Texas Deer Herd Hits 5.64 Million Ahead of a Promising Season
Three strong fawn years pushed the Texas whitetail herd to an estimated 5.64 million. TPWD expects good harvests and better-than-average antlers in most of the state.
Texas deer hunters have reason to be optimistic this fall. After three straight years of above-average fawn survival, the state's white-tailed deer population has climbed to an estimated 5.64 million, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's 2026-27 season outlook.
Most of the state started spring in drought, but late-spring and early-summer rains improved habitat. TPWD biologists expect slightly above-average antler quality across most of Texas.
"Texas leads the nation in terms of number of deer hunters, annual harvest and deer population," said Blaise Korzekwa, TPWD white-tailed deer program leader. "Even an average year in Texas is worth hunting."
Region by region
Hill Country (Edwards Plateau): The state's biggest herd, an estimated 1.973 million deer, up from 1.514 million after the 2022 drought. Llano and Mason counties have the highest density, and TPWD says doe harvest there is especially important to ease pressure on food.
Cross Timbers: The second-largest herd at 924,242. Expect fewer 4.5-year-old bucks because of a poor 2022 fawn crop, but other age classes look good.
South Texas: About 478,000 deer. Pockets missed the spring rain, so expect average antlers, but plenty of mature bucks 5.5 and older. Mature South Texas bucks average about 131 inches Boone and Crockett.
Rolling Plains: In 2025, 42 percent of the buck harvest in both the Eastern and Western Rolling Plains was 4.5 years or older, second only to South Texas. Western Rolling Plains mature bucks average about 133 inches.
Post Oak Savannah and Pineywoods: Lots of young bucks from strong recent fawn crops, but thinner mature age classes. The Pineywoods herd is steady at about 334,414. Biologists are asking hunters to let young bucks walk.
Watch for screwworm
New World screwworm was confirmed in Texas earlier this year. TPWD is asking hunters to watch for signs of infestation on trail cameras and in harvested animals and to report anything suspicious to a local TPWD biologist. The agency notes that screwworm hammered Texas deer in the early 1900s. Guidance is at tpwd.texas.gov/screwworm.
Hunters should also review chronic wasting disease rules on carcass disposal. TPWD allows deboning carcasses to help prevent spreading disease. Season dates and bag limits are in the Outdoor Annual app.
Good stewardship pays
The best line in TPWD's report is about landowners who manage habitat and herds year-round. Antler growth tracks spring rain, but healthy herds come from people who do the work long before opening day. That is stewardship in the old sense: care for land you were given and pass it on better than you found it.
Hunters need an archery endorsement for bow season and the Annual Public Hunting Permit for public hunting lands. Then take a kid with you. Some of the best lessons in patience and gratitude are learned in a deer blind before sunrise.
Hero photo: White-tailed deer at Goose Island State Park, Texas, April 2024, by Larry D. Moore via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 4.0; cropped and resized.
