Timely rainfall benefited Texas wildlife and set the stage for a positive fall hunting season outlook, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Although more than half of the state is experiencing some form of drought, some eastern portions have seen above-normal precipitation since January.
“Many times, it’s not even how much rain an area receives, but when they receive it,” said Jacob Dykes, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Corpus Christi. “Late winter and spring rains greatly facilitate the growth of vegetation that provides both nutrition and habitat cover needed for a wide range of species.”
White-tailed deer
With a statewide population of roughly 5 million, Texas is home to more white-tailed deer than any other U.S. state.
Thanks to mostly positive environmental conditions leading up to the summer fawning season, Dykes said much of the state should see an abundance of new, healthy additions to the population.
“Gestation and lactation are especially stressful times for does, but thankfully, we have groceries on the ground in the form of vegetation to fulfill those nutritional requirements,” he said.
Following birth, this vegetation also provides critical cover to protect fawns from predators.
Dykes said does and fawns aren’t the only ones who benefit from abundant browse.
“Many bucks will experience an increase in body mass as well as antler size,” Dykes said. “The late summer months are when we see those final touches on antler growth, and bucks with access to abundant nutrition will do very well.”
Quail
While annual quail populations naturally fluctuate, Texas has seen a steady decline in both bobwhite and scaled quail over the past three decades, Dykes said.
While caused by several factors, loss of quality habitat is a leading component.
Although current bobwhite and scaled quail populations are lower than biologists would like to see, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department surveys indicate both populations are stronger than they have been since 2018.
“Right now, quail are in full reproductive mode,” Dykes said. “Here in South Texas, we have chicks on the ground, and males still call to attract mates. Populations seem to be in pretty good shape right now.”
However, Dykes emphasized these potentially short-term rebounds can vary by county and even by property depending on land-use practices.
“There are a lot of different reasons why we are having a tough situation with sustaining abundant quail and turkey populations, especially in the southeast portion of the state,” Dykes said. “Much of it comes down to land-use practices and management activities —many areas just don’t have adequate brooding cover to support the birds once they are hatched.”
Turkey
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reported increased turkey nesting success and recruitment in 2023 thanks to abundant acorn production and warm, late winter conditions across much of the Rio Grande wild turkey range.
Dykes said the young turkeys, known as jakes, from the 2023 hatch should provide ample spring season hunting opportunities, although hunters may want to wait until the birds are a bit older.
“Two years and older are what most turkey hunters are after because they have the beard length and spurs that hunters appreciate,” Dykes said.
Dove
The 2023 dove season was a good one, and based on the latest Texas Parks and Wildlife dove surveys, the 2024 season shows great promise.
Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists estimate statewide populations of roughly 34 million mourning doves and a record-high 13 million white-wing doves.
Owen Fitzsimmons, Texas Parks and Wildlife webless migratory game bird program leader, said abundant precipitation across much of the state significantly contributed to these positive numbers.
“Conditions have been great overall, with the exception of some very dry areas in the Hill Country and Trans-Pecos, but some July rain may have helped there,” Fitzsimmons said. “I think we’re in for a good-to-excellent dove season in most areas.”
Fitzsimmons said areas that received summer rains should also see late-summer herbaceous growth that will serve as a food source for doves later in the season as well.
Changes to rules and regulations
Before taking to the field, Dykes said it is imperative that hunters familiarize themselves with the latest hunting rules and regulations.
This spring, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than a dozen modifications and clarifications to the 2024 and 2025 Statewide Hunting and Migratory Game Bird Regulations.
Among these changes are expanded days for white-tailed doe harvest in 43 counties in the Post Oak Savannah and Pineywoods ecoregions and reduced turkey bag limits or total turkey season closure within other counties.
“Wildlife are an important resource that contributes to the ecology, culture and economy of the state,” Dykes said. “It is critically important that we do our part to conserve and manage these diverse species with science-based data so we can continue to appreciate them for years to come.”
Panhandle
Temperatures in the district reached above 100 degrees each day with little to no moisture. Most corn and cotton producers ceased irrigation due to crop maturity levels. Wheat pre-plant preparation continued. Irrigated wheat planting was expected to start soon for fall stocker pasture. Sorghum continued to develop. Producers were harvesting earlier planted corn and sorghum fields for forage. Some dryland fields were suffering due to heat and dry conditions. Rangelands continued to dry down, and grass was no longer growing. Grasshopper numbers were heavy. Overall soil moisture was reported from short to very short. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to very poor, and overall crops reported good to poor.
