April 29, 2020

Texas CWD Testing Shows Scale of Effort to Contain Deadly Deer Disease

The latest numbers on Chronic Wasting Disease testing in Texas give some hope that efforts to contain the disease are working, according to state wildlife experts. The CWD testing year that ended in February produced just shy of 13,000 CWD samples statewide by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the help of participating landowners and hunters. This number includes all samples collected in Texas CWD Zones and far exceeds the target of 7,039 samples.

March 18, 2020

March Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting Cancelled

AUSTIN – Amid growing public health concerns, the March meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission previously scheduled for March 25-26 has been cancelled. All agenda items have been postponed until the May meeting.

Feb. 27, 2020

Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered at Deer Breeding Facility in Kimble County

AUSTIN – Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been discovered in a 5 ½-year-old white-tailed deer in a Kimble County deer breeding facility, marking the first positive detection of the disease in the county.

Dec. 19, 2019

Val Verde County White-tailed Deer Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease

AUSTIN – Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in a free-ranging, 5 ½ year-old white-tailed doe between Del Rio and Amistad Reservoir, making it the first confirmed case of the disease in Val Verde County.

Oct. 29, 2019

Texas Deer Hunters Welcome Cooler Weather for Opening Weekend

AUSTIN – Deer hunters hoping for a change in the weather may be in luck for opening weekend of general deer season as weather forecasters predict cooler temperatures across the state. With an estimated 5.3 million deer in the statewide white-tailed deer population, Texas hunters heading to the field this fall are sure to fill their freezers with this season’s bounty.

Sept. 27, 2019

TPWD Reminds Hunters about Proper Deer Carcass Disposal

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reminds hunters throughout the state to properly dispose of carcasses from harvested deer to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases in deer. This is particularly important for those taken inside the Trans-Pecos, South Central and Panhandle Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Containment and Surveillance Zones.

Sept. 23, 2019

Expectations High for Archery-Only Hunting Season Opening Sept. 28

AUSTIN – The hot, dry conditions that have been gripping most of Texas could make Saturday’s archery-only white-tailed deer season opener a challenge for bowhunters, yet those who know how to work the conditions can still find good hunting. For the first time this fall, hunters are required to report all antlerless deer harvested in 21 south-central Texas counties—see details below.

Sept. 20, 2019

CWD Sample Collector Trainings in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service have partnered to coordinate Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) post-mortem sample collection trainings in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos. As part of the state’s increased CWD surveillance, this opportunity is being provided to landowners/managers, taxidermists, and veterinarians to be trained and certified by TAHC to be official CWD sample collectors.

April 4, 2019

CWD Sampling Effort Leads to Proposed Containment Zone Expansion

AUSTIN – Texas remains vigilant in monitoring and testing for chronic wasting disease, with no reported spread beyond existing containment zones over the last 12 months. However, the discovery of CWD in a free-ranging whitetail near the perimeter of the disease containment zone in south central Texas has led to a recommended expansion of that zone.

Feb. 15, 2019

TPWD Seeking Public Input on Hunting Regulation Proposals for 2019-2020

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is now accepting public comment on proposed changes to hunting regulations for 2019-2020. The proposed changes include implementation and expansion of white-tailed deer “doe days,” an experimental mule deer antler restriction in Lynn County, a clarification on turkey harvest requirements, and season dates and bag limits for migratory game birds.