The Only 14 States You’ll Find Big Herds of Mule Deer

Mule deer live across the Western United States. They aren't as common as whitetail deer but are still quite the sight to see with their large ears and black-tipped tails.

Although the overall mule deer population in the U.S. is healthy, it is declining. Mule deer are threatened by overhunting, habitat destruction/loss, drought, and disease. Still, organizations like the Mule Deer Foundation are working to protect and conserve mule deer.

Some states are struggling more than others, but why? Which ones? Click through the slideshow to learn about the few states you'll find big herds of mule deer.

Mule deer are one of the most interesting deer species. They can have up to four babies at once, although two is more common. They are also best known for their signature large ears - much like a mule.

Mule deer are medium-sized when compared to other deer species. They weigh between 200 to 400 pounds and stand at 31 to 42 inches. Mule deer are herbivorous, eating over 800 different plant species.

Mule deer populations are healthy. Within the Western United States, there are more than 4 million of these incredible animals. But in which states? Click through to discover the states where most mule deer reside.

Mule deer are very common in California with a population of about 460,000. One of the more common subspecies in California is the California mule deer. Mule deer live in thick forests and open clearings. Within California, you can find mule deer in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Yosemite National Park.

Colorado is next, with a very healthy and stable mule deer population. There are around 400,000 mule deer across the state. These large-eared deer are migratory. You can see them in heavily wooded areas and urban spots.

Wyoming is also home to large groups of mule deer but the population has been declining. In 1991, there were about 578,000 mule deer. By 2023, this number has been cut in more than half to 216,000. This is likely because of severe winters and habitat loss.

Utah also has a significant mule deer population. According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in 2023, there were 279,000 mule deer in Utah. This number is a big decrease from 2018 when Utah was home to 376,450 mule deer. The state is currently trying to increase its mule population with a goal of 404,900 deer.

Montana is also seeing a decrease in mule deer, although they are one of the top states in the country for their population. In 2024, experts estimate there were 249,157 mule deer in Montana. In 2017, the number was as high as 386,175.

Mule deer are also common in Idaho, although they mainly reside in the central mountains and southern deserts. Idaho contains about 249,691 mule deer. Like the rest of the country, mule deer in Idaho are slowly decreasing mainly because of harsh winters which can stress mule deer and lower the chance of reproduction.

Texas follows Idaho closely with a 2024 mule deer population of 227,392. This number fluctuates a lot as mule deer migrate during wet and dry seasons. Most mule deer in Texas live in the Trans-Pecos region.

Oregon is next on our slideshow, boasting a 2024 mule deer population of 155,000. This is an increase from the previous years, although about half the peak. Only about 50 years ago, the mule deer population in Oregon was 300,000.

Mule deer numbers in New Mexico are low because of consistent droughts. As of 2024, there are 80,000 to 100,000 mule deer in the state. New Mexico mule deer peaked during the 1960s with an estimated 300,000 residing in the state.

Arizona doesn't have as many mule deer as Montana or California. Only about 70,000 to 80,000 mule deer live in the Grand Canyon state. This is a drop from the 2013 estimated population of 97,500. The mule deer population in Arizona also peaked in the 1960s at around 242,000.

The mule deer population averages around 90,000 in Washington and is limited to specific areas. Most mule deer live in the eastern portion of the state. Some regions where you can see these incredible animals are the Blue Mountains, East Columbia Gorge, and Okanogan Highlands.

Mule deer also live in South Dakota. The current estimated population of mule deer in this state is about 87,000. South Dakota is also home to over 400,000 whitetail deer. Mule deer are usually found west of the Missouri River in South Dakota.

Kansas is home to around 53,400 mule deer. They only live in the western one-third of the state. Mule deer in Kansas suffer from habitat loss. Originally, they lived in the western two-thirds of Kansas. Excessive hunting also decimated mule deer numbers in the state.

Mule deer aren't abundant in Oklahoma. They are mainly limited to the Panhandle portion of the state. The estimated current mule deer population in this state is 1,750.