Two last-minute surveillance zones set before general rifle season opener

By Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News

Some deer hunters are in for a surprise on opening weekend of the general deer season in Texas. Two new surveillance zones for chronic wasting disease were established Nov. 4 by executive order — one day before the opener of the general rifle deer season.

Although the executive order had not been released as of the morning of Nov. 4, the zone maps and check stations were placed on the department’s website.

The zones were recommended after CWD-positive tests were found in two separate deer breeding facilities in Gillespie County and in Limestone County.

The two areas are quite different for deer hunters. The Gillespie County area has high deer density, lots of hunters and a high deer harvest in the Hill Country landscape. In Limestone County, deer densities are very low, with some landowners going years without seeing a deer.

At the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting on Nov. 2, the proposed zones were described. The Gillespie County area will consist of 117,282 acres and extends into southern Mason County and the eastern edge of Kimble County. Check stations will be located in Harper and in Doss, along with drop-off points.

John Silovsky, TPWD’s Wildlife Division director, said the department expects to receive approximately 3,000 samples in the zone this season.

The Limestone County zone includes portions of southeastern Hill and western Navarro counties, and includes areas southeast of Hubbard and west of Mexia. A check station will be located in Coolidge.

“We don’t expect high number of samples from the zone,” Silovsky said.

Executive orders are limited to 120 days but can be extended for an additional 60 days.