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It’s Huntin’ Time
6 Hill Country Hunting Guide 2022 It’s Huntin’ Time
Despite drought, fruitful season still predicted
Hunters are starting to make preparations for the 2022-2023 hunting season in the Texas Hill Country.
The big game season for white-tailed deer and other wild game such as turkey, quail and dove draw in hunters from around the United States for its notably successful harvests.
“Overall, the 2022 year is expected to be good in terms of harvest numbers and opportunities, so don’t let the chance to spend time afield with family, friends and fellow hunters pass you by,” said Alan Cain, White-Tailed Deer Program Leader for TPWD. “Texas has one of the longest deer seasons in the nation, so take some time this fall and winter and enjoy the best herds in the country right here in your home state.”
Cain noted that while harvest numbers may look good, drought impacts on deer habitats mean hunters should generally expect average-to-below average antler quality and body weight this fall.
Additionally, archery hunters have reported seeing fewer deer at feeders, as recent rains have improved habitat conditions, providing an abundance of native forage that means deer won’t have to travel far to find something to browse. Archery hunters are having to alter their hunting strategies to find harvest success, Cain said.
Drought conditions
Temperatures in the early summer months frequently soared above 100 degrees across most of the state, and lack of significant rainfall limited the spring production of important food sources like forbs (weeds) and woody shrubs for deer.
“Woody plants are critical in times like these because these deep-rooted plants are often the only abundant supply of green groceries for deer, but even these browse plants are showing some signs of stress,” said Cain. “Mesquites appear to be on track to produce an abundance of beans this year and were critical sources of natural forage for deer in late summer in the central, south and western portions of the state.”
Wildfires have plagued large areas of the state as well, causing significant habitat loss and damage, but Cain said nature finds a way to rejuvenate the landscape.
“Where fires have occurred, there’s been new grass and weed growth providing some much-needed nutrition and cover for deer,”
A big industry in Gillespie County, hunting season brings in sportsmen from across the state, as the area is full of big bucks and other wild game. — Standard-Radio Post file photo Cain said. “Although habitat conditions have improved immensely with recent rains, the timing was a bit late to have any meaningful influence on antler quality.” HUNTING SEASON ▶ 8
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Cont. from 6
Hunting dates
The archery-only season in the designated North Zone (to which Gillespie County belongs) for turkey and deer runs from Oct. 1-Nov. 4.
General rifle season for turkey and deer starts Saturday, Nov. 5, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.
Youth-only hunting weekends, for those licensed hunters 16 years of age or younger, are planned on Oct. 29-30, 2022, and Jan. 2-15, 2023.
A special late season during which harvests are restricted to antlerless deer and spikes, runs simultaneously to the late youth-only season, from Jan. 2-15, 2023.
Archery hunters are required to purchase an Archery Endorsement in addition to their hunting license.
Hunters taking advantage of Texas Public Hunting Lands must have the Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Public land hunters should also consult the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet to review regulations that may apply to specific areas. The My Texas Hunt Harvest app can be used to complete on-site registration electronically at a public hunting area.
Those interested in learning more about archery and bowhunting, or anyone who is looking to brush up on their skills ahead of the season, are encouraged to explore Bowhunter by Fall, a newsletter series presented by TPWD’s Community Archery Program.
Aside from whitetails, Gillespie County is also considered to be in the Central Zone for dove hunting.
Dove season runs from Sept. 1 through Oct. 30, and then again from Dec. 17 through Jan. 15, 2023.
The quail season across Texas will run Oct. 30 to Feb. 26, 2023.
Information on bag limits, license requirements and other general information is available from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Outdoor Annual or at tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/.
The Texas Hill Country also has an abundant amount of nongame wildlife such as armadillos, raccoons, hawks, opossums, coyotes and numerous other birds, not to mention an occasional porcupine and skunk.
Among the factors accounting for the large populations of deer and other forms of wildlife in the Fredericksburg area is the rugged, hilly terrain, which affords plenty of cover, vegetation and water to sustain the animals year-round.
In other parts of Texas, the terrain is flatter and less wooded, perhaps even converted to farmland. Also, the increasing development of housing and expanding city limits in other places has forced wildlife out of its natural habitat.
Gillespie County values wildlife.
Farmers, ranchers and residents hold animals in high regard not only because of their presence, but also because of their contributions to the area’s economy.
CWD Testing
TPWD reminds hunters that TPWD wildlife biologists and animal health officials are collecting and testing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) samples from hunter-harvested deer to get a clearer picture of the prevalence and distribution of the disease across Texas.
Proactive monitoring improves the state’s response time to a CWD detection and can greatly reduce the risk of the disease further spreading to neighboring captive and free-ranging populations.
Hunters in surveillance and containment zones must meet submission requirements of harvested CWD susceptible species. Additionally, hunters outside of established surveillance and containment zones are encouraged to voluntarily submit their harvest for testing at a check station, for free, before heading home from the field.
A map of TPWD check stations for all CWD zones can be found on the TPWD website.
For more information about CWD, visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/ or https://www.tahc. texas.gov/animal_health/elkdeer/#cwd
General rifle season for the North Zone, which includes Gillespie County, will begin Nov. 5 and end on Jan. 1, 2023. — Standard-Radio Post file photo
