Texas
5,200,000
Est. Whitetail Population
1,200,000
No. Licenses Sold Annually
$25
Resident hunting license and deer permit
$315
Covers the cost of a general non-resident hunting license
Non-resident hunting license and deer permit
197 2/8"
Taken by Alberto Bailleres in Zavala County in 2021 and ranks No. 48 of all-time.
Record B&C Typical Stat
580
Total B&C Typical Entries
284 3/8"
Taken by an unknown hunter in McCulloch County in 1892.
Record B&C Non-Typical Stat
335
Record B&C Non-Typical Entries
Check out the latest deer-hunting info for Texas. Image by Dennis Donohue
Season Dates (2025):
The Texas archery season is Sept. 27 to Oct. 31. The General season opens Nov. 1 and runs to Jan. 4 in the North Zone and Jan. 18 in the South Zone. There are also special youth days and a late muzzleloader season, Jan. 5-18. Check the TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE to confirm.
The Grade: A
Each season, more deer are taken in Texas than in any other state, partly because of its size, but also because of the abundance of animals, outstanding habitat, and strong hunting culture. Although 93% of Texas is privately owned, there are still some outstanding public-hunting opportunities. In general, the downside is that nonresidents will have a hard time putting together a public-land hunt in the best areas; it’s even challenging for residents. By and large, Texas is a pay to play state, but it’s tough to argue with the 915 entries in the Boone and Crockett records book. So, if you have a little jingle in your bank account, you might want to look at booking a Texas whitetail hunt with an outfitter for a real shot at a trophy buck.
Antler Nation Knowledge:
South Texas and the Western Rolling Plains are especially known for producing quality bucks. In this region, there are plenty of 5-½-plus-year-old bucks that score well into the 130s and 140s, but the occasional Booners roam there. Hunters looking for a true trophy might consider Brooks, Dimmit, Duval, Jim Hogg, Frio, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Maverick, McMullen, Refugio, Uvalde, Webb, and Zavala counties. These lead the way in top-end deer.
If quantity is the goal, focus on the Texas Hill Country, which has the state’s highest deer density. In fact, Llano and Mason counties boast deer densities exceeding 290 deer per 1,000 acres. Grayson, Irion, McCulloch, Shackelford, Sutton, and Tom Green counties are great big-buck locations to try, too.
