Sept. 1, 2022

TPW Commission Implements Two Year Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Zone in Four Counties

AUSTIN— A surveillance zone covering almost 200,000 acres in Duval, Jim Wells, Live Oak and McMullen counties will be implemented for two years after feedback was received in the August meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission. This zone will take effect prior to the 2022-2023 hunting season and TPW commissioners will consider the resulting data presented by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff to assess the need for continued surveillance in the established zone.

Aug. 5, 2022

New Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance, Containment Zones Proposed in Five Counties

AUSTIN— Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider proposed Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance and containment zones during its upcoming meeting, Aug. 24-25.

Nov. 18, 2021

Lubbock Area Game Wardens Organizing for Mule Deer Saturation Patrol

LUBBOCK —Between Nov. 20 and 28, Lubbock area game wardens will dedicate extra patrol hours and state resources to the mule deer hunting season.

Nov. 5, 2021

Los Biólogos Pronostican una Temporada General Excepcional de Venado de Cola Blanca este 2021-22

AUSTIN — Los biólogos del Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Texas (TPWD) les informan a los cazadores que pueden esperar una temporada excepcional de venado cola blanca este 2021-22. Se estima que la población de venado cola blanca en todo el estado es de alrededor de 5.4 millones de venados y, aunque se ha reducido ligeramente respecto a los años anteriores, las predicciones de la cantidad de cervatillos por adulto reclutados a la manada (tasas de supervivencia del cervatillo) indican que habrá un firme incremento en la población en esta temporada. 

Oct. 20, 2021

Biologists Predict an Exceptional 2021-22 General White-Tailed Deer Season

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists say hunters can expect an exceptional 2021-22 white-tailed deer season. The statewide white-tailed deer population is estimated to be around 5.4 million deer and while it is down slightly from previous years, fawn recruitment (fawn survival rates) predictions indicate an overall robust population increase headed into the season.

Oct. 1, 2021

Biologists Remind Landowners and Hunters to Be Mindful of CWD Ahead of Deer Season

AUSTIN – With the opening of deer season on the horizon, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are asking that hunters and landowners throughout the state be mindful of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) as new cases of the disease have been discovered in individual locations within multiple counties throughout Texas.

Sept. 17, 2021

Biologists Say White-Tailed Deer Population Looks Strong Ahead of Archery-Only Season Opener

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists say that 2021-22 is expected to be a white-tailed deer season for the books. Last year, the overall white-tailed deer population was estimated to be 5.4 million deer. While that estimate is down from the previous two years, TPWD biologists say that if fawn recruitment predictions hold true this season, coupled with good carryover of deer from last hunting season, hunters and landowners can expect to see an increase in the overall statewide white-tailed deer population.

Aug. 27, 2021

Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered at a Deer Breeding Facility in Duval County

AUSTIN – Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been discovered in a deer breeding facility in Duval County, marking the first positive detection of the disease in the county.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Special Meeting on CWD Set for Sept. 15

AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission will hold a special meeting on proposed rules related to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).  Earlier this year, the discovery of CWD in six  deer breeding facilities necessitated the filing of emergency rules in an attempt to stop the further spread of this disease.  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff has been working with Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and numerous stakeholder groups to develop rules that will ultimately replace the emergency rules.

June 22, 2021

Emergency Order Issued to Restrict Movement of Deer from Breeding Facilities Where CWD has Been Detected

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has issued an “emergency order” to impose additional movement and testing restrictions on deer breeding facilities that are affiliated with six deer breeding facilities where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been positively detected.  Existing rules already restrict the movement of deer from 264 sites in 95 counties that are directly linked to these CWD-positive facilities, but further measures are necessary given the gravity of this situation.