Upland birds
Wild turkey
Two kinds, two sets of rules.
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.
Daily / season limit
Statewide, the limit is 4 turkeys a year, and no more than 1 may come from the East Zone (the Eastern turkey). This season, counties that used to allow either sex let you take only gobblers and bearded hens.
Season(s) (2026-2027)
- Rio Grande, Spring (North / South) Apr. 3 - May 16, 2027 / Mar. 20 - May 2, 2027
- Rio Grande, Fall (North / South) Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027 / Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 17, 2027
- Rio Grande, Archery only Oct. 3 - Nov. 6, 2026
- One-gobbler counties (spring) Apr. 1-30, 2027
- Eastern turkey (spring only) Apr. 22 - May 14, 2027
License & add-ons
Hunting license plus the Upland Game Bird Endorsement. Turkey tags are included with your license.
- Upland Game Bird Endorsement
Reporting required
Every wild turkey must be reported within 24 hours using My Texas Hunt Harvest - all subspecies, every county.
Quirks & things to watch
- One-gobbler counties: in a cluster of central Texas counties you may take no more than one gobbler per county per year, with no fall season. Always check the current list.
- East Zone is stricter: only shotguns and lawful archery, and no hunting over bait.
- Matagorda and Wharton counties are closed to turkey this season.
- Never hunt turkeys on the roost, and never release turkeys without TPWD's okay.
Source to confirm: TPWD Wild Turkey / Seasons by County
More upland birds
Others like this
Upland birds
Quail
A statewide upland classic with a long winter season.
Where: Statewide. Bobwhite is most common; scaled quail in the west; Gambel's in the far west.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Upland birds
Pheasant
A short, region-only season where hens are off-limits.
Where: Only the Panhandle and South Plains counties.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Upland birds
Chachalaca
Sometimes called the 'Mexican tree pheasant,' found in just four counties.
Where: Only Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties.
Seasons, limits & official link ->Official sources
Hunting rules for wild turkey 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 Wild Turkey / 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.