TITLE: Designating Llano as the official Deer Capital of the Texas Hill Country for a 10-year period ending in 2033.

SUMMARY: Designating Llano as the official Deer Capital of the Texas Hill Country for a 10-year period ending in 2033.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The picturesque Hill Country community of Llano has long been known across the state and nation as a premier location for deer hunting; and WHEREAS, In the years after its founding in 1855, Llano was the last stop on the railroad and an outpost on the edge of the largely unsettled land that extended to the west; many settlers relied on the abundant deer and other game as a source of food, particularly as they were first establishing their ranches and farms; and WHEREAS, Even after the frontier era passed, the countryside near Llano retained its thriving deer population, and hunters from other parts of the state and beyond began making trips to the area; by the early decades of the 1900s, the community had become a well-known center for the sport, and in more recent years, Llano's informal status as a "deer capital" has been furthered through coverage in a range of publications and websites; and WHEREAS, Today, the town remains one of the Lone Star State's most popular destinations for deer hunters; the region of the Hill Country around Llano boasts one of the highest densities of deer in the nation, with a ratio of one deer for every two to three acres of land; and WHEREAS, More than 15,000 people hunt in Llano County each year, harvesting over 12,000 white-tailed deer annually; the hunters spend as much as $3.5 million in the county, making the sport a significant factor in the local economy; and WHEREAS, On the Friday before the start of each deer season, the Llano Chamber of Commerce hosts a Hunters Welcome event to express the city's appreciation for the contributions hunters make to the town's prosperity, and throughout the season, banners, posters, and special offers from businesses create a friendly environment for hunting enthusiasts; and WHEREAS, From its origins as a frontier town to the present day, Llano has been a paradise for deer hunters, and the community's prominent role in this popular sport is indeed deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate Llano as the official Deer Capital of the Texas Hill Country; and, be it further RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally passed by the legislature. Murr President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 82 was adopted by the House on April 28, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 82 was adopted by the Senate on May 17, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor