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CWD Testing of Mule Deer in Texas

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding mule deer hunters and landowners in the Trans-Pecos portion of West Texas about new procedures developed as part of TPWD Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) response plan. The plan includes mandatory check stations for harvested deer and elk taken inside the CWD Containment Zone (map), which covers portions of Culberson, Hudspeth and El Paso counties. Hunters lucky enough to harvest a deer in the CWD zone need to make sure that they get their animal tested.

Source: The CWD response plan is being implemented after tissue samples from two mule deer in far West Texas this past summer tested positive for CWD. These are the first cases of CWD detected in Texas deer, whitetail or mule deer.

Hunters taking mule deer inside the Containment Zone during the general season, Nov. 23 – Dec. 9, are required to submit their harvest (unfrozen head) for CWD sampling at mandatory check stations within 24 hours of harvest.

“We recommend hunters in the Containment Zone and High Risk Zone quarter deer in the field and leave all but the quarters, backstraps and head at the site of harvest if it is not possible to bury the inedible carcass parts at least 6 feet deep on the ranch or take them to a landfill,” said Shawn Gray, Mule Deer Program Leader for TPWD.

Mandatory check stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 23 – Dec. 10. Stations will be located in Cornudas at May’s Café (on US 62-180) and in Van Horn at Van Horn Convention Center (1801 West Broadway).

Hunters that harvest deer in the Containment Zone outside the general season under the authority of Managed Lands Deer Permits (MLDP) will need to call TPWD at (512) 221-8491 the day the deer is harvested to make arrangements to have the deer sampled for CWD.

In addition to protocols within the Containment Zone, TPWD has created a High Risk Zone for voluntary CWD sampling during the hunting season. Biologists have been collecting voluntary mule deer harvest data in the region since 1980 and this year CWD sampling will be offered in addition to age and weight measurements. Here is a list of voluntary mule deer check stations in West Texas.

Rut Report – Coleman County Deer Hunting

Question: “I’m deer hunting in Coleman County, about 10 miles north of the county line. So far, deer movement has been slow. We have not seen any signs of rutting or chasing by bucks going on to date. We are seeing a few scrapes and rubs, of course, and it looks like bucks are checking scrapes some on our piece of real estate. I didn’t get to hunt the past weekend, I was in Coke County with a friend on his property. Has anyone seen or reported any rutting activity while deer hunting in Coleman County this year?”

Response: My cousin hunts in central Coleman County and yes, he has been seeing some rutting activity with bucks chasing does. He says bucks are checking out the estrus he’s using regularly. In their area, they have a lot of acorns on the ground, so they hunted away from the feeders on their ranch. This past weekend they sat in areas where they could see some country and looked for cruising deer. Continue reading Rut Report – Coleman County Deer Hunting

Texas Deer Hunting Season: Numbers Good

It’s almost mid-November so that means the white-tailed deer hunting in Texas should be heating up. Unfortunately, the weather has been a tad on the warm side for hunters looking to bag a buck. By all accounts this season’s forecast has shaped up to be a good one, but habitat conditions have been great and food sources for deer plentiful. But Texas has the country’s largest deer population, so things don’t have to be perfect for deer hunters to make hay.

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) estimates, the 2011-12 deer hunting season saw more than 650,000 hunters harvest nearly 600,000 deer. Both of those figures are right near the average for the past 10 years. But hunters and biologist alike will tell you that last year was tough one for hunting deer. Whitetail went through the worst drought I can remember, but conditions improved greatly into the fall and deer did well. Hunters had fewer deer in the field because of decreased fawn production and the ones that were there were difficult to find.

But the carryover of deer from one year means better things down the road for hunters looking for older age class bucks. It’s just going to mean a draw-down in the abundance of natural food, some cooler temperatures to get some serious deer rut action across Texas taking place. According to hunter Don Wiswell, things in the Hill Country looked upbeat:

“Deer brought into the local deer processor on opening weekend was fairly slow but steady. Older aged bucks were harvested over the weekend more so than in years past. The biologist logged in 32 bucks and 11 does with an average age of 4.5 and 3.5 years old respectively. Some hunters reported bucks chasing does (rutting activity) and body conditions were fair to good with layers of body cavity fat. With older aged bucks harvested, this meant antler development was somewhat better than average.

Many deer were taken at feeders, as usual, but several hunters reported that some deer were not coming to feeders readily. Instead, these deer were shot away from feeders and had browse and forbs versus corn in their mouths. Most hunters were optimistic about future deer hunting days, but warm temps and a full moon slowed the movement of whitetail during daylight hours.”

CWD Check Stations in West Texas

The deer hunting season has been underway for bowhunters and things kick off tomorrow for gun hunters. Hunters have been busy, chomping at the bit to get out there are hunt, but mule deer hunters taking an animal inside the West Texas Containment Zone during the mule deer general season, November 23 through December 9, are required to submit their harvest (unfrozen head) for CWD sampling at mandatory CWD check stations within 24 hours of harvest.

“We recommend hunters in the Containment Zone and High Risk Zone quarter deer in the field and leave all but the quarters, backstraps and head at the site of harvest if it is not possible to bury the inedible carcass parts at least 6 feet deep on the ranch or take them to a landfill,” said Shawn Gray, mule deer program leader for TPWD.

Hunters that harvest deer in the Containment Zone during the archery-only season or outside the general season under the authority of MLDP (Managed Lands Deer Permits) will need to call TPWD at (512) 221-8491 the day the deer is harvested to make arrangements to have the deer sampled for CWD.

Voluntary check stations will be set up at the following locations during the first three weekends of the general season, Saturday through Monday (Nov. 24–26, Dec. 1–3 and Dec. 8–10), from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday:

Midland at Naturally Fresh (Deer Processor) (1501 Elwyn)
Bakersfield at Chevron Station (south of I10; Exit 294)
Sanderson at Slim’s Auto Repair (823 West Oak; Intersection of US 90 and 285)
Alpine at Hip-O Taxidermy (east side of town on US 90, across from Dairy Queen)

TPWD stated, “All deer brought to the check stations this season will be aged as part of our CWD surveillance,” said Gray. “We also intend to collect other biological information such as antler measurements and field dressed weights as time allows.” Sounds like a good opportunity for hunters to get some information about their kill as well as keep up with CWD in West Texas.

Helicopter Deer Surveys in Texas

Helicopter Deer Surveys

Question: “We conducted the yearly helicopter deer survey on our 8,500 acre lease in Maverick County, Texas, a couple of weeks ago. The results were lower than what we had expected. Counted a total of 44 does, 32 fawns, and 54 bucks. The majority of the bucks were deer with 8+ points. In fact, 16 percent of the bucks had 10 or more points and even three 12 point deer were spotted. The alarming number is 130, the total number of deer observed during the helicopter survey.

Our helicopter counts on this ranch usually total at least double, with around 100 bucks and 100 does being counted annually, with fawn numbers fluctuating based on spring and summer habitat conditions. How worried should I be that we observed around half of the deer we normally do? Will this impact our deer management efforts long term and the deer hunting short term? The density showed 1 deer for every 65 acres! The cover is much more dense this year because of the rainfall, but the helicopter deer survey numbers just seem to be way off in left field.

We are aware that helicopter surveys observe an estimated 35-75% of the deer herd, but these numbers are far from the historical numbers. Same survey technique, same time of year. Concerned the deer population is declining on our lease. Any ideas or suggestions on what is happening or are we interpreting our deer survey data correctly?”

A Helicopter Deer Survey in Perspective

Texas Hunting 411: It is important to remember that no deer survey technique is perfect, including helicopter surveys. They can work well, and many programs swear by them. But the truth is none of them is perfect. There are numerous factors that can impact a count on a given day. The deer density on your ranch may have gone down or even stayed the same. I would be suggest that numbers are down, maybe not as much as you may think.

Addition deer herd information can be collected using game cameras, stand counts and daylight driving surveys. This information can be used to supplement the helicopter survey data. Deer surveys are just one tool in your toolbox as a manager, and a single survey depends on deer movement, habitat conditions and a host of other things. Survey data should be used to mold an overall view of the deer numbers on a property. Compare that information with what you are seeing on the ground and in game camera photos.

If you are very concerned about the whitetail population on your place then the best bet would be to replicate the survey. Another helicopter survey may confirm your worries or find that deer numbers were better than you thought. It may be worth it for piece of mind, one way or the other. At least then you can put into the place the proper management actions, primarily reduced harvest this deer hunting season. Also, pay attention not only to what you are seeing, but also what you are not seeing. Look for deer skeletons or signs of dead animals. If there was a big deer die-off in your area then the view from the sky will give you a heads-up.

Mountain Lion Road-Killed in Bandera County

There is a lot of talk of mountain lions in Texas. Ask any hunter and they will tell you a story about the one their uncle saw crossing the road, the track they found or the one they saw that got away. The fact is there are more mountain lion stories than there are mountain lions in Texas. And there is one less today because a mountain lion was found road-killed near the town of Bandera. Apparently this rough country still holds a few cats.

Lone Star Outdoor News: “’It was a 121-pound tom found by a road crew in Bandera County,’ said Broach, owner of Rhodes Brothers Taxidermy in Kerrville. ‘The road crew called the game wardens, and the wardens and biologists brought it here for the time being.’

Broach said he isn’t sure what the officials are going to have him do with the lion.

‘I’m hoping I’ll be mounting it for them, because whoever hit him, hit him just right,’ he said. ‘He’s in great shape with no physical damage. That was a very big, healthy tom.’”

Duck Hunting in Texas – Numbers Up, Habitat Good!

The weather is cooling down so that means duck and goose hunting in Texas will be picking up shortly. The cool fronts received lately have pushed a good number of teal through and there are even some white-fronted geese hanging around some of the fields. Deer hunting gets a lot of ink in Texas, but goose and ducking hunting is big too. From the coastal plains to the high plains, hunters are looking forward to chasing ducks this fall and winter.

Good habitat conditions on most of the nesting grounds mean good numbers of birds should winter in Texas. With expectations of a cold winter, that bodes well for hunters looking to decoy birds their way. I can’t wait to make my annual pilgrimage down to the coast for a little cast and blast. Here is what Kevin Kraai, Waterfowl Program Leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, had to report about the upcoming waterfowl hunting season in Texas:

“Assuming you can follow up a drought like last year with rain, an event like that can be very beneficial for wetland conditions the following year. Wetlands need disturbance of one kind or another, and drought can act as one of the best disturbances to stimulate favorable plants for waterfowl. I don’t believe we could have asked for a better scenario for breeding mottled ducks and waterfowl arriving this fall … we just need lots of rain prior to their departure from the north.

Duck hunters should brace themselves for what could be a good duck hunting season. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s survey estimates 48.6 million breeding ducks, a 7 percent increase over last year and 43 percent above the 1955–2010 long-term average. This year’s estimate is a record high and is only the sixth time in the survey’s history that the total duck population has exceeded 40 million. As always, fall weather and habitat conditions along migration routes will have a big impact on migration chronology and local goose and duck hunting success in Texas.”

Deer Smelling Me – Best Scent Eliminator for Hunting

Question: “I started bowhunting this season and deer are smelling me! Whitetail deer hunting is definitely a different game when you try to go close range. It’s just amazing that I was rarely detected while gun hunting from a blind, but now that I am bowhunting the deer just keep picking me up. I need a scent eliminator/killer suggestion and a procedure/recommendation from the deer hunting pros in a hurry. I’ve got a wall-hanger 10 that needs to be on the ground.”

Deer Hunting Pros: Here is a little known deer hunting secret, hunt the wind. Okay, I lied. It’s not a secret but a simple piece of advice that is 100 percent true. Don’t fight the wind because the deer will smell you and you will lose. Scent killers are not totally effective and I would argue may not even be half effective for whitetail deer or anything else. Continue reading Deer Smelling Me – Best Scent Eliminator for Hunting

Granger WMA Deer Hunts, Postcard Hunts

Texas is known for white-tailed deer hunting and big ole bucks, but there is a public hunting hot spot located just a stones throw from Austin, Texas. That place is called the Granger Wildlife Management Area (WMA). I’ve seen several hunting forums buzzing about the postcards hunts out there this hunting season. Hunters possessing an Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit could apply by postcard for the opportunity to deer hunt at Granger WMA. The deadline was September 18 and it looks like there may be additional opportunity for those not initially selected.

Source: “There are at least 10 positions available for Stand-by on Monday, October 1st. The drawing will be held at 9 AM sharp. The orientation for standby postcard hunts will follow. There could be more positions depending upon how many no-shows there are for the Mandatory Orientation on Friday (no, there won’t be any stand-by opportunity on Friday – so don’t bother coming if you weren’t picked for the initial drawing – it will be crowded enough).

Both the drawing and orientation will be held at the TPWD Granger Lake WMA Checkstation next to Willis Creek Park entrance (NOT AT THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS OFFICE BY THE DAM).

Hunters can show up as early as you like, but Derrick and I won’t be there until 8 or so. The drawing will be out of a hat (actually a cap probably because very few people wear hats anymore).

Please bring your:

1) Annual Public Hunting Permit (need it before the drawing)
2) Drivers License
3) Proof of Hunter Education
4) License plate number/description of the vehicles you will be driving to the area to hunt

More on Granger WMA

Source: “Both the sportsman and the naturalist can enjoy the 10,800+ acre Granger WMA surrounding Granger Lake. The WMA’s are licensed out to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). These areas provide hunting, hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching. For more information call 512/ 859-2838

To enable you to hunt at Granger Lake you must purchase a TPWD Public Lands Hunting Permit, along with a valid hunting license and applicable stamps. These permits can be obtained anywhere hunting license are sold. (Locally available at Dutchess Exxon in Circleville or Wal-Mart in Taylor)

Primary game species for shotgun hunting are dove, quail, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel in applicable seasons

Archery hunting for feral hogs is allowed year round, except when areas are closed for special permit (draw) hunts. Hunting for deer and turkey are allowed by draw permit only.”

CWD Containment Zone Map – West Texas

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has developed a CWD Containment Zone Map for West Texas in an effort to better track and Chronic Wasting Diease (CWD) in the Trans-Pecos. TPWD is asking mule deer hunters and landowners in far West Texas to familiarize themselves with new protocols developed as part of the TPWD CWD response plan. The plan includes mandatory CWD check stations for harvested mule deer taken inside the CWD Containment Zone, which covers portions of Hudspeth and El Paso counties.

The response plan is being implemented after tissue samples from two mule deer in far West Texas this past summer tested positive for CWD. Though these are the first cases of CWD detected in Texas deer, deer had tested positive in recent years across the border in New Mexico. Now, it’s official that CWD has been found in Texas and TPWD is looking to monitor the reach of the disease.

CWD workshops will be held in conjunction with upcoming TPWD public hearings to inform landowners, hunters, and outfitters about CWD, care of meat, appropriate management actions, and check station requirements. TPWD will present proposed amendments to deer movement rules, answer questions and take public comment during the public hearing segment of the meetings.

CWD meetings are set for October 2 in Fort Stockton at the Pecos County Civic Center, Octber 3 in Alpine at the Alpine Independent School District Auditorium, and Octber 4 in Van Horn at the Van Horn Convention Center. All workshops will start at 6 p.m. and the public hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m.

More on CWD in Deer

CWD is a member of the group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Other diseases in this group include scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) in cattle, and Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. CWD among cervids is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior as a result of microscopic changes made to the brain of affected animals.

An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication, but in the latter stages, signs may include listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of responsiveness. CWD is not known to affect humans.

There is no vaccine or cure for CWD, but steps have been taken to minimize the risk of the disease spreading from beyond the area where it currently exists. For example, within the CWD Containment Zone, human-induced movements of wild or captive deer, elk, or other susceptible species will be restricted and mandatory hunter check stations will be established. CWD tests can only be performed on dead deer.