SPEAKING UP

An earlier dove season structure in the South Zone and an expansion of the doe days in 21 Post Oak counties are among the list of proposed changes to the 2026-27 Statewide Hunting and Migratory Game Bird proclamations recently released by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The department is seeking public comment on the proposals through 5 p.m. on March 25. The TPW Commission will also consider in-person comments during its March 26 meeting in Austin.

Proposals are as follows, according to TPWD press releases:

Migratory Game Bird Regulations

* Change the first segment of the South Zone dove hunting season structure to include an earlier regular season opening date, eliminate the Special White-winged Dove Days and standardize the daily bag limits across all days in the South Zone. The first split of dove season would run Sept. 1 - Oct. 25.

* Move the start of the second segment of the season from mid-December to the day prior to Thanksgiving. The second South Zone season would run Nov. 25 - Dec. 29.

Upland Game Bird Regulations

* Simplify regulations by aligning chachalaca and quail hunting season dates. Both seasons would run Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.

* Close wild turkey hunting in Matagorda and Wharton counties due to the decline in wild turkey populations in these counties. TPWD says mandatory harvest reporting has been in place in these counties since 2022. No turkey harvest has been reported in Matagorda County over the last three years, and only one has been reported in Wharton County. The bird was a banded bird released under a Trap, Transport, and Transplant (TTT) permit.

Additionally, TPWD says turkey distribution surveys indicate that Matagorda County has no or minimal turkey populations, and the data for Wharton County indicates turkeys in one area near a previous TTT release site. With the proposed closures, the department will explore opportunities to restock turkeys in these areas, focusing on private lands where landowners are interested and suitable habitat exists.* * Change annual bag limits to only gobblers and bearded hens in counties where either sex is currently allowed for wild turkey hunting. The proposed change would prohibit the harvest of unbearded hens statewide.

TPWD says breeding bird surveys have indicated significant declines in turkey populations over the past 10 years. Experts believe hen abundance during the nesting season is the most impactful variable to long-term sustainability. The department expects the proposed change would reduce overall hen harvest and, potentially, improve recruitment.

Big Game Regulations

* Increase the number of “doe days” from four to 16 or more in 21 counties in the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion.

Based on data collected from TPWD deer surveys, TPWD says the a 16-plus doe-day structure that begins the second Saturday of November and closes the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day can be implemented in 21 counties that currently have four doe days.

Department population and harvest data indicate that deer densities are increasing across the area and that antlerless harvest is less than half of the total harvest, which is resulting in a skewed sex ratio that is undesirable. The proposed amendment is intended to provide additional hunting opportunities within the tenets of sound biological management, and address resource concerns such as increasing deer densities and habitat degradation.

TPWD white-tailed deer program leader Blaise Korzekwa said public scoping meetings held across the 21 counties in December and January of 2025 showed that more than 70 percent of those who attended were in favor the change.

Counties that would see expanded doe days include Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Comal (East of I-35), DeWitt, Fayette, Goliad (North of US 59), Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays (East of I-35), Jackson (North of US 59), Karnes. Lavaca, Lee, Travis (East of I-35), Victoria (North of US 59), Waller, Washington, Wharton (North of US 59) and Wilson.

* Modify the definition of “muzzleloader” to allow for the use of new muzzleloading technology for the take of white-tailed deer.

For Migratory Game Bird Proclamation comments, or comments regarding wild turkey or chachalaca hunting regulations, please contact Shaun Oldenburger, shaun. oldenburger@tpwd.texas.gov Blaise Korzekwa, blaise.korzekwa@tpwd.texas.gov, is contact for proposals related to big game hunting regulations.

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can reached at mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.