Archery only deer hunting season in all Texas counties is now open and continues to Nov. 6. General deer season is Nov. 7, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016 in the North Zone. In the South Zone the season runs from Nov. 7 to Jan. 17, 2016.

Except for deer taken under MLD permits, no person may take more than five white-tailed deer or more than three bucks (all seasons combined) in one license year. Bag limits in individual counties may be less.

Antler restrictions apply only in certain counties, the bag limit is two legal bucks, but only one may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. In these counties, a legal buck deer is defined as having a hardened antler protruding through the skin and at least one un-branched antler or an inside spread measurement between main beams of 13 inches or greater (does not apply to a buck that has an un-branched antler). In these counties it is unlawful to take more than one buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.

To determine if a buck has an inside spread measurement of at least 13 inches, look at the distance from ear-tip to ear-tip on a buck with ears in the alert position.

Early Youth-Only Season: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2015
All legal hunting means and methods are allowed, except in Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall counties, where lawful means are restricted to archery only (no crossbows except for youth with upper limb disability).

Bag limits, take of antlerless deer, and special requirements:
In Anderson, Brazos, Camp, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Gregg, Grimes, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Leon, Madison, Morris, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties, the bag and permit requirements are the same as the period Nov. 26-29, 2015 for each respective county. For the remainder of the state, the bag and permit requirements are the same as for the first two days of the general season in the county. In a county where antlerless deer may be taken only by permit, a permit is required to take antlerless deer during the youth seasons.

After Killing a Deer
After a deer is killed and before the deer is field dressed or moved, the appropriate hunting license tag or permit (MLDP, LAMPS, etc.) must be immediately filled out and dates cut out.

Additionally, if a hunting license tag is used, then the Hunting License Harvest Log must be legibly completed. A hunter may transport a deer to a final destination, provided the deer is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the deer.

A deer may not be processed any further than four quarters and two backstraps (example, steaks, hamburger, chili meat, etc.) until the deer reaches a final destination, except for immediate consumption in camp.

The four quarters and two backstraps are the only parts of a deer required by law to be kept in edible condition. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department encourages all hunters to continue to keep other portions of the deer (trimmings from the neck and rib cage) in edible condition. The tag must remain with the portion of a deer the hunter possesses.

For those bow hunters that have already harvested a deer, congratulations! Hope this information has answered any questions for those hunters in the field now, or will be in a couple weeks. Good luck.

Counties http://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/seasons/county-listing/ 

Proof of sex http://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/general-regulations/proof-of-sex

Complete list of regulations as pertains to deer
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/white-tailed-deer