Texas Outdoor Annual
Start here for current Texas hunting regulations, season dates, counties, tagging, harvest reporting, and special rules.
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Texas Hunting Seasons
Use TPWD's Outdoor Annual to confirm current Texas hunting dates by animal, county, and season type.
By Roy Lloyd · Last reviewed: July 2026
Texas hunting seasons are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and can vary by animal, county, weapon type, public land rules, and special regulations. The safest starting point is always TPWD's Outdoor Annual.
This page is a fast planning layer for Texas hunters. Use it to get to the right official TPWD pages, then confirm the exact county and species details before you hunt.
Official Texas Hunting Season Links
TPWD maintains the current Texas Outdoor Annual, including hunting regulations, season dates by animal, county listings, licenses, and hunter education.
Buy License and Tags
Use TPWD license sales for official Texas hunting licenses, tags, permits, and stamps.
Hunter Education
Confirm who needs hunter education, course options, certification, and deferral rules.
How to Check Texas Season Dates
1. Choose the animal
Start with the TPWD season dates by animal and category. Deer, turkey, dove, waterfowl, and exotics can follow very different rules.
2. Confirm the county
Texas county rules matter. Check the county where you will actually hunt before relying on a statewide date or bag limit.
3. Match license, tag, and method
Confirm whether your hunt requires tags, endorsements, harvest reporting, public land permits, or method-specific rules.
FAQ
Where can I find official Texas hunting season dates?
Use the TPWD Outdoor Annual. It includes current hunting regulations, season dates by animal and category, and county-specific season information.
Do Texas hunting seasons vary by county?
Yes. Texas hunting regulations can vary by county, species, and season type. Always check the TPWD county listing for the county where you plan to hunt.
Do I need a Texas hunting license before checking season dates?
You can check dates first, but you need the proper Texas license, tags, permits, and endorsements before hunting. Use TPWD license sales and the Outdoor Annual together.
Are Texas deer and turkey tags digital?
TPWD offers digital license options, but it notes that physical licenses and tags are required for hunting and fishing activities that require tags, including deer and turkey.
Read Next
Dates Confirmed? Build Your Texas Hunt Kit.
Once you know your county, species, and season dates, use the checklist tool to plan the gear you actually need.