Blacktail deer reside along the western part of the state. They are a smaller subspecies of mule deer and don’t grow as big antlers as mule deer do, reflected by the lower scores required for entry of racks in the Boone and Crockett Club’s record book. Management by some private landowners has allowed some world class blacktail bucks to be harvested in California. Because mule deer and blacktail crossbreed, there has been some controversy whether some of the large blacktail’s are pure blacktails. The Boone and Crockett Club has a set boundary for each species, and it’s crazy to think that a line on a map can distinguish which species of deer was harvested. There are some great opportunities for hunters to harvest blacktail deer in some unique habitat.

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Boone and Crockett entries: Typical

** Zones listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Zones in this table are included if any part of the zone is found within the county.

Boone and Crockett entries: Nontypical

** Zones listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Zones in this table are included if any part of the zone is found within the county.