Start here
New to it? Get legal first.
The license, the add-ons for birds and archery, and the hunter-education rule. Most resident hunters want the Super Combo. Sort this before anything else.
Get legal -> Or open the full license guide ->Outdoors / Hunting
Hunting in Texas, in plain English.
Texas is one of the best hunting states in the country. It also has some of the most detailed rules, because so much depends on which animal and which county you're in. The good news: once you know the handful of basics, the rest falls into place. This guide walks you through it, then points you to the official source.
New this year
What changed for 2026-2027
- Dove (South Zone): The season now opens Sept. 1, same as the rest of the state. The old Special White-winged Dove Days are gone, and limits and shooting hours match every other day of the South Zone season.
- Turkey: Because turkey numbers are down, counties that used to allow either sex now allow only gobblers (males) and bearded hens. Matagorda and Wharton counties are closed this season.
- Quail and chachalaca: Their seasons now line up (Nov. 1 - Feb. 28).
- Deer doe days: Expanded to a 16-day window in a list of central Texas counties (see the rules page).
- Muzzleloaders: The definition was updated to allow newer muzzleloader technology for deer.
The whole guide
Find your way around
Six short sections. Start anywhere - each one ends with the official TPWD link.
Get legal
The license, the add-ons, and the safety course you need first.
Get set up ->What you can hunt
Every animal Texas lets you hunt, with seasons and limits.
Browse species ->Seasons at a glance
A quick what's-open-when view for the 2026-2027 season.
See seasons ->How you can hunt
Guns, bows, baiting, night hunting, and what's off-limits.
Read the methods ->Where you can hunt
Private land, public land, and how to get on it.
Find land ->After the shot & special rules
Tagging, reporting, CWD zones, and county quirks.
Know the rules ->Popular hunts
What most people are after
Big game
White-tailed deer
Texas has more whitetail than any other state, and your county usually sets the real rules.
Where: All over the state.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Upland birds
Wild turkey
Rio Grande turkey covers most of the state; the Eastern turkey in the far east is much more limited. Read this one closely.
Where: Rio Grande: central, southern, and western Texas. Eastern: far East Texas.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Migratory birds
Dove
Texas's biggest opening-day tradition, split into three zones.
Where: Statewide, in three zones (North, Central, South).
Seasons, limits & official link ->Other animals
Feral hogs (wild pigs)
Texas has millions of wild hogs, so the rules are built to make them easy to hunt.
Where: Statewide.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Hunting words, translated
A few terms you'll see in the rules, in plain language.
Bag limit
The most of one animal you can legally take in a day or a season.
Quail: 15 per day.
Possession limit
The most you can have on hand at once, usually a multiple of the daily bag.
Often 3x the daily limit.
Endorsement
A small add-on you buy on top of your license for certain animals.
You need the Upland Game Bird Endorsement for turkey.
Furbearer
A fur-bearing animal like raccoon, fox, or beaver, with its own rules.
Selling pelts needs a Trapper's License.
Nongame
Unprotected animals with a license requirement but no season or limit on private land.
Coyotes and bobcats are nongame.
Antler restriction
A county rule protecting young bucks by inside spread or antler points.
A 13-inch inside spread is a common standard.
Doe days
The specific days a county lets you take antlerless deer.
Check the county listing.
MLDP
Managed Lands Deer Program — a ranch permit that sets its own deer limits.
MLDP limits replace the county limit.
APH permit
Annual Public Hunting permit — one purchase opens over a million acres of public land.
No lottery required.
CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease — a deer disease that triggers special zone rules.
Zones can require check-station testing.
HIP
Harvest Information Program — a free certification for migratory bird hunters.
Required for dove and duck hunters.
Quick answers
The questions people ask most
Do I need a hunting license?
Almost always yes. The main exception is feral hogs on private land with the owner's permission.
How much is a license?
About $25 for a Texas resident, $68 for the Super Combo bundle, and about $315 for non-residents. Confirm current prices on the official license page.
Do I need to take a hunter safety course?
Yes, if you were born on or after Sept. 2, 1971. It costs about $15, with a minimum certification age of 9.
How many deer can I shoot?
The statewide cap is 5, no more than 3 bucks — but your county limit is often lower. Always check your county.
Is blaze orange required?
Not on private land. It is required on public hunting lands.
Can I bait deer?
Yes, on private land. Not for East Zone turkey, not for migratory birds, and usually not on public land.
Can I use a suppressor?
Yes, if you legally own it.
Can I hunt at night?
Yes for feral hogs, nongame animals, and furbearers on private land (with a light).
Do I need a license to hunt hogs?
Not on private land with permission. Yes on public land.
Can non-residents hunt deer in Texas?
Yes, with the roughly $315 Non-Resident General Hunting License.
When does deer season open?
For 2026-2027: archery Oct. 3, general (rifle) Nov. 7. Dates change yearly.
What can I hunt with no season and no limit?
Feral hogs, exotics, and most nongame animals (with a license and permission).
Official sources
Texas Parks & Wildlife is the authority on hunting rules. Texas Porch explains; TPWD decides. Confirm dates and limits on the official pages before you hunt.
- Data vintage:
- Built on the 2026-2027 season
- Last reviewed:
- June 15, 2026
- TPWD Outdoor Annual (official hunting regulations) - The source of truth for Texas hunting rules
- Hunting Regulations - Seasons, bag limits, and methods
- Licenses, Permits & Endorsements - License types, costs, and add-ons
- Seasons by County - The county-by-county rules that decide most hunts
Caution: Seasons, bag limits, open counties, and license prices change every year. The Outdoor Annual and the county listing are the final word.
Spot something that needs a Texas check?
This first pass is built to be polished over time. Send the page name, county, parcel context if relevant, and the official source you are looking at.
Email Texas Porch.