Due to widespread, improved habitat conditions, biologists at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( TPWD ) anticipate that deer hunters across the state will have plenty of opportunities to fill freezers this season.
According to TPWD White-tailed Deer Program Leader Blaise Korzekwa, the 2023 – 2024 deer hunting season is anticipated to be good in terms of harvest numbers and opportunities, so don’t pass up the opportunity to spend time outdoors with family, friends, and fellow hunters. Take some time this fall and winter to take advantage of one of the best deer animals in the country, right here in your home state, as Texas has among the nation’s longest hunting conditions.
In the spring, a large portion of the state experienced drought-quenching rain, which made for excellent wildlife rise during the early growing season. Generation of spring bodyweight( weeds and flowering plants ), which is an important part of a deer’s diet after winter, was plentiful and provided vital nutrients to growing bucks, lactating does, and young fawns. Additionally, the better habitat problems earlier this year made it possible for lambs to survive their first six weeks( also referred to as their enrollment ).
Common antler quality, which is still anticipated to exceed anticipation from the 2022 season, may be anticipated in the few regions of the state that did not experience the spring rain.
Also, because there were fewer harvests last year, those bucks had a chance to reach older age groups and take advantage of the flower reward this year.
The management of Chronic Wasting Disease ( CWD ) depends heavily on landowners and hunters. Hunters are reminded that there are several new CWD zones in place for the 2023 – 2024 season before they enter the field. This certificate year also saw the implementation of new corpse action restrictions, so Texas hunters harvesting elk, moose, and moose and other vulnerable species in CWD-positive states must abide by these restrictions when bringing their harvested animals back to their homes.
Reporting ill deer, properly disposing of uncooked carcass parts, and freely testing harvests are the most effective ways to help slow the spread of CWD. On the TPWD site, you can find more details about zone boundaries, requirements, test station dates, and operating hours.
An Annual Public Hunting Permit is required for hunters using Texas people searching lands. To examine rules that might use to particular regions, open land hunters should also read the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet. At a common hunting area, the My Texas Hunt Harvest application can be used to remotely complete on-site registration.
Here is the prognosis for the white-tailed deer season by biological region:
Timbers Cross
The Timbers Cross ecoregion in north Texas has the second highest deer population in Texas, with more than 820,000 animals, just behind the Edwards Plateau region. Higher densities of deer are generally found in the central part of the region. Because of the relatively consistent fawn production, buck age structure is generally well distributed across all age classes. Hunters focusing on mature bucks should not be disappointed with the upcoming season.
Hill Country / Edward Plateau
According to studies, the Edwards Plateau is home to the most deer in the state, numbering 1.6 million in total. This area should be put on the priority list to run this fall by hunters looking for opportunities to see a lot of elk when traveling.
By reducing deer densities and balancing the client to horse ratio, harvesting activities in the Llano and Mason counties will be particularly crucial to alleviate habitat browsing pressure.
Landowners and hunters in the Western Edwards Plateau region are urged to reduce the number of does they harvest this month in an effort to boost the region’s people. An extensive bacillus epidemic in 2019 caused a community collapse in this area of the Hill Country, and it is still recovering.
Due to previous deer selection times, hunters should anticipate an increase in the number of two – and a half-year-old dollars to four-and-a-half years old dollars. The region between Hondo and Del Rio and northwest of Highway 90 should be the main focus for hunting looking for older age-class money.
Pineywoods
In comparison to the previous three years, Pineywoods people studies estimate that there are now more than 330, 000 antelope in the area. To maintain deer groups in the Pineywoods, wildlife management is essential. During shooting season, more deer frequently take advantage of the environment in properties that maintain a high-quality wildlife year-round.
Preliminary estimates indicate a decrease in antelope density between Houston and Beaumont and an increase in population close to Tyler.
In comparison to the younger years bucks, hunters may anticipate a few more bucks in the five-and-a-half-year variety.
Savannah Post Oak
The Savannah Post Oak ecoregion enjoyed a good spring which should contribute to average fawn production this year. Higher deer populations could be found along the Interstate 10 corridor between San Antonio to Houston.
Due to habitat separation, population density will be lower west of Dallas. The four and a half year old school should have more money than different age groups.
Plains Rolling
The Eastern and Western Plains Rolling generally have a lower deer population than other regions. Severe drought conditions and low fawn recruitment in 2022 has led to a slight decline in the estimated population in this portion of the state.
Occasional fawn production over the past few years may have caused age gaps in some middle-aged groups, but mature buck numbers have remained constant. A fantastic time for mature buck produce and antler quality should be anticipated in these areas.
Particularly on properties with little resource competition during past hunting seasons, antler production is anticipated to be above average.
Plains of South Texas
The Plains of South Texas are known for mature bucks and above average antler quality relative to most other areas in the state. Harvest is expected to be up for 2023 with average to above average antler quality.
South Texas’ deer population has remained constant despite the fact that drought conditions in 2022 will reduce the number of fledglings living past their first six months. In an effort to improve wildlife problems in 2023, many hunters decided against harvesting trophy bucks last season. Biologists anticipate that there will be a large number of classes between the ages of two and five and fifty and plenty of opportunities to observe older bucks.
