Deer season upon us; expectations high
By MAT TAYLOR Special Correspondent

The 2007-08 deer season opens Saturday in Lampasas County and throughout Texas. With above-average spring and summer rains and adequate forage available, Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists predict a bright hunting season.

This also marks the second season antler restrictions will be in place in the county.

As a result of younger bucks living for another year, along with the good range conditions, hunters should see heavier-bodied, mature bucks with more antler growth.

Wildlife personnel with TPWD recently completed their annual nighttime spotlight deer population surveys in Lampasas and surrounding counties. Two 15-mile survey lines were completed in the county along rural roads. The surveys indicated approximately one deer per 6- 11 acres, depending upon location and habitat availability.

Derrick Wolters, TPWD wildlife biologist for Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties, said the deer population appears to be in good condition and the deer season should be a good one.

"Fawn production appears to be higher than average this year," he said. "Also, a number of good bucks were sighted during the surveys."

Wolters added that deer numbers and habitat could be sporadic. If a landowner's acreage shows signs of overpopulation such as lack of brush and weeds, poor-quality buck antler development, smaller deer weights and low fawn survival, then the deer population should be reduced.

Livestock numbers also should be reduced or rotated to other pastures, the biologist added.

On the other hand, if good habitat and an adequate supply of quality deer foods are available and deer numbers are short, a rancher probably will want to reduce total deer harvest on his property.

Robert Keller, Sulphur Creek Taxidermy deer processor, also expects a good hunting season. He said during youth-only hunting last weekend, the processing plant received about the same number of deer as last year.

"However, the deer this year are in very good body condition and are real fat," he said. "Antler growth is also above normal. We expect to be real busy the next two months of the deer season."

The recently released statewide deer forecast by Texas Parks and Wildlife indicates the outlook is bright for the upcoming season. It is expected to be a banner year, according to TPWD biologists. although individual results may vary.

"Generally speaking, it was a banner year for fawn production," said Mitch Lockwood, TPWD deer program leader. "As far as quality of the animals, the deer we're seeing are in pretty good condition, and I expect antler quality and body weights to be above average."

White-tailed deer have responded well from last year's extended dry spell, thanks to an unseasonably wet spring and summer, and they have taken advantage of resurgent plant growth, Lockwood said.

That is good for the deer but not for those who hunt in a blind over a feeder, as an abundance of vegetation and a good acorn crop may result in fewer deer at corn feeders.

Mike Krueger, TPWD Hill Country district leader and former Lampasas County technical guidance biologist, said the potential for quality bucks in the Hill Country is out there, but predicting where they will be is the catch this season.

"It will be extremely hit or miss as far as feeders are concerned," Krueger said. "We have a tremendous acorn crop, and they're not going to be cleaned up before the season."

After the good spring and summer rains, the region has seen a shortage of rain, and that could affect cool winter forbs. If it continues to be dry, more and more deer will be coming to supplemental feeders.

The weather in recent weeks has been drier and warmer than average. Most hunters do not care to hunt in a short-sleeved shirt, as they often prefer cooler weather. Deer harvested in warm weather need to be dressed immediately and put in cold storage.

As November progresses, however, the days become shorter, and cooler temperatures will be the norm.

The statewide deer season continues until Jan. 6, therefore hunters have two months to harvest their venison supply for the year. Send us those hunting photos

Based on the number of photos submitted to the Dispatch Record office after the youth-only hunting weekend, it's pretty obvious the participation level this deer season will be high.

We received so many photos, we're holding some of them until Tuesday's edition. But we don't want that to discourage area hunters from bringing in photos. We say, the more the merrier. At the Dispatch Record, we understand the importance many of our readers place on the sport of hunting, and we want to reflect our community.

Photos can be submitted by hand to the Dispatch Record office at 416 Live Oak or by e-mail at jheath@lampasas.com.

Jeremy Heath