Welcome, Hunters! Rifle season to open Saturday in Burnet, Llano counties
Lisa Treiber-Walter/The Highlander–––
Wildlife experts are saying that ample early rains this year will translate into both a blessing and a challenge for hunters when the general rifle season opens Saturday, Nov. 7. As evidenced by deer taken during the archery- and youth-only seasons already underway, deer harvested promise to be of heavier weight with better than average antler sizes. Yet, with the rainfall came ample food supply, meaning the white-tailed bucks being sought in Burnet and Llano counties (like this one at the Sandstone Mountain Ranch in Llano County) will be a little harder to pursue since they won't be as reliant on deer feeders.
By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula/The Highlander
It won’t be a good time to be a Burnet or Llano County white-tailed deer when general rifle season opens tomorrow morning, Saturday, Nov. 7. That's because the annual convergence of hunters is expected to take the field shortly before sunrise, which is at 6:52 a.m. in Burnet and two minutes later in Llano.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials are predicting that the season, which will run through Jan. 3, 2016, will be characterized by plentiful game and above-average antler sizes.
“It’s going to be a great year, everything fell together just right,” said Alan Cain, TPWD white-tailed deer program leader. “We couldn’t wind things up any better as far as the rainfall and the habitat response.”
Vegetation growth was measured in feet rather than inches this year, he said. Plants can thank the 6-12 inches in Burnet County and 3-9 inches of rain in Llano County in the past few weeks, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).
Hunters also can look forward to older deer with good antler quality, Cain said. The variety of native weeds has provided good nutrition, which means good antlers and body quality.
“With a good number of bucks in the five-year-old age class, I expect a number of hunters to harvest some exceptional bucks this year,” Cain said.
For much, much more about this year's hunting season outlook, see the Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, print edition of The Highlander. Or, if you subscribe, call for information on how to access the full e-edition. PLUS - check out the 2015 Hunting Guide special section free by following the thumbnail image on this page.
