AUSTIN — There may be less deer coming to the feeders at the start of this year's hunting season -- but their antlers will be looking great.
In the aftermath of recent storms, an abundance of new plant growth has sprung up around Texas. That growth should provide a nutrition boost for white-tailed deer, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
"There's a huge flush of green, like a giant food plot, so that's good for the deer," Alain Cain, TPWD deer program leader, said. "Hunters may need to adjust their hunting strategies to find deer that may not be readily seeking out corn because of the green conditions, but the benefit for bucks coming out of the rut and for bred does should set the stage for a good spring."
The hunting season opens Nov. 3 and continues through Jan. 6, 2019, in North Texas and Jan. 20, 2019, in South Texas. A youth-only season is also slated for Jan. 7 through Jan. 20.
Cain said the deer will likely not be impacted long-term by the flooding the Hill Country has recently experienced.
"The flooding displaced deer temporarily, but they'll move back as the waters subside. Hunters might notice deer have shifted around into areas they haven't seen them in before, but as things settle down, they'll move back into their usual areas."
Cain also urges hunters to check feeders and dispose of any wet or spoiled corn, which can lead to aflatoxins.
"I think based on what we've seen coming in during archery season, hunters should be pleasantly surprised with antler quality," Cain said. "Overall, I'm fairly optimistic about the 2018 deer season."
