The Texas Big Game Awards program announces rule changes effective with the 2017-18 hunting seasons. No scored entries will be accepted from release sites for five years following the last release date. This will affect all properties with pen-raised, Trap/Transport/Transplant, and/or Deer Management Permit deer released after March 1, 2017. Also new for this season is the addition of javelina to the Texas Slam award category. And finally, hunters will now be limited to one Texas Slam award per harvest means (rifle and archery only) during their lifetime. Under the TBGA program, awards are given to all scored entries that meet minimum regional requirements, and there are no entry fees. Deadline to enter is a postmark date of March 1, 2018. Hunters who take a white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, javelina, or desert bighorn sheep this season meeting the minimum Boone and Crockett net score requirements for their respective region may be eligible to receive recognition in the Scored Entry category, as well as the landowner of the property from which the trophy was taken. Hunters of any age who take their first big game animal in Texas are eligible for the First Big Game Harvest category. Hunters who take a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, or pronghorn antelope are eligible whether they take a buck or doe, regardless of the animal’s score in this category. Youth hunters—under 17 years of age when they purchase their hunting license—with a Special Resident Hunting License who take a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, or pronghorn antelope are eligible for the Youth Division whether they take a buck or doe, regardless of score. For more information visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.
