How to Tag a Deer in Texas: A Complete Guide for Hunters

Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or heading into the field for the first time, knowing how to properly tag a deer in Texas is essential to staying legal and protecting our state’s wildlife. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the tagging process, including important rules, where to place the tag, and how to report your harvest.

Official Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Tagging Deer

Tagging Requirements: What You Need to Know

If you harvest a deer in Texas, you must tag it immediately using your own hunting license — tags are not transferable and cannot be reused.

General Tagging Rules:

• Use the correct type of tag:

  • Buck tags for bucks

  • Antlerless tags for does

• Notch the tag to mark the month and day of the kill — do not use ink.

• Complete the tag (including property name and county) and attach it immediately after harvest, but before field dressing or moving the animal.

• Complete the harvest log on the back of your license in ink if it’s a white-tailed deer (not required for mule deer or MLDP-tagged deer).

  • Asterisks in the log indicate bucks with an inside main beam spread of 13 inches or more.

Hunters using digital licenses must follow separate guidelines for digital tagging. Refer to the TPWD’s Digital License Tagging Guide for details.

Where to Attach the Tag

The tag must be attached securely to the deer in a location that prevents it from being damaged, lost, or unreadable during transport. It must remain attached until the animal reaches its final destination and is quartered or processed.

If the Head is Removed:

• The tag must stay with the carcass (meat).

• The head must be accompanied by a Wildlife Resource Document (WRD).

  • Tip: Tag goes with the meat, WRD goes with the head.

Legal Reminders

It is unlawful to:

• Use a tag from another person’s license or let someone else use yours.

• Use a tag more than once.

• Use the wrong tag for the species or type of deer (e.g., using a white-tailed tag on a mule deer).

Tags to Use on Deer

Here’s a quick reference guide to which tags apply to each species and deer type:

Note: If you use Tags #8, #9, or #10 on antlerless deer, you forfeit the right to harvest a buck that season.

Mandatory Harvest Reporting

In certain counties, reporting your harvest is mandatory within 24 hours via the Texas Hunt & Fish app or online.

Counties Requiring Reporting for All White-tailed Deer (Bucks and Does):

• Collin

• Dallas

• Grayson

• Rockwall

Counties Requiring Reporting for Antlerless White-tailed Deer:

• Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado

• Comal (East of I-35), DeWitt, Fayette, Goliad (North of US 59)

• Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays (East of I-35), Jackson (North of US 59)

• Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Travis (East of I-35)

• Victoria (North of US 59), Waller, Washington

• Wharton (North of US 59), Wilson

Final Tips

• Double-check the tag instructions before attaching it to your deer.
• Always keep your tag and log info legible and accurate.
• Separate the head and meat correctly with the right documentation.
• Use the Texas Hunt & Fish App to stay compliant with digital reporting.

Learn More

For full regulations and updates, visit the official Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s Tagging Deer Page.