Deer hunting in Texas is a popular pursuit, governed by the regulations set forth by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Hunters have their choice of white-tailed deer or mule deer to hunt in the Lone Star State. Read ahead to find out more about Texas Deer Hunting Regulations.
Licenses
Texas law requires that every deer hunter possess a license. Those younger than 17 must have a youth hunting license while those 17 and older must purchase a regular hunting license.
Types
There are various types of open seasons for both white-tailed deer and mule deer in Texas. There are seasons for taking these species with a bow, with a muzzleloader and with a rifle as well as seasons for antlerless and “spike” deer.
Identification
In Texas, the regulations define a “buck deer” as one that has a hardened antler sticking out of its skin on its head. A “spike deer” is one with antlers that have no more than a single point on them.
Limits
A deer hunter in Texas may bag as many as five white-tailed deer during the various seasons, but only three of them can be bucks. For mule deer, the combined seasons’ bag limit is two individual deer, with only one a buck.
Special Permit
The Texas Parks and Wildlife department can issue a “managed lands deer permit” to qualifying landowners. It allows hunters to exceed bag limits and enjoy an extended deer-hunting season. These hunters must have the permission of the landowner to hunt on the property.
Texas Deer Hunting Resources
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/season/animal_listing/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/
Source: John Lindell, eHow Contributor
Tags: Bag Limit, Deer, Hunting, Hunting license, Mule deer, Texas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, White-tailed deer