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Old 12-09-2006 | 09:54 PM
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skeeter 7MM
Giant Nontypical
 
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
Default RE: Can Whitetails and Muleys interbreed

Yes but this occurance is extremely rare, as is the survival of such hybrids in the wild. Determining a hybrid must be done by inspecting the metatarsal gland and DNA testing, notcharateristics we simulate with both species. Really is impossible to say you saw a hybrid with any certainitywithout actually getting your hands on it and testing.

Experts believe the cross comes from aWt buck and Mule doe based on the persuit or chase each species occurs during the rut. In Wt the doe will run and the bucks will pursue until she is precisely ready to be bred. In mule deer the buck doesn't really need to pursue her she moves off a few steps but stays near, she is ready to be bred she allows him with out all the courting a WT buck goes through.They say also the estrus smell is different between the 2 species and it will confuse the other species, making such an event more unlikely.

For more info try searching for an article wrote byJim Heffelfinger on hybrids.

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