Deer hunting season has come to Texas once again.

Taylor County’s archery season for white-tail deer opened Oct. 2, and rifle hunting will open Nov. 6. The javelina season opened Oct. 1., and the archery season for Rio Grande turkey opened Oct. 2. The county’s general season opens Nov. 6.

Those wishing to purchase a hunting license can buy one from any of 10 locations around Abilene, including the local Wal-Mart and Academy Sports stores. License cost varies depending on the type of license and an individual’s Texas residence status.

Hunters must complete a basic hunting safety course from the Texas Wildlife and Park Department before purchasing a license.

Dr. Malcom Coco, professor of human resource management, said he has loved hunting since he was six-years-old and running around with a BB gun in Louisiana. Coco said he enjoyed the sport so much that he purchased land in Mulberry Canyon in the early 1980s so he could have a place to hunt when he retired from the Air Force.

This season, Coco said he mostly plans to hunt duck with his 90-year-old hunting partner, as they have done for the past 10 years. Coco said he prefers bow hunting to rifle hunting because of the unique challenge it offers and the discipline it requires to make a good shot.

“I can tell you from experience that it pays to let them come in close and get a good shot and a good clean kill,” Coco said.

Cody Gerlach, junior finance and agricultural business double major from Far Hills, New Jersey is also a lifelong hunter. Gerlach said he enjoys hunting with his family during the Christmas break on their ranch in New Jersey.

“It’s just fun getting out in the woods out in the calm, you can just think,” Gerlach said. “Then it’s like an adrenaline rush when a deer gets close. It’s hard to explain. We always try and kill a big buck every year so we can mount it.”

For more information on hunting seasons dates, hunting safety courses or how to purchase a hunting license, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/