It seems the apex of summer heat arrives right when deer hunters start talking about the upcoming fall. Folks start getting serious about preparing for hunting season on their leases or other properties where they plan to hunt. Bucks begin showing antler growth and fawn crops become mobile as they learn to survive.
Now halfway through July, the difference in the whitetail outlook from a year ago is night and day, as range conditions, fawn crops and body composition among whitetails are all trending in positive directions.
According to Alan Cain, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s white-tailed deer program leader, hunters have a lot to be excited about with the season fast approaching.
Cain said range conditions were exceptional during the spring and even into the beginning of the summer due to ample precipitation across much of the state. Bucks were able to recover from the rut, while does were able to take advantage of premium habitat and pack on fat reserves for fawning and lactation, and fawns were treated with cover and shade to protect them from the summertime heat.
“We are seeing a lot of bucks in really good shape, especially when compared to the same time last year,” Cain said. “Antler growth looks to be significantly better than last year, and the same can be said about the body composition of most deer. Hunters should expect to encounter some really nice deer this fall.”
Cain said the fawn crop seems to be doing fairly well so far. The greatest concern for fawn survival over the next two months or so will be the heat and fawns’ ability to survive it. Land managers and ranchers are encouraged to not remove too much cover, as fawns will need areas to seek refuge from the scorching sun throughout the remainder of the summer.
The overgrazing of cattle herds on the landscape is something else Cain said deserves attention. Bare dirt and ground with little to no vegetation gets extremely hot during this time of year and can add further stress to fawns.
“White-tailed deer numbers should be excellent headed into deer season,” Cain said. “There should be a lot of improvements among deer herds that are noticeable to hunters this season.”
Cullom Simpson, a TPWD wildlife biologist for Williamson and Bell Counties, said both fawn numbers and antler growth among bucks seem to be up across the board.
“We’re seeing fawns on their feet, just about everywhere, and the bucks are looking really good for this time of the year,” he said. “The deer are in a great spot as we enter what is typically the hottest and driest portion of the year.”
Blaise Korzekwa, a South Texas TPWD wildlife biologist, said the southern portion of the state has received considerably more rainfall than it did in 2022.
“Things are getting pretty hot and dry now, but the deer herds were able to take advantage of great habitat, as well as mild temperatures, during the spring and early summer months,” Korzekwa said. “Fawn crops are looking decent, and the overall health of whitetails has significantly improved from this time last year.”
