Big buck bagged by youngster in Burnet County

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  • Gavin Oakley, 11, of Burnet, brought down this 16-point buck (only 11 scorable) on Sunday, Nov. 1, during opening Youth Weekend at his family place in Burnet County. The buck was 125 pounds dressed. Gavin is the son of George and Tammye Oakley. The general deer season runs from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021 in the North Zone and Jan. 17, 2021 in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer season is set for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and Jan. 4 through 17, 2021.Contributed
    Gavin Oakley, 11, of Burnet, brought down this 16-point buck (only 11 scorable) on Sunday, Nov. 1, during opening Youth Weekend at his family place in Burnet County. The buck was 125 pounds dressed. Gavin is the son of George and Tammye Oakley. The general deer season runs from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021 in the North Zone and Jan. 17, 2021 in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer season is set for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and Jan. 4 through 17, 2021.Contributed
  • Gavin Oakley, 11, of Burnet, brought down this 16-point buck (only 11 scorable) on Sunday, Nov. 1, during opening Youth Weekend at his family place in Burnet County. The buck was 125 pounds dressed. Gavin is the son of George and Tammye Oakley. The general deer season runs from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021 in the North Zone and Jan. 17, 2021 in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer season is set for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and Jan. 4 through 17, 2021.Contributed
    Gavin Oakley, 11, of Burnet, brought down this 16-point buck (only 11 scorable) on Sunday, Nov. 1, during opening Youth Weekend at his family place in Burnet County. The buck was 125 pounds dressed. Gavin is the son of George and Tammye Oakley. The general deer season runs from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021 in the North Zone and Jan. 17, 2021 in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer season is set for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and Jan. 4 through 17, 2021.Contributed
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On Sunday, Nov. 1, hundreds of youngsters and their families descended on the Highland Lakes area for youth season, which showed promise for a bountiful general season. The general deer season runs from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021 in the North Zone and Jan. 17, 2021 in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer season is set for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and Jan. 4 through 17, 2021.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists predict a fruitful white-tailed deer season in many regions of the state.

Although conditions are drying statewide, rains in September helped to create an abundance of quality forbs and shrubs, both of which are critical for providing good deer nutrition.

The general deer season runs from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021 in the North Zone and Jan. 17, 2021 in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer season is set for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and Jan. 4 through 17, 2021.

“Hunters in the Edwards Plateau, Cross Timbers and South Texas eco-regions can expect some of the best conditions,” said Alan Cain, the TPWD White-Tailed Deer Program Leader. “If dry conditions persist, hunters could expect to see increased deer activity around feeders or other key food sources.”

The Edwards Plateau in central Texas has the highest deer population in the state with an estimated 2.37 million deer. An anthrax outbreak in 2019 resulted in some mortality events among white-tailed deer, however TPWD biologists suggest such losses provided long-term benefits.

By reducing deer densities and bringing populations in line with the natural carrying capacity of the native rangeland, the population reduction should have resulted in healthier deer and more nutrition to help bucks in the area maximize antler production.

The Cross Timbers region in north Texas has the second highest deer population in the state and encompasses five Deer Management Units (DMU) with deer densities ranging from 14 to 88 deer per 1,000 acres. Fawn production in the Cross Timbers has been greater than 50 percent for the last eight years and 2020 is expected to be at least average, if not above average, as a result of great range conditions. Hunters should expect to see plentiful numbers of mature bucks this year.

Relatively mild temperatures and beneficial rains this spring set the stage for another good season in South Texas, especially in the eastern half of the region and south towards the Rio Grande Valley. Deer populations in the region are stable with most recent estimates numbering close to 438,000 deer. Hunters looking to pursue mature bucks should consider South Texas as antler quality is expected to be better than average due to good range conditions.