Figuring out Texas hunting seasons can feel like trying to untangle a hundred yards of old trotline. You’ve got different dates for different animals, zones that split the state in half, and weapon-specific rules that can change from one county to the next, especially in areas like Comal or Bexar.

But don’t let it intimidate you. Once you get the rhythm, it all starts to make sense. The hunting calendar here has a predictable flow, kicking off with the sizzle of dove season on September 1, rolling into archery for deer, and then crescendoing with the one everyone’s waiting for: the general gun season for deer, which almost always opens the first Saturday in November.

Your Guide to Texas Hunting Seasons

Texas is a massive state, and the hunting regulations reflect that. The dates for whitetail in the dense Piney Woods of East Texas won’t be the same as they are down in the thorny brush country of South Texas. It’s all by design.

The state is carved up into specific zones to manage wildlife populations more effectively. The most well-known example is the North Zone and South Zone for white-tailed deer. Each has its own start and end dates for archery, general gun, and the special late seasons. This system allows the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to tailor the seasons to regional factors, like when the rut kicks into high gear in places like Hays or Guadalupe County.

This gives you a bird’s-eye view of how the major seasons lay out across the year.

As you can see, deer hunting really owns the fall and early winter. Come spring, it’s all about the thunder of gobbling turkeys, and waterfowl seasons neatly fill the gap between late fall and the colder winter months.

To help you get a quick handle on things, here’s a simple breakdown of the main seasons for the most popular game.

Quick Guide to Major Texas Hunting Seasons

This table is a great starting point for planning your year. It shows the general timeframes for Texas’s most sought-after species so you can quickly see when the action is happening.

Game Species	Primary Season Type	General Timeframe	Key Counties/Regions
White-Tailed Deer	General Gun	Early Nov – Mid-Jan	Hill Country (Comal, Hays), South Texas (Bexar, Cameron)
Dove	Regular Season	Sept – Oct & Dec – Jan	Statewide, esp. Central & South Zones
Rio Grande Turkey	Spring Season	Late Mar – Early May	Hill Country, South Texas
Waterfowl (Ducks)	Regular Season	Nov – Jan	Coastal Prairies (Cameron County), Panhandle

Just remember, these are general guides. You always need to check the specific regulations for the exact county you plan to hunt.

Navigating Local and State Rules

If you’re hunting in Central or South Texas—counties like Comal, Hays, Guadalupe, Bexar, or Cameron—it’s crucial to know your zone. Most of these spots fall into the South Zone for both deer and dove, which usually means later season dates than what your buddies up in North Texas are seeing.

Your absolute go-to resource, the one thing you should treat as gospel, is the TPWD Outdoor Annual. It has the official, exact dates, bag limits, and county-by-county rules you have to follow. No exceptions.

The sheer length of our hunting seasons is one of the best things about being a Texas hunter. Take the 2025-2026 white-tailed deer season, for instance. The North Zone is set to run from November 1, 2025, to January 4, 2026. But if you’re in the South Zone, which includes Bexar and Cameron counties, you get an extra two weeks, with the season extending all the way to January 18, 2026. That staggered schedule gives us a ton of time in the field. For another great breakdown of these dates, you can get more details about Texas hunting seasons from Huntwise.

Before you ever load a round or knock an arrow, double-check the rules for where you’ll be. Things can change based on:

• The animal you’re after.
• The weapon you’re using (bow, muzzleloader, or rifle).
• The specific county where you’ve got your boots on the ground.

This guide is here to get you pointed in the right direction, but always, always cross-reference it with the current TPWD Outdoor Annual. Once you understand the basic structure, planning your hunts becomes second nature.

Navigating White-Tailed Deer Seasons in Texas

For most Texas hunters, the entire year is just a countdown to one thing: white-tailed deer season. It’s the absolute cornerstone of our hunting culture, a tradition that defines the fall and winter months. The season is a journey, starting with the quiet anticipation of archery and building to the crackle of excitement that is the general gun season.

This structure isn’t random. It’s a carefully planned sequence designed to give everyone a shot while managing the deer herd for the long haul. Each part of the season offers a totally different experience, from the up-close-and-personal challenge of a bow to the long-range reach of a rifle. It’s this variety that makes Texas deer hunting so special.

Breaking Down the South Zone Seasons

If you’re hunting in places like Comal, Hays, Guadalupe, Bexar, or Cameron counties, you are squarely in the South Zone. This is a critical detail, because your hunting calendar is going to look different from the folks hunting north of San Antonio. South Zone seasons are specifically timed to line up with the later breeding season—the “rut”—that happens in this part of the state.

Here’s how the journey typically unfolds for a South Zone hunter:

• Archery Only Season: This is the traditional kickoff, usually starting at the end of September. It takes incredible patience and skill, demanding you get within spitting distance of your target with just a bow and arrow.
• Youth-Only Weekends: Before the main event, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) carves out special weekends just for young hunters. These weekends give the next generation a chance to learn the ropes with less pressure in the field. It’s a brilliant way to pass the torch.
• General Season: This is what most people mean when they say “deer season.” It typically kicks off on the first Saturday in November and runs through mid-to-late January down south, giving rifle hunters the longest window of opportunity.
• Special Late Season: Even after the general season wraps up, there’s often a late antlerless and spike season. This period isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a key management tool for keeping deer populations in check.

Getting these distinct phases straight is fundamental to planning your hunts and, more importantly, staying on the right side of the law.

The Logic Behind Antler Restrictions

In a lot of Texas counties, especially in the Hill Country and South Texas where you find places like Comal and Bexar, you have to follow specific antler restrictions. These rules mean a legal buck must have at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or wider. This isn’t just some arbitrary rule to make things tougher; it’s a highly strategic wildlife management tool.

Think of it as a quality control program for the Texas deer herd. The whole point is to protect the younger, promising bucks and let them grow into mature, healthier, and bigger-antlered animals. By forcing hunters to pass on bucks that don’t meet the criteria, TPWD is making sure more males reach their full genetic potential.

This management approach is like a long-term investment in the health of the herd. Protecting younger bucks today directly translates to a more robust and mature deer population for everyone to enjoy in the future.

And let me tell you, this strategy has paid off big time. The data from Texas hunters shows a huge shift in the age of the buck population since these rules went into effect. Before the restrictions, a much higher percentage of harvested bucks were just yearlings. Now, the herd is older and healthier.

The results are crystal clear. In the counties with these specific restrictions, 59% of harvested bucks were three and a half years old or older. You can’t argue with that kind of success. You can dig into more of this data over on the Texas Trophy Hunters Association website.

Muzzleloader and Other Opportunities

Beyond the main events, Texas also offers a special Muzzleloader Season. This short season, usually in January, is a unique challenge for those of us who appreciate the heritage and raw skill it takes to hunt with a primitive firearm. For many, it’s one last chance to get out in the woods.

At the end of the day, navigating Texas deer season is about understanding the “why” behind the “when.” Every season and every rule, from the South Zone’s later dates to those carefully crafted antler restrictions, is part of a larger system—one designed to keep our hunting world-class for generations to come.

Don’t Forget the Birds: A Guide to Texas’s Wingshooting Seasons

Sure, deer hunting gets most of the glory in Texas, but if you ask me, some of the best action in the state happens in the sky. Bird hunting here is second to none, offering a season for just about every hunter. From the chaos of a September dove field in Bexar County to the bone-chilling quiet of a winter duck blind on the coast, the opportunities are incredible.

But this isn’t deer hunting. You’ve got to think differently. Success means understanding migration patterns, zeroing in on the right habitat, and—most importantly—navigating the unique licenses and stamps required for these federally managed birds. Let’s get into it.

Dove: The Real Texas Opener

For thousands of Texans, the real start of hunting season isn’t a chilly November morning in a deer blind. It’s the blistering heat of September 1, the traditional opening day for dove. It’s a Texas institution—a social event that brings friends and family together to burn through shotgun shells and kick off the fall.

But just like with deer, you can’t hunt them everywhere at once. The state is carved up into different zones to manage the birds and the hunting pressure.

• North Zone: Kicks things off first, right on September 1.
• Central Zone: This massive slice of Texas, including Hays and Guadalupe counties, also opens on September 1.
• South Zone: Things are a little different down south. The regular season here, which includes Bexar and Cameron counties, usually starts later, around mid-September.

This zoning system isn’t random; it allows the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to time the seasons perfectly with bird migration and nesting habits.

A Special Case: The White-Winged Dove Area

If you’re hunting way down in South Texas, you need to know about the Special White-Winged Dove Area (SWWDA), especially in places like Cameron County. This area has its own special early season, usually taking place over the first two weekends of September.

Think of the SWWDA as a limited-time-only event with its own rulebook. Bag limits and legal shooting hours can be completely different from the regular season that follows. Always, always double-check the TPWD Outdoor Annual before you go.

This area is critical for managing the huge concentrations of white-winged doves that funnel into the Rio Grande Valley. It offers an unbelievable hunt, but you have to play by its very specific rules.

Waterfowl: Ducks, Geese, and “Ribeye of the Sky”

Once the first real cold fronts start rolling in, many wingshooters turn their attention to the wetlands. Texas is a key stop on the Central Flyway, a massive migratory highway for ducks and geese heading south. That makes our coastal prairies, rice fields, and reservoirs prime real estate for waterfowl hunters.

Duck season is also split into zones: the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, the North Zone, and the South Zone. Each has slightly different dates to match up with when the birds typically arrive. Generally, you can expect to be in the blind from November through January.

But don’t stop at ducks. Goose hunting and sandhill crane hunting (often called the “ribeye of the sky”) add a whole other level of challenge and reward. These birds have their own seasons and require special permits.

For the upcoming 2025-2026 season, dark goose season in the Western zone runs from November 1, 2025, to February 1, 2026, while the Eastern zone wraps up on January 25, 2026. Light geese seasons are even longer, starting November 1 and running to mid-February.

Sandhill cranes have their own staggered seasons across three zones (A, B, and C), with the earliest opening on October 25, 2025, and the last closing on January 25, 2026. For the full, official schedule, the TPWD website is your best friend.

Upland Birds: Turkey and Quail

Beyond the migrants, Texas has some of the best upland game hunting in the country. The undisputed king is the Rio Grande Turkey. The main event is the spring season, running from late March through early May, when the gobble of a strutting tom is the only sound that matters. Many counties also have a fall season that lines up with deer season.

Quail hunting is a different game entirely. The season for bobwhite and scaled (blue) quail typically runs from late October through late February. But quail are notoriously boom-or-bust; their populations depend almost entirely on the rainfall and habitat conditions from the year before.

Getting Legal: The Paperwork You Can’t Forget

Knowing the dates is just step one. To hunt any migratory bird in Texas, your regular hunting license isn’t enough. You’ll need a few extra “passes” to be fully legal.

1. Migratory Game Bird Endorsement: This is a must-have add-on to your license if you’re chasing dove, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, or any other migratory bird.
2. Federal Duck Stamp: If you’re 16 or older and hunting waterfowl (ducks or geese), you have to buy a Federal Duck Stamp. No exceptions.
3. HIP Certification: When you buy your license, the clerk will ask you a few quick questions about what you hunted last year. That’s the Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification. It’s free, but it’s 100% mandatory for all migratory bird hunters.

Making sure you have these endorsements is just as critical as knowing your bag limits. It keeps you on the right side of the law and helps fund the conservation efforts that keep Texas bird hunting so incredible.

Exploring Year-Round and Specialized Texas Hunts

Just because deer season winds down doesn’t mean you have to hang up your gear. Here in Texas, the hunt never really stops—it just shifts gears. Beyond the big seasons for deer and birds, the state is flush with year-round opportunities and specialized, permit-based hunts that offer a whole different kind of challenge.

From chasing invasive species that are always in season to drawing a once-in-a-lifetime tag for an iconic Texas animal, there’s always a reason to be out in the field. Let’s break down how you can extend your hunting calendar and dig into everything the Lone Star State has to offer.

The Year-Round Hog Hunting Opportunity

At the very top of the list for year-round action? Feral hogs. These animals aren’t native wildlife; they’re classified as an invasive, exotic species, and they tear up millions of dollars in agricultural land and habitat every single year. Because they’re so destructive, the state has thrown the rulebook out the window when it comes to hunting them.

On private land across Texas—including in counties like Bexar, Guadalupe, and Comal—there is no closed season and no bag limit on feral hogs. This is a golden opportunity for hunters to stay sharp during the spring and summer doldrums. All you need is a valid Texas hunting license and, crucially, permission from the landowner.

Javelina and Other South Texas Species

Don’t let their appearance fool you; javelina aren’t just small pigs. They’re a totally distinct species native to the thorny brush country of South Texas. And unlike hogs, javelina are classified as game animals, meaning they have specific seasons and bag limits.

The main javelina season runs from October 1 through the end of February in the South Zone, which covers places like Cameron County. It’s a fantastic hunt that perfectly bridges the gap between the end of deer season and the start of spring turkey. Stalking these animals through dense, thorny habitat is a classic South Texas experience that will test your skills.

Permit-Based and Drawn Hunts

Some of the most sought-after game in Texas can’t be hunted with just a standard license. These hunts are carefully managed through a permit or public drawing system to control the harvest and keep the populations healthy for generations to come.

Think of these limited opportunities as the “hard mode” of Texas hunting. They demand planning, a bit of luck, and often take you into some of the most remote and rugged corners of the state for a true adventure.

Here’s a rundown of some of the biggest ones:

• Pronghorn: You’ll find these speed demons in the wide-open grasslands of the Panhandle and West Texas. Hunting is managed through permits issued directly to landowners, who then grant them to hunters.
• Mule Deer: Bigger and tougher than their white-tailed cousins, mule deer call the rugged, mountainous country of West Texas home. Their season is shorter and more restrictive, a reflection of a more sensitive population.
• Alligator: A huge draw in the coastal and southern parts of the state, including Cameron County. Alligator hunting is tightly controlled through a draw system for public lands and specific tagging rules on private property.

For many Texas hunters, these are pinnacle pursuits that represent a completely different kind of challenge. Understanding what the hunting seasons are in Texas means looking beyond the usual suspects and exploring these unique, regulated opportunities that make the state’s outdoor scene so incredibly diverse.

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: knowing the season dates is only half the battle. If you want to be a responsible, ethical hunter in Texas, you’ve got to get a handle on the rules. This isn’t about jumping through hoops; it’s about making sure every hunt is safe, legal, and something you can be proud of.

Think of your hunting license as the price of admission. It gets you in the door, but you might need a few extra tickets for the main events. For most Texans, the best bang for your buck is the Super Combo License—it bundles your basic hunting and fishing licenses together and saves you a few dollars.

But buying that license is just step one. Texas takes safety and conservation seriously, and that all starts with education.

Hunter Education: The Non-Negotiable First Step

Before you can even think about buying a license, most folks need to pass a state-approved hunter education course. This isn’t just a box to check. It’s a foundational course that drills down on safety, ethics, and how to be a good steward of the land and its wildlife.

You absolutely have to get this certification if you:

• Were born on or after September 2, 1971.
• Are a first-time hunter in Texas.

Sure, you can get a one-time deferral if you’re out with a licensed, certified hunter, but your best bet is to just get the course done. It’s a one-and-done deal that’s good for life and recognized by other states, too.

Tags and Endorsements: Your Specific Permissions

Once you’ve got your license and hunter ed card, it’s time to figure out the “add-ons”—the tags and endorsements required for specific animals. Your license is the general pass, but these are your tickets to the special attractions.

Some tags, like those for white-tailed deer and turkey, usually come right with your resident hunting license or Super Combo. But if you’re after migratory birds, you’ll need to add something extra.

Think of an endorsement as a special permission slip you buy with your license. It shows you’ve paid the fee required to hunt certain game, and that money is often earmarked to help manage that exact species.

For anyone hunting birds in places like Cameron or Bexar County, the Migratory Game Bird Endorsement is a must-have for dove, duck, and sandhill crane. And if waterfowl are your passion, don’t forget you’ll also need a Federal Duck Stamp.

Bag Limits and What to Do After the Shot

Every game animal in Texas has a bag limit—the maximum number you can legally take in a day or a season. These aren’t suggestions. They are hard-and-fast rules designed to keep our wildlife populations healthy for generations to come.

For example, down in many South Zone counties like Hays and Comal, the annual bag limit for whitetail is five deer, with no more than three being bucks. You have to check the Outdoor Annual for the specific limits in your county, every single season.

The second you harvest a deer or turkey, you need to tag it. Immediately. That means filling out your tag, cutting out the date, and securely attaching it to the animal. Forgetting this simple step is one of the most common—and easily avoidable—mistakes game wardens see out in the field.

Modern Tools for the Texas Hunter

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has made it easier than ever to stay on the right side of the law. The My Texas Hunt Harvest app lets you log your harvest right from your phone while you’re still in the field. It’s an incredibly handy tool that takes the guesswork out of reporting and helps you track your used tags.

Using the app to report your deer and turkey harvest isn’t just for your convenience. That data goes directly to TPWD’s wildlife biologists, giving them the information they need to make smart management decisions. Better data means healthier herds and better hunting for all of us. When you get these core rules down, you’re not just following the law—you’re playing an active role in Texas’s incredible conservation story.

Answering Your Texas Hunting Questions

Navigating the thicket of Texas hunting regulations can feel overwhelming, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out. We get a ton of questions from hunters, especially those in Central and South Texas, so we’ve put together some straight answers to the most common ones.

This is the practical, no-nonsense info you need to stay legal and confident out in the field.

When Can I Hunt Feral Hogs in Comal or Bexar County?

Here’s one of the best parts about hunting in Texas: on private land, you can go after feral hogs year-round. That goes for Comal and Bexar counties, just like the rest of the state.

Hogs are classified as a non-game, nuisance species, which means there’s no closed season and no bag limit. All you need is a valid Texas hunting license and—this is the most important part—permission from the landowner.

Just remember, the rules change completely if you’re on public land. You’ll have to follow the specific regulations for that property, which often means designated hunting dates or special permits.

What Is the Difference Between the North and South Deer Zones?

It all comes down to biology. Texas is split into different deer management zones because the breeding season, or the rut, happens at different times across the state due to climate and habitat.

The whole point of the North and South zones is to line up the general hunting season with the peak of the rut in each region. This gives hunters the best opportunity while making sure it’s biologically sound for the deer herd.

The North Zone typically has an earlier rut, so its hunting season starts and ends sooner. The South Zone—which includes counties like Comal, Hays, Bexar, and Cameron—has a later rut. Because of this, its general season pushes further into January, often giving South Texas hunters a few extra weeks to fill their tags.

It is absolutely crucial to know which zone your property is in and stick to the dates published in the TPWD Outdoor Annual.

Do I Need a Special Permit for Dove Hunting in Cameron County?

Yes. Hunting dove or any other migratory game bird in Texas requires more than just your standard hunting license. You need two additional things:

1. Migratory Game Bird Endorsement: An add-on to your license.
2. HIP Certification: A quick, free survey you’ll complete when you buy your license.

On top of that, Cameron County is inside the Special White-Winged Dove Area (SWWDA). This area has its own special early season weekends in September that are totally separate from the regular South Zone season. Always double-check the SWWDA-specific dates and bag limits in the Outdoor Annual, because they are often different from the rest of the zone.

Can I Legally Use an AR-15 for Deer Hunting in Texas?

Yes, you absolutely can. It is legal to hunt deer in Texas with a modern sporting rifle like an AR-15, as long as it’s chambered in a centerfire caliber. Texas law doesn’t specify a minimum caliber, so common rounds like .223 are technically legal.

However, ethical hunting is all about a clean, humane harvest. Most experienced hunters will tell you to choose a round with enough power to get the job done right. For an AR platform, popular and effective choices for Texas deer include the .300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, and 6.8 SPC.

It’s also worth noting that Texas has no magazine capacity restrictions for rifle hunting. Still, if you’re on public land or a specific private ranch, it’s always smart to check their local rules.

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