Managed Lands Deer Permits Program (MLDP)

In other developments, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has just expanded its Managed Lands Deer Permits Program (MLDP), Sasser says. MLDP is a little-known landowner-type program that gives extra permits to landowners who do a good job of managing their deer. The recent expansion of the program also gives landowners a significantly increased hunting season - specifically, an additional 14 days in October. The new pre-rut season is expected to be used by most ranchers to harvest so-called management bucks before they breed. This means hunters who have been eyeing a Texas whitetail hunt, but have found prices too high, may be able to snag a management buck hunt for a relative bargain. Sasser says the definition of a management buck depends on the ranch, but notes many management bucks are mature eight-pointers that score as high as 120 to 140 B & C. Looking to next year and beyond, the even better news is that this extended season has encouraged many new landowners to sign on to the MLDP program, which may mean more hunting opportunity in the future. The only problem is, at press time, Parks and Wildlife officials could not provide us a statewide list of MLDP ranches. We were told, however, that lists may exist on the district level and that we would be sent copies if they are indeed available. We'll let you know what we get.

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