier to tell them apart by the antlers than the tail color. Blacktail and muleys have a main antler beam that goes up then branches. Whitetails have a main antler beam that goes forward and the tines go up.



Some animal lists don't even include the Blacktail. They say that they are a subspecies of Mule Deer.

Odocoileus hemionus

http://www.mnh2.si.edu/education/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=229





This link tells you more than you will ever need to know about blackies.

http://www.blacktailcountry.com/html/blkpage.htm



In the field, I can't actually tell the difference between mule deer and blacktails, but I think the horns hanging in my garage are blacktail.



Keep your muzzle in a safe direction!

Leigh M

http://www.NWSafe.org

Answer 2

there just might be some Black tail deer but I am so sorry I doubt if you will find blak tail deer.

Answer 3

i lived in edwardsville a few years, never heard of them.