PALESTINE — Hunters will be out in full force this weekend as gun season for deer officially opens in Texas.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department says an above average acorn crop and all the recent rains are giving deer an ample natural food supply which may contribute to a slow season for hunters.
“There is an abundance of food sources for deer right now, and deer movements are reduced because they don’t have to move as far or as often to keep their bellies full,” said TPWD Wildlife Biologist Mike Krueger. “Deer don’t appear to be coming to feeders as often or as regularly as they would if it were still dry.”
National forests around East Texas also are gearing up for deer season and the influx of hunters.
National forest supervisor Linda C. Brett wants to remind hunters of the use of off-road vehicles on government lands.
“OHV (Off-highway vehicle) use on the National Forests is limited to designated routs, and the only such designation is the 85-mile multiple-use trail on the Sam Houston National Forest,” Brett said. “Cross-country and off-road use of motorized vehicles of any type is prohibited.”
For more on hunting in national forests, visit the U.S. Forest Service Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/hunting.shtml.
Antler restrictions have been instituted for Anderson County, joining other East Texas counties such as Houston in the restrictions.
Legal bucks in antler restricted counties must have at least one unbranched antler or have an inside spread of at least 13 inches, roughly the spread of a mature deer’s ears from tip to tip.
Other changes affecting deer hunting in East Texas counties, antlerless deer days have increased from four to 16 days in Bowie and Rusk counties, and from four days to Nov. 7-29 in Cherokee and Houston counties; and from no doe days to four doe days in Anderson, Henderson, Hunt, Leon, Rains, Smith and Van Zandt counties.
In East Texas, the department is establishing a special muzzleloader season in additional counties, lengthening the existing muzzleloader season by five days to be equivalent in length with the special antlerless and spike buck seasons in other counties, and altering the current muzzleloader bag composition to allow the harvest of any buck (not just spike bucks) and antlerless deer without permits if the county has "doe days" during the general season.
New counties affected include: Austin, Bastrop, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Colorado, De Witt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Goliad, Gonzales, Gregg, Guadalupe, Harrison, Houston, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Marion, Matagorda, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Upshur, Victoria, Waller, Washington, Wharton and Wilson.
Outdoors
November 5, 2009
Deer season opens
- Outdoors
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Guns to be allowed in national parks
WASHINGTON — A change in federal law effective Monday allows firearms in many national parks.
People who can legally possess firearms under federal and Texas law can now possess those firearms in the national parks in Texas and other states. The new law (Sec. 512 of P.L. 111-24) was passed by Congress and signed last May by the president.
- Some gift ideas for sporting types on your hit list One of the best Chrismas gifts I ever received was a crisp $20 bill I found stuffed in an envelope that was tucked away under the tree way back in 1967. The reason I remember it so well is because I got my butt spanked for the way I went about spending it.
- Texas Master Naturalist program seeks applicants Austin, Texas — Thirteen chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program have announced training classes across the state starting January through March for volunteers who want to learn about and help conserve natural resources.
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A Chance to Hunt
A chance to hunt exotic game is something 18-year-old Alyssa Howerton will never pass up.
- Holiday gifts galore for the conservationist on your list AUSTIN, Texas — If you’re fresh out of holiday gift ideas for your eco-minded cousin or that relative who would rather spend his or her spare time in the woods, on the lake or at a state park, or even for yourself, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department invites you to shop the outdoors.
- Trout season opens this weekend at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center ATHENS — Rainbow trout fishing comes to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens each December, once water temperatures cool enough for the cold-water fish to survive.
- Celebrate Holiday Season at a Texas State Park AUSTIN, Texas — Vow this holiday season to start a new family tradition that celebrates the great outdoors and Texas history by visiting one of the more than a dozen Texas state parks and historic sites hosting special holiday events for all ages. From a Christmas sing-along around a woodland campfire to a pancake breakfast with Santa, the holiday spirit shines through at a park near you. And, don’t miss the 40th annual tree lighting celebration begun by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson in 1970.
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Deer season opens
Hunters will be out in full force this weekend as gun season for deer officially opens in Texas.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department says an above average acorn crop and all the recent rains are giving deer an ample natural food supply which may contribute to a slow season for hunters.
“There is an abundance of food sources for deer right now, and deer movements are reduced because they don’t have to move as far or as often to keep their bellies full,” said TPWD Wildlife Biologist Mike Krueger. “Deer don’t appear to be coming to feeders as often or as regularly as they would if it were still dry.” - Storm Chaser Ben Bartlett has logged some memorable experiences over the years chasing big game critters, but none to compare to the wild chain of events that unfolded deep in the heart of his Angelina County hunting club on the afternoon of Oct. 23. The deer hunting gods were hard at work that day, and they cooked up a doozie for the veteran archer from Lufkin.
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Fall Reflections
I love fall. That's largely because it is the harbinger of cooler weather. Jack Frost as a remarkable way of making everything wild seem a whole lot wilder.
Take a look around or cup an ear. If the timing is right, you will see and hear what I am talking about. The sights and sounds of autumn are everywhere. - More Outdoors Headlines
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Guns to be allowed in national parks
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