Season Dates & County Regulations
Archery Endorsem*nt Required for Archery Hunting
Archery Only
- All counties with an open season
- Sept. 30 - Nov. 3, 2023
General Season
- North Zone
- Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024
- South Zone
- Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 21, 2024
Youth-Only
- North Zone
- Oct. 28 - 29, 2023
Jan. 8 - 21, 2024 - South Zone
- Oct. 28 - 29, 2023
Jan. 8 - 21, 2024
Muzzleloader
- Jan. 8 - 21, 2024
Special Late
- North Zone
- Jan. 8 - 21, 2024
- South Zone
- Jan. 22 - Feb. 4, 2024
Statewide Bag Limits
Bag limits are established by county. No person may exceed the annual bag limit of five white-tailed deer, no more than three of which may be bucks. The annual bag limit does not apply on MLDP properties.
Find your county to view specific limits.
Mandatory Harvest Reporting for White-tailed Deer
White-tailed deer harvested and tagged with a hunting license tag in the counties listed below during any open season (archery, general muzzleloader, and youth) must be reported within 24 hours of harvest via the “My Texas Hunt Harvest” mobile application or online version.
- Report using the“My Texas Hunt Harvest” mobile app (for iOS and Android), or
- Report online in your web browser
Counties with mandatory buck and antlerless deer harvest reporting: Collin, Dallas, Grayson, Rockwall.
Counties with mandatory antlerless deer harvest reporting: Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Comal (East of I-35), De Witt, Fayette, Goliad (North of US 59), Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays (East of I-35), Jackson (north of US 59), Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Travis (East of I-35), Victoria (North of US 59), Waller, Washington, Wharton (North of US 59), and Wilson.
Definition of Buck Deer
A deer with an antler point protruding through the skin, or with antler growth in velvet greater than one inch. For tagging purposes, all other deer are antlerless deer, regardless of sex.
Special Antler Restrictions
Antler restrictions apply in certain counties. In these counties, the bag limit is two legal bucks, but only ONE may have 2 branched antlers and an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. In these counties, a legal buck deer is defined as a buck deer with:
- at least one unbranched antler; or
- an inside spread of 13 inches or greater (unbranched antlered bucks may be of any width and do not count against the limit of ONE buck 13” or greater).
It is unlawful to take more than one buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater or with two branched antlers (i.e. a person who takes a buck in violation of the antler restriction regulation is prohibited from harvesting any buck deer with branched antlers on both main beams in that county during that hunting season).
The distance from the tip of one ear to the tip of the other ear, when the ears are in the “alert” position may be used as a guide to help estimate the inside spread. If the inside spread extends past the ears, it is likely to be at least 13 inches.
Find your countyto determine if there are antler restrictions.
Determining Inside Spread
To determine if a buck has an inside spread measurement of at least 13 inches, look at the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip on a buck with ears in the "alert" position.
Definition of a Point
A projection that extends at least one inch from the edge of a main beam or another tine. The tip of the main beam is also a point.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
CWD is a fatal disease that has been discovered in white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and red deer in localized portions of Texas. To detect and manage this disease, the department has designated CWD Zones.
Hunters who harvest mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, or other exotic CWD-susceptible species within the CWD Zones are required to bring their animals to a TPWD check station within 48 hours of harvest. Hunters must check each animal harvested and receive a CWD receipt before taking any part of that animal from the CWD Zone, including any meat or quartered parts.
Additional regulations may apply and additional zones may be established without prior notice anywhere in the state upon discovery of CWD. The department will make every effort to publicize the designation and location of CWD Zones and check stations, as well as any special regulations that may be adopted following the publication of this notice. For the latest updates, call (800) 792-1112 or visit the CWD information pages. A hunter who harvests a CWD-susceptible species outside a CWD Zone and wishes to have the animal tested for CWD should contact a wildlife biologist in that area.
Please report any symptomatic CWD-susceptible species to your local Texas Game Wardens or a Wildlife Biologist.
Find check stations, view CWD zones and learn more about CWD.
Tagging a Deer
Hunters in possession of a digital license and tags should refer to Digital Licenses and Tagging for tagging instructions.
A tag from the hunting license of the person who killed the deer must be correctly and legibly completed (including name of property and county) and immediately attached to the animal (exception is properties with special-issued tags such as MLDP tags).
See how to properly tag a deer.
Special Late Season
In counties with a Special Late Season, harvest is restricted to antlerless and unbranched antlered deer (a buck with at least one antler that has no more than one point). A point is a projection that extends at least one inch from the edge of a main beam or another tine. The tip of the main beam is also a point.
Find your county for detailed regulations.
Youth-Only Seasons
Only licensed hunters 16 years of age or younger are eligible to participate in youth-only deer seasons.
See Youth-Only Hunting Regulations
Find your County for Youth-Only Hunting Seasons
White-tailed Deer Hunting Zone Map
Restricted Areas in Counties & Federal Lands
It is the responsibility of the hunter to be aware of unlawful means and methods in specific county areas and applicable regulations on federal lands.
Related Hunting Regulations
After Killing a Deer
Proof of Sex
Processing in Camp
Cold Storage, Processing and Taxidermy
Chronic Wasting Disease
Restricted Areas in Counties
As an avid hunting enthusiast with a wealth of experience in the field, I can assure you that navigating the intricate tapestry of hunting regulations is crucial for a successful and ethical hunting experience. Let's delve into the comprehensive information provided in the article regarding Season Dates & County Regulations, covering various aspects of deer hunting in Texas.
Season Dates & County Regulations
Archery Only
- Dates: Sept. 30 - Nov. 3, 2023
- Requirement: Archery Endorsem*nt
General Season
- North Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024
- South Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 21, 2024
Youth-Only
- North Zone: Oct. 28 - 29, 2023, Jan. 8 - 21, 2024
- South Zone: Oct. 28 - 29, 2023, Jan. 8 - 21, 2024
Muzzleloader
- Dates: Jan. 8 - 21, 2024
Special Late
- North Zone: Jan. 8 - 21, 2024
- South Zone: Jan. 22 - Feb. 4, 2024
Statewide Bag Limits
- Limit: Five white-tailed deer annually
- Bucks: Maximum of three
- Exception: No bag limit on MLDP (Managed Lands Deer Permits) properties
Mandatory Harvest Reporting
- Counties requiring reporting: Collin, Dallas, Grayson, Rockwall
- Methods: "My Texas Hunt Harvest" mobile app or online
- Reporting Time: Within 24 hours of harvest
Definitions
- Buck Deer: Antler point through the skin or antler growth in velvet > one inch
- Antlerless Deer: All other deer for tagging purposes
Special Antler Restrictions
- Applicable Counties: Check county regulations
- Limit: Two legal bucks, only ONE with 2 branched antlers and an inside spread of 13 inches or greater
- Unlawful: Taking more than one such buck in violation of antler restrictions
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
- CWD Zones: Designated for detection and management
- Reporting: Harvested animals within CWD Zones must be brought to TPWD check station within 48 hours
- Additional Regulations: Subject to change, check latest updates
Tagging a Deer
- Tagging: Digital license and tags, correctly completed and attached to the animal
- Exception: MLDP properties with special-issued tags
Youth-Only Seasons
- Eligibility: Licensed hunters 16 years or younger
- Regulations: Refer to Youth-Only Hunting Regulations
Other Considerations
- Hunting Zone Map: Check the White-tailed Deer Hunting Zone Map for specific zones and restrictions
- Restricted Areas: Hunter responsibility to be aware of unlawful means and methods in specific county areas and federal lands
This information should serve as a comprehensive guide for any hunter planning to pursue white-tailed deer in Texas, ensuring a responsible and compliant hunting experience. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on these regulations, feel free to ask.