Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking public comment before its November Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting on proposed changes to carcass disposal regulations. TPWD will take public comment on the following proposed changes to the carcass movement and disposal regulations for all Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) susceptible species, with input considered before any action by the commissioners at their November meeting. These proposed rules would apply when hunter-harvested deer are transported from the ranch […]
Chronic Wasting Disease
Emergency Rule Adopted, New Surveillance Zone Created in Kimble County
In response to a positive detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer breeding facility, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has adopted an emergency rule implementing a new surveillance zone in Kimble County. Surveillance zones cover areas where the presence of CWD could reasonably be expected, enhancing efforts to monitor and contain disease spread. All harvested deer, elk or CWD-susceptible species within the zone must be brought to a TPWD check station or […]
Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Additional Breeding Facilities in Frio and Zavala Counties
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received notification of two new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer-breeding facilities in Frio and Zavala Counties. In Frio County, a 2-year-old white-tailed doe died in a deer-breeding facility and was post-mortem tested following CWD surveillance testing requirements. This is the second deer-breeding facility in Frio County to have a positive CWD detection. In Zavala County, a 3-year-old white-tailed buck died in a deer-breeding facility and was […]
Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in a Free-Range Deer in Bexar County
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received notification of a new case of Chronic Wasting Disease in a free-range white-tailed deer in Bexar County. TPWD will implement disease containment measures and provide recommendations on mitigating disease transmission in the city of Hollywood Park, where the positive deer was captured in late January as part of an effort to reduce overabundant deer populations. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station analyzed postmortem samples, […]
Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered in Deer Breeding Facilities in Frio and Hamilton Counties
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received confirmation of two new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in separate deer breeding facilities in Hamilton and Frio counties. These cases mark the first detection of the disease in each county. A single case in a Hamilton County facility was detected using antemortem (live animal) testing to determine if the animal was movement qualified, or approved for transfer from the property […]
Biologists Stress Testing Harvests for Chronic Wasting Disease During Deer Season
With the recent discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Kaufman County, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are stressing the importance of testing harvested deer taken this hunting season to curb the spread of this deadly disease. CWD is a highly contagious and fatal neurological disease affecting members of the deer family such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. Hunters and landowners can voluntarily submit their harvest for free CWD testing […]
Hunters Reminded to Report Their Harvest During Upcoming Antlerless Season
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) wants to remind hunters to report their harvest during the upcoming antlerless deer season, Nov. 24-27. Mandatory reporting is required for any antlerless deer harvested during the four-day doe season, along with any antlerless deer harvested during the archery, youth-only and muzzleloader seasons. Within 24 hours of harvest, hunters in the 21 counties listed below must report their harvest to TPWD using either the free My Texas Hunt Harvest mobile […]
Dry Weather Tempers Expectations for General White-Tailed Deer Season
With dry weather persisting throughout much of the state, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists expect hunters to see deer consistently frequenting feeders during the start of the general white-tailed deer season. “A number of hunters and landowners report seeing lots of deer, especially younger deer,” said Alan Cain, White-Tailed Deer Program Leader for TPWD. “Part of that is a result of good fawn crops the last couple of years so there’s more bucks in […]
Biologists Predict Moderate Hunting Conditions Ahead of White-Tailed Deer Archery-Only Season Opener
With drought affecting most of the state over the summer, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists foresee a moderate season for hunters this fall. “Overall, 2022 year is expected to be good in terms of harvest numbers and opportunities, so don’t let the chance to spend time afield with family, friends and fellow hunters pass you by,” said Alan Cain, White-Tailed Deer Program Leader for TPWD. “Texas has one of the longest deer seasons […]
Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered at a Deer Breeding Facility in Gillespie County
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been discovered in a deer breeding facility in Gillespie County. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) are collaboratively working to determine the source and extent of the first positive detection of the disease in this county. After the mortality of a white-tailed deer on the premises was identified, tissue samples from the one-year-old buck were submitted by the deer breeding facility as part […]