Excellent news for hunting! This fall, biologists for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( TPWD ) anticipate a unique white-tailed deer season. The 2024-25 archery-only season kicks off Sept. 28 and hunters should expect to have great yield numbers and options for quality money.
It will be another fantastic year to take the spear out and spend time hunting, according to Blaise Korzekwa, TPWD White-tailed Deer Program Leader, given that over half the state experienced excellent wildlife conditions this spring. It will be time well spent in the field this year, whether you’re looking to replace the freezer with meat or harvest the prize of a lifetime.
In the spring, a large portion of the state experienced drought-quenching rains, which allowed for excellent wildlife rise during the first portion of the growing season. This flower will still have a significant number of older bucks, even in those areas that experienced lackluster rainfall.
A crucial component of a deer’s diet coming out of winter, spring forb ( plants and flowering plants ) production was plentiful and provided essential nutrients to boost antler development in cash and assist in meeting lactation requirements for nursing lambs. Additionally, the summertime’s improved wildlife conditions helped maintain fawns good enough to survive their first few months ( also known as animal selection ).
While the archery-only and Tried Lands Deer Program times begin Sept. 28, the public year opens more than a fortnight after, on Nov. 2. The standard time runs through Jan. 5, 2025, in the North Zone and Jan. 19, 2025, in the South Zone. A youth-only weapons deer season is set in both areas for Oct. 25-27 and Jan. 6-19. For additional late season deer hunting opportunities, county certain regulations and information on how to effectively mark and report a harvest, read the 2024-25 Outdoor Annual.
In preventing Chronic Wasting Disease ( CWD), landowners and hunters are of crucial importance. Hunters are reminded that there are several new CWD zones in place for the 2024-25 season before heading out on the field, and some have switched to voluntary sampling. This license year, Texas hunters who harvest white-tailed deer and mule deer must also follow the new carcass disposal rules when moving the carcass away from the property of harvest.
Reporting sick deer, disposing of unused carcass parts, and voluntarily testing harvests are the best ways to stop the spread of CWD. More information about carcass disposal requirements, zone boundaries and requirements, and check station dates and hours of operations can be found on TPWD’s CWD website.
In addition to their hunting license, archery hunters are required to purchase an Archery Endorsement. Hunters who use Texas Public Hunting Areas must possess an annual Public Hunting Permit. Public land hunters should also review the rules that might apply to particular areas in the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet. The Texas Hunt & Fish app, which replaced My Texas Hunt Harvest, can be used to complete on-site registration at a public hunting area electronically.
Anyone who wants to improve their skills ahead of the season or anyone who wants to learn more about archery and bowhunting should check out Bowhunter by Fall, a newsletter series presented by TPWD’s Community Archery Program.
