The 2024-25 general white-tailed deer season kicked off Nov. 2 in Central Texas, and hunters are afield. This season, which runs through Jan. 5, promises a bounty of game as spring rains bolstered deer populations, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists.
PRIME CONDITIONS
Drought-quenching spring rains provided essential nutrients for deer and created optimal conditions for hunters to encounter a healthy population.
“The expectation of another bountiful year of hunting opportunities is great news for the nearly one million white-tailed deer hunters in Texas,” said Blaise Korzekwa, TPWD’s white-tailed deer program leader, in a recent article. “Texas has one of the top deer herds in the nation, so be sure to pull the bow or rifle out and spend time hunting this season.”
Texas’ Edwards Plateau region, which includes Burnet and Llano counties, remains a top destination for hunters. According to the TWPD, the region boasts the state’s highest deer population—around 1.5 million—despite a 25 percent decline.
Hunters will find a higher density of prey in Llano and Mason counties and more opportunities to harvest mature bucks in the 3½- to 5½-year-old range due to improved fawn recruitment from prior years. Focus south of U.S. 90, where most harvested bucks are 4½ years or older.
LIMITS & OTHER SEASONS
Hunters are allowed up to five deer and no more than two bucks across all seasons. The Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) lets hunters on participating properties harvest deer using MLDP-specific tags issued by the landowner or their designated agent.
Additionally, youth hunters have their own late season, Jan. 6-19. That period is also a special late season focused on antlerless deer and unbranched bucks.
Purchase a Texas hunting license and get necessary endorsements online before going out in the field.
DISPOSAL & CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
This year’s deer carcass disposal regulations are statewide and mandatory, underscoring the importance of managing chronic wasting disease (CWD), which is fatal to deer.
To prevent CWD’s spread, hunters should dispose of unused deer parts on the property of harvest. If removal is necessary, unused carcass parts should be buried at least 3 feet, taken to a commercial trash service, or returned to the property of harvest if feasible.
Hunters are encouraged to bring harvested deer to TPWD check stations for free CWD testing.
FINAL REMINDERS
Tagging and reporting: All harvested deer must be tagged immediately and recorded through the Texas Hunt & Fish app, where required.
Public land access: For hunters on public lands, an Annual Public Hunting Permit is mandatory. Hunters should consult the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet for area-specific regulations.
The Rut: Texas is in the middle of white-tailed deer mating season, when bucks tend to “lack caution.”
Learn more about hunting in Texas at tpwd.texas.gov.