Our fully mature bucks (6yo & older) average 175lbs field dressed prior to the rut, we had one last year just shy of 200 lbs dressed. About 100 miles north of us in the “hill country” it’s dang hard to find a mature buck that dresses out over 100lbs.
The variance in deer body size down there is crazy. I shot what I believe was a 2 year old 4x4 between Beaumont and Houston about 20 years ago. The body was so small I was surprised. I knew the deer wouldn't be as big as northern bucks but it was shocking. I literally picked him up by grabbing one antler base and slung him over my shoulder. I am guessing he didn't weigh 70 pounds dressed. Later that season, a buddy got a doe 100 miles North of where I hunted. She was probably closer to 100 pounds dressed. Maybe she was being fed?
Body sizes vary widely all across the southern half of Texas, but opposite of what you would expect they tend to get much larger the further south you go once you’re south of San Antonio and then west towards the border. Of course, feeding them helps but genetics, age and habitat play the biggest role.
