Big game
White-tailed deer
The most popular hunt in Texas.
Texas has more whitetail than any other state, and your county usually sets the real rules.
Where
All over the state.
Daily / season limit
Statewide cap is 5 deer, no more than 3 bucks. But your county limit is often lower, and some counties add antler rules. Always check your county.
Season(s) (2026-2027)
- Archery only Oct. 3 - Nov. 6, 2026 (252 of 254 counties)
- General (rifle), North Zone Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
- General (rifle), South Zone Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 17, 2027
- Special Late (North / South) Jan. 4-17, 2027 / Jan. 18-31, 2027
- Youth-only (Early / Late) Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 2026 / Jan. 4-17, 2027
- Muzzleloader only Jan. 4-17, 2027 (90 counties)
License & add-ons
Hunting license (deer tags included). Add the Archery Endorsement for the archery season.
Quirks & things to watch
- Antler restrictions: in many counties a legal buck must have one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or more (about the width of a grown deer's ears).
- Doe days: some counties only let you take antlerless deer on certain days. Check the county listing.
- Baiting (corn feeders) is legal on private land, but not on most public land and not in some disease zones.
- On Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) ranches, the property's permit sets the limits instead of the county.
Source to confirm: TPWD White-tailed Deer / Seasons by County
More big game
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Mule deer
Found in the drier western parts of the state, with shorter, region-specific seasons.
Where: The Panhandle and the Trans-Pecos (far West Texas).
Seasons, limits & official link ->Big game
Pronghorn (antelope)
A wide-open-country hunt managed by permit, in a limited set of western counties.
Where: The Panhandle and far West Texas — 41 of 254 counties.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Big game
Javelina (collared peccary)
Common in the southern and western brush, with generous seasons.
Where: South and West Texas.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Big game
Desert bighorn sheep
One of the hardest tags to get in Texas — awarded by drawing only.
Where: The mountains of far West Texas.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Official sources
Hunting rules for white-tailed deer come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the season, limits, and your county's rules before you hunt.
- Data vintage:
- Built on the 2026-2027 season
- Last reviewed:
- June 15, 2026
- TPWD White-tailed Deer / Seasons by County - Official TPWD page for this animal
- TPWD Outdoor Annual
- TPWD Seasons by County - County-specific dates and limits
Caution: Seasons, limits, and open counties change every year. The official TPWD pages are the final word.