Almost time — Prospects good for deer season - Page 2
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Hunters can expect to see fewer bucks in the 1 ½ year old age class as fawn production was very low across many regions of the state in 2011. However, good fawns crops in 2005, 2007, and 2010 should translate into more bucks in the 7 ½, 5 ½, and 2 ½ year old age classes as compared to other age classes. With the exception of the 1 ½ year old age class there may have been a reasonable carryover of bucks in all other age class simply because many hunters passed on bucks with average antler quality last year, just hoping for an extra year of age and more importantly some rainfall to provide the necessary nutrition to help those buck reach their potential.
“Hopefully, hunters will find what they’re looking for this fall,” Cain said. “I’ve already seen pictures of an 8-point harvested in Bandera County this year that scored on the 159 Boone & Crockett scoring system, maybe sign of good things to come this season. Keep in mind this is well above the average antler quality for bucks 6 ½ years of age or older.
In fact, based on 30+ years of TPWD’s age and antler data the average estimated B&C score for 6 ½ year old or older bucks is 125.34. The South Texas and Eastern Rolling Plains regions have the highest estimated average B&C scores for bucks 6 ½ or older at 134.59 and 129.82, respectively. The remaining regions produce great quality mature bucks with estimated average B&C scores in the low to mid 120s.
“As always we encourage hunters to harvest antlerless deer to help with overall population management, which is an important component to maintain quality native habitats for all wildlife,” said Cain. “One thing is for sure we are blessed with the largest white-tailed deer herd in the nation, approximately 3.3 million deer, and opportunity can be found in nearly every region of the state. So don’t sit on the couch this fall watching the hunting shows, get outdoors and be a part of what will hopefully prove to be a great deer season.”
The general season runs Nov. 3 through Jan. 6, 2013 in the 209 counties that comprise the North Zone and through Jan. 20, 2013 in the 30 counties of the South Zone. For county specific regulations, check the 2012-13 Outdoor Annual of Hunting and Fishing Regulations.
