HB 4939

relating to the ownership of deer in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 1.011, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), all [All] wild
animals, fur-bearing animals, wild birds, and wild fowl inside the
borders of this state are the property of the people of this state.
(a-1)  A deer is the personal property of the owner of the
tract of land on which the deer is located, provided the tract of
land is surrounded by a fence not less than seven feet in height
that is capable of retaining the deer at all times under reasonable
SECTION 2.  Section 1.013, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
Sec. 1.013.  FENCES.  This code does not prohibit or
restrict the owner or occupant of land from constructing or
maintaining a fence of any height on the land owned or occupied, and
an owner or occupant who constructs such a fence is not liable for
the restriction of the movement of wild animals by the fence.
Except as provided by Section 1.011(a-1), the [The] existence of a
fence does not affect the status of wild animals as property of the
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.