Public Meeting December 9 to Address Expanding Antlerless Deer Season

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is considering the expansion of the current 4-day antlerless season in 21 counties located in the Post Oak Savannah and South-Central Texas area, which includes Fayette County. The current four-day antlerless season occurs from Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving. The proposed expansion would extend antlerless season to 16 days, which would occur from the second Saturday of General Season through the Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving.

If adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, these expanded season dates would take effect in the 2026-27 season. The bag limit for the season would remain at two antlerless deer, all seasons combined (archery, youth only, 16-day antlerless, and muzzleloader seasons). Hunters would still be required to complete mandatory antlerless harvest reporting, which is currently required in these 21 counties. The bag limit and reporting requirements exclude deer taken under the Managed Lands Deer Program, as those cooperators already have annual harvest reporting requirements.

A public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, at the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service building, 255 Svoboda Ln., La Grange. This meeting is intended to inform the public of the proposed 16-day antlerless season and gather public input prior to a formal proposal being presented to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.