Hunting and Fishing in Texas

Texas ranks No. 1 in the nation for paid hunting licenses at more than 1.1 million, and there’s no question why. With great fall weather and a plethora of game animals, the state draws hunters from across the state and the entire country.

Freshwater fish also bring in fishing families nationwide, who can try their skills and enjoy a day on the lake or river as long as the fish are biting.

Learn more about these attractive outdoor seasons as well as limits and restrictions with Patten Title’s Hunting and Fishing Guide.

GAME ANIMALS

Javelina

• Type of license: General
• Hunting Season:
  • Northern: Oct. 1 to Feb. 26
  • Southern: Sept. 1 to Aug. 31

Mule Deer

• Type of license: General and Archery
• Hunting Season:
  • Panhandle: Nov. 19 to Dec. 4
  • Trans-Pecos, Brewster, Pecos, and Terrell: Nov. 25 to Dec. 11
  • Archery (all counties with a general season): Oct. 1 to Nov. 4
  • Brewster, Pecos, and Terrell Counties: Oct. 1 to Nov. 4

Pronghorn

• Type of license: Permit Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Select Counties: Oct. 1 to Oct. 16

Squirrel

• Type of license: General
• Hunting Season:
  • East Texas: Oct. 1 to Feb. 26 and May 1 to May 31
  • Other counties: Sept. 1 to Aug. 31
  • Youth Only, East Texas: Sept. 24 and 25

White-Tailed-Deer

• Type of license: General, archery, and muzzleloader
• Hunting Season:
  • North and South: Nov. 5 to Jan. 1 (North) and Nov. 5 to Jan. 15 (South)
  • Youth only North and South: Oct. 29 and 30 and Jan.2 to Jan. 15
  • Archery (select counties): Oct. 1 to Nov. 4
  • Muzzleloader (select counties): Jan. 2 to Jan. 15

UPLAND GAME BIRDS

Chachalaca

• Type of license: Upland Game Bird Endorsement Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties: Oct. 29 to Feb. 26

Pheasant

• Type of license: Upland Game Bird Endorsement Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Panhandle: Dec. 3 to Jan. 1

Quail

• Type of license: Upland Game Bird Endorsement Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Statewide: Oct. 29 to Feb. 26

Turkey

• Type of license: Upland Game Bird Endorsement Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Fall:
    • North: Nov. 5 to Jan. 1
    • South: Nov. 5 to Jan. 15
    • Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties: Nov. 5 to Feb. 26
  • Archery only: Oct. 1 to Nov. 4
  • Fall Youth:
    • North: Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 and Jan. 2 to Jan. 15
    • South: Oct. 29 and Oct.30 and Jan. 16 to Jan. 29
  • Spring:
    • North: April 1 to May 14
    • South: May 18 to April 30
    • One turkey counties: April 1 to April 30
    • Eastern: April 22 to May 14

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

Dove

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement & HIP Certification Required
• Hunting Season:
  • North: Sept. 1 to Nov. 13 and Dec. 17 to Jan. 1
  • Central: Sept. 1 to Oct. 30 and Dec. 17 to Jan. 22
  • South: Sept. 14 to Oct. 30 and Dec. 17 to Jan. 22
  • Special White-Wing Dove Day: Sept. 2 to Sept. 4 and Sept. 19 to Oct. 11

Duck

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement & HIP Certification Required
• Hunting Season:
  • High Plains Mallard Management: Oct. 29 to Oct. 30 and Nov. 4 to Jan. 29
  • North: Nov. 12 to Nov. 27 and Dec. 3 to Jan. 29
  • South:  Nov. 5 to Nov. 27 and Dec. 10 to Jan. 29
  • Youth and Veterans: Oct. 22 to 23 (High Plains Mallard) and Nov. 5 to Nov. 6
  • Management Unit: Nov. 5 and Nov. 6
  • North and South: Oct. 29 and Oct. 30

Goose

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, HIP Certification & Federal Duck Stamp Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Early Canada Goose:
    • East: Sept. 10 to Sept. 25
  • Light and Dark Geese
    • West: Nov. 5 to Feb. 5
    • East: Nov. 5 to Jan. 29
  • Light Goose Conservation Order
    • West: Feb. 6 to March 12
    • East: Jan. 30 to March 12

Rails, Gallinules, and Moorhens

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, HIP Certification & Federal Duck Stamp Required
• Hunting season:
  • Statewide: Sept. 10 to Sept. 25 and Nov. 5 to Dec. 28

Sandhill Cranes

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, Federal Sandhill Crane Permit & HIP Certification Required
• Hunting season:
  • Zone A: Oct. 29 to Jan. 29
  • Zone B: Nov. 26 to Jan. 29
  • Zone C: Dec. 17 to Jan. 23

Snipe

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, HIP Certification & Federal Duck Stamp Required
• Hunting season:
  • Statewide: Nov. 5 to Feb. 19

Teal

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, HIP Certification & Federal Duck Stamp Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Statewide: Sept. 10 to Sept. 25

Woodcock

• Type of license: Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, HIP Certification & Federal Duck Stamp Required
• Hunting Season:
  • Statewide: Dec. 18 to Jan. 31

OTHER ANIMALS

Alligator

• Type of license: General
• Hunting Season:
  • Statewide:
    • Core: Sept. 10 to Sept. 30
    • Non-Core: April 1 to June 30

FISHING LICENCES

All Water

All-Water Package:

• Resident: $40
• Non-Resident: $68
• Senior Resident: $22
• Special Resident (Legally Blind): $7
• Year-from-Purchase Resident: $47

One-Day:

• Resident: $11
• Non-Resident: $16

Fresh Water

Freshwater Package

• Resident: $30
• Non-Resident: $58
• Senior Resident: $12

Salt Water

Saltwater Package

• Resident: $35
• Non-Resident: $63
• Senior Resident: $17

FRESHWATER BAG AND LENTH LIMITS

Alligator Gar

Bass

Catfish

Crappie

Saugeye

Shad

Sunfish

Trout

SALT WATER BAG AND LENGTH LIMITS