State Guide

Texas Hunting Guide 2026

Complete Texas hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.

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

Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states

Texas Hunting Guides

methods

Wild Hog Hunting: Tactics, Night Hunting, and Where to Hunt Them

destinations

Texas Whitetail Hunting: Hill Country and South Texas

destinations

Texas Deer Hunting Guide — Whitetail, Mule Deer & Regulations

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.