When you can hunt, and the rules of the road, in plain language.
Always check TPWD before you go. This page is a friendly summary, not the law. Seasons, bag limits and legal methods change by county. The official source is the TPWD Outdoor Annual ↗.
Dates checked October 22, 2026 against TPWD's 2026–27 season dates.
Texas is split into a North Zone and a South Zone. Zone map and county rules ↗
| Season | North Zone | South Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Archery-only (252 of 254 counties) | Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026 | Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026 |
| Youth-only (early) | Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026 | Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026 |
| General season | Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 |
| Youth-only (late) | Jan 4 – 17, 2027 (check TPWD for where it applies) | |
| Muzzleloader-only (90 of 254 counties) | Jan 4 – 17, 2027 | |
| Special late | Jan 4 – 17, 2027 | Jan 18 – 31, 2027 |
In plain words: bows open first (Oct 3). General season opens statewide Saturday, Nov 7. Kids get youth-only seasons of their own.
| Game | Dates (2026–27) |
|---|---|
| Mule deer, Panhandle | Archery Oct 3 – Nov 20; General Nov 21 – Dec 6, 2026 |
| Mule deer, Trans-Pecos | Archery Oct 3 – Nov 26; General Nov 27 – Dec 13, 2026 |
| Dove, North Zone | Sep 1 – Nov 8, 2026 & Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 7, 2027 |
| Dove, Central Zone | Sep 1 – Oct 25, 2026 & Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027 |
| Dove, South Zone | Sep 1 – Oct 25, 2026 & Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 21, 2027 |
| Teal (September) | Sep 19 – 27, 2026, statewide |
| Duck, North Zone | Nov 14 – 29 & Dec 5, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 (youth/veterans Nov 7 – 8) |
| Duck, South Zone | Nov 7 – 29 & Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 (youth/veterans Oct 31 – Nov 1) |
| Duck, High Plains Mallard Mgmt. Unit | Oct 24 – 25 & Oct 30, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 (youth/veterans Oct 17 – 18) |
| Turkey, fall | Archery Oct 3 – Nov 6; General Nov 7 – Jan 3 (North) / Jan 17 (South) |
| Turkey, spring | South Mar 20 – May 2; North Apr 3 – May 16; East Apr 22 – May 14; one-turkey counties Apr 1 – 30, 2027 |
| Quail | Nov 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027, statewide |
| Rabbits and hares | No closed season |
Source: TPWD 2026–2027 Hunting Season Dates ↗. Feral hog rules differ from game animals; check the Outdoor Annual for the land you hunt.
Bow vs. rifle. During archery-only season you hunt with archery equipment, and an Archery Endorsement is required. Crossbows are allowed during archery-only season in most counties, but not in Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall. During muzzleloader-only season, only muzzleloaders. Archery rules ↗
Licenses. Resident hunting license $25. Youth (under 17) $7, exempt from state hunting endorsements except the Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement. Seniors 65 and older $7. Bird and waterfowl hunters may need additional endorsements, HIP certification and a federal stamp; check before you go. Licenses are valid until August 31. Hunting licenses ↗
Bag limits. No one may take more than five white-tailed deer a year, no more than three of them bucks. Each county sets its own limit, often lower, so look up your county.
Tagging and reporting. Tag your deer as the Outdoor Annual describes for your license type. Some counties require you to report your harvest through TPWD's app or online.
Antler restrictions. In many counties a legal buck must have at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of 13 inches or more, and only one buck with a 13-inch-plus spread counts toward the limit. Check your county.
Hunter education. Required if you were born on or after Sept. 2, 1971. The minimum age to certify is 9. Adults 17 and older can take it fully online; younger hunters take the free online course plus a field day ($15). Adults 17 and older can buy a one-time $10 deferral and hunt accompanied. Hunter education ↗
Private vs. public land. Most of Texas is privately owned, which is why leases exist: you need the landowner's permission. TPWD also offers public hunting and drawn hunts. Public hunting ↗
Something look off? The TPWD Outdoor Annual always wins. TPWD: (800) 792-1112.