Texas Hunting Times

Texas Dove Season 2012

It’s almost August so that means the Texas dove season is just around the corner! September always means good times, warm temps and usually some decent dove hunting action. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Service Regulations Committee (SRC) has approved the 2012-2013 Texas early migratory game bird seasons, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide for mourning, white-winged and white-tipped doves.

This year, the Texas dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones will run from Saturday, September 1 through Wednesday, October 24 and reopen Saturday, December 22 through Sunday, January 6, with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. Sounds like it’s time to grab my shotgun and break a little clay until September rolls around.

The South Zone dove season will run Friday, September 21 through Sunday, October 28, reopening Saturday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 22 with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. Good dove hunting can typically be found across Texas on any year, but the rains received this year should have dove production at a multi-year high. Expect good shoots over dove fields and around stock tanks.

The Special White-winged Dove Area will be restricted to afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full weekends in September running from September 1-2 and 8-9 and reopen when the regular South Zone season begins on Friday, September 21 through Sunday, October 28 and again from Saturday, December 22 through Friday, January 18. The Special White-winged Dove Area season takes four of the allowable 70 days, so when the regular season opens, this area must close four days earlier than the rest of the South Zone. Make sure to look for banded doves, as well as know your dove species before heading into the field.

During the early two weekends, the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than four mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15 with no more than 2 white-tipped doves. The Texas dove season usually starts off the fall hunting seasons with a bang, and I expect this year will be no exception. Looking forward to it already!

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Found in West Texas Deer

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the deer version of Mad Cow Disease and it’s been lurking just across the Texas border in the state of New Mexico. Wildlife officials assumed it was just a matter of time before it stepped over into Texas, but no one wanted to imagine what impact it may have on deer hunting or the deer breeding industry. Unfortunately, the wait is over — CWD is in Texas. Two West Texas mule deer tested positive for CWD, the very first such cases to have been documented in Texas.

The discovery of CWD, a fatal illness that destroys a deer’s brain, this week has created a greater sense of urgency to impose stricter statewide regulations that will lessen the chances of the deer disease spreading elsewhere in the state.

The deer that tested positive for CWD were from the Hueco Mountains in El Paso, Texas, and Hudspeth counties. These areas now look to be restricted to “containment” and “high-risk” zones covering West Texas under proposed deer transport regulations.

Despite the positive tests, one Texas official said that the two instances of Chronic Wasting Disease among the 31 tested deer should not create cause for concern, this despite the fact that scientific reports cite CWD as comparable to Mad Cow Disease for cows and Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease for humans. “This is definitely not a crisis,” Clayton Wolf, wildlife division director for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, told the media.

With its two positive tests, Texas became the 19th state to document positive tests for the disease. Texas has tested more than 33,000 total deer in the last decade, none of which had tested positive for the deer disease until now. The exact effect that the findings could have on the annual $1.5 billion brought in by the state by recreational deer hunting in Texas as well as the additional $650 million annually from the captive-deer industry remains unclear. One thing is for sure though, CWD now calls Texas home.

Texas Deer Hunting Impacted by CWD Regulations?

There is no doubt that white-tailed deer hunting in the state of Texas is both socially and economically important. The state has taken measures to protect deer found in Texas over the years by limiting movement of animals within the state, potentially slowing or preventing the spread of harmful diseases. Now, the Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) is currently accepting public comments on a rule proposed at its June 5 meeting to amend Chapter 40, entitled “Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)”.

The proposed rule will affect certain cervid species and delineates movement restriction zones and other necessary disease management practices related to the control of CWD in far west Texas. CWD has been discovered in mule deer in the Hueco Mountains of southern New Mexico, very near the Texas state line. The potential risk of animals moving back and forth between Texas and New Mexico has raised significant concern among wildlife and animal health officials that the disease is also present in deer living in the Texas portion of the same mountain range. Currently CWD is not known to exist anywhere in Texas, but has been found in 16 other states in free ranging and/or captive cervid herds. Continue reading Texas Deer Hunting Impacted by CWD Regulations?

Deer Hunting at Kerrville-Schreiner Park

Regulated deer hunting is a requirement for managing white-tailed deer populations and the habitats that they occupy. In the past, deer hunting for whitetail, axis deer and other exotic species has taken place a Kerrville-Schreiner Park in Kerrville, Texas. Area bow hunters will get another chance this year to help manage the deer population at the city-owned Kerrville-Schreiner Park through a continued lease with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

The Kerrville city council voted Tuesday to renew the agreement for the annual hunt that has taken place in the park since 2008. Each year, about 60 public hunters are drawn in a lottery for the chance to bow hunt in the 517 acre park off Bandera Highway. The city started the program with the state in 2008 to manage the deer population in the park. At the time, there were estimated to be more than 100 whitetail deer in the park, in addition to numerous axis and blackbuck antelope. TPWD recommends a deer density of one deer for every 15 to 20 acres of habitat.

In addition to the diminished natural food sources, the high density of the deer population led to problems for passing motorists. In the first year of the hunt, 32 deer were harvested from the park during the public hunts. In subsequent years, there were 13, 24 and 17 deer taken by bow hunters.

Since the city began working to manage the whitetail deer population, feeding deer has been prohibited in the park. Visitors also are discouraged from interacting with the deer, which for years were so tame they would walk up to vehicles and people.

“The most significant reason for partnering with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the bow hunts is to manage our wildlife population,” said Mindy Wendele, director of business programs for the city. “A bonus to the partnership is having Kerrville in a statewide program that could bring new visitors to our city.”

The bow hunt that occurs in the park also brings in revenue. The city receives a payment of about $4,000 annually from TPWD for the hunt. Because the Kerrville-Schreiner Park is inside the city limits, hunters are limited to archery only. They also are given limited geographic areas to hunt away from the boundaries of the park and on the south side of the park. The north side of the park along the Guadalupe River will remain open during the month.

Hunters are selected by a drawing process through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Public Hunt Program. The program also uses standby hunters during specific periods to fill any open positions. The dates for the standby hunters for the upcoming year have not yet been determined. For more information about public hunting opportunities at Kerrville-Schreiner Park, call the parks and recreation department at 257-7300.

Protein Feeder for Deer Hunting – Help!

Question: “We a protein feeder for deer in Brown County and we are feeding protein pellets with 20 percent protein. We are having trouble with the feeder clogging up due to moisture. The number of deer on our ranch is not hug, but it is respectable with some good quality bucks. We have been feeding protein for the last year now hoping to improve deer health and the whitetail deer hunting on the place. The deer have been using it some, but not eating all of the pellets.

There is mold forming on the north side of the protein feeder barrel. We were recently told that the metal barrels will cause the protein pellets to mold if they are not properly vented. We added some ventilation, but the mold build up has continued, and it is causing the feeder to clog up inside of the barrel. We used a similar feeder on a deer lease a couple years back and we did not have these problems. Do you think the feed dealer is selling us bad protein? Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.”

Response: It’s not hard to figure out the problem — moisture. The problem you are facing is likely a combination of many factors. Pelletized feeds, protein pellets for deer included, are all made with some small percent of moisture in them. The problem arises in tightly sealed protein feeders, especially when they heat and cool. The humidity in many parts of Texas only adds to the feeder clogging and moisture build up issues.

When it comes to metal feeders for deer, heat is bad too. Once a deer feeder clogs or begins feeding very slowly, it will start to make it’s own moisture that collects as water droplets on the inside of the lid of your feeder. The rate at which feed moves throughout the feeder will impact moisture and mold development. Low deer numbers or an abundance of natural vegetation means feed will move slow or not at all due to lack of consumption. I suspect the great spring rains in your area, like much of Texas this year, produced a good amount of native food. Deer were not using the protein pellets.

No feed movement means lots of moisture, mold development and problems for you. Once the feeder clogs it is going to keep making moisture everyday. One recommendation: If you use high capacity protein feeders for whitetail deer only put in the amount of feed that they can consume in a month. Feed is expensive, and cleaning out your feeders takes time, so better to put in a little less than a little more when you fill them. The whitetail will be fine if they run out for a few days.

In short, the top layer of protein in the feeder needs to move some everyday. Keep in mind that whitetail deer typically consume much less protein in the spring and during the fall because of many times there will be abundant natural foods. Protein cannot compete with high quality forbs. As the spring green declines deer will turn to protein feeders much more. This is the best time to supplement doe deer for fawn production and the bucks for antler growth that you will benefit from during the deer hunting season. Lastly, place your feeder in a shaded area if at all possible. This will prevent the super-heating of your setup in the Texas sun, reducing the amount of moisture that is given off by the pellets inside the barrel.

Stephen F. Austin State Park Deer Hunting

Stephen F. Austin State Park is located in Austin County and offers public deer hunting opportunities through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s special permit draw system. The park is 473 acres in size. It is approximately 5 miles east of Sealy, Texas, in the town of San Felipe. To access the park, take FM 1458 north of IH-10, then Park Road 38. Stephen F. Austin State Park is primarily Brazos River bottomland with mature pecan, elm, and cottonwood trees throughout, with relatilvey open understory.

The objectives of the public hunts at the park are to manage the whitetail deer herd, decreasing numbers to to approach the carrying capacity of the habitat while providing public hunting opportunity. Access to the park will be limited to participants of the public hunt. Hunters will be allowed to camp and normal fees will apply. The hunter check station is located at the park headquartes accessed off FM 1458 and Park Road 38., For more information on deer hunting at Stephen F. Austin State Park or other Texas public hunting lands, call the Park headquarters at 979-885-3613.

Dove Hunter Survey Helps USFWS, Dove Hunting

Hunters look forward to dove hunting season each fall because it signifies that it’s finally time to head back into the field. In Texas, almost every hunter kicks off September with a truck full of fellow dove hunting buddies looking for some fast-paced wing shooting. Since many hunters neglect their shotguns over the summer, it’s almost unfair that dove season is the first hunting season. But then again, there is no better wake up call than having the opportunity to air out a few shotgun shells to get “back on.”

Dove hunters provide economic boosts to small, rural hunting towns annually. Wildlife officials are also hoping that hunters can boost their knowledge about dove hunting. An upcoming survey will ask dove hunters from across the U.S. to share their experiences and opinions about dove hunting. Topics will include time spent dove hunting, demographics, constraints to hunting, and thoughts about potential effects of spent lead from hunting ammunition on mourning doves and other wildlife.

The dove hunting survey is a cooperative effort by the state fish and wildlife agencies, all four flyway councils, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and includes Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “We are conducting this survey because hunter opinions and preferences are important and should be taken into account whenever possible,” says Dr. Ken Richkus of the USFWS’ Population and Habitat Assessment Branch. “The USFWS and the states want to make sure we use the best science-based information for wildlife management and conservation of our migratory bird resources.”

There are more than 1 million dove hunters nationally, with seasons in 40 states. “We’re surveying dove hunters in every state that has a dove season so they can give us their opinions on a variety of topics,” Richkus says. “This approach will give us an excellent picture of mourning dove hunter thoughts and needs by state, region, and nationwide.” The National Dove Hunter Survey is scheduled to begin in late June 2012, and will be completed by the end of the year.

“We really hope each dove hunter who receives a survey takes the time to complete and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided,” Richkus added. “Their answers are very important, and we appreciate their efforts to tell us what they think.” Without sound wildlife management practices in place there will be no dove hunting or any other kind of hunting in the future. If you are selected for the dove survey make sure to send in your response – hunters just like you are counting on it.

Mule Deer in West Texas

Most of the deer hunting in Texas is focused on white-tail deer, but there is also a lot of mule deer hunting takes place in West Texas. The Trans-Pecos and the High Plans both offer solid opportunities for hunters to bag some really nice animals. But don’t get mule deer and whitetail deer confused. They are totally different animals, from the habitat that they used to the foods that they eat. Mule deer were taken from a completely different mold.

Desert mule deer have very different diet requirements. They are definitely deer, but their nutritional need is different than whitetail, which prefer habitats that provide much more cover. Mule deer have adapted to the desert and their food habits have evolved around it. Their are able to use low quality foods and also have the ability to recombine amino acids to create the protein they need. This allows them to make more with less.

Mule deer typically shed and start their antler growth about a month later than South Texas whitetail. Mule deer live in a hot, dry and tough area, so the number of mule deer is much lower than typical whitetail densities. The low density of the deer helps them though, because this desert habitat can provide them with enough food, even during tough times. The plants that live in the tough country of the Texas Trans-Pecos do so for a reason—they can make it there. Though these plants provide mule deer with an abundance of grub in times of rains, they tend to do okay when it is dry too. Mule deer can make it, but rain puts gravy on the bread.

Mule deer have adapted to the arid West Texas climate, but the quality of deer hunting is impacted by rainfall. This is because body condition and antler growth are closely tied to precipitation. Good rainfall makes for a lot of food, both forbs and browse. Plants wait on the rainy season and then put their new growth, which mule deer take advantage of. In drier times, however, the plants go dormant and deer eat more browse. Forbs will grow anytime it rains out there.

For the most part, the majority of the forbs found in the Trans-Pecos portion of West Texas will be warm season plants. There is not much cool season out there, so not many cool season plants except for irrigated winter food plots (if you are lucky enough to have them). When it rains things grow, and it does not take a mule deer very long to pack the weight back on if surrounded by a bounty of food. Over the mule deer’s range, winter months are the toughest because many areas will grow very little native forbs even if it does rain.

Mule deer will eat live plants as well as dead. In a good rainfall year, plants will produce more than mule deer can eat before they turn brown because of decreasing rainfall and increasing temperatures. When green forbs and some browse plants die, then these plants fill a role very similar to hay for livestock—mule deer can use this dead material as a large portion of their diet. In addition, mulies can compliment this forage with the surviving, deeper rooted forbs and browse.

Mule deer are tough and much different from whitetail. Mule deer hunting in West Texas is affected by precipitation in the region, but mule deer are quite drought tolerant. Dry winters are the norm in far West Texas and mule deer have adapted to it. The deer management practices on individual properties will also have impacts on local deer populations. Mature deer require less forage than younger, growing deer. Maintaining good age structure in both the buck and doe segments of the population will ensure healthy animals and mule deer hunting into the future.

Texas Quail Hunting and Management Moves Forward

Ask any “old timer” and they will tell you that Texas quail hunting was fairly good 50 or 60 years ago all across the state. That’s far from the case today. But it has been the loss of quail habitat, not quail hunting, that has hit quail numbers the hardest. They need good habitat—the right kinds of plants—to survive. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) hopes to give habitat and their numbers a boost.

TPWD is taking a “boots on the ground” approach to bobwhite quail management in Texas as part of a strategic action plan that involves hunters, landowners and science. The plan focuses on habitat management and does not include changes in harvest regulations. Because regulations will not compensate for losses in quail habitat, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is making no changes to the quail hunting season for 2012-13. The season will open Oct. 27 and close Feb. 24, 2013 with a daily bag limit of 15, possession limit of 45.

“Hunting is a tool to regulate harvest of quail, but not a tool that could impact quail recovery at a landscape level,” said Robert Perez, TPWD Upland Game Bird Program Leader. “Hunting didn’t create this problem.” The long term trend in declining bobwhite populations have also impacted more than two dozen other grassland bird species that are not hunted. Biologists recognize the primary cause for these declines is loss of usable habitat. Habitat management focused on restoration will be the prescribed cure for Texas’ quail population.

During the next four years, TPWD will implement and monitor quail management strategies at three “focus area” sites in different parts of the state. The model for the project was developed in cooperation with the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture and is a component of TPWD Wildlife Division’s Upland Game Bird Strategic Plan.

“These efforts will allow us to test the hypotheses that given enough usable habitat, we can sustain viable populations of quail over boom and bust cycles,” Perez said. “Historically, our wildlife biologists have worked with landowners to develop management plans for quail, but we’ve never attempted to quantify those efforts at a larger scale.”

During the upcoming hunting season, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists will also be looking to hunters to help collect and report data that can be used to more accurately monitor quail hunting and harvest. Currently, TPWD relies on information gathered through its annual Small Game Harvest Survey of hunters to determine bobwhite quail harvest, which does not include daily harvest by county.

By issuing a harvest scorecard to a random group of quail hunters prior to the season, and using methodology similar to that developed for tracking migratory game bird harvest, TPWD hopes to get a more accurate accounting of wild bobwhite harvest. The future of Texas quail hunting is hinged to good habitat for these upland game birds. The loss of native clump grasses have hurt quail numbers the most, but improved pastures, fire ants and increased development have not helped either.

Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

The Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA; formerly Peach Point WMA) offers public hunting for a variety of wildlife species. The area is located 8 miles west of Freeport in Brazoria County and contains 15,612 acres of upland hardwoods, upland prairie, fresh and saltwater marshes. The land is nearly flat and poorly drained with elevations ranging from sea level to a maximum of 10 feet. Much of the habitat found on the WMA is marsh or low lands that are easily flooded. As such, excellent duck hunting and goose hutning can be had during the fall and winter hunting seasons.

The Hurst WMA hunter check station is accessed via State Highway 36 approximately 8 miles west of Freeport, then south one mile at the WMA sign on State Highway 36 to the hunter check station. Duck and goose hunters should be prepared to walk up to a mile in soft soil to reach their hunting site. The are aims to provide low impact, fair chase, public hunting opportunities. No permanent blinds may be constructed on the management area. No camping or open fires are allowed.

The Hurst WMA offers feral hog hunting through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) special permit drawing. Hunters can get more information on about the public hunt drawing, as well as entry cards, through reading TPWD’s “Applications for Drawings on Public Hunting Lands” which is available each summer. The WMA also offer public deer hunting opportunities for youth hunters through postcard drawings associated with the Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH Permit). For more information on their whitetail deer hunts for kids, read TPWD’s “Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands.”

The wildlife management area does not offer camping. Commercial facilities are available in Freeport. Call the Justin Hurst WMA for further information at 979-233-8729 or 979-244-6804.