Archery season ends this Friday, and Deer Season begins Saturday, November 3, 2018 in Freestone County, Texas. The General Season for White-tailed Deer will continue through Sunday, January 6, 2019.
An Early Youth-Only season was held this past weekend. Late Youth-Only season will be held from January 7 – 20, 2019.
Bag limit for White-tailed deer is four: no more than two bucks, and no more than two antlerless, all seasons combined.
The bag limit in Freestone County is two legal bucks, but only ONE may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.
A legal buck deer is defined as a buck deer with: at least one unbranched antler; OR an inside spread of 13 inches or greater (does not apply to a buck that has an unbranched antler).
A hunter may also take ONE buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater in a different county with antler restrictions, and not to exceed that count’s bag limit.
If Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) buck tags have been issued for a property, harvest is by MLDP tag only and all bucks must be tagged with a MLDP tag. If MLDP antlerless tags have been issued for a property, harvest is by MLDP tag only and all antlerless deer must be tagged with a MLDP antlerless tag.
The landowner, or designated agent, is responsible for providing MLDP tags to the hunters on MLDP properties.
A hunting license is required of any person (resident or nonresident), of any age, to hunt any animal, bird, frog or turtle in this state, EXCEPT the following:
–coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl.
–depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non- resident) or landowner’s agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner’s land.
–fur-bearing animals, if the hunter possesses a commercial trapper’s license.
–depredating fur-bearing animals, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner’s agent is taking fur-bearing animals causing depredation on the landowner’s land. No portion of the nuisance fur-bearer may be possessed, sold or retained for any purpose.
Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education training course. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Minimum age of certification is 9 years.
For more information, stop by the local office in Fairfield, call toll free at 800-792-1112, or visit online at tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual
