[image id="9221" title="White tail deer season opened Nov. 2. Hunting continues in Texas through Jan. 19." class="size-medium wp-image-19038" width="300" height="200" ] White tail deer season opened Nov. 2. Hunting continues in Texas through Jan. 19.

HUNTING SEASON UNDER WAY UNTIL JAN. 19 — Hunters opened fire on Saturday as the 2013-2014 hunting seasons for deer, waterfowl and turkey began. In South Texas, hunters can expect an average of one deer per 43 acres based on predictions from experts at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Texas is home to the largest population of white tailed deer in the U.S. — about 3.6 million — and is part of the Central Flyway migration route that brings hundreds of thousands of waterfowl to Texas wetlands each fall.

"I would predict the statewide deer population to be close to or slightly above the long-term average and hover around the 3.6 million deer mark of 2012," says Alan Cain, TPWD whitetail program leader.

The season for hunting white-tail deer ends Jan. 19. For regulations and limits, check out the TPWD website.

While the spring was dryer than usual, fall has proven to be wetter. That should attract flocks of hunters to the flocks of birds now making their way south through the Coastal Bend region. The South Zone Waterfowl Season runs through Dec. 1, then reopens Dec. 14-Jan. 26. For regulations and limits, check out the TPWD website.

Refuge rifle hunt applications now being accepted

[image id="9222" title="The white area indicates the almost 20,000 acres set aside for hunting at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge." class="size-medium wp-image-19039" width="185" height="300" ] The white area indicates the almost 20,000 acres set aside for hunting at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

Hunting in South Texas also means javelinas, or wild hogs. Applications are now being accepted for rifle hunts for wild hogs and whitetail deer on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Each year, the refuge opens almost 20,000 acres to hunters from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Rifle hunts are scheduled for Nov. 16-17; Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 21-22. One hundred permits are available for each weekend on a first-come, first-serve basis. Apply online or call (361) 286-3559, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The cost per permit is $135, with discounts available for young hunters under 17. All hunters must possess a hunting license to apply.