The Late Chase
TEXAS WHITETAILS by Larry Weishuhn
December 25, 2023
Gobblers on the Plateau
December 25, 2023
Forgotten Late Season Whitetail Opportunities
Feature Story by TF&G STAFF
LISTEN: (2 minutes, 16 seconds)
THE GENERAL WHITETAIL ONLY SEASON will be over just about the time you read this article.
In the North Zone, which includes a large portion of the state, it ends January 7.
But hunters should note there are late season options available in Texas and so we thought we would give a few of these to consider.
The south zone general season does not end until January 21.
January 8-21 marks the late muzzleloader season for whitetail deer in 90 counties across the state.
It gives hunters an option to score on deer that eluded them during the archery only and general season.
“Muzzleloader hunting is a great way to stay in the field and add a challenge to your deer hunting,” said Paul Fuzinski, TF&G’s Aptitude Outdoors columnist.
Few hunters take advantage of the late muzzle loader season, offering a chance to hunt with little pressure on the deer.
(Photo: USFWS)
“The late muzzleloader season sees very few hunters afield and a chance to hunt with less pressure on the deer. Even though it’s after the general season there are good hunting opportunities.
Hunters are reminded a muzzleloader is any firearm that is loaded only through the muzzle. A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader according to TPWD. Muzzleloader deer seasons are restricted to muzzleloading firearms only.
Hunters utilizing lands under the MLD permit system can hunt through Feb. 29.
In counties with a Special Late Season, harvest is restricted to antlerless and unbranched antlered deer (a buck with at least one antler that has no more than one point). A point is a projection that extends at least one inch from the edge of a main beam or another tine. The tip of the main beam is also a point.
Hunters still have an opportunity to score venison for the freezer in January and on some lands the season extends into February.
(Photo: USFWS)
There is a late season Jan. 8-21 in the north zone and Jan. 22-Feb. 4 in the south.
In counties with a special late season, harvest is restricted to antlerless and unbranched antlered deer (a buck with at least one antler that has no more than one point).
And don’t forget, there is a youth-only season that runs Jan. 8-21 in the north and south zones.
