THE GAME ANIMALS OF CANADA 



43 



easily accessible to the people; and the need for such a sup- 

 ply was never so pressing as at the present time. The main- 

 tenance of adequate protection, especially the protection of 

 does, will result in an increase in the number of deer, and 

 thus afford a greater number of people the opportunity of 



III.— TAILS OF THE WHITE-TAILED (1), MULE-DEER (2), AND 

 COLUMBIA BLACK-TAILED DEER (3) 



supplementing their food supplies. Any relaxation of pro- 

 tection would result in a decrease in the deer population 

 which it would take years of protection to restore. 



The Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) 



The mule deer, or ''jumping deer," as it is called in Mani- 

 toba on account of its peculiar gait, is larger than the white- 

 tailed deer and heavier in build. Its distinguishing char- 

 acteristics are the large, broad ears, from which it receives 

 its popular name; the rounded, whitish tail with its black 

 tip, and the form of its antlers. The antlers of this species 

 and of the Columbian black-tail differ markedly from those 

 of the white-tailed deer in their size and form. They are 

 larger, and are doubly branching. The main beams, instead 



