Strong Deer Season Ahead | What's New | How to ID Protected Birds | Tips to Stay Bear Aware | and More!



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Strong Deer Season Underway

Whitetail buck

It's time to break out the blaze orange – white-tailed deer general season is underway and the forecast [ [link removed] ] looks good.

Texas' whitetail population is estimated at 5 million, making it the largest in the country. In areas with high deer populations, like the Edwards Plateau and Cross Timbers Region, you are encouraged to utilize your antlerless tags to help manage the population.

Refer to the Outdoor Annual [ [link removed] ] for all your whitetail regulations, including statewide bag limits, specific county limits and antler restrictions. Download the free Texas Hunt & Fish app [ [link removed] ], a handy tool for digital tagging, reporting your harvest and locating voluntary CWD check stations [ [link removed] ]. You can also report your harvest online [ [link removed] ].

Find out more about whitetails in Texas with our new resource White-tailed Deer Management [ [link removed] ]. For tips on using your ingenuity instead of your wallet to deer hunt, check out the "Texas Parks & Wildlife" magazine story Yes, You Can Harvest a Buck on a Budget [ [link removed] ].



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What's New

Two mule deer bucks [ [link removed] ]

*NEW for the 2025-26 Season:*


* Mule deer [ [link removed] ] season has been extended
* Wild turkey hunting is now open in Lubbock County [ [link removed] ], North Zone regulations apply
* Wild turkey hunting in the Hill Country [ [link removed] ]: IH35E now serves as the zone boundary line

New World Screwworm [ [link removed] ]: If you observe a LIVE animal infested with maggots, quickly report the observation to a local TPWD biologist [ [link removed] ]. Through active surveillance, hunters can help protect Texas' wildlife and livestock from this pest. 



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Before You Shoot, Be Sure It’s Not Protected

Whooping Crane in Flight [ [link removed] ]

At times it can be hard to tell exactly what you're firing at – in which case you should not take the shot. There are a number of birds that are protected by law, including some doves [ [link removed] ] and  other migratory birds [ [link removed] ], like whooping cranes. 

Whooping cranes are endangered and can be confused with other birds. Learn to tell the difference by looking over our tips to I.D. whooping cranes [ [link removed] ] and watching our video "Be Sure Before You Shoot [ [link removed] ]".

If in doubt, do not take the shot! If you accidentally take any protected animal, immediately contact the county's Texas game warden [ [link removed] ] to explain your mistake. How to I.D. protected birds is taught in Hunter Education. Everyone born after Sept. 1, 1971 must have Hunter Ed [ [link removed] ] certification, and be able to provide proof of it while in the field. Check online to confirm you're certified [ [link removed] ].



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Wear Yur LIfejacket, image of hunters with dog in boat, link [ [link removed] ]
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Watch for New World Screwworm in the Field

If you see LIVE animals with maggots, report it to your local TPWD wildlife biologist [ [link removed] ] as soon as possible. It may be infested with New World screwworm [ [link removed] ] (NWS).

NWS are flies that lay eggs in open wounds or moist body parts of live warm-blooded animals. The eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) that only feed on living tissue. Infested wounds quickly become infected, and, if left untreated, will kill infested animals.

Early detection is key. Your reporting is crucial for effective management actions in the battle to eliminate NWS. 

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Black Bear Activity Increases in Fall

Bear in tree [ [link removed] ]

If you encounter a black bear in the field, stay away from it and keep any dogs secured. Black bears are a protected species in Texas and unlikely to pose a threat to humans.

If you're hog hunting, be sure before you shoot – a black bear can look like a hog in some conditions.

For more tips on hunting in bear country, including protecting deer feeders and avoiding attracting bears to your camp, check out Bear Safety [ [link removed] ].



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New Horned Lizard license plate, link [ [link removed] ]
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NEW: OGT Text, App and Online Reporting

Operation Game Thief OGT logo [ [link removed] ]

You can now text Operation Game Thief [ [link removed] ] (OGT) to submit anonymous tips about wildlife crime. You can also use the free app, call, or go online to report wildlife violations:


* *Text* to 847411; type in TXOGT and then your message.
* *Download the app* for Apple [ [link removed] ] / Android [ [link removed] ]
* *Online Form* to submit an anonymous tip [ [link removed] ]
* *Call* 1-800-792-GAME (4263)

Learn how to submit anonymous tips [ [link removed] ], and add the text and call numbers to your contacts now, so you'll have them when you need them.

Contact us immediately if you see a wildlife crime in progress. OGT is Texas' Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Program, offering rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of a wildlife crime.



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"A message from our sponsor:"

Toyota Tundra ad, with link [ [link removed] ]

"Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers:"

1796 Ranches ad, link [ [link removed] ]
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Texas Trophy Hunters ad, link [ [link removed] ]
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Safari Club Convention, link [ [link removed] ]

"The Hunt Texas newsletter is made possible in part
""by the generous support of Toyota. "

Toyota [ [link removed] ]

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