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mule deer
noun
: a long-eared deer (Odocoileus hemionus) of western North America that is larger and more heavily built than the white-tailed deer
Examples of mule deer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The White Tank Mountains are home to a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, mountain lions, bobcats, javelinas, and, most recently, some bighorn sheep that have returned to the area.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2024
The fact that mule deer are known to migrate seasonally should also concern wildlife officials in Nevada, who have yet to confirm CWD in their state’s wild deer and elk herds.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 8 May 2024
Concerned hunters and anglers fear that such a project would harm the Bitterroot’s world-class trout fishery and the area’s intact habitat for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and other iconic Western game species.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 8 May 2024
Gunnison features wildlife from mule deer, elk and golden eagles to rocky mountain bighorn sheep and mountain lions.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 3 May 2024
In 2022, cameras captured animals – including mule deer, elk and coyotes – using these crossings more than 5,000 times.
—Conor Knighton, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2024
The central Iowa hunter grew up chasing whitetail deer close to home and elk and mule deer in the West.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024
The funds are part of a larger initiative by the Interior Department and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, providing $11.8 million for 10 projects across seven Western states to improve habitat connectivity for elk, mule deer and pronghorn.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
The area also serves as a critical habitat for desert tortoises and a movement corridor for wildlife species, including bighorn sheep and mule deer.
—The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mule deer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1805, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near mule deer
Cite this Entry
“Mule deer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mule%20deer. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
mule deer
noun
: a long-eared deer of western North America that is larger and more heavily built than the white-tailed deer
More from Merriam-Webster on mule deer
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mule deer
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