Black-tailed deer [kayak wildlife]
Black-tailed deer (or blacktail deer) are one of the many beautiful species you can observe while kayaking, paddling, boating, or hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Learn interesting facts about this wildlife species native to western North America, and where you have a chance of spotting them on your next PNW flatwater paddle.
Blacktail deer photo credit: FWS
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What U.S. states have blacktail deer?
California
Oregon
Washington
Alaska
Nevada
Arizona
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
Colorado
Utah
New Mexico
Texas
Black-tailed deer have been introduced to other states for hunting purposes, but this list reflects where they are found as a native species in the United States. The underlined states – Washington, Oregon, and Idaho – are located in the PNW region where our kayaking business is focused.
Where can you observe black-tailed deer in the Pacific Northwest?
We’ve seen these beautiful mammals on numerous occasions, but as flatwater kayakers, you’ve got excellent chances of spotting these adorable deer while paddling in the protected Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington. These are a pretty common wildlife species in the Pacific Northwest.
In this post, you can watch some of the wildlife video clips we captured during our trips down the calm, slow-moving current waters of Lake River.
We have observed black-tailed deer many times while paddling on Lake River in Washington
Need to rent a kayak? Alder Creek is a locally-owned PNW paddle shop, and they have a location right on Lake River, which is convenient for renting a single or tandem kayak. You won’t need to carry the kayak at all, which is an added bonus, and there’s plenty of parking available as well for visitors.
WATCH NOW: the cute blacktail deer family (with a baby deer!) we observed from our kayak boat last summer in Washington state
Facts about black-tailed deer
Appearance
Here are 4 ways to identify blacktails:
Black tails – As suggested by their name, this type of deer will have black or dark brown colored fur on top of their tail. It’s white underneath.
Tracks – If you spot tracks in the mud or dirt, look for the classic hoof print known to deer, but another trick is to look for a “pronk” print. This happens when a deer feels threatened and departs in giant leaps or bounds – so you’ll notice in the tracks that all four feet have left the ground and land quite a distance apart before pronking again.
Scat – Blacktails release piles of pellet-looking poop. If it looks like chocolate covered raisins, there’s a big clue a deer’s been nearby.
Antler rubs – As you’re paddling on rivers and lakes of black-tailed deer habitat, observe the lower trunks of small trees or saplings for any antler rubbing marks that may have taken place.
Size
Black-tailed deer are considered a medium-sized deer, with adults weighing between 100-200 pounds (45-90 kg) on average. The exact size of a black-tailed deer depends on various factors such as age, sex, and genetics. They’re smaller than the mule deer– which will get to in another section of this post to help you understand the differences between the two.
Mature blacktail bucks (male deer) are usually larger and heavier than does (female deer), with a body length of up to 6.5 feet and a shoulder height of up to 3.5 feet.
Does are typically smaller than the males, with a body length of up to 5.5 feet and a shoulder height of up to 3 feet.
We’ve seen both bucks and does in the wild while kayaking in Washington state.
Behavior
Black-tailed deer are solitary animals that are primarily active at dawn and dusk. During the rest of the day, they rest in hiding places in their habitat, such as dense brush or trees– exactly where we spotted a buck resting on one recent paddle (watch the video on this post!).
These deer are highly alert, cautious animals, and they’re quick to detect danger, using their keen senses of hearing and smell to detect predators. So if you observe them in the wild, pause and take a moment to appreciate their charm and beauty, because they’ll quickly dash away!
Diet
Black-tailed deer photo credit: iNaturalist
This deer species are herbivores, so they feed primarily on grasses, leaves, and shrubs. They have a seasonal diet, with the type of vegetation they consume changing based on availability and the time of year. During the winter, for example, they may feed on woody plants, while in the spring and summer, they feed on fresh vegetation.
Reproduction
Mating season for black-tailed deer occurs in late autumn, with bucks engaging in aggressive behavior, such as sparring and fighting, to establish dominance and win over mates.
Does give birth to one to three fawns in the spring, and mother deer are known for their strong protective instincts, keeping their fawns hidden and away from danger. We’ve seen the cutest little fawns on our springtime kayaking paddles in the Pacific Northwest!
Are blacktail deer and mule deer the same?
No, black-tailed deer and mule deer are not the same. Technically, blacktailed deer are a subspecies of mule deer. Although they are both native to North America, these deer have several differences in terms of physical appearance, behavior, and range.
Black-tailed deer are native to the Pacific coast of North America, while mule deer are found throughout western North America and into parts of Mexico. (We’ve never seen a mule deer in the wild while kayaking in the Pacific Northwest).
Mule deer are generally larger in size and have a distinctive appearance, with large ears that resemble those of a mule, hence the name. They also have a white tail with a black tip, unlike the black tail of the black-tailed deer. Additionally, mule deer have a different habitat preference and dietary habits compared to black-tailed deer.
Can white-tailed deer have black tails?
This image shows a white-tailed deer flagging its tail to alert others in the herd of danger.
No, white-tailed deer don’t have black tails. As their name suggests, white-tailed deer have a white tail with a distinctive underside. When they feel threatened or are startled, they’ll leap away with their tail raised – a behavior called “flagging” – that alerts other members of their herd to potential dangers lurking nearby.
The white tail is one of the most recognizable features of the white-tailed deer and helps to distinguish them from other species of deer.
Check out this great video to spot the differences between white-tailed and black-tailed deer. The place we mentioned – Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, which is just north of Vancouver, Washington – is a great spot to flat water kayak and observe both of these deer species. The threatened Columbian white-tailed deer was introduced to the refuge about ten years ago. So it’s helpful to know the difference in case you have the opportunity to view and photograph these adorable deer in the wild.
Black-tailed deer are a calm and cautious species, and they’re important to the ecosystems in which they live, playing a role in shaping the vegetation through their feeding habits and providing food for predators. We love appreciating wild deer on our kayaking trips.
More free wildlife articles from Flatwater Kayak Club:
10 Code of Conduct rules for kayakers to follow to protect wildlife & nature
How to identify the Stellar’s Jay bird
PNW paddling & common animal sightings
20 breathtaking wildlife species you can observe in the Pacific Northwest while kayaking