Guide for Texas wild games season

Texas Hunting: Your 2024 Essential Guide to New Seasons and Top Locations

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Texas is full of diffe­rent kinds of animals: that’s why hunters love it. The­ 2024-2025 season is close. Most hunters are­ probably deciding what animals they want to go after. Che­ck out this guide. It’s perfect for ne­w Texas hunters. It has important stuff about rules, lice­nses, and the best place­s to hunt different animals.

Season Schedule

Mule Deer:

  • Panhandle: Nov 18 – Dec 3, 2024
  • Trans-Pecos: Nov 24 – Dec 10, 2024
  • Archery (certain counties): Sept 30 – Nov 3, 2024

Whitetail Deer:

  • North Zone:
    • General: Nov 2, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025
    • Youth-Only: Oct 25-27, 2024 & Jan 6-19, 2025
    • Special Late Season: Jan 6-19, 2025
  • South Zone:
    • General: Nov 2, 2024 – Jan 19, 2025
    • Youth-Only: Oct 25-27, 2024 & Jan 6-19, 2025
    • Special Late Season: Jan 20 – Feb 2, 2025
  • Archery (most counties): Sept 28, 2024 – Nov 1, 2025
  • Muzzleloader (certain counties): Jan 6-19, 2025

Javelina:

  • North Zone: Hunting allowed from October 1 to February 23.
  • South Zone: Open year-round (September 1 to August 31).

Pronghorn:

Open in 41 specific counties from September 28 to October 13.

Alligator:

  • Specific counties and properties: September 10 to September 30 only.
  • All other counties: April 1 to June 30.

Small Games

Rabbit:

Hunt rabbits year-round throughout Texas.

Squirrel:

  • Most counties: Sep 1, 2024 – Aug 31, 2025
  • East Texas: Oct 1, 2024 – Feb 23, 2025 (with additional May 1-31 season)
  • Youth-only weekend: Sep 27-29, 2024 (East Texas)

Rio Grande Turkey Guide

Texas offers Rio Grande turkey hunting opportunities throughout the spring and fall, with specific seasons depending on location. Here’s a breakdown for 2024:

Spring:

  • East Texas: April 22 – May 14
  • North Zone: March 30 – May 12
  • South Zone: March 16 – April 28
  • One-turkey counties: April 1 – 30

Youth-only weekends:

  • North Zone: March 23-24 & May 18-19
  • South Zone: March 9-10 & May 4-5

Fall (2023 season):

  • North Zone:
    • Nov 4 – Jan 7
    • Jan 8 – Jan 21 (archery only)
  • South Zone:
    • Nov 4 – Jan 21
    • Jan 22 – Feb 4 (archery only)
  • Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties: Nov 4 – Feb 25

Upland Games

Pheasant:

Hunters in the Panhandle and South Plains regions can chase pheasants from December 7 to January 5.

Quail:

Quail hunting is allowed statewide from October 26 to February 23.

Chachalaca:

If you’re looking for chachalaca, head to Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, or Willacy counties where the season runs from October 26 to February 23.

Migratory Birds

Texas Doves Take Flight:

  • North Zone: Sept 1 – Nov 10 & Dec 20 – Jan 7, 2025
  • Central Zone: Sept 1 – Oct 27 & Dec 13 – Jan 14, 2025
  • South Zone: Sept 14 – Oct 27 & Dec 13 – Jan 21, 2025
  • White-winged Doves: Sept 1-2 & Sept 6-8, 2024

Waterfowl Seasons:

  • Snipe: Statewide, Nov 24 – Feb 16
  • Woodcock: Statewide, Dec 18 – Jan 31
  • Duck Seasons (check zone):
    • High Plains Mallard: Oct 26-27 (Regular), Oct 19-20 (Youth/Vet)
    • North Zone: Nov 9-Dec 1 (Regular), Nov 2-3 (Youth/Vet), Dec 7-Jan 26 (Regular)
    • South Zone: Nov 2-Dec 1 (Regular), Oct 26-27 (Youth/Vet), Dec 14-Jan 26 (Regular)
  • Goose Seasons (check zone):
    • Light & Dark Geese: West Nov 2-Feb 2, East Nov 2-Jan 26
    • Light Goose Order: West Nov 2-Feb 2, East Nov 2-Feb 14
    • Early Canada Goose: East Sep 14-29
  • Rails/Gallinules/Moorhens: Statewide, Sep 14-29 & Nov 2-Dec 25
  • Teal: Statewide, Sep 14-29
  • Sandhill Cranes (check zone): A Oct 26-Jan 26, B Nov 22-Jan 26, C Dec 14-Jan 19

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) License Cost

License/PermitResident CostNon-Resident Cost
Hunting License (Annual)$35$110
Super Combo Hunting License (Annual)$80$200
Archery Stamp (Annual)$10$10
Mule Deer Hunting License (Annual)$67$315
White-tailed Deer Hunting License (Annual)$67Not applicable

It’s always recommended to consult the TPWD website for the most current information and licensing requirements.

Additional Considerations:

  • Age Requirements: Minimum age requirements apply for hunting certain species. Hunters 17 years old or younger must generally be accompanied by a licensed adult.
  • Specific Hunt Permits: Certain hunts may require additional permits beyond a hunting license. These can be for specific wildlife management areas (WMAs) or controlled hunts with limited quotas.
  • Harvest Tags: Separate harvest tags are often required for specific species, such as deer or turkey.

Finding the Latest Regulations:

Understanding hunting laws can seem complex, but TPWD offers resources to help hunters navigate the regulations. The TPWD website (https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/licenses/online_sales/) provides a wealth of information, including:

Top Texas Hunting Locations by Species

Texas boasts a diverse landscape and a rich abundance of wildlife, making it a prime destination for hunters across the country. Whether you’re seeking big game trophies or upland birds, there’s a perfect hunting ground waiting to be explored in the Lone Star State.

Here’s a glimpse into some of the top Texas hunting locations for various popular game species:

White-tailed Deer:

  • Edwards Plateau: This central Texas region is renowned for its high deer densities, offering excellent opportunities for trophy whitetail bucks. The Kerr Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and the Hill Country are particularly popular destinations.
  • South Texas Plains: Known for its vast ranchlands and brush country, South Texas attracts hunters seeking mature whitetail deer with impressive antlers. Areas like Jim Hogg County and La Salle County are prime locations.
  • Pineywoods: East Texas’ pine forests provide habitat for a healthy deer population. While bucks may not reach the same size as those found further west, the Pineywoods offer a different kind of hunting experience with abundant deer herds. The Sam Houston National Forest is a popular public hunting option.

Rio Grande Turkey:

  • South Texas: The brush country of southern Texas is prime territory for Rio Grande turkeys. The Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Starr County region offer excellent hunting opportunities during the spring season.
  • Edwards Plateau: The rolling hills and canyons of the Edwards Plateau also provide suitable habitat for Rio Grande turkeys. Hunters can find good public hunting opportunities in WMAs like the Lost Maples WMA.
  • North Texas: While less renowned than southern regions, pockets of North Texas, particularly along river corridors, can offer decent Rio Grande turkey hunting opportunities.

Upland Game Birds:

  • Panhandle and South Plains: The arid grasslands of the Panhandle and South Plains regions are prime territory for pheasant hunting. Public hunting lands like the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge provide ample opportunities.
  • Statewide: Bobwhite quail can be found throughout Texas, with particularly good populations in the Hill Country and the Rolling Plains regions. Public hunting lands and private leases offer quail hunting opportunities.
  • Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr & Willacy Counties: The southernmost tip of Texas offers excellent habitat for chachalacas, a unique game bird related to the grouse family. These counties provide the best hunting opportunities for chachalacas.

Doves:

  • North Texas: The North Zone boasts longer dove seasons and offers excellent hunting opportunities for mourning doves and white-winged doves. Areas near agricultural fields and grain crops are prime locations.
  • Central Texas: The Central Zone offers a good balance of season length and dove populations. Hunters can find success in agricultural areas and along rivers and streams.
  • South Texas: The South Zone has the latest dove season closure, allowing hunters to extend their dove hunting experience. Similar to other zones, agricultural areas and riparian corridors are productive hunting grounds.

Eric Hale
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