From what I have read on the ho option on mldp for tpwd states that it is an automated option meaning more or less that you get larger bag limits and longer season dates with a hands-off approach from tpwd. What I would like to know is the specific area in the rulebook that states that no dear data is required if that means no jaw bones are needed as they are in the conservation option. That's what I take it to mean but I would like to be sure. It reads as this:


The Harvest Option is an automated, ‘do-it-yourself’ option for MLDP participation that provides
landowners with a deer harvest recommendation, tag issuance, and general guidance about
wildlife and wildlife habitat management. Participation in the Harvest Option does not require
habitat management practices, deer population data, or the participant to receive technical
assistance from a TPWD wildlife biologist. This option provides enhanced harvest opportunities
through longer seasons and enhanced bag limits with minimal involvement from TPWD. Harvest
Option participants may still request technical guidance from a TPWD biologist through our
technical guidance program, but the MLDP deer harvest recommendations and tag issuance are
automatically calculated on a one-time basis for each MLDP hunting season upon enrollment
through TPWD’s Land Management Assistance (LMA) online application, and cannot be revised.

You may not like the amount of permits they give you based off of your acreage. Permits are given based off surveys and density numbers for you area, not what you want.
Use this to understand what I am posting about.
https://lma.tpwd.state.tx.us/tag-estimator

Right I got that and our numbers to harvest didn't change since we didn't meet the deadline for CO but I just want to make sure we don't need to take the jawbone's this year under HO because tpwd doesn't need deer data like they did under CO.

Yes, I got confused last year and thought "harvest" option meant it was aimed at allowing the land owner more leeway for harvesting management deer. Turns out I should have read the fine print more.

Anyhoo, if you didn't elect to get in the "conservation" option the first year, you then need two years worth of survey data to get back in. I had our biologist come out to our place a few weeks back and while driving around we got a good laugh over how they labeled the two different options. After this year, we'll be back on the "conservation" option. It was a big brain-fart on my part. I would rather have the tags and not need them, then not have the tags and need them. Our population can get out of hand pretty quick for as small as our place is.

Luckily, our density and B/D ratio is about where we need it anyway.

If it were me I would keep all the records you would have to for the CO option. Do everything like normal. That way you have records of everything. Just to CYA.

Biologist said the exact same thing. We have all of our records from surveys (camera & spotlight) for years past and he said that I could have submitted that, but the deadline had already passed by.

Lots of strict rules on deer management