Deer Capital of Texas (Llano nickname)
Llano (city and county) is known as the “deer capital of Texas” (or “deer hunting capital of Texas”). Llano also is known as the “barbecue capital of the world” (there’s some competition for that one) and “home of the Enchanted Rock.”
Handbook of Texas Online
LLANO, TEXAS. Llano, the county seat and largest town of Llano County, is on the Llano River and State Highway 71, seventy-five miles northwest of Austin. It was founded in compliance with a February 1, 1856, state legislative act establishing Llano County. Tracts donated by John Oatman, Sr., Amariah Wilson, and the Chester B. Starks estate provided a surveyed site of 250 acres for the county seat on both sides of the Llano River near the center of the proposed county.
Welcome to Llano Texas
Memories are made in Llano
A visit to Llano is a visit to a small, historic Texas town!
Llano is the center of the beautiful Texas Hill Country! The clear water, spring-fed Llano River running thru the middle of town awaits your exploration.
Llano is the unrivaled Deer Capital of Texas!
The Barbecue Capital of the World!
And the home of Enchanted Rock!
Whether it’s the astounding profusion of wildflowers in the spring, the refreshing waters of the Llano River in the summer, the lure of landing a trophy fish in the fall, or the abundance of deer in winter, Llano is a great place to spend your next vacation or weekend getaway relaxing and making memories.
Winter Texans
Founded in 1855, on the clear, spring-fed Llano River, Llano County is the unrivaled Deer Capital of Texas and the Barbecue Capital of the World - and the Home of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
From it’s astounding display of wildflowers in the spring, the refreshing waters of the Llano River, Lake Buchanan, or Lake LBJ in the summer, the lure of landing a trophy fish in the fall, or the abundance of deer in winter, there’s something for everyone in Llano.
Llano is one of the most unique and picturesque cities in the entire state. And that’s not just Chamber of Commerce talk - it’s a fact. Llano County is a region of rugged beauty and historic significance. For sight-seeing or shopping, it’s the vacationer’s perfect home-base. Its friendly, small-town atmosphere makes for a great destination and a pleasant place to spend some quality time away from the fast-paced world of larger cities.
For decades the clock on the courthouse tower has chimed the hours and is the unifying heartbeat of the town. As each day darkens, the sounds from the tower, the river and nestling birds intermingle into a single chorus that is commonplace in the hearts and minds of the townsfolk. With an art gallery, museum, historic buildings, gift and antique shops, clothing stores and restaurants all close at hand, visitors are certain to find their stay a pleasant one.
Considered by the U.S. Census Bureau to be one of the healthiest cities in the nation, Llano is to many hunters the unrivaled Deer Capital of Texas. In fact, the density of deer in the Llano Basin is greater than any other area in the United States.
And the unusual landscape holds many secrets and treasures. Llanite, a rare type of brown granite with sky blue crystals and rusty-pink feldspar, is found nowhere else in the world except in Llano County. Llanite can be found along a highway cut nine miles north of Llano on Texas 16.
There are many things of interest in the Llano area including: a walking tour of the town to see the historical homes, fishing, hunting, hiking, rock hunting, bird watching, shopping, golfing at their 18 hole course, boating and swimming at the local lakes, driving around the area to see the beautiful scenery, and wine tasting and touring at the local wineries.
4 March 1956, Kerrville (TX) Times, pg. 8, col. 2:
They pointed out that Kerrville has always been a leader in the conservation and propagation of wildlife and once, before the drought, was the deer capital of Texas
19 January 1960, Dallas
, “Llano Now Adds Deer Capital to Chamber Slogan,” pg. 4:
LLANO, Texas (Sp.)—As a result of the deer kill in Llano County this last season—9,220 deer of which 5,211 were bucks—the Llano chamber of commerce has voted to add the slogan “Deer Capital of Texas” to chamber of commerce literature and advertising material.
12 November 1969, Odessa (TX) American, pg. 9B classified ad:
DEER capital of Texas—Llano County.
28 January 1975, Port Arthur (TX) News, pg. 10, col. 1:
Webb County has been the big deer capital of Texas for years and landowners have taken advantage of it, charging as much as $500 per gun for leases.
28 November 1976, Port Arthur News, pg. 7C, col. 1:
It’s a long drive to Mason, Texas, some 350 miles and a deer hunter has plenty of time to hash over his game plan while trucking up through Austin and Llano, the deer hunting capital of Texas.