SPOTLIGHT COUNTS 2026

SATURDAY

JUL. 25 – meet at 8:40 PM

AUG.08 -meet at 8:20 PM

AUG.22- meet at 8:05

MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED TO THE 2026 SPOTLIGHT DEER COUNT

Meet in the parking lot of RR Community Center, 114 Red Rock Rd.

        Spotlight counts are conducted for TPWD to help estimate deer population in the area. Spotlights will be provided. Please bring binoculars if you have them.

Minimum of 9 volunteers needed for 3 routes each night. Will take approximately 90 minutes.

To volunteer for spotlight counts, please contact an officer and/or just  show up

Results of SPOTLIGHT COUNT 2026

“Deer densities vary by habitat suitability. It is meaningless to compare your part of the county with other areas in hopes of obtaining higher densities. Different areas across the landscape have different carrying capacities, and we manage to keep populations within that capacity.

 Lastly, as always, we urge you to stay involved with your local WMA and volunteer during these counts. Help is always needed and appreciated, and there is nothing more educational than getting on back of a truck several times during the summer and seeing what is out there.  “ Bobby Eichler     TPWD 2021

         

From TPWD. Post Oak Savannah

Similar to other areas of the state, the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion began the spring under extreme drought conditions but enjoyed good late-spring rain which contributed to above average fawn production this year.

Age and antler surveys indicate that 30 percent of the buck harvest in 2025 was represented by bucks 4.5 years old or older, which is lower than recent years and likely due to the increased number of young bucks from exceptional fawn crops since 2023.

Below-average fawn survival in 2021 and 2022 will create a lower estimate of 4.5- and 5.5-year-old bucks this season. Above-average fawn survival  from 2023-2025 has produced many young bucks, but hunters should practice patience and give these bucks a few more years to reach maturity.