After Harvesting a Deer or Pronghorn

Valid Sep. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025.

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Tags or Permits

After a deer or pronghorn is harvested and before the deer is field dressed or moved, the appropriate hunting license tag or permit (Managed Lands Deer Program, etc.) must be immediately filled out and dates cut out.

View how to properly tag a deer.

Additionally, if a hunting license tag is used, then the Hunting License Harvest Log (White-tailed deer only) must be legibly completed.

A hunter may transport a deer or pronghorn to a final destination, provided it is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the deer or pronghorn.

CWD Check Stations

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal deer disease that has been discovered in white-tailed deer and mule deer in localized portions of Texas. In order to detect and manage this disease, the department has designated CWD zones. In zones with mandatory testing, the intact, unfrozen head of any white-tailed or mule deer harvested by a hunter must be presented at a TPWD-designated check station within 48 hours of harvest.

See check stations and view CWD zones.

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 additional or updated information visit the CWD information website, call any TPWD office or call 1-800-792-1112.

Processing of Game Animals

Deer

Hunters have the option to debone their white-tailed deer and mule deer at the property of harvest, provided that:

  • Meat is processed no further than whole muscles and may not be ground, chopped, or sliced.
  • Meat from multiple deer must remain in separate bags or containers while transported.
  • Proof of sex and tagging requirements remain with the meat until reaching a final destination.

Deer may also be skinned and quartered (two forequarters, two hindquarters, and two backstraps) for transport, provided the quartered deer is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the deer. If quartered deer are transported away from the property of harvest, Statewide Carcass Disposal Requirements apply to any unused parts.

Pronghorn

A pronghorn may be skinned and quartered (two forequarters, two hindquarters, and two backstraps) for transport, provided the quartered pronghorn is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the pronghorn. See Cold Storage or Processing Facility for exceptions.

Pronghorn may only be processed beyond quarters at a location that qualifies as a final destination.

All Game Animals (including deer and pronghorn)

The four quarters and two backstraps are the only parts of a game animal required by law to be kept in edible condition.

Tagging and proof-of-sex requirements, if required, continue to apply until the wildlife resource reaches a final destination and is quartered.

While in camp you may remove and prepare a part of a wildlife resource if the removal and preparation occur immediately before the part is cooked or consumed; however, all tagging and proof of sex regulations apply to remaining parts until the parts reach a final destination.

Statewide Carcass Disposal Requirements

Carcass disposal requirements apply to white-tailed deer and mule deer carcasses or carcass parts that are transported away from the property of harvest. Unused parts must be:

  1. Disposed of in a commercial trash service, or
  2. Returned to the property where the animal was harvested, or
  3. Buried at least three feet below the ground and covered with at least three feet of earthen material.

Harvested deer or deer heads may be taken to a commercial processor or taxidermist and the processor or taxidermist must properly dispose of unused parts.

Transporting and Transferring Deer or Pronghorn

A person may transport a deer or pronghorn to a final destination, provided the carcass is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the carcass.

If any part of a carcass is transferred to another person before it reaches a final destination, then the transferred parts must be accompanied by a WRD.

The parts retained by the person who harvested the deer or pronghorn must be accompanied by a tag until the carcass reaches a final destination.

Mandatory Harvest Reporting

White-tailed deer harvested and tagged with a standard 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 “Texas Hunt & Fish” mobile application or online version. For digital license holders, execution of a digital tag serves as completion of mandatory harvest reporting for deer and turkey in applicable counties.

Counties with mandatory buck and antlerless white-tailed deer harvest reporting:

  • Collin
  • Dallas
  • Grayson
  • Rockwall

Counties with mandatory antlerless white-tailed deer harvested reporting:

  • Austin
  • Bastrop
  • Caldwell
  • Colorado
  • Comal (East of I-35)
  • DeWitt
  • 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)
  • Wilson