Deer hunting rules in Hays County depend on which side of IH-35 you hunt

IH-35 splits Hays County into two deer-rule areas. East of the highway, the limit is four white-tailed deer: no more than two antlerless deer and two bucks. Only one buck may have an inside spread of 13 inches or more. West of IH-35, the limit is five deer, no more than two bucks, with no antler-spread rule.

Both sides have archery, general, youth-only, and muzzleloader seasons. During archery, muzzleloader, or youth seasons, an antlerless harvest must be reported within 24 hours in the Texas Hunt and Fish app or on the TPWD site. Know which side of IH-35 your lease is on before opening morning.