Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is in the Deer family (Cervidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 91,743 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Mule Deer: observations by month (U.S.)
About Mule Deer
The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule. The several subspecies include the black-tailed deer.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Mule Deer by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 35,892 | July | Jun–May |
| Colorado | 15,643 | July | Mar–Nov |
| Utah | 7,690 | July | Jun–May |
| Oregon | 6,229 | July | Jun–May |
| New Mexico | 6,201 | July | Jun–May |
| Arizona | 4,292 | May | Apr–Mar |
| Wyoming | 3,408 | July | May–Sep |
| Washington | 2,922 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Texas | 2,292 | December | Nov–Oct |
| Idaho | 2,205 | July | Mar–Nov |
| Montana | 1,983 | July | May–Sep |
| Nevada | 1,355 | July | Mar–Dec |
| South Dakota | 779 | July | May–Oct |
| Nebraska | 344 | July | Mar–Aug |
| North Dakota | 324 | July | Apr–Nov |
| Kansas | 76 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 74 | June | Mar–Nov |
| Alaska | 34 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Deer)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Mule Deer?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to May.
Where is Mule Deer most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Colorado, Utah.