The Guide to Texas Hunting Seasons 2024

In addition to these big game opportunities, Texas is an excellent hunting ground for whitetail deer, turkey, and even javelina. 

So, whether you live in the Lone Star State or you’re planning a hunting trip there this year, you’ll need to know the open season dates and bag limits for the game you’re after. 

We’ve pulled this information together for you! Keep reading to learn what hunters need to know about Texas hunting seasons.  

Why Do Hunters Hunt in Texas?

As we mentioned, it’s an excellent place to check a pronghorn off your game list. It’s also one of the only states that allow javelina hunting.

You’ll also find plenty of opportunities for whitetail and mule deer hunting, and it’s a big state (as everything is in Texas) for hunting multiple species of squirrels. The desert areas of the state also allow hunting for bighorn sheep. 

Where Should I Hunt?

Again, as everything is bigger in Texas, so is the variety of terrain. Depending on what and where you hunt, you’ll run into valleys, canyons, plains, and plateaus. There’s also plenty of water – including big lakes – and woods. 

Texas offers plenty of public and private land for hunting. With many areas to explore and scout, you’ll need to fine-tune the locations best suited for finding the game you’re after. Whether you’ve hunted in Texas before or you’re planning your first trip, HuntWise can help you gain an advantage over the land, game, and other hunters. 

When Can I Hunt?

Now that we mentioned javelina and bighorn sheep, you might be anxious to try your hand at hunting these animals! However, before you head out or even plan your hunt, make sure you know the open season dates and regulations.   

Below, we’ve included the latest Texas hunting information to help you plan—but be aware that information can change. Make sure you check state websites for hunting in Texas to confirm the latest details as you plan your hunting adventures.  

Deer Seasons

Open season dates for deer hunting in Texas depend on the type of deer you plan to hunt: whitetail or mule deer. You’ll also want to pay close attention to zones and counties and the specific regulations for each. 

White-tail Deer

• General:
  • North Zone: November 2 – January 5
  • South Zone: November 2 – January 19
     
• Special Late: 
  • North Zone: January 6 – 19
  • South Zone: January 20 – February 2
     
• Youth Only:
  • North and South Zones: October 25 – 27 and January 6 – 19
     
• Archery:
  • 252 of 254 Counties: September 28 – November 1
     
• Muzzleloader:
  • 90 of 254 Counties: January 6 – 19

Mule Deer

• General:
  • Panhandle: November 23 – December 8
  • Trans-Pecos: November 29 – December 15
     
• Archery:
  • 59 of 154 Counties: September 28 – November 1

Pronghorn

• General:
  • 41 of 254 Counties: September 28 – October 13

Javelina

• General:
  • North Zone: October 1 – February 23
  • South Zone: September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025

Squirrel

• General:
  • East Texas: October 1 – February 23 and May 1 – 31, 2025
  • Other Open Counties: September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
     
• Youth Only: 
  • East Texas: September 27 – 29

Migratory Birds

Dove Season Texas

• Regular: 

  • North Zone: September 1 – November 10 and December 20 – January 7
  • Central Zone: September 1 – October 27 and December 13 – January 14
  • South Zone: September 14 – October 27 and December 13 – January 21

   

• Special White-Winged Dove Days: September 1-2, September 6-8, and September 1

Texas Duck Season

• Regular: 
  • High Plains Mallard Management Unit: October 26 – 27 and November 1 – January 26
  • North Zone: November 9 – December 1 and December 7 – January 26
  • South Zone: November 2 – December 1 and December 14 – January 26
     
• Youth and Veterans: 
  • High Plains Mallard Management Unit: October 19 – 20
  • North Zone: November 2 – 3
  • South Zone: October 26 – 27

Goose

• Early Canada Goose: 
  • East Zone: September 14 – 29
     
• Dark Geese: 
  • West Zone: November 2 – February 2
  • East Zone: November 2 – February 26
     
• Light Geese: 
  • West Zone: November 2 – February 2
  • East Zone: November 2 – February 14

Other Migratory Birds

• Rails, Gallinules, and Moorhens (Statewide): September 14 – 29 and November 2 – December 25
   
• Sandhill Cranes: 
  • Zone A: October 26 – January 26
  • Zone B: November 22 – January 26
  • Zone C: December 14 – January 19
• Snipe (Statewide): November 2 – February 16
• September Teal (Statewide): September 14 – 29
• Woodcock (Statewide): December 18 – January 31

Upland Game Birds

• Chachalaca:
  • Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties: November 2 – February 16
     
• Pheasant:
  • Panhandle/South Plains: December 7 – January 5
     
• Quail (Statewide): October 26 – February 23

Turkey

• Fall Season: 
  • North Zone: November 2 – January 5
  • South Zone: November 2 – January 19
  • Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties: November 2 – February 12
  • Archery Only: September 28 – November 1
     
• Fall (Youth Only): 
  • North Zone: October 25 – 27 and January 6 – 19
  • South Zone: October 25 – 27, and January 20 – February 2
     
• Spring Season: 
  • North Zone: March 30 – May 12
  • South Zone: March 16 – April 28
  • Special 1 Turkey Bag Limit: April 1 – 30
  • East Zone: April 22 – May 14

Special Permit Hunts

Some species – like bighorn sheep, feral hogs, and exotics – require special permits, and hunters must enter for the online-only drawing system. 

For more details about these species (and others), including bag limits and season dates, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website. You can also visit the eRegulations pages for hunting in Texas.

What Do I Need to Know About Hunting Licenses?

All hunters in Texas need a hunting license. Licenses are valid from the date you purchase it through August 31 of the following year. Depending on what and how you hunt, you may also need specific endorsements. 

Purchase a license online or from an official retailer in person. Hunters have options ranging from resident and non-resident annual licenses to lifetime and combo hunting and fishing licenses. 

What Are the Bag Limits for the Texas Hunting Seasons?

How many mule deer, javelina, or ducks can you bring home this season? To comply with hunting regulations in Texas, follow the bag limits for everything you hunt throughout the year. 

For more specifics about bag limits, check out the Hunting, Fishing, & Boating Regulations from Texas Parks & Wildlife. 

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

Texas requires all hunters born on or after September 2, 1971, to take a hunter education course. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, including an option to defer a hunting education course in some cases if accompanied by a licensed hunter.  

Hunters also need the right gear to hunt successfully in Texas. As a HuntWise subscriber, you gain access to discounts on gear from our partners with the potential to save hundreds on gear like hunting knives, binoculars, calls, clothing, scopes, and more. 

Use HuntWise for Texas Hunting Success This Season

We just shared a lot of information, and we hope it’s helpful as you plan your hunting seasons this year.

You’ll also want to make sure you have the ultimate hunting tool before heading out for your first hunt of the year. With HuntWise, you have an advantage over other hunters while improving your chances of tagging out – no matter the type of game you hunt. 

Download the HuntWise app for immediate access to current information on hunting in Texas, including regulations, season dates, and bag limits. 

The app also gives you access to real-time animal behavior predictors, ideal wind and weather, map layers (including Wildlife Management Areas, State Park areas, and Dove and Small Game Leased areas for Texas), private landowner boundaries and contact information, and more. 

If you haven’t hunted with HuntWise yet, this is your year! Download the app and enjoy access to every feature – free for a week!