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Texas Deer Season 2023-2024 New Dates & Regulations!

Texas Deer Season 2023-2024 promises to be an exhilarating opportunity for hunting enthusiasts across the state. In this page, we’ll discuss the details of the Texas deer hunting season, including the dates, bag limits, and other regulations. So read on to find out everything you need about deer hunting in Texas!

Types of Deer Hunting in Texas & Seasons

Every year, Texans look forward to the annual deer season. This season is especially popular with hunters from all over the state participating in the hunt. Below here is a complete Deer hunting schedule for your perusal.

White-Tailed Deer

SpeciesMethodHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesZones/Location
White-tailed DeerGeneral - North4-Nov-237-Jan-24North Zone
White-tailed DeerGeneral - South4-Nov-2321-Jan-24South Zone
White-tailed DeerSpecial Late - North8-Jan-2421-Jan-24North Zone
White-tailed DeerSpecial Late - South22-Jan-244-Feb-24South Zone
White-tailed DeerYouth-Only - North28-Oct-2329-Oct-23North Zone
White-tailed DeerYouth-Only - North8-Jan-2421-Jan-24North Zone
White-tailed DeerYouth-Only - South28-Oct-2329-Oct-23South Zone
White-tailed DeerYouth-Only - South8-Jan-2421-Jan-24South Zone
White-tailed DeerArchery30-Sep-233-Nov-23252 of 254 counties
White-tailed DeerMuzzleloader8-Jan-2421-Jan-2490 of 254 counties

Mule Deer Season

SpeciesMethodHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesZones/Location
Mule DeerGeneralNov. 18, 2023Dec. 3, 2023Panhandle
Mule DeerGeneralNov. 24, 2023Dec. 10, 2023Trans-Pecos
Mule DeerArcherySep. 30, 2023Nov. 3, 202359 of 254 counties

Pronghorn Season

TX Pronghorn SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
General (41 of 254 counties)1-Sep-3015-Oct-23

Elk Season

Elk SeasonHunting Start DatesHunting End DatesBest TimeZones/Location
ElkYear-roundYear-roundSeptember and OctoberThroughout Texas

TX Deer License

After completing a hunter education course and submitting identification, you may apply for a hunting license (if applicable). Purchase a physical or digital license; non-resident and resident badges are available (some licenses may only be available in Austin or at a regional location). Find below the cost involved in obtaining the licenses.

License TypesItem No.CostCriteriaNote
Resident Hunting License10125Texas residentHunt any permitted bird or animal (terrestrial vertebrates).
Conditions for endorsement apply.
Senior Resident Hunting License1027Texas resident 65 years & olderOnly residents 65 and older may get senior resident hunting licenses.
Youth Hunting License1697Texas resident or non-resident who was under 17 at the time of purchase.Anyone under 17 at the time of purchase is eligible. State hunting endorsements are excluded, save for reptile and amphibian. State endorsement exemptions are available throughout the licensing year. When applicable, provide HIP certification.
Hunting Lease License (Small-1 through 499 acres)13279Both Texas resident and non-residentA requirement for any landowner or landowner's representative that leases hunting rights for money or other consideration. The license must be shown.
Hunting Lease License (Medium-500 through 999 acres)133147Both Texas resident and non-residentA requirement for any landowner or landowner's representative that leases hunting rights for money or other consideration. The license must be shown.
Hunting Lease License (Large-1,000 acres or more)134252Both Texas resident and non-residentA requirement for any landowner or landowner's representative that leases hunting rights for money or other consideration. The license must be shown.
Resident Trapper's License10619Texas residentRequired for anybody, regardless of age, who wants to hunt, kill, or take fur-bearing animals' pelts or carcasses for sale.
Non-resident Trapper's License115315Non-residentRequired for anybody, regardless of age, who wants to hunt, kill, or take fur-bearing animals' pelts or carcasses for sale.
Non-resident General Hunting License105315Non-residentPermitted bird or mammal hunting (including deer). Acceptance requirements exist. Non-residents need this license to hunt pronghorn, bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, or mule deer using MLDP tags.
Non-resident Spring Turkey License118126Non-residentStarting on February 1st. Only spring turkey hunting is allowed. Non-residents need a $7 Upland Endorsement. This license cannot be held with a Non-Resident General Hunting License.
Nonresident Special Small Game/Exotic Hunting107132Non-residentValid for hunting any game, non-game, fur-bearing, alligators, javelinas, and exotic animals (excluding turkey) (not valid for white-tailed or mule deer including MLDP tags, pronghorn or bighorn sheep). Acceptance requirements exist.
Nonresident 5Day Special Small Game/Exotic Hunting15748Non-residentFive days nonstop (valid hunting dates will be printed on the license when issued). Valid for hunting any game, non-game, fur-bearing, alligators, javelinas, and exotic animals (excluding turkey) (not valid for white-tailed or mule deer including MLDP tags, pronghorn or bighorn sheep). Acceptance requirements exist.
Non-resident Banded Bird Hunting License12027Non-residentBanded bobwhite quail, partridge, pheasant, and mallard ducks only on privately owned properties. Upland and migratory bird endorsements have requirements.

TX Deer Bag Limits

It’s important to adhere to the bag limits and regulations to ensure a sustainable deer population and maintain the integrity of the hunting experience. Here are the key points to remember about the Texas deer hunting bag limit.

  • The statewide bag limit for whitetail deer is five deer per hunting season.
  • Hunters are limited to taking a total of three bucks across all counties.
  • Bag limits may vary by county, so it’s important to check the regulations for the county where you are hunting.
  • These bag limits do not apply to properties enrolled in the Managed Lands Deer Permit (MLDP) program. MLDP properties have their bag limits set by the landowner or manager.

Best Places to Hunt Deer in Texas

TX Deer Season
TX Deer Season

Here is a list of some hunting locations in Texas where you can hunt deer:

Texas Deer LocationType of Deer
Big Bend Ranch State ParkMule deer (Note: Carmen Mountains whitetail cannot be hunted here)
Guadalupe Mountains National ParkMule deer, elk
Hill CountryWhitetail deer
Houston CountyWhitetail deer
San Angelo State ParkMule deer, white-tailed deer
Sam Houston National ForestWhitetail deer
South TexasBig Whitetail deer
Texas Hill CountryWhitetail deer
West TexasMule deer
North and East TexasKansas whitetail
East and Southeast Texas and along the Gulf CoastAvery Island Whitetail
Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslandsnative pronghorn with thin legs; often misidentified as antelope
Cross TimbersWhitetail deer
Piney WoodsWhitetail deer

Before deer hunting in the area mentioned above, ensure you have the proper licenses, permits, and knowledge of the regulations by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Regulations for Deer Hunting in Texas

Texas deer hunting ordinances vary by county. Here are a few things you should remember.

  • County-level regulations are often established for youth seasons, special late seasons, restricted areas, bag limitations, and antler restrictions.
  • All Texas hunters born after September 2, 1971, must complete a hunter education course.
  • Both online and in-person options are available, and certification must be carried out when hunting.
  • Texas has a 9-year-old minimum hunting age, and those under 17 must take in-person instruction.
  • For individuals over 17 who have not yet taken the course, a deferral of up to a year is possible (only once for non-residents)
  • In Texas, a hunting license may be purchased without providing proof of completion or certification from a hunter education course.

Tagging A Deer

Tag each deer you capture as below:

If you have a paper license:

  • Remove the tag and fill it out shortly after shooting the deer.
  • Affix the tag on the deer, making sure it is visible.
  • Keep the tag clean by placing it in a bag.

If you have a digital tag:

  • Utilize the app to identify the animal.
  • Download the app before going to the field.
  • Attach a handwritten tag to the deer corpse using a waterproof tag (e.g., duct tape and a sharpie).
  • If you have data, the app will provide a confirmation number after you submit the harvest report.
  • If you don’t have data, write down your name, hunting license customer number, and the time and date of harvest and replace them with a confirmation number when it becomes available.

FAQ related to Texas Deer Hunting Season

How to Report a Deer Harvest in Texas?

In Texas, you must submit a harvest report in specific locations, such as after shooting deer. The deadline for harvest reporting is 24 hours after completion. This may be accomplished in two ways: either a web portal or a specific mobile app. This yearly reporting duty, however, is open to amendment. As a result, determining whether or not you must submit a report is critical.

Where is the best whitetail hunting in Texas?

All around the state of Texas, you may see white-tailed deer. White-tailed deer have been found in 252 of the state’s 254 counties. White-tailed deer may be found in every open area in South Texas, making any ranch suitable for hunting.

Dates Source: TPWD Texas

John Lewis
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