Unseasonably warm temperatures are expected to drop by the time deer season begins Saturday, Nov. 5. Bow hunters, who have been in the woods since Oct. 1, have been sweating through highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. General rifle season, however, is expected to open with a cool front and better-than-usual prospects for bagging game. Dear season runs through Jan. 15, 2017, in the South Zone, which includes Nueces County. 
Acorns are prevalent this season, giving deer no reason to move around. However, the lack of rain is still drawing wildlife to feeders. Also, antlers are looking good on this season’s crop of bucks.
“Antler quality is excellent,” said Alan Cain, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s deer program leader. “I’ve seen photos of several big deer, including a low-fenced buck harvested in Webb County with a gross B&C (Boone & Crockett score) of around 198. Deer are in excellent body condition. I’ve seen a number of harvested deer with one to three inches of fat on their rump and across the back.”
Deer population in the state is estimated at 4 million-plus this year. The higher-than-usual rate is because of high fawn production and survival. 
Deer season regulations have changed a little this year, including new provisions for the special late season in January. Antlers and unbranched antlered deer harvest is now restricted. For details, check out the “My Texas Hunt Harvest” mobile app. Hunters can download the app to a smartphone and use it to voluntarily report and track harvested game. 
Information collected on the apps will be used to help TPWD biologists assess annual harvest and manage healthy game populations across Texas. 
Hunters should note that electronic reporting using the app does not fulfill tagging requirements for any game required to be tagged or requirements for the completion of the harvest log on the back of the hunting license as it applies to white-tailed deer. The app is available at the App Store for IOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. Harvests can also be reported online.