But looks like possibly some changes for next season

http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20160205a

Thanks, I hadn't seen that yet!

I'd like to see the East Texas changes, but not likely I'll get to the Panhandle or buy a muzzle loader.

Very interesting about the spike vs unbranched antler. That throws people off when it comes to the extended season. During regular season if it is unbranched on one side it is legal but the extended season it must be a true spike. Sounds like they will make an unbranched on one side will be legal in the extended season. Not sure how I feel about that. I wish they would just make it spikes and 13 inch+ spread for regular and spike/doe only in extended. Being selfish here but seeing a kid or now adult take a 3 year old deer with half a 19 inch rack broken off cause it is legal is not best management. Take a doe or spike...

I would love to see the muzzleloader season.

When are they going to implement the Special Early Velvet Spike One Antlered Cross Eyed Sling Shot Season? This is just getting ridiculous in my opinion.

Kinda hard for some to take a doe in east Texas if they don't bow hunt. One weekend season doesn't give you much time to get it done.

Nothing has divided the deer hunting community more than separate seasons based on hunting methods. And there is no question that it was done in large part to create new markets for equipment. If the decision were mine, there would be a single season that included all methods.

Thank you for posting this info.

I agree 100% Dan.

I'm glad to see they are defining "unbranched antler" since that has caused a lot of confusion. I would almost bet it will be an antler with no point, which is defined as at least 1" long. If so, it will be like the 13" rule. Hunters will be checking deer with binoculars wondering if it is 1" or 3/4".

I agree, but I bet most on here don't.

I would vote for it.

One season...all methods....keep youth seasons and adjust limits in the "by county" bag limits.....

I would love to have a time during gun season to kill a doe in Karnes county. Only can shoot a foe with bow during archery at the moment. Even if I only had one week to do it and could only shoot one I'd be thrilled. I'm not into killing young spikes for a second deer every year and killing a 13inch or better every year just doesn't happen.

I totally agree even though I do bow hunt.

I don't. There's nothing "divisive" about a separate bow season. The bow season has never taken a single day away from the over two month long gun season. Everyone has the same opportunity as everyone else - if you want to hunt with a bow, then learn to use one and go hunting.

Wanting to ruin bow season just to get another month to use a rifle is what's divisive.

wish they would lower the bag limit in hopkins co. make it one doe with the it being all season and not just 4 days and one buck, spike or 13in not both. Hunted a whole week this year during the rut and never saw a deer! did kill a nice deer in dec but very few deer.

wish they would lower the bag limit in hopkins co. make it one doe with the it being all season and not just 4 days and one buck, spike or 13in not both. Hunted a whole week this year during the rut and never saw a deer! did kill a nice deer in dec but very few deer.

How would it ruin bow season? I see guys in the bowhunting thread having plenty of success during gun season hunting with their bows. I haven't seen one post from them that they stop hunting during gun season because the bowhunting is ruined after it starts.

There is a huge difference in hunting quiet woods and undisturbed deer on feeding patterns transitioning to pre-rut than hunting with a bow during rifle season.
Introducing hundreds of thousands more hunters into the equation with rifles tends to make a difference. That should be obvious.

Many other states all over the country have traditionally had long bow seasons and short rifle seasons with no problem. Texas has had the separate bow season in October for over 50 years. It wasn't set up to "sell equipment" (though allowing crossbows recently was). It did not take a day from the rifle season - which has always begun at the beginning of November. It has never been "divisive". Ever. In fact, no one has had a single issue with it until relatively recently.

It's just another grab being pushed by folks who don't want to do what it takes to bowhunt. Just like so many other trends in hunting and in general to make things as easy as possible. Texas already has one of the longest rifle seasons in the nation. We need to leave bow season alone.

I personally would like to see the seasons aligned. There are those of us that can't draw a bow do to injury. Muzzle loaders have developed to the point there isn't any difference between them and standard center-fire rifles. For those of us that lease it evens the playing field on a chance at a great once in a lifetime buck.

Why does the playing field always have to be "even"?

One has always been able to use a crossbow with an injury exception. Now, you can use one during bow season without exception. If you want to hunt the bow season you have always been free to do so. Even with a physical limitation.

The October bow season was set up for those wanting to accept the additional challenges of bowhunting. For over 50 years no one has had a problem with that.

The only thing that is changing is people's attitudes.

Because I pay just as much as everyone else. Last time I asked to pay 2/3 of the lease it didn't go very far. lol



Dont't take this personal but why on earth would I choose a less effective means of killing than the optimal. Me personally, I'm trying to kill for food and nourishment and not trying to prove my skills as a hunter. I am in favor of starting rifle season at the beginning of October so I can maybe get one more hunt in each year.

That's why they allow crossbows.

I personally like the separate seasons. Two months with a rifle is a very generous season. Archery is more difficult and the harvest numbers are lower, look at the counties or states that don't allow rifle season at all or limit them to late season after the rut.

Part of my fear on combining all the seasons is that they would reduce it down to just the two month rifle season, not make rifle season 3 months.