It can be ¾ inch long. Many times tracks will look different if an animal is running or the soil is loose where you see the tracks. Vocalization. Each half of the hoof print is bean-shaped. Any elk having antlers which do not branch or, if branched, branch is less than 4 inches long measured from the main antler beam. It is because the similarities exhibite. Difference Between. Elk vs Deer The deer family is a large group of grazing or browsing ruminants that cover the globe. Upcoming Tracking Classes. Because of this, mule deer have more specific forage requirements than cattle or elk that share their habitat. Mule deer tracks are curved in the front with 2 parallel hooves and sometimes feature dew claw marks depending on the type of terrain they are in. When it comes to larger members of the deer family like elk, moose and caribou, cow tracks are different in that dewclaw marks may be evident although at times less pronounced than in a track made by a bull. There is also some difference between deer and elk sounds. How To Correctly Identify Whitetail and Mule DeerAre you able to distinguish the difference between a whitetail and a mule deer? Next time your out roaming around in the desert and you find a set of animal tracks be sure to photograph them. Deer vs Elk Tracks. Mule deer are selective feeders. In deer, doe front tracks are usually equal or up to 3/16” longer than hind tracks. For the most part, these species hold more similarities with their cousins than differences, but there are some key distinctions between deer and elk. Generally the length of an adult elk track is between 4 and 4 3/4 inches. Elk . Elk tracks are definitely larger and rounder in outline than those of deer, so there is usually no difficulty in distinguishing them. In deer, doe front tracks are usually equal or up to 3/16” longer than hind tracks. Some common deer species are moose, elk, white-tailed deer, and sambar. If you are in an area where deer are the only hoofed mammal, identifying their tracks from other species can be quite straightforward. “For deer, elk, and pretty much anything else with a hoof, the front feet are proportionally larger than the hinds on mature bucks– though this breaks down with younger animals. 1- Elk, 2- Cow, 3- Cow, 4- Cow, 5- Cow, 6- Cow, 7- Cow, 8- Cow, 9- Elk, 10- Elk, 11- Cow, 12- Cow. Animal Tracking Photo Galleries . Elk tracks are more rounded, with no sharp points. Scat is similar to deer scat, but much larger. How to Identify Deer Tracks From Other Similar Footprints. Mule Deer doe hoof - dewclaws are smaller on a doe It is important to be able to distinguish between tracks of similar species to ensure your time and foot leather are devoted to pursuing the animal you're licensed to hunt.