Texas Hunting Season 2023: What’s Open, When & Rules?

If you are planning on visiting Texas in the hunting season of 2023, there are some things you should know before you go. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has released its hunting season dates for the latest season. The Season will start in early October in Texas. So, here are few things to know ahead of your hunting season preparation.

What’s new for the 2022-23 Texas hunting season?

In Texas, hunters are required to check their tags every year. However, the number of hunters checking their tags has decreased due to new technology like GPS-enabled locators and deer monitoring applications. Backcountry hunters who don’t use GPS locators now have the opportunity to venture out and hunt for a whole season without getting tagged, thanks to this “reduced check” option.

Texas Hunting Season
Texas Hunting Season

Texas hunting season in 2023

Texas offers several hunting seasons, including youth hunt days and entire gun seasons. Additionally, hunting for animals like alligators, pronghorns, deer, and javelinas is thrilling.

We aimed to create the most straightforward guide possible regarding Texas’s 2022–2023 hunting seasons. If you want to know when the seasons are, what the rules and bag limits are, what the licensing requirements are, and where to discover useful links? The information provided in this guide will interest you.

When is the Deer Season in Texas?

Texas Deer Seasons (White Tailed )Season Start DateSeason End DateLocation
Archery OnlySaturday-October 1, 2022Friday-November 4, 2022All counties with an open season
General SeasonSaturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-January 1, 2023North Zone
Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-January 15, 2023South Zone
Youth-OnlySaturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022North Zone
Monday-January 2, 2023Sunday-January 15, 2023North Zone
Saturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022South Zone
Monday-January 2, 2023Sunday-January 15, 2023South Zone
MuzzleloaderMonday-January 2, 2023Sunday-January 15, 2023
Special LateMonday-January 2, 2023Sunday-January 15, 2023North Zone
Monday-January 16, 2023Sunday-January 29, 2023South Zone
Mule Deer
GeneralSaturday-November 19, 2022Sunday-December 4, 2022Panhandle
Friday-November 25, 2022Sunday-December 11, 2022Trans-Pecos
ArcherySaturday-October 1, 2022Friday-November 4, 202259 of 254 counties
PronghornSaturday-October 1, 2022Sunday-October 16, 202241 of 254 counties

Seasons for Upland Birds in Texas

Texas Turkey SeasonsSeason Start DateSeason End DateZones
ChachalacaSaturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-February 26, 2023Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties
PheasantSaturday-December 3, 2022Sunday-January 1, 2023Panhandle
QuailSaturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-February 26, 2023Statewide

Texas Turkey Season

Texas Turkey SeasonsSeason Start DateSeason End DateNote
Archery OnlySaturday-October 1, 2022Friday-November 4, 2022Every county with a open fall season
Youth-OnlySaturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022North Zone
Monday-January 2, 2023Sunday-January 15, 2023North Zone
Saturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022South Zone
Monday-January 16, 2023Sunday-January 29, 2023South Zone
Saturday-March 25, 2023Sunday-March 26, 2023Rio Grande - North Zone
Saturday-May 20, 2023Sunday-May 21, 2023Rio Grande - North Zone
Saturday-March 11, 2023Sunday-March 12, 2023Rio Grande - South Zone
Saturday-May 6, 2023Sunday-May 7, 2023Rio Grande - South Zone
Fall SeasonSaturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-January 1, 2023North Zone
Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-January 15, 2023South Zone
Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-February 26, 2023Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Countie
Spring SeasonSaturday-April 1, 2023Sunday-May 14, 2023Rio Grande - North Zone
Saturday-March 18, 2023Sunday-April 30, 2023Rio Grande - South Zone
Saturday-April 1, 2023Sunday-April 30, 2023Rio Grande - Special 1 Turkey Bag Limit
Saturday-April 22, 2023Sunday-May 14, 2023Eastern Turkey
Eastern TurkeySaturday-April 22, 2023Sunday-May 14, 2023East Texas

Texas’s Seasons for Migratory Game Birds

Rails, Gallinules, and Moorhens Season

Texas Rails, Gallinules and MoorhensSeason Start DateSeason End DateLocation
Regular SeasonSaturday-September 10, 2022Sunday-September 25, 2022Statewide
Saturday-November 5, 2022Wednesday-December 28, 2022Statewide
FalconrySunday-January 30, 2022Monday-February 13, 2023Statewide

Seasons for Goose

Goose SeasonSeason Start DateSeason End DateLocation/Zone
Early Canada GooseSaturday-September 10, 2022Sunday-September 25, 2022East
Light and Dark GeeseSaturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-February 5, 2023West
Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023East
Light Goose Conservation OrderMonday-February 6, 2023Sunday-March 12, 2023West
Monday-January 30, 2023Sunday-March 12, 2023East

Duck Season

Texas Duck SeasonsSeason Start DateSeason End DateLoaction
Regular SeasonSaturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Friday-November 4, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Saturday-November 12, 2022Sunday-November 27, 2022North Zone
Saturday-December 3, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023North Zone
Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-November 27, 2022South Zone
Saturday-December 10, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023South Zone
Youth OnlySaturday-October 22, 2022Sunday-October 23, 2022High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-November 6, 2022North Zone
Saturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022South Zone
Dusky DuckMonday-November 7, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Thursday-November 17, 2022Sunday-November 27, 2022North Zone
Saturday-December 3, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023North Zone
Thursday-November 10, 2022Sunday-November 27, 2022South Zone
Saturday-December 10, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023South Zone
FalconryMonday-January 30, 2023Monday-February 13, 2023North Zone
Sunday-January 30, 2022Monday-February 13, 2023South Zone

TX Dove Seasons

Texas Dove SeasonsSeason Start DateSeason End DateLocationDaily AverageBag LimitDaily Possession Limit
Regular SeasonThursday-September 1, 2022Sunday-November 13, 2022North Zone2 maximum white-tippedDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
Saturday-December 17, 2022Sunday-January 1, 2023North Zone2 maximum white-tippedDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
Thursday-September 1, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022Central Zone2 maximum white-tippedDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
Saturday-December 17, 2022Sunday-January 15, 2023Central Zone2 maximum white-tippedDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
Wednesday-September 14, 2022Sunday-October 30, 2022South Zone2 maximum white-tippedDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
Saturday-December 17, 2022Sunday-January 22, 2023South Zone2 maximum white-tippedDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
Special-White Winged Dove DaysFriday-September 2, 2022Sunday-September 4, 2022South Zone2 maximum mourning doves and 2 maximum white-tipped dovesDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
Friday-September 9, 2022Sunday-September 11, 2022South Zone2 maximum mourning doves and 2 maximum white-tipped dovesDaily 15 birds3 times the daily bag Limit
FalconryFriday-November 18, 2022Sunday-December 4, 2022StatewideDaily 3 birds3 times the daily bag Limit

Seasons for Snipe

Texas Snipe Seasons & LimitsSeason Start dateSeason End DateLoactionBag LimitsHunting Timing
Regular Season (Wilson's Snipe (Common snipe or Jacksnipe))Saturday-November 5, 2022Sunday-February 19, 2023Statewide8 birds daily bag limit30 minutes before dawn to sunset.
Limit of 24 birds in possession

Texas Teals Season

Teal SeasonsSeason Start DateSeason End DateLocationBag Limits
September - Teal Only SeasonSaturday-September 10, 2022Sunday-September 25, 2022Statewide• 6-bird daily bag limit.
• Limit of possession: 3 times daily bag limit,
• (Early Teal) blue-winged, green-winged, cinnamon teal.

Seasons for Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill Crane SeasonsSeason Start DateSeason End DateLocationBag Limits
Regular SeasonSaturday-October 29, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023Zone A• 3-bird daily bag limit.
• Limit of possession: 9 birds.
Friday-November 25, 2022Sunday-January 29, 2023Zone B• 3-bird daily bag limit.
• Limit of possession: 9 birds.
Saturday-December 17, 2022Sunday-January 22, 2023Zone C• 2-bird daily bag limit.
• Limit of possession: 6 birds.

Woodcock Season

Woodcock SeasonsSeason Start DateSeason End DateLocationBag Limits
Regular SeasonSunday-December 18, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Statewide• 3-bird daily bag limit.
• Limit of possession: 9 birds,
FalconryMonday-January 30, 2023Monday-February 13, 2023Statewide• 3-bird in the aggregate
• Limit of possession: 9 birds in the aggregate

Texas Hunting Regulations

  • Within the confines of private land or upon private water, it is prohibited to pursue mammals and non-migratory game birds from a motor vehicle, powerboat, yacht, or from any other moving device.
  • Hunting game animals and game birds are permitted with calling devices, recordings, and electronically enhanced sounds. However, using electronic calls to pursue migrating game birds is prohibited except during the Light Goose Conservation Order season.
  • Live decoys cannot be used when hunting migrating game birds, but baits can stalk both game mammals and game birds.
  • Air rifles and arrow weapons can target alligators, game animals, furbearers, rodents, and non-migratory game birds (except for the eastern turkey).
  • Only with a Wildlife Resource Document (WRD) is it possible to transfer lawfully captured wildlife or marine resources, and the WRD has to be affixed throughout the entire transfer procedure.
  • Any legal handgun may be used to pursue game mammals and non-migratory game birds, except rimfire ammo, completely automatic weapons, and muzzleloader deer seasons, which are limited to muzzleloading weapons only.
  • The use of canines to capture wildlife birds is prohibited.
  • It is against the law to shoot a gun across a property line or on a public road, stalk remotely, use nets, or pursue deer with canines.
  • Some public and private areas, including parks and animal preserves, forbid hunting.
  • Specific rules must be followed when using projectiles for hunting, such as the need to use broadhead hunting tips and the ban on incendiary, doped, or poisoned shells.
  • For information on falconry permits and laws, call (512) 389-4481.
  • For labeling directions, hunters with digital permits and tags should visit tpwd.texas.gov/digitaltags.
  • Except for vintage or novelty firearms made before 1899 or copies of such firearms that do not use rimfire or centerfire ammo, guns are usually banned from having criminals who have been convicted of a crime.
  • Keeping a deer or pronghorn with the reproductive glands removed is forbidden unless it has been at least quartered and reached its location. A finished Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) Tag, Antlerless Mule Deer Permit, CWD Check Station Notification, or TPWD Drawn Capture Permitted Deer Badge are acceptable forms of sex proof, as are the heads of buck deer with antlers affixed, antlerless deer, pronghorn, and buck deer with horns removed.
  • A Category 1 business handler must input the body into the cold storage journal and document the county and property of capture before removing the evidence of sex from deer or pronghorn.
  • Without evidence of sex, it is illegal to own a pheasant. The proof of sex must travel with the pheasant or turkey until it gets to its location and is processed.
  • White-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, and red deer can all contract the deadly Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in specific regions of Texas. To identify and control this illness, the government has named CWD Zones.
  • To remove any portion of an animal from a CWD Zone, hunters must transport their animals to a TPWD checkpoint within 48 hours of harvesting mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, or other foreign CWD-susceptible species within the CWD Zones.
  • Body pieces must be disposed of properly to prevent pollution and the spread of CWD. In any CWD Zone, hunters are advised to leave any inedible portions at the location of the kill, discard them in a dump, or bury them at least six feet underground.
  • Federal law forbids placing food where shooters attempt to capture migrating game birds.
  • The hunters are responsible for determining whether a location has been lured.
  • Hunting of migrating game birds is permitted over growing fields, artificially cultivated flora, and typical soil protection techniques.
  • Certain kinds of firearms, traps, and signals are prohibited when pursuing migrating game birds.
  • Until they arrive at the possessor’s home, all migrating game birds that have been caught must be marked.
  • The entry of migrating game birds from Mexico or Canada is subject to limitations.
  • For information on regulations or license requirements, waterfowl shooters using public waterways should contact their neighbourhood TPWD Law Enforcement office.

Read more information on Texas’s hunting regulations on tpwd.texas.gov

Texas Seasons, Licenses, & Maps for Hunting

Texas has a difficult-to-navigate licensing structure that makes hunting without a license extremely challenging, as well as a short and pricey hunting season. The high cost and shortage of hunting licenses at U.S. borders creates an issue for non resident hunters.

Hunters can use the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Hunting Maps” on Google Maps during the season. Using this resource, sportsmen can learn more about popular game species in Texas and locate prime shooting areas near them. It will also encourage more print, internet, and video media ads centered around wildlife as a tourism attraction, which will help shooters better comprehend where to locate wildlife. By year’s end, Game Charts will be available in North Texas, Central Texas, and South Texas.

TX Hunting Seasons FAQ

What are the fees for Texas hunting license?

Texas hunting licenses vary in price depending on location, age, and type. Texas residents pay $25 per year for a regular hunting license, while non-residents pay $315 or $132 for a special hunting license. Archery, Deer, Bear, Hare, Special, and General permits have varying fees and rules. Hunters must know these rules to hunt legally and safety. The Texas Parks and Wildlife page details permits kinds, fees, and rules. You may find the complete details here.

Can you buy a hunting license in Texas without a driver's license?

Yes, in Texas, it is possible to get a hunting license without having a driver’s license. You can buy a license from a game warden or wildlife agency if you’re 16 or older and not a condemned felon. A photo and state-issued ID showing you’re over 16 are needed to get a license.

What can be hunted throughout the year in Texas?

Depending on the species and the season, hunting practices vary in Texas. Deer can be pursued all year long, but geese, turkeys, mice, bunnies, coyotes, and other untamed creatures can only be taken during specific times of the year. These animals may only be hunted with the appropriate permissions and licenses. You might be able to pursue whitetail deer, whitetail pigs, poultry, and feral hogs among other creatures in Texas, depending on where you reside.

Also Read :

Illinois Hunting Seasons 2022-2023 [Important Guide!]

What Does a Baby Pigeon Look Like? Pictures Will Make You Smile!

South Carolina Hunting Seasons

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