Texas hunters can expect an average-to-good fall hunting season across many key game species, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, as the state continues monitoring concerns about New World screwworm.
Based on available population surveys and precipitation trends, AgriLife experts said recent rainfall has improved conditions in parts of the state and aided vegetation recovery for wildlife, although drought and extreme heat remain concerns in other areas.
The outlook comes as Texas wildlife officials continue monitoring for New World screwworm following confirmed cases in Texas earlier this summer. Marcus Blum, an AgriLife Extension statewide wildlife specialist and assistant professor in Texas A&M’s Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, said the timing of the confirmed cases was particularly concerning because they coincided with fawning season.
“The timing of these positive New World screwworm cases came at a bad time, with fawning season overlapping with the presence of screwworm,” Blum said. “This left both fawns and does vulnerable.”
As of the report, no confirmed cases of New World screwworm had been documented in wildlife. Blum said undetected cases may have occurred, but the lack of confirmed cases is an encouraging sign that the pest has not become sufficiently established in wildlife populations to cause widespread effects.
“Containment efforts and the distribution of sterile flies are undoubtedly helping to prevent the spread of New World screwworm, and I know landowners, ranchers and biologists are conducting intense wildlife monitoring for signs of infestation,” he said. “It’s just really difficult to get your eyes on every part of each free-ranging animal regularly as you can with livestock.”
Blum said the state’s more than half a million white-tailed deer hunters will provide another layer of wildlife observation as they head into the field this fall.
Hunters are being asked to report any suspected signs of infestation to their local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist or by calling 512-389-4505.
Dove season expected to be strong
Dove season opens statewide Sept. 1, and hunters could find nearrecord-high populations of both mourning and whitewinged doves.
Spring population surveys estimated Texas was home to 36.7 million mourning doves, a 2% increase from last year. White-winged dove estimates increased 10% to 12.9 million birds.
The favorable dove outlook comes as hunting seasons begin across Texas and wildlife experts evaluate how spring drought and summer rainfall affected other species.
Rain improves deer outlook Much of Texas entered the spring in drought, with 84% of the state experiencing some level of drought during the first full week of April. Significant summer rainfall across hard-hit areas of the Edwards Plateau and southwest Texas later provided relief and aided vegetation and browse recovery for deer.
Blum said the timing of rainfall is important for supporting vegetation needed by does during late gestation and lactation, as well as antler development in bucks.
“We see the most substantial antler growth in bucks during June through early August, so availability of high-quality forage is very important for optimal growth,” Blum said. “Hopefully, the summer rains helped vegetation respond in the areas that didn’t see the spring greenup they were hoping for.
“Overall, I think deer hunters can anticipate a solid season throughout much of the state.”
Quail outlook mixed
The results of the annual statewide quail survey were not yet available, but Blum said he anticipated an average overall outlook based on summer precipitation.
“June was a really good month for rainfall across a lot of areas, and that’s an important time for brood rearing,” he said.
Blum said timely rain is important not only for vegetation used for nesting and brood cover but also for insect populations that quail rely on for food.
Spring call counts at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation’s 4,800-acre ranch showed a decline in total bobwhite calls per stop, from 92 in 2025 to 43 in 2026. Blum said quail populations are heavily influenced by precipitation and fluctuate based on rainfall patterns, with below-average rainfall in that region likely contributing to the decline.
Turkey populations show signs of recovery
Wild turkey populations have declined in parts of Texas, leading to changes earlier this year in annual bag limits. The new regulations allow only gobblers and bearded hens to be harvested in counties where hunting either sex is otherwise permitted.
Jason Hardin, wild turkey program leader with Texas Parks and Wildlife, said summer surveys have shown encouraging signs of new birds entering populations across the state.
“Birds hatched late across a lot of South Texas due to a drought early in the spring, but by April, rains turned that around long enough to get some production,” Hardin said. “I anticipate numbers to be somewhat down in several regions this year, but with such a low harvest rate in Texas, and three averageto above-average years of recruitment, there are a lot of birds on the landscape.”
Hunters asked to help monitor screwworm
Blum said hunters will play an important role in helping wildlife officials monitor for New World screwworm as they spend time scouting and observing animals this season.
“Hunters are already critical to the conservation and management of our state’s wildlife species, but this year, their time scouting and observing wildlife is even more important,” he said. “Reporting any sign of potential infestation is vital to helping biologists and other state and federal officials respond and prevent its spread.”
Extreme heat, drought continue across Texas The hunting outlook comes as many parts of Texas continue to experience triple-digit temperatures, drought and declining range conditions.
In the Central district, where much of the Hill Country is located, daily highs ranged from 100 to 107 degrees, with a couple of days setting all-time records. Persistent wind and low humidity depleted soil moisture, grass growth halted and dryland fields turned brown. Bermuda grass went dormant, and fire danger reached a critical point.
Corn harvest was nearly complete in the district, with average-to-above-average yields outside areas affected earlier by freeze and hail. Sorghum harvest followed, while cotton matured rapidly and limited harvesting began.
The drought also stressed pecan trees, which began dropping nuts where irrigation could not keep pace with the dry conditions. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from very poor to fair, while livestock conditions ranged from very poor to excellent. Hay harvest stopped in many areas because of a lack of moisture and regrowth, and producers closely monitored hay supplies.
Pasture mealybug pressure was heavy in some areas, causing substantial losses, while stock tanks dropped quickly and stream flows fell below normal. Cattle conditions declined as forage disappeared, prompting producers to increase supplemental feeding and manage heat stress by providing adequate water and shade. Despite the difficult conditions, cattle markets remained strong, while sheep and goat markets were steady with good demand.
Across West Central Texas, temperatures exceeded 100 degrees for more than three consecutive weeks in some areas. Overnight lows remained in the 90s in parts of the district, and cattle spent much of the day in the shade. Drought continued with little relief in the forecast, while wildfire danger was described as extreme.
The report noted that heavy fuel loads left over from early-season forage growth compounded the wildfire risk, and two fires were reported in one area during the week. Cotton continued to decline because of the lack of moisture, sorghum harvest had begun, and pasture mealybug infestations contributed to pasture decline. Water also became a growing concern for ranchers who rely on ponds.
Elsewhere in the state, extreme heat and drought caused similar problems. The Rolling Plains saw temperatures from 105 to nearly 110 degrees, with grass drying up, hay fields and pastures going dormant, and some dryland cotton fields declining beyond recovery. Stock tanks and ponds were dry or nearly dry in some areas, while hay and protein supplementation increased.
In South Texas, triple- digit temperatures and dry, windy conditions increased wildfire danger, with multiple grass fires reported. Stock tanks fell to emergency levels in some areas, prompting ranchers to haul water daily and increase supplemental feeding for livestock and wildlife.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension said the statewide outlook remains generally favorable for hunters despite the continued challenges posed by drought, extreme heat and the threat of New World screwworm. As hunting seasons begin, officials are encouraging hunters to remain alert, report suspected infestations and continue serving as an important part of the state’s wildlife monitoring efforts.
.png)
