The Mule Deer was named for its huge ears. It is larger than a white-tailed deer and has a black tip on its tail. There are not many mule deer in the Yukon, as they only started to be common about 50 years ago. There are reports however, of deer in the Yukon over 100 years ago. The population in the Yukon appears stable and may be growing. They can be seen in several areas, mostly in the southern half of the Yukon.
Mule deer are very hard to see as they are camouflaged and blend well into their environment. If you spot one, keep looking in that area: you might see more as your eyes adjust to their shape. Mule deer live in herds and eat leaves and bark of shrubs, as well as grass in meadows. They like forest more than open areas because they are a hiding creature. They are most often seen in early morning and early evening. The word for this behaviour is crepuscular. They sleep or ruminate (re-chew their stomach contents) much of the day.
The does (females) have twins many years, a sign of good health in animals. The babies are spotted and about the size of a large cat when they are born. They are not usually seen for the first few weeks, as they stay hidden as a means of avoiding predators. When mule deer run, they bound in a “stot” and their strong leg muscles can propel them over high obstacles.