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Prospects Looking Good for Deer Season (North)

Hunters hoping for a shot at a quality deer during the 2008-09 deer season will need to get off the bench and into the game, suggest state wildlife biologists, as current range conditions indicate increased availability of native food sources.

The general deer hunting season opens statewide Nov. 1. This change in deer feeding patterns could also have an impact on opportunity around feeders during the Special Youth Season weekend Oct. 25-26. The youth-only season is available to licensed hunters ages 16 and under.

North Texas Report:

Fawn crops are running between 30-40 percent across much of North Texas, which is even a little less than last year. While range conditions are improving slightly, according to TPWD biologist Kevin Mote in Brownwood, there isn’t much growing season left and antler development has already occurred.

"We expect about average antler development," Mote said. "We’re seeing some nice deer but it’s probably due to the carry over from last year’s poor hunting season. We still expect to see increased numbers of mature bucks in our antler restriction counties but the quality may be less than we had hoped for."

Not many forbs were produced this summer due to drought and for the most part, biologists are seeing a light acorn crop, which means deer should be a little more active as they travel to food and water.