The upcoming hunting seasons may still be months away, but it’s never too early to start making plans and with the Big Time Texas Hunts program that process can begin immediately.
Big Time Texas Hunts provide opportunities to win one or more of nine premium guided hunt packages with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals — the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn.
Entries for this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts will be available online for just $9 each at www.tpwd.texas.gov/buyentry , or for $10 each at license retailers or by phone. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase and all proceeds benefit conservation, wildlife management and public hunting. Deadline for entry is October 15.
In addition to the Grand Slam, there are several quality deer hunting packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, waterfowl, upland game birds, wild hog and exotics. The Ultimate Mule Deer Hunt, now in its second year, offers one lucky hunter the opportunity to stalk trophy mule deer bucks across more than 14,000 acres of Panhandle prairie grasslands at the Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area.
Last year’s Ultimate Mule Deer Hunt winner, Stephen Knowles of Austin, was successful in taking the largest scoring deer ever harvested on a Texas Parks and Wildlife WMA. His massive muley scored 232 0/8 gross and 226 2/8 net on the Boone and Crockett Scoring System, highlighting the quality wildlife habitat featured on this property.Revenue generated from the sale of Big Time Texas Hunts entries benefit conservation, wildlife management and public hunting. For example, new habitat conservation projects are underway that will help mule deer, pronghorn, lesser prairie chicken, northern bobwhite and scaled quail populations at Yoakum Dunes WMA. At Sierra Diablo WMA, new camp shelters are being built exclusively for public hunters. This coming year at James E. Daughtrey WMA, hunters can enjoy new fire rings and picnic tables after their day in the field.
Big Time Texas Hunts is made possible with support from Toyota, Texas Trophy Hunters Association and the Texas Bighorn Society. More details on all nine premium hunts can be found online at www.tpwd.texas.gov/buyentry.
