Around here, taking a young buck of either species is probably about the same degree of difficulty - not very. As for mature deer, the whitetails can be had with good scouting and setting up in the right place at the right time; i.e., during early archery when they're still relaxed and traveling to favorite food sources or during the rut by hunting near doe congregations. However, the mature mule deer are much less cooperative, as well as much fewer in number, so theyhave my vote as being more difficult to get.