SAN ANGELO, TX – Fall temperatures have come early this year giving hunters a pleasant start to what is expected to be a fruitful hunting season.
Previously, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists predicted a rich white-tailed deer hunting season in many regions across the state. Although conditions are drying statewide, rains in September helped to create an abundance of quality forbs and shrubs, both of which are critical for providing proper deer nutrition.
Whitetails are expected to be in pretty good shape since September rains gave a boost to the forbs and shrubs they feed on. If current dry conditions persist, hunters should expect to see an increase in deer activity around feeders or food sources.
Alan Cain, the TPWD White-Tailed Deer Program Leader, tells us the Edwards Plateau, Cross Timbers, and South Texas eco-regions should have some of the best hunting conditions this season. Additionally, TPWD encourages hunters to take advantage of doe tags in these areas.
As a reminder, the general whitetail deer season runs from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021 in the North Zone and Jan. 17, 2021 in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer hunting season is set for Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 and Jan. 4-17 of 2021.
The Edwards Plateau in central Texas has reportedly produced the highest recorded deer population in the state with an estimated 2.37 million deer. An anthrax outbreak back in 2019 resulted in some mortality loss among the white-tailed deer population, however, TPWD biologists suggest these losses have provided several long-term benefits. By reducing deer densities and bringing populations in line with the natural carrying capacity of the native rangeland, the population reduction should have resulted in a larger number of healthier deer as well as more nutrition to help bucks in the area maximize antler production.
The Cross Timbers region in north Texas has recorded the second highest deer population in the state with deer population densities ranging from 14 to 88 deer per 1,000 acres. However, fawn production in the Cross Timbers region has been greater than 50% for the last 8 years and 2020 is expected to be at least average, if not above average, as a result of optimal range conditions. Hunters should expect to see plentiful numbers of mature bucks in this region this year.
Additionally, relatively mild temperatures and beneficial rains throughout the region this spring set the stage for another profitable hunting season in South Texas, especially in the eastern half of the region and south down towards the Rio Grande Valley. Deer populations in these regions are stable with most recent estimates numbering close to 438,000 deer. Hunters looking to pursue mature bucks should consider South Texas as antler quality is expected to be better than average due to superb range conditions in the area.
Check out the official deer hunting forecast here for more information on what you should expect this hunting season.
What to Know?
All hunters in the state of Texas are required to carry the following:
- A valid Hunting license
- Proof of Hunter Education; If you can't find your certification, hunters can print a replacement here.
- For wild turkey hunters: Upland Game Bird Endorsement
- For bowhunters: Archery Endorsement
Hunters should also:
- Correctly log and tag their harvest.
- Refer to the Outdoor Annual for county-specific hunting/harvesting regulations.
- Review chronic wasting disease (CWD) information on all carcass movement restrictions.
- Bring any deer harvested in a CWD Zone to a CWD check station within 48 hours for proper testing. Portions of Kimble and Val Verde counties are now specified as CWD Zones..
If you hunt mule deer:
- Antler restrictions currently apply in Briscoe, Childress, Cottle, Floyd, Hall, Lynn and Motley counties.
More Hunting Information:
White-Tailed Deer & Turkey Seasons Open 11/7
- White-tailed deer general season opens Nov. 7
- Rio Grande fall turkey season opens Nov. 7
- Mule deer season opens Nov. 21 in the Panhandle and Southwestern Panhandle regions, and begins Nov. 27 in the Trans-Pecos region, including Brewster, Pecos and Terrell counties.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: