Hunting Seasons & Licensing · TX
Texas Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonTexas is one of the most popular hunting destinations in the United States, with an estimated 1.1 million licensed hunters and over 100 million acres of habitat. The state offers diverse hunting opportunities from white-tailed deer and mule deer to feral hogs (which have no closed season), pronghorn, and a wide variety of upland and migratory birds. Texas operates primarily on a private land model — the vast majority of hunting occurs on private ranches, many of which offer paid access through lease programs or day hunts.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Sep 27 – Nov 7, 2025 | 5 deer, no more than 3 bucks | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | General | Nov 1 – Jan 18, 2026 | 5 deer, no more than 3 bucks | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, bow |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Jan 19 – Feb 1, 2026 | 5 deer, no more than 3 bucks | Muzzleloader only |
| Mule Deer | General | Nov 22 – Dec 7, 2025 | 2 mule deer, 1 buck | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, bow |
| Pronghorn | General | Oct 4 – Oct 12, 2025 | 1 pronghorn | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, bow |
| Feral Hog | Year-round | No closed season | No limit | Any legal firearm, bow, trapping |
White-tailed Deer (Archery): Antler restrictions vary by county
White-tailed Deer (General): CWD zones have mandatory testing requirements
Mule Deer (General): Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions only
Pronghorn (General): Permit required — issued by drawing
Feral Hog (Year-round): No license required on private land with landowner consent
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Turkey | Fall | Nov 1 – Jan 18, 2026 | 4 turkeys, either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
| Rio Grande Turkey | Spring | Mar 14 – May 10, 2026 | 4 gobblers | Shotgun, bow |
Rio Grande Turkey (Spring): Eastern turkey has more limited season in east Texas
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | General | Oct 25 – Feb 22, 2026 | 15 daily / 45 possession | Shotgun |
| Pheasant | General | Dec 6 – Jan 4, 2026 | 3 daily / 9 possession | Shotgun |
Pheasant (General): Panhandle region only
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Nov through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
| Geese | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Feb | Varies by species | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP registration required. Check USFWS frameworks for current year.
Geese (General): Light goose conservation order extends through March
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cottontail | General | Oct 1 – Feb 22, 2026 | 10 daily / 20 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Squirrel | General | Oct 1 – Feb 22, 2026 | 10 daily / 20 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $25 | Required for all resident hunters |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $315 | — |
| Super Combo (resident) | $68 | Includes hunting, fishing, and all stamps |
| Youth Hunting License (under 17) | Free with Hunter Education | Must complete hunter education |
| Senior Hunting License (65+) | $7 | — |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl hunting |
| Upland Game Bird Stamp | $7 | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Texas uses a drawing system for pronghorn antelope and some managed lands hunts. Applications are typically due by mid-August through the TPWD online system. There is no point system — drawings are random. Most white-tailed deer hunting does not require a tag beyond the general license, though some Wildlife Management Areas require special permits. Mule deer in some units require a Managed Lands Deer permit.
Harvest Reporting
Texas requires mandatory reporting for certain species and management areas through the My Texas Hunt Harvest app or online system. White-tailed deer harvest reporting is mandatory in CWD management zones. All hunters are encouraged to report harvest data to support wildlife management decisions. CWD testing is mandatory for deer harvested in designated CWD zones.
Texas Wildlife Resources
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-792-GAME
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.