Texas offers hunters something most other states cannot match. The chance to hunt different species throughout the entire year. The state’s 268,000 square miles create diverse habitats from East Texas forests to South Texas brush country, each supporting different wildlife populations and hunting seasons. Feral hogs have no closed season anywhere, exotic species can be hunted year-round on private land, and traditional game like deer and turkey have generous seasons that keep hunters busy for months.
What makes Texas different is how private landowner rights work alongside wildlife management. Property owners have real control over hunting on their land, creating better habitat and hunting opportunities than states with more restrictive regulations. This system has produced some exceptional hunting while keeping wildlife populations healthy and growing.
Hunting Licenses and Requirements
| License Type | Cost | Valid For | Requirements |
| Resident Hunting License | $25 | Any legal bird or animal | Texas residency proof |
| Senior Resident (65+) | $7 | Any legal bird or animal | Age verification |
| Youth License (Under 17) | $7 | Any legal bird or animal | Age verification |
| Non-Resident General | $315 | Any legal bird or animal | Valid for deer hunting |
| Non-Resident Special | $126 | Exotics, small game (no deer) | Limited species access |
| Non-Resident 5-Day Special | $55 | Exotics, small game (5 days) | Short-term hunting |
Additional endorsements may be required depending on hunting activities. The Archery Endorsement costs $7 for bow hunting, while the Migratory Game Bird Endorsement runs $7 for waterfowl hunting. The HIP certification is free but mandatory for migratory bird hunters.
Hunter education certification is required for anyone born after September 2, 1971. This certification can be completed online or through in-person courses offered throughout the state. The education covers firearm safety, hunting ethics, wildlife conservation, and Texas hunting regulations.
Licenses can be purchased online at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, through the mobile app, or at any of the 1,700 licensed retailers across the state. Phone orders are available at 800-895-4248, though a $5 administrative fee applies to phone and online purchases.
Texas Hunting Seasons by Species
White-tailed Deer
Deer season gives hunters the longest stretch of hunting in Texas, starting with archery in late September and running through January or February, depending on the zone. The general gun season typically opens November 2 and runs through January 5 in the north or January 19 down south. Youth get their own special seasons in October and January. You will find deer all over Texas, but the Hill Country, East Texas piney woods, and South Texas brush country have the best populations.
Mule Deer
Mule deer hunting happens mainly out west during short seasons in November and December. The Panhandle usually gets about two weeks from late November through early December, while the Trans-Pecos region around Big Bend has similar timing. These deer like the rocky, open country where you can spot them from a distance.
Feral Hogs
Hogs can be hunted any day of the year with no bag limits on private property. These pigs tear up crops and reproduce fast, so landowners want them gone. East Texas has plenty of hogs in the timber and agricultural areas. You can hunt them with anything legal during any other season.
Rio Grande Turkey
Spring turkey season runs from late March through early May in most counties and provides the best hunting opportunity. Fall seasons happen in fewer counties but can be productive where available. The Hill Country and Central Texas have the strongest turkey populations, though you can find birds in good habitat throughout much of the state.
Waterfowl
Duck and goose seasons follow federal guidelines and typically run November through January in different zones across the state. Early teal season in September gives hunters a preview before regular waterfowl seasons open. The Gulf Coast counties along the flyway offer the most consistent waterfowl hunting.
Dove
Dove seasons split into two parts. Usually September through October and then December through January. These seasons kick off the hunting year for many families and provide great opportunities for new hunters. Dove numbers stay strong across most of Texas.
Squirrel
Squirrel hunting varies by region. East Texas has set seasons from October through February plus a spring season in May. Central and West Texas allow year-round squirrel hunting. The oak and hickory forests in East Texas provide the best squirrel hunting.
Exotic Species and Predators
Exotics and predators have no closed season on private land. This includes axis deer, aoudad sheep, blackbuck, coyotes, and other non-native species. These animals provide hunting opportunities when traditional seasons are closed.
Texas Hunting Regions
East Texas
East Texas encompasses the Piney Woods region with dense hardwood and pine forests that create ideal habitat for white-tailed deer, feral hogs, squirrels, and turkeys. Counties like Walker, Houston, Polk, Cherokee, and Anderson offer excellent hunting opportunities with good wildlife populations and reasonable land prices. The timber industry and agriculture in this region create diverse habitat conditions that support various game species.
Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country represents the heart of the state’s white-tailed deer hunting, with rocky terrain, oak mottes, and brush cover creating perfect deer habitat. This region produces some of the highest deer densities in North America along with opportunities for exotic species on many properties. The limestone hills and valleys provide excellent hunting terrain with good visibility and natural features that concentrate wildlife movement.
South Texas
South Texas brush country is famous for producing trophy white-tailed deer and provides some of the longest hunting seasons in the state. The dense thorny brush creates ideal deer habitat while the region’s genetics produce bucks with impressive antlers. Hunting lease values in South Texas reflect the quality of the hunting, with many properties commanding premium prices for access rights.
West Texas and the Panhandle
West Texas offers wide open spaces perfect for mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and predator hunting. The terrain provides long-range shooting opportunities and access to species not found in other parts of the state. Large ranches and vast acreage tracts characterize this region, where hunters can pursue game across expansive landscapes with minimal hunting pressure.
Gulf Coast and Coastal Prairies
The Gulf Coast region serves as a critical stopover point for migratory waterfowl traveling along the Central Flyway. These counties offer the best duck and goose hunting in Texas, with extensive marshes, rice fields, and coastal habitat. The flat terrain and abundant water create ideal conditions for waterfowl while also supporting populations of deer, hogs, and other game species.
How Hunting Rules Vary by County
Texas sets hunting rules by individual counties instead of big regions, so regulations can change completely when you cross county lines. What you can hunt, bag limits, season dates, and antler rules all depend on exactly which county you are in.
Take East Texas as an example. Polk County allows fall turkey hunting but San Jacinto County next door might not. Walker and Houston counties have antler restrictions where bucks need either a 13-inch spread or one unbranched antler, but drive to a neighboring county and those rules might not exist. Some counties participate in the Managed Lands Deer Program more than others, giving those landowners different seasons and bag limits. Always check the TPWD County Search Tool at tpwd.texas.gov before hunting anywhere new.
Benefits of Owning Land for Hunting
- Hunt deer, predators, and exotics year-round without season restrictions.
- Set up feeders, blinds, and water sources exactly where you want them.
- Control who hunts your property and when they hunt.
- Join the Managed Lands Deer Program for longer seasons and custom bag limits.
- Lease hunting rights during peak seasons for extra income.
- Pass down hunting traditions through family land ownership.
- Build equity in property that appreciates over time.
Hunting land makes sense for people who are serious about their outdoor time. You get control over the hunting experience, plus potential income from leasing to other hunters during busy seasons. Home Land Properties has listings throughout East Texas where you can find good value for land sale in Texas compared to other hunting regions. These areas provide access to multiple species without the premium prices you will find in places like South Texas.
