How Whitetail Deer Antlers Differ From Muledeer Antlers

In the first image, you can see an 8 point whitetail buck grazing. Notice how the points on each antler branch off of the main beam of the antler.

In the second image, you see a yearling male with his “spike set” of antlers. After this point, telling the age of a deer by his antlers is uncertain. Tooth number and wear is a more reliable estimate of age.

In the third image is an older male with a 10 point set of antlers. This image demonstrates the Whitetail arrangement of points on the antlers.

In the final image, a ten point muledeer buck is pictured. Notice the bifurcation of the antlers wherever a branch or a tine is produced. This character, the length of the ears, and the tail markings are the distinguishing characters between whitetail deer and muledeer.