Texas, well-known for its wide open spaces and many different animals, gives outdoor enthusiasts great excitement every year during deer hunting season. There are several types of deer like the white-tail, mule, and pronghorn.
Experienced or beginner, the state provides plenty of opportunities. From hilly areas to immense plains, you can choose your terrain.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, known as TPWD, is key in managing the deer season in the state. They attentively oversee hunting licenses, permits, and bag limits to keep the harvest numbers healthy. Sticking to TPWD rules means hunters can help protect our precious wildlife while having a great time outdoor.
Texas Deer Season Schedule
White-tailed Deer
- General:
- North:
- November 2, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- South:
- November 2, 2024 – January 19, 2025
- North:
- Special Late:
- North:
- January 6-19, 2025
- South:
- January 20, 2025 – February 2, 2025
- North:
- Youth-Only:
- North and South:
- October 25-27, 2024 and January 6-19, 2025
- North and South:
- Archery:
- 252 of 254 counties:
- September 28, 2024 – November 1, 2024
- 252 of 254 counties:
- Muzzleloader:
- 90 of 254 counties:
- January 6-19, 2025
- 90 of 254 counties:
Mule Deer
- General:
- Panhandle Zone:
- November 23, 2024 – December 8, 2024
- Trans-Pecos Zone:
- November 29, 2024 – December 15, 2024
- Panhandle Zone:
- Archery: 59 of 254 counties: September 28, 2024 – November 1, 2024
Pronghorn
- General: 41 of 254 counties: September 28 – October 13, 2024
Regulation Summary for Texas Deer
Statewide Bag Limits:
- 5 deer total per year (no more than 3 bucks).
- Bag limits are county-specific.
- MLDP properties are exempt from annual bag limits.
Mandatory Antlerless Harvest Reporting:
- Required in specific counties within 24 hours of harvest via the “My Texas Hunt Harvest” app or online.
Buck Deer Definition:
- A deer with a hardened or velvet-covered antler protruding through the skin.
Antler Restrictions:
- Apply in certain counties.
- Bag limit: 2 legal bucks (only one with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater).
- Legal buck: at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or more.
Determining Inside Spread:
- When the ears are on alert, we can guess the inner spread. It’s measured from the top of one ear to the other. But remember, it should be more than the ears’ width – at least 13 inches across.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):
- Hunters in CWD Zones must check harvested animals at TPWD stations within 48 hours.
Tagging:
- Tags must be filled out, notched, and attached immediately after harvest.
- Tags must remain attached to the carcass until it reaches its final destination.
Special Late Season:
- Restricted to antlerless and unbranched antlered deer.
Youth-Only Seasons:
- Open to licensed hunters 16 years and younger.
- Regulations align with the first two days of the general season for the respective county.
- The usual season rules, like bag limits and tagging needs, are still in place. Certain counties have antlerless deer harvest rules matching the timeframe of November 26-29.
Hunting on Federal Lands:
- More laws from state and federal sources might be in effect on federal lands, such as USFS properties. Here, hunting deer without antlers often has restrictions. It may only be allowed during specific seasons or need special permits.
TX Deer License Cost
| License Type | Resident Price | Nonresident Price |
| Basic | $25.00 | $315.00 |
| Senior | $7.00 | N/A |
| Super Combo Package | $68.00 | N/A |
| Senior Super Combo Package | $32.00 | N/A |
| Special | N/A | $132.00 |
| 5-Day Special Hunting License | N/A | $48.00 |
| Archery Hunting Endorsement | $7.00 | $7.00 |
Top Texas Deer Hunting Locations
White-tailed:
- Hill Country: This area, known for hilly terrain, oak-filled forests, and plentiful wildlife, acts as a hotspot for chasing them. Popular spots are Kerrville, Fredericksburg, and New Braunfels.
- South Texas: This place is packed with thick brush and rich food supply, is another great location. Notably, the Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend region are famous for their deer numbers.
- Trans-Pecos: This wide region in western Texas houses a large population of white-tails. The Big Bend National Park and Davis Mountains are common hunting ground choices.
Mule Deer:
- Trans-Pecos: This area isn’t just home to white-tailed deer. It’s also well-known for mule deer. The Davis Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains? Great for hunting.
- Panhandle: Especially the eastern part. Check out Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Canadian River.
Pronghorn:
- West Texas: In the western area, which takes in the Trans-Pecos territory and the Panhandle, you can find pronghorn antelope. Hunting these speedy creatures necessitates cunning strategies.
Author and Chief Editor at WikiDeer.Us
William Brantley, the lead writer and editor-in-chief at WikiDeer.Us, has more than ten years of deer hunting know-how. An outdoor enthusiast, William provides top recommendations, gear evaluation, and methods to assist hunters in sharpening their abilities and achieving fruitful pursuits.
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