The drought in Texas is so severe this year that it appears to be reducing reproductive success in animals ranging from deer to quail. This National Public Radio story discusses the results of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife surveys. Antelope in one area of the state may be especially hard hit, the story says, because they have been afflicted with a parasite that was already reducing their reproduction and survival.

In a press release, the department urges hunters to hunt early this season, so there will be more food later in the season for surviving deer.

A story that ran in AgWeek in August points out that Texas is so big that the impacts of its drought may be felt in other states. Not only does it share ecosystems with its neighboring states, but it is such an important migration route for birds, that hard times in Texas may have ripple effects all over the Americas in the bird populations that use the central flyway. Read more here.