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State Guide

Texas Hunting Guide

Complete Texas hunting guide. Texas hunting seasons, license costs, bag limits, and regulations for all major game species. Updated for the current season.

Wildlife Agency

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Official Site

Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers

Texas Hunting Seasons

Whitetail Deer

Res: $25 Non-res: $315
Season Type Opens Closes
Archery Oct 1 Nov 3
Rifle Nov 4 Jan 7
Muzzleloader Jan 8 Jan 21

Bag limits: daily: Varies by county, season: 5 deer, no more than 3 bucks

Season dates and bag limits vary significantly by county. Managed Lands Deer Program offers extended seasons. Antler restrictions apply in many counties.

Turkey

Res: $25 Non-res: $315
Season Type Opens Closes
Shotgun Apr 1 May 14
Archery Apr 1 May 14

Bag limits: daily: 4, season: 4

Spring season is gobblers only. Rio Grande turkeys predominant in central/south Texas. Eastern turkeys in east Texas have separate regulations.

Duck/Waterfowl

Res: $25 Non-res: $315
Season Type Opens Closes
Shotgun Nov 4 Jan 28

Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit

Federal duck stamp required. Daily bag varies by species. Non-toxic shot mandatory. Split season in some zones.

Quail

Res: $25 Non-res: $315
Season Type Opens Closes
Shotgun Oct 28 Feb 25

Bag limits: daily: 15, season: No limit

Bobwhite and scaled quail. No stamp required. Population varies greatly by year and rainfall.

Wild Hog

Res: $25 Non-res: $315
Season Type Opens Closes
Rifle Jan 1 Dec 31
Archery Jan 1 Dec 31
Shotgun Jan 1 Dec 31

Bag limits: daily: No limit, season: No limit

Wild hogs are unprotected and may be hunted year-round with no bag limit. Landowner permission required on private land. Night hunting allowed with landowner consent.

Mule Deer

Res: $25 Non-res: $315
Season Type Opens Closes
Rifle Nov 23 Dec 8

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 buck per year

Trans-Pecos region only.

Planning Tools

Texas Hunting Guides

Feral hogs rooting in a muddy creek bottom in Texas brush country at night

methods

Wild Hog Hunting: Tactics, Night Hunting, and Where to Hunt Them
Whitetail deer buck in Texas Hill Country terrain

destinations

Texas Whitetail Hunting: Hill Country and South Texas
Trophy whitetail buck on Texas Hill Country ranch during deer rut season

destinations

Texas Deer Hunting Guide — Whitetail, Mule Deer & Regulations
Desert scrub habitat in the Sonoran desert where javelina are commonly hunted

species

Javelina Hunting: A Complete Guide to Collared Peccary
Rocky canyon terrain in the Guadalupe Mountains where aoudad are hunted

species

Aoudad Hunting: Barbary Sheep in Texas and New Mexico

Texas Hunting FAQ

Do I need a hunting license in Texas?
Yes. All hunters in Texas must hold a valid hunting license from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Non-residents typically pay higher fees. A hunter safety course is required for first-time license buyers.
What is the hunting license cost in Texas?
Texas license costs vary by species. Whitetail Deer: resident $25, non-resident $315. Turkey: resident $25, non-resident $315.
When is deer season in Texas?
Texas deer seasons: Archery: Oct 1 - Nov 3, Rifle: Nov 4 - Jan 7, Muzzleloader: Jan 8 - Jan 21.
Does Texas require a hunter safety course?
Yes, Texas requires hunter education certification for all first-time hunters. The course covers firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and ethical hunting practices.
Who manages hunting regulations in Texas?
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department manages all hunting licenses, regulations, and wildlife management in Texas. Their website (https://tpwd.texas.gov) has current season dates, license purchasing, and regulation booklets.