Whitetail Report

Whitetail Report Image

• Texas has more white-tailed deer than any other state (4.7 million) along with an army of deer hunters numbering upwards of 757,000. This chart compares harvest numbers by region for the two previous seasons. Texas deer hunters shot an estimated 740,000 whitetails last year and experienced a 68 percent success rate statewide. Experts say late spring and early summer moisture has set the stage for a banner 2024-25 season in most parts of the state. TPWD Graphic
• The South Texas ecoregion is highly regarded as the state’s best bet for consistently producing trophy class bucks. Experts say bucks 4 1/2 years old and up represented 64% of the buck harvest there in 2023 — the highest percentage of mature buck harvest in the state last season. Texas Big Game Awards Photo
• Good moisture early in the year spurs the production of nutrient-rich forbs that jump start antler growth on bucks while helping to stack on fat reserves to bolster fawn production and lactation. Photo by Matt Williams
• Whitetail Report

Matt Williams Sat, 06/08/2024 - 05:32 Subhead State program leader says spring rain and banner range conditions point to good fall season in most of state Body

Texas’ 2024-25 whitetailed deer season is still months away, but early reports from Blaise Korzekwa indicate it should be a good one in most areas of the state.

Korzekwa, 34, heads up the white-tailed deer program for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. For those who may not know, Korzekwa took over the position in October 2023 after long-time whitetail leader Alan Cain was promoted to Big Game Program leader following the retirement of Mitch Lockwood.

A 10-year TPWD veteran, Korzekwa began his venture as a graduate research assistant at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M Kingsville. He graduated in 2014 with a Masters of Science in Range and Wildlife Management, and conducted white-tailed deer research on the Comanche and Faith ranches.

In late May, Korzekwa released his 2024 statewide white-tailed deer hunting forecast. He says things are looking good in lots of places. What follows is a summary of the report:

Spring Rainfall:

Setting the Stage

Texas has an abundant deer population estimated at 4.7 million animals — way more than any other state. Just about every deer season around here is a good one, but some turn out to be better than others.

Hunting seasons are typically judged by antler quality on bucks and overall harvest numbers.

About 757,000 hunters shot nearly 740,000 whitetails last season, according to Big Game Harvest Survey estimates. Among them were 424,892 bucks and 314,972 does. Hunters enjoyed a record 68% success rate, Korzekwa said.

Some of Texas’ best deer seasons have come in years with bountiful rainfall during spring and early summer. Good moisture early in the year spurs the production of nutrient-rich forbs that jump start antler growth on bucks while helping to stack on fat reserves to bolster fawn production and lactation. It also fuels the growth of good fawning cover and drought-tolerant browse plants to help keep deer fat and sassy during those nasty summer heat waves.

Korzekwa says this has been one of those banner springs in most of Texas. The outliers are the Edwards Plateau and areas spanning from southwest Texas to Trans-Pecos.

“While not quite as profound as spring of 2022, much needed rain from March through May led to over 50% of Texas experiencing no drought conditions, and an additional 23% considered to be only abnormally dry during these months,” Korzekwa said. “The Edwards Plateau has been the unfortunate bullseye of drought conditions this year and has been under extreme drought and missed rainfall events. Areas spanning from southwest Texas to the Trans Pecos have also struck out on the rainfall lottery this spring.”

The biologist expects southwest Texas and portions of the Edwards Plateau to see below-average antler production and fawn crops, although landowners who practice proper grazing and habitat management can reduce the severity of impacts and still have a successful season.

“The remainder of the state should expect above-average fawn recruitment and antler production,” he said. “Given that over half of the state experienced good habitat conditions this spring, hunters in these areas will have a great opportunity at harvesting a quality buck this season.”

Recovering From Drought

While the overall whitetail population remains robust, Korzekwa says numbers continue to rebound from the severe drought conditions from two years ago that resulted in a 2022 fawn crop of only 28% — just shy of the 29% crop following the 2011 drought.

“Drought-quenching rain in Spring 2023 led to a 10-year high fawn recruitment of 44% last season, and this summer’s projected fawn crop should help boost the population,” he said. The five-year average statewide fawn recruitment is 38%.”

Outlook by Region

Edwards Plateau: Korzekwa says prolonged drought has lowered the Hill Country deer population around 25%, but it still holds the highest deer density in the state, about 1.5 million animals.

‘Hunters looking for opportunities to see lots of deer this fall should put this area on the priority list,” he said. “Hunter success during 2023 in this region was 79%. Despite the current drought conditions, the Edwards Plateau is a great deer hunting region, especially for hunters looking for a quantity of animals. It consistently produces one of the highest hunter success rates in the state.”

Korzekwa says hunters looking for older age class bucks this season should focus on the area between Hondo to Del Rio and north of Highway 90. The three-year average there shows nearly 65% of bucks harvested are 4 1/2 years old or older.

South Texas Plains: Trophy hunters gravitate to the Brush Country, mainly because of its reputation for producing mature bucks and above average antler quality. Bucks 4 1/2 years old and up represented 64% of the buck harvest in 2023 — the highest percentage of mature buck harvest in the state last season. The trend in older age class harvest is expected to continue with the 2024 season. Overall hunter success was estimated at 79%.

Korzekwa says 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 year old age classes will be abundant this season and offer plenty of mature bucks in the coming years.

“Many ranches in the region manage for older age class bucks, and the 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 year age class should be well represented this year,” he said. Properties “stacking” bucks into the mature age classes over the last several years should see a good pool of mature bucks available for harvest.”

The eastern region of South Texas has received quality springtime rainfall and should expect an above-average season, while the western region of South Texas has experienced severe drought conditions and will likely be average or slightly below average.

Post Oak: Korzekwa says the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion has enjoyed a good spring, which should result in average or above average fawn production and good antler quality this fall. He pointed out the region’s sex ratio is skewed, averaging nearly four does to every buck. Age and antler surveys indicate 39% of the 2023 buck harvest was animals 4 1/2 or older. Harvest success was 70%.

“There should be a good crop of bucks this season in the 4 1/2 plus classes based on previous fawn crops,” he said. With adequate rainfall this spring, hunters should have opportunities to harvest a quality buck that is at least 4 1/2 years old.”

Pineywoods: Recent survey data indicates the Piney Woods deer population is right in line with the last three years — about 331,500 animals. Densities are highest around the Tyler area, about 31.8 deer per 1,000 acres; lowest between Beaumont and Houston, 4.6 deer per 1,000 acres.

The region saw relatively low fawn production in 2021 and 2022, but jumped to 30% in 2023, which led to localized population increases in some areas. Hunter success last year was 59%.

Antler restrictions are in effect here, and it shows. Korzekwa says 51% of the bucks harvested in 2023 were 3 1/2 or older; 24%, 4 1/2 or older. Hunters should expect the same trend for 2024.

Cross Timbers: The North Texas ecoregion maintains the state’s second highest deer population, about 755,000 animals. Hunter success last season was 71%, with 41% of the bucks averaging 4 1/2 plus.

Korzekwa says hunters focusing on mature bucks should not be disappointed this season. Timely spring rainfall should yield similar harvest rates for this year and historical fawn recruitment should produce an above-average mature buck harvest.

Rolling Plains (East and West): Deer densities are lower than most ecoregions, but long term population trends point to stable numbers. Hunter's success last season was about 70%.

Korzekwa says 61% of the buck’s shot in the WRP last season were 4 1/2 or older; 53% in the eastern part. Similar trends are expected this season.

“Both ecoregions have been hotbeds for mature buck harvest, and 2024 is expected to be another great season,” he said.

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by email, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.