Deer

Texas deer hunting is big business – and business is booming. Whether you’re a hunter, breeder or landowner – or someone whose business caters to hunters during the fall and winter – you’re part of a multi-billion-dollar industry that continues helping rack up big bucks for the state and local...

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is taking public comment on reauthorizing the practice of using tracking dogs to trail wounded deer, which has been prohibited in a dozen eastern counties for more than 20 years. A series of public meetings is slated to provide details of the proposal and...

Texas archery deer season officially kicks off Oct. 3, 2026, and the whitetail outlook is about as good as it's ever been, especially in hunting hot beds including the Hill Country and South Texas. Bowhunting has never been more popular, with the pursuit taking the mainstream outdoors world by storm...

It’s about to be big buck time across Texas, something that should have you spending as many hours in the field as possible, no matter where you call home. The Lone Star State has long had the largest population of white-tailed deer in the country, but the only thing that...

For the second time in as many months, a Texas deer has tested positive for chronic wasting disease. A free-ranging mule deer buck shot in Hartley County is the newest case, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials, who received confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa. Hartley County is located in...

Texas’ big buck forecast isn’t going to be great this season, but in a state long considered among the top whitetail destinations in the country, that type of prediction isn’t bad. Even in down or average seasons, we’ve still got it good when it comes to deer quality. We have the...

The dusty breeze tickled the tops of spindly mesquites and thick bunch grass as I descended the steps of the tower stand. At the bottom, the icy chill of the late November morning hit me square in the face as binoculars were raised for what seemed like the 100th time. The massive nontypical buck was laying down. Better yet, he was facing away. Best of all, he...

Fall is finally here, bringing with it the anticipation of partaking in outdoor opportunities this month and into a new year, and things are looking up after recent rains in much of the state. Archery deer season began last weekend, with numerous hunters already tagging the biggest buck they’ll see...

The dusty breeze tickled the tops of spindly mesquites and thick bunch grass as I descended the steps of the tower stand. At the bottom, the icy chill of the late November morning hit me square in the face as binoculars were raised for what seemed like the 100th time. The...

Texas hunting seasons again are here, and with a little help from Mother Nature things are looking up for doves, deer, ducks and a host of other wildlife. With that in mind, here is a preview for fall hunting seasons, including the best areas of the state for a variety...