TEXAS LAWS & REGULATIONS

Curious on Texas Hunting Laws and Regulations?

Texas Parks & Wildlife manages and conserves the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. When hunting season begins, all hunters must have a valid hunting license as well as other required permits and stamps depending on the hunted specie. It is prohibited that hunters shoot within 300 yards of public roads or an occupied building and shooting in a powered-on vehicle. Hunters cannot legally hunt in a powered-on vehicle as wellas use any aircraft to locate any wild game. No hunter shall hunt surpassing the daily limit and while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also illegal to hunt on private land without the consent of the land owner and sell, buy, or negotiate any hunted deer, bear, moose, or any part thereof, other than the head, hide, or feet. State law also prohibits anu hunter who kill or shoot-at any game without the intention of retrieving it.

*Visit Texas Parks & Wildlife Regulations For More Information*

FEATURED ANIMALS

JAVALINA

In Texas, javelina are considered game animals and can be hunted by anyone with a valid Texas Hunting License. There are no “tags” required for javelina hunting in Texas, but there is a bag limit of 2 javelina per person per year.

General Season: Oct. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021

*Seasons differ based on location – Visit Texas’ Javalina Seasons for specific dates*

WILD TURKEY

Turkey is a common game animal to hunt in Texas. To hunt turkey, all hunters must have a valid hunting license along with turkey tags. All turkey must be tagged with a tag from the hunter’s license immediately upon harvest, and in a secure manner anywhere on the turkey. The annual bag limit for Rio Grande and Eastern turkey, in the aggregate, is four, no more than one of which may be an Eastern turkey. No more than one gobbler may be harvested annually in the Western One-Gobbler Zone across all counties combined. Those counties included in the Western One-Gobbler Only Zone include Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Milam, and Wharton.

General Season: Nov. 7 – May 16, 2021
Archery Season: Oct. 3 – Nov. 6, 2020

*Seasons differ based on locations – Visit Texas’ Turkey Seasons for specific dates*

MULE DEER

Mule deer are one of the most valued game animals in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions of Texas and are the staple big game animal for landowners and outfitters alike. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and deer permits. No person may exceed the annual bag limit of five white-tailed deer, no more than three of which may be bucks. The annual bag limit does not apply on MLDP properties. A legally taken buck must have an outside antler spread of the main beams of 20 inches or greater.

General Season: Nov. 21 – Dec. 13, 2020
Archery Season: Oct. 3 – Nov. 6, 2020

*Seasons differ based on location – Visit Texas’ Deer Seasons for specific dates*