The first cold front has passed through the state, a reminder that white-tailed deer season opens Nov. 5. Texas has one of the best deer herds in the country, and White-tailed Deer Program Leader Alan Cain tells us the forecast is good in terms of harvest numbers and opportunities. While the summer drought may affect antler size and body weight, there are still plenty of big bucks out there. 

Mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling and carcass movement requirements apply to all counties and portions of counties in CWD zones. If you harvest a deer in a CWD zone, you are required to bring it to the check station in that zone within 48 hours of harvest, so biologists can take a sample and test it for CWD. There are no exceptions to this regulation.

We encourage you to submit deer harvested anywhere for free testing. The free My Texas Hunt Harvest app is a handy tool for finding CWD check stations and test results, as well as reporting your harvest – download it today. Let's keep working together to fight CWD.

Refer to the Outdoor Annual app or online for all deer hunting regulations, including statewide bag limits, mandatory reporting and special antler restrictions. 

What's New:

BOWHUNTERS: You're required to report deer harvested in the counties of Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall within 24 hours.

MULE DEER HUNTERS: The season has been extended to 16 days in 15 southwestern Panhandle counties. See our blog post for more about recent antler research and restrictions. 

WATERFOWL HUNTERS: Some wild birds are infected with avian influenza. The risk to human health is considered low, but safety precautions are advised when you handle wild birds. Find out more in our press release TPWD Recommends Necessary Precautions to Reduce Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. 

Special waterfowl seasons for veterans and active-duty military have been added in all 3 zones – the first opens 10/22. 

Check the Outdoor Annual for more of what's New This Year for Hunting.

Jesse Griffiths is back with a recipe sure to tingle your taste buds – grilled venison with horseradish cream sauce. Made with a venison backstrap or loin, this dish will warm you up on a cold night and could be a fine addition to your Thanksgiving table. See it come to together in the video Wild Game Cooking: Grilled Venison. 

Quail season opens statewide Oct. 29, with a mixed forecast. Upland Game Bird Program Leader John McLaughlin tells us a decline in habitat quality this summer means bobwhites are few and far between – but one bright light is the South Texas Plains region, which shows an increase in bobwhite numbers over last year.

Check our regional forecasts for bobwhite and scaled quail for more information. 

The bag limit is 15 per day for bobwhite, scaled and Gambel's quail – combined. Total possession limit is 45 birds. You'll need an Upland Game Bird endorsement to hunt quail, along with your hunting license and proof of Hunter Education. 

If you need an affordable place to hunt, purchase an Annual Public Hunting Permit for $48. It will give you access to over 1 million acres of public hunting land.

“Sighting-in” is a process of adjusting rifle sights to hit a target at a specific range. Deer hunters often sight-in their rifles to hit the bull’s-eye at 100 yards. 

Sight-in your rifle before every hunt, especially if you use rifles with peep or telescopic sights. Use the same ammunition you'll use on your hunt. 

Find more tips by watching our short video How to Sight Your Hunting Rifle.