Texas Released White-Tailed Deer Population Estimates
The state reports a rise in white-tailed deer numbers ahead of the opening of the archery hunting season.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Hunting
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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has released new population estimates showing a statewide total of 5.64 million white-tailed deer. This growth follows three consecutive years of above-average fawn survival rates across the state.
Why it matters
Understanding regional population shifts and buck age distributions helps hunters prepare for the upcoming season. These figures reflect the impact of past environmental conditions and ongoing land management practices on wildlife health.
The Edwards Plateau leads the state with 1.973 million deer, followed by the Cross Timbers at 924,242. Hunters in the Rolling Plains can expect continued trends of older bucks, as 42% of the 2025 harvest were 4.5 years or older.
The players
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
This state agency manages and protects the natural and cultural resources of Texas, including the state's wildlife populations.
The details
Regional populations remain varied, with the South Texas and Pineywoods regions reporting 478,000 and 334,414 deer respectively. Previous drought conditions in 2022 notably reduced herd numbers in the Edwards Plateau, though recent favorable fawn survival has bolstered counts.
Timeline
Below-average fawn survival occurred from 2021 to 2022.
A severe drought affected the Edwards Plateau in 2022.
Above-average fawn survival occurred from 2023 to 2025.
Buck harvest age surveys were conducted in 2025.
The archery hunting season begins in October 2026.
Roadmap
This population release aligns with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fawn survival trend index to inform long-term wildlife management. These data points establish the baseline for future conservation efforts and sustainable harvesting practices across the state's diverse ecoregions.
Hunters should adjust their expectations based on regional cohort strengths, such as the 3.5-year-old buck cohort appearing in the Pineywoods. Planning for the season should account for these population densities to ensure effective and ethical scouting efforts.
The takeaway
Wildlife management success depends on landowners monitoring regional fawn survival and buck age structures over multiple seasons. Hunters can improve their success by aligning their goals with the specific age-class trends reported in their local hunting areas.
Further reading
For more information on state management practices, visit our Texas Hunting section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Laredo Morning Times.
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