I've always taken the head home with me for proof of sex. So this may be a dumb question, but do MLD land hunters have to take the head of the animal home with them for proof of sex, or is the tag all they need?

Not sure, but I know you only need the MLD permit. A tag from your license IS NOT required.

You must still keep head as proof of sex.

MLD site
A properly executed MLD Permit meets “proof-of-sex” requirements.

This ^^^^^^^^^
MLD permits are issued by either buck or antlerless. Read in your Outdoor Annual about them.

Is this response to me or the OP?

The link provided is to the TPWD site regarding MLD permits which answers his question.

I was quoting you in agreement with your post. Left off part of it.

Seems kind of backwards, but the MLD permit stays with the meat (and it is proof of sex.) If the antlers are seperated from the meat prior to arrival at the final destination, a Wildlife Resource Document must be filled out and kept with the antlers.

Went on a MLD hunt earlier this year. You don't have to keep the head.

Shot a MLD Doe last weekend. just turned in the tag, with the quarters, nothing more.

You still have the burden of proof of sexes when using an MLD tag. If a GW stops you with a cooler full of meat with no obvious way to determine sex of the deer, that MLD tag will not keep you from getting ticketed. I have seen a few processors who don't ask questions as long as you have the tag; however, GW's will ask questions and you better have the right answer. You don't "have" to do anything, just don't get caught.

You need to read your Outdoor Annual. MLD permit is proof of sex since they are issued by sex, either buck or antlerless.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/cs_bk_k0700_284_2013_2014.pdf Page 65
Proof of Sex:
"Notice: It is unlawful to possess a deer or pronghorn antelope with proof of sex removed unless the deer
or antelope is at a final destination and has been quartered. Proof of sex for deer is:
• the head (skinned or unskinned) of a buck deer with antlers attached;
• the head (skinned or unskinned) of an antlerless deer;
• the unskinned head of a pronghorn antelope; or
• a completed Managed Lands Deer Permit, Landowner Assisted Management Permit, Antlerless
Mule Deer Permit, TPWD Drawn Hunt Legal Deer Tag, or Antlerless and Spike-buck Control Permit."

Does this mean someone could get ticketed for quartering their MLD deer in camp and driving home with it since it's not at final destination and proof of sex has been "removed"?

Once the deer is tagged with the permit, proof of sex is not required... How many ways can this be said??

On our MLD hunt the GW that was visiting is the one who told us all you need is the tag. It's not that hard to understand.

You don't have to have proof of sex if you have a MLD tag or landowner note! !

Period