Just trying to get some insight on your thoughts... I noticed that in the LBJ Grasslands you can only use archery or shotguns with slugs. In the Caddo Grasslands you can use archery, rifles and shotguns with slugs. Why do they ban buckshot? I can understand the reasoning behind no rifles but what is the safety reasons behind no buckshot? Just curious! Thanks for your response!

Buckshot has a bad reputation for injuring deer and not being immediately lethal.

so do bows.....

I was reading another post "Intelligent Hunter" and someone mentioned that Buckshot was illegal in Texas to hunt deer with. I found where it says no Buckshot in public areas but I can not find where it says its illegal in the whole state...I have searched TPW site for a few hours and this is all I could find...
Was is the correct answer?

Firearms
Game animals and game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:

white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope may NOT be hunted with rimfire ammunition of any caliber.
shotguns are the only legal firearm that may be used to hunt Eastern turkey during the spring Eastern turkey season (see County Listing). Rifles and handguns may not be used to hunt Eastern turkey.
pellet guns and other air guns are NOT LEGAL.
fully automatic firearms are NOT LEGAL.
firearms equipped with silencers or sound-suppressing devices are NOT LEGAL.
a shotgun is the only legal firearm for hunting migratory game birds (see Definitions - Legal Shotgun).

u can use buck shot to hunt deer in texas as far as private land goes.

don't forget you have people who cant tell 30yds from 175 yrds, buckshot will spread quite far at 50 yds and if its 00 buck 2 3/4 thats 6 pellets flying amuck

Number of reasons,for its intended use,up close and quick, moving game, its deadly, But in open situation,, number of variables come in,,+10 +12-20 --410
+ 00------0000,,,
+ swamps woods,,,
--extended range,,,
+double +auto,,,
-single shot,,,

A deer has a much better chance of surviving a badly placed arrow than buck shot. A broadhead will make a sharp surgical cut that will heal quickly as long as its not in the gut. A buckshot wound can fester for weeks and had much higher likelyhood of becoming infected. The are more effective loads such as slugs or sabots that can be used for shotguns. Both slugs and sabots have greater range, more knockdown, and are more accurate than buckshot.

Slugs you at least aim at a spot supposidly.

With buckshot the tendency most of the time it's a moving deer and the hunter shoots AT the deer.

At the TPWD drawn permit hunts at Lake Brownwood buckshot is specifically authorized.

I also grew up hunting in New Jersey, its shotgun only there. I killed many deer with 00 buck and none ever went more than a few steps, and most dropped on the spot. It must be used under 40 yards, and you really must pattern your gun to see which load(s) work best. Most guys do neither, hence it's bad rap. For fun to mix things up and get out of the rifle blind I still hunt with my shotgun and buckshot out of a few bow blinds on my lease here in TX. The shots would be around 25 yards and I know will be very lethal.

Thank you very much for everyone's input. I am from VA and hunt deer with Shotguns and dogs!! What a rush! My longest shot was a doe at 80 steps running wide open in a field. Remington 870 with 00's put a hurtin on her. I shot 2x and rolled her over. I have only rifled hunted over the past 3 years. When I told my friends here in TX that I hunted with dogs and shotguns....they kept asking me are you sure you arent bird hunting??? It is a tradition in that part of the country but I am afraid it will be outlawed soon. Thank you again for your input!

bo, u know nothing of killin animals with buckshot lol! especially not a lethal gut shot at 15yrds lol!!!