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Texas Deer Hunting Antler Restrictions



In Texas, buck antler restrictions are designed to promote the sustainable management of deer populations. The intent of this harvest regulations is to improve the age structure of bucks within the herd. The Texas deer hunting antler restrictions apply in specific counties and aim to protect younger bucks, encouraging the harvest of older deer.

In almost all cases, antler restriction regulations exist in counties that have very high deer hunting pressure. Fortunately, antler restrictions allow harvest opportunities while protecting and sustaining some of the buck segment of the deer herd. In fact, without antler restrictions in place in certain counties, yearling bucks (1 1/2 years of age) would comprise almost all of the buck harvest annually.

Texas Deer Hunting Antler Restrictions

Overview of Texas Deer Hunting Antler Restrictions

A buck is considered legal in restricted counties if it has at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or greater between the main beams. This approach helps maintain a balanced age structure in deer populations. In turn, this supports healthy deer populations and reproduction. These regulations also providing hunters with opportunities to harvest older and better bucks. Understanding and following these restrictions is essential for ethical hunting and deer management efforts in certain counties across the state.

Texas deer hunting regulations include specific antler restrictions to help manage deer populations and improve herd quality. These Texas deer hunting antler restrictions help ensure better herds into the future. Here are the detailed guidelines regarding antler restrictions in Texas:

General Antler Restrictions

In certain Texas counties, antler restrictions apply to buck deer to encourage the harvest of older deer and prevent overharvesting of younger bucks.


Antler restrictions make only two types of bucks legal. These are defined as follows:

  • A buck must have at least one unbranched antler (also called a “spike”), OR
  • A buck must have an inside spread between the main beams of 13 inches or greater.
  • A hunter can harvest up to two bucks in an antler restriction county.
  • A hunter can harvest up to two bucks with at least one unbranched antlers in an antler restriction county.
  • Hunters can shoot only one buck with an inside spread equal to or greater than 13 inches in an antler restriction county.

Texas Antler Restrictions for White-tailed Deer Hunting

How to Measure the Inside Spread of the Main Beams

  • Measure the inside spread at the widest point between the main beams.
  • The spread must be 13 inches or more to meet the legal requirement in antler restricted counties.

Important Notes

  • Hunters are allowed to harvest no more than two bucks per year in counties with antler restrictions. Use this link to see if antler restrictions exist in the county you hunt.
  • Of these two bucks, only one may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.

Counties with Texas Deer Hunting Antler Restrictions

  • Not all Texas counties have antler restrictions.
  • The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website provides a list of counties where these restrictions are enforced. It is important to consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual Hunting Regulations or your local county’s hunting regulations to confirm.

Exceptions to Antler Restrictions

  • Antlerless deer (does) may be harvested during specific seasons or with special permits, depending on the county.
  • Some counties have Youth-Only hunting seasons where antler restrictions may not apply for certain young hunters. Check TPWD regulations for details.

Purpose of Antler Restrictions

  • Encourage hunters to target older, more mature bucks.
  • Improve the overall health and genetic quality of deer herds.
  • Ensure sustainable deer populations for future generations.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website or consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual Hunting Regulations.

Review of Texas Deer Hunting Antler Restrictions

Managing for a balanced age structure in whitetail deer bucks is crucial for maintaining a healthy deer herd. A balanced age structure ensures that deer populations remain stable, with enough mature bucks to breed within a confined period. It’s also important to have a mix of younger and older bucks to support natural population dynamics.

This balance promotes genetic diversity, which is vital for the overall health and resilience of the herd. Additionally, having a range of age classes helps ensure a more defined breeding period with some level of buck harvest. Removing some bucks and does keeps the herd stable. Allowing the population to grow unchecked can lead to habitat degradation, food scarcity, and increased disease transmission. By encouraging the harvest of deer in a way that maintains age diversity, wildlife managers can enhance the quality of hunting experiences and contribute to the long-term conservation of deer and their habitats.

Antler restrictions are not perfect, but Texas’ deer hunting antler restrictions do allow for a healthy deer population while allowing for the harvest of slightly older bucks. Like too little deer harvest, too much hunting pressure is a bad thing from a deer management and population standpoint. Hopefully, this article provided you with more context on why antler restrictions are part of the deer hunting season in some counties in Texas.


Can You Shoot More Than One 13 Inch Buck in Texas

More Than One 13 Inch Buck?

In Texas, white-tailed deer hunting regulations are set by county. In addition, some counties have antler restriction regulations on bucks. An important part of this regulation is the 13-inch rule related to buck harvest. So, can you shoot more than one 13 inch buck in Texas? A legal buck must be at least 13 inches wide between the main beams.

Texas antler restriction regulations aim to improve the quality and age structure of white-tailed deer populations. These rules are enforced in certain counties and focus on the size and characteristics of a legal buck.

How Many 13 Inch Bucks Can You Shoot in Texas?

Definition of a Legal Buck

In counties with antler restrictions, a buck is considered legal if it meets one of the following criteria:

  1. At least one unbranched antler (a spike or a buck with one antler that does not fork), or
  2. An inside spread of 13 inches or greater.

Why These Restrictions Exist

The regulations aim to:

  1. Protect young bucks to allow them to mature.
  2. Encourage hunters to selectively harvest older bucks.
  3. Promote healthier deer populations and improve hunting quality.

Can You Shoot More than One 13 Inch Buck in Texas?

More Than One 13 Inch Buck is Legal


  1. In Texas, the rules about how many 13-inch wide (or larger) bucks you can harvest depend on the county and its specific regulations. There are 254 counties in Texas. Know in which county you are hunting, and know the deer hunting regulations for the county.

Here’s a general breakdown on buck antler restrictions in Texas:

  1. Antler Restrictions: Many Texas counties have antler restrictions to promote better buck age structures. In these counties, a legal buck is defined as:
    • Having at least one unbranched antler, or
    • Having an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.
  2. Bag Limits:
    • Some counties have a one-buck limit, meaning you can only shoot one buck in total during the season (13-inch spread or otherwise).
    • Other counties allow two bucks, but typically only one of them can have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.
  3. Special Seasons or Tags:
    • If you hunt in multiple counties, you are limited by the statewide bag limit of five deer, but no more than three bucks statewide.
    • Supplemental or Managed Lands Deer Permits (MLDPs) issued to landowners might allow additional harvests.

To ensure you’re within the law, check the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) specific county regulations in the current Outdoor Annual Hunting Guide. You can shoot more than one 13 inch buck in Texas, but just make sure you don’t shoot a second 13-inch-plus buck in a county with antler restriction regulations!

 

Tips for Dove Hunting in Texas

Go-To Tips for Dove Hunting

It’s almost dove season here in Texas and there is nothing more fun than a good dove hunt. However, a lack of preparedness can mess up a good dove hunt before it event starts. In this article, we offer up 17 tips for dove hunting in Texas.  Yep, we got you!

Texas is home to seven species of native doves and pigeons, including the three legal game species- mourning, white-winged and white-tipped doves. Texas accounts for 30 percent of the total mourning doves and 85 percent of the total white-winged doves harvested in the U.S. each year, far more than any other state.

Check out these tips for dove hunting in Texas!

17 Tips for Dove Hunting in Texas

Successfully hunting doves requires some planning, preparation, and understanding of dove behavior. Mourning doves and white-winged doves are fast and agile birds, making them challenging targets. However, with the right approach, you can increase your chances of a successful dove hunt. Here are some tips for dove hunting in Texas and beyond:

  1. Legal Considerations: Before you grab a gun, ensure you have the necessary hunting licenses and permits required for dove hunting in your area. Dove hunting in Texas always concurs with the need for a new hunting license. Sometimes the regulations change, too. Familiarize yourself with local regulations, hunting seasons, bag limits, and any specific rules for dove hunting.
  2. Scouting: Prior to the dove hunting season, scout the hunting area to identify dove flight paths, roosting sites, feeding areas, and watering holes. Look for locations with high dove activity. If you can’t get out beforehand, pay attention to what’s going on around you while you’re in the field. Go to where the doves are flying.
  3. Gear Preparation: Dove hunting is a relatively lightweight endeavor in terms of gear, but a big part of any hunt is having everything you need. Check out your gear before heading to the field and save yourself some headaches. The next three tips for dove hunting cover some essential equipment.
  4. Shotgun: A shotgun with an open choke, improved cylinder or modified,  is recommended for dove hunting, as it provides a wider pattern for shooting moving targets. Check out your gun prior to your hunt.
  5. Ammunition: Use light loads of #7.5 or #8 shot. Most manufacturers sell these shot sizes specifically as dove loads. These smaller pellets are effective for taking down doves without causing excessive damage.
  6. Camouflage: I’ve been on dove hunts when camo was absolutely not required. However, it’s quite helpful and necessary most of the time, especially later in the season. Wear camouflage clothing that matches the hunting environment to blend in and avoid spooking doves.
  7. Decoys: Setting up a few dove decoys on branches or stakes can attract passing doves. Place them near your shooting location to make the doves feel more comfortable landing. This is particularly helpful to pull doves to within shooting distance.
  8. Hide or Blind: Set up a hide or hunting blind to conceal yourself from the doves’ keen eyesight. Typically, this means a natural brush blind, standing next to or within some brush, or even a portable blind can help you stay hidden.
  9. Concealed Movement: Doves are sensitive to movement, so remain as still as possible. Move slowly and avoid sudden motions that might alert the birds. I wait until birds are just about within distance before making a move or swinging on passing birds.
  10. Timing: Doves are most active during the early morning and late afternoon when they are feeding and drinking. Plan your hunts during these times for higher success rates. Morning hunts help avoid the hottest parts of the day, but evening hunts can be great around water.
  11. Water Sources: Doves need water to drink, so dove hunting near water sources such as ponds or rivers can be productive. These are especially good places later in the morning, mid-day, and late in the afternoon.
  12. Cover and Perches: Look for locations with trees, power lines, or other elevated perches where doves like to rest. These spots are ideal for setting up your blind or hide. If you have decoys, set them up in these sites to pull doves your way.
  13. Stay Silent: Doves have excellent hearing, so avoid loud noises, talking, and sudden noises that could startle them. This is not a huge problem until doves start to approach your immediate area, but doves are going to cut away as soon as you start yelling.
  14. Shoot Ahead: Doves are fast flyers, so lead your shots by aiming slightly ahead of the bird’s flight path to account for its speed. Ideally, you want to swing through as you shoot at passing doves, but many hunters stop the gun once the trigger is pulled. It you have a hard time swing through, aiming ahead can help.
  15. Retrieve Downed Birds: Keep an eye on where doves fall and retrieve them promptly. Doves are small and can blend in with the ground, so it’s important to locate them quickly. Avoid the temptation of shooting additional birds prior to picking up your down bird.
  16. Practice Shooting: Practice your shooting skills before the dove hunting season to improve your accuracy. Shooting clay targets or practicing with a shooting simulator can help you become more proficient. I can’t say enough about this one, and I think almost everyone needs more trigger time.
  17. Safety: This one is last, but should be on top of mind. Always prioritize safety. Be aware of other hunters in the area, and follow proper firearm safety rules at all times. Know where you can and can not shoot. Make sure those that you are hunting with know that, too.

Dove Hunting in Texas

Spring surveys conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff found an estimated 28.3 million mourning doves in Texas, a 44 percent increase from 2022.  White-wing dove populations have increased 20 percent, tying the record high with an estimated 11.7 million this year.

“This spring was about as perfect as it could be, with steady rains and cool weather,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader. “Given the population increases this year and the excellent breeding season conditions that persisted through the first half of the summer, hunters should expect to see a lot more birds on the landscape this September.”

Dove Hunting Tips for Texas Hunters


Tip Your Hat to HOT Texas Dove Hunting

Dove hunting in Texas is hot. We hold a lot of birds and it’s generally temperature hot early in the dove hunting season. As daily temps typically top 100 degrees, hunters will likely find larger concentrations of birds at watering holes, and doves may be feeding earlier and later than normal to avoid the mid-day heat.  In areas where agriculture has suffered from the heatwave, look for stands of common sunflower, croton and other native annual forbs and grasses.

Remember that dove hunting is not only about the harvest but also about enjoying the outdoors and respecting the natural environment. Hunting responsibly and ethically is essential for preserving the experience for future generations. We hope this list of tips for dove hunting in Texas help prepare you for your next trip afield.

Fence to Keep Hogs Out: Fencing for Pigs

Fence to Keep Hogs Out & Off Land

Feral hogs are a real nuisance for landowners in Texas and beyond. However, landowners can fence to keep hogs out of areas and off of their land. Fencing can work when done correctly. Feral hogs are a non-native species and considered one of the most destructive invasive terrestrial vertebrates in North America, so it must be done right in order to work.

Wild hogs cause substantial damage to agricultural operations, natural resources, and native ecosystems. They also have negative impacts on human and animal health. Feral pigs cost landowners direct and indirect losses. In turn, lost agricultural production ends up costing consumers, too.

Best Fence to Keep Hogs Out

How to Fence to Keep Hogs Out

When it comes to choosing the best type of fence to keep hogs out of an area, there are a few factors to consider. Hogs are known to be quite strong and persistent, so the fence needs to be sturdy and well-designed. Here are some options to consider:

  1. Woven Wire Fence: A woven wire fence with small openings (4 inches or less) can be effective fence to keep hogs out. This type of fence is durable and can withstand the pressure exerted by hogs. This type of fence is commonly used around agricultural fields and pastures.
  2. Electric Fence: An electric fence can be effective, especially if it’s properly designed and installed. Electric fences deliver a shock to hogs when they come in contact with the wire, discouraging them from trying to breach the fence. Multiple strands of electric wire are usually necessary to ensure effectiveness.
  3. Chain Link Fence: A chain link fence with small openings can also be a viable option. Hogs might have difficulty squeezing through the openings, especially if the fence is tall enough and properly secured to the ground.
  4. Panel or Pipe Fence: Heavy-duty panels or pipes can create a strong barrier against hogs. These types of fences are quite sturdy and can resist the force that hogs might exert.
  5. Height and Depth: The fence should ideally be at least 4 to 5 feet high to prevent hogs from easily jumping over it. Additionally, burying the bottom of the fence a foot or more below the surface can prevent hogs from digging underneath.
  6. Concrete or Wood Barrier: Building a concrete or wood barrier around the perimeter can also work effectively. Just make sure it’s sturdy and tall enough to deter the hogs.
  7. Addition of Deterrents: In some cases, adding scent deterrents or visual barriers like reflective tape or flags can help enhance the effectiveness of the fence.

Considerations and Fencing for Feral Hogs

Regardless of the type of fence you choose, proper installation is crucial. Ensure that the fence is securely anchored to the ground, and regularly inspect and maintain it to address any potential weak points. Keep in mind that no fence is entirely foolproof, as hogs can be determined and clever.

Therefore, using a combination of strategies might yield the best results in preventing hogs from entering a specific area. Consulting with local experts or wildlife professionals can also provide valuable insights tailored to your specific situation. However, a feral hog control and exclusion program should include properly constructed fencing.

The best fence to keep hogs out also helps keep people out.

Cost Share for Hog Fencing

At the time of writing, there is a cost-share program available for landowners interested in fencing to exclude the movement of wild hogs. On behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) will manage and administer a $7.5 million cost-share program that incentivizes landowners and operators to install or repair perimeter fencing to restrict feral hogs access and impacts to land. More information about the program can be found on the NACD website. Applications must be submitted no later than October 13, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers when it comes to dealing with feral hogs. Fencing is effective at excluding hogs from property, but the exact design depends on location-specific details. If you do choose to fence to keep hogs out, ensure that you construct it right, and right from the start.