Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Considering Hunting Regulation Changes

TPWD is asking for public comment on a number of changes under consideration

Changes that could affect Upshur and the surrounding areas follow:

Biologists are also looking to implement a special muzzleloader season in additional counties, lengthen the existing muzzleloader season by five days to be equivalent in length with the special antlerless and spike buck seasons in other counties, and alter the current muzzleloader bag composition to allow the harvest of any buck (not just spike bucks) and antlerless deer without permits if the county has "doe days" during the general season.

further expansion of the department’s successful antler restriction regulations into 52 additional counties where biologists have identified a need to provide greater protection of younger buck deer. In these counties, data indicates more than 55 percent of the harvested bucks are two-and-a-half years of age or younger, which creates an imbalance in the deer herd age structure.

Another issue where deer surveys indicate a need for change involves additional antlerless deer harvest opportunities. Therefore, the department is looking to increase antlerless deer hunting or "doe days"

The biggest changes for Upshur look to be added "doe days" and a muzzle loader season, with a reduction in allowable spike kills.

The complete text is on the TWPD website. Be sure to read it and weigh in on the Public Comments.