Texas Hunting & Fishing Licenses

Resident hunting licenses start at $25, while non-resident hunting licenses cost $315. The resident Super Combo package at $68 includes hunting, fishing, and all required stamps.

Yes, Texas accepts digital licenses displayed through the official TX Hunt & Fish app. However, game wardens recommend carrying a paper backup for areas with no cell service.

Texas hunting licenses run from September 1 through August 31 of the following year. This applies to all annual license types.

Yes, HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification is required for hunting migratory game birds in Texas. It's free and can be completed when purchasing your license.

The Super Combo is a $68 package for Texas residents that includes hunting license, fishing license, and all required stamps (freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, upland game bird, and freshwater trout). It's the best value for active outdoorsmen.

Texas deer seasons vary by region. In the general season (most of the state), archery runs from late September through early November, general gun season from the first Saturday in November through the first Sunday in January, and muzzleloader for about two weeks in January. South Texas zones typically get extended seasons running two weeks later. Special youth-only weekends occur before and after the general season. Always check TPWD's current outdoor annual for exact dates by county.

Public hunting in Texas is limited since over 95% of land is privately owned. TPWD manages about 1 million acres through Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public hunting lands. Access requires an Annual Public Hunting (APH) permit ($48 for residents) in addition to your hunting license. Popular WMAs include the Sam Houston National Forest for deer, the Chaparral WMA in South Texas for quail, and the Gene Howe WMA in the Panhandle for mule deer. Most WMA hunts are drawn by lottery. The TPWD Public Hunt Draw system opens applications months before each season.

Not on private land. Feral hogs are classified as non-game animals in Texas, so on private property with landowner permission, you can hunt them year-round, day or night, with no bag limit and no hunting license required. You can use any legal weapon including suppressors, night vision, and thermal optics. On public land, you still need a valid hunting license. Many Texas ranches welcome hog hunters because feral hogs cause significant agricultural damage.

A full non-resident hunting license costs $315, which covers all game species. For small game only (dove, quail, waterfowl), there's a 5-Day Special Non-Resident License for $48 that saves considerable money if you're just visiting for a dove hunt. Non-residents must purchase additional stamps for certain species. There's no non-resident version of the Super Combo, so you'll need to add fishing separately if desired.

MLDP is a voluntary program where private landowners work with TPWD biologists to manage deer on their property. Enrolled properties get benefits like extended season dates (can start as early as October 1 and run through February), more flexible bag limits, and exemptions from county antler restrictions. As a hunter, you benefit from longer seasons and often better-managed deer herds. Ask the landowner or outfitter if the property is MLDP-enrolled before booking your hunt.

Texas has established CWD containment and surveillance zones in parts of the Panhandle, West Texas, and scattered South Texas counties where Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected. Within these zones, hunters must bring harvested deer to a TPWD check station for mandatory CWD testing. There are strict carcass movement restrictions - you cannot transport whole carcasses out of CWD zones without testing. TPWD updates zone boundaries annually, so check the current CWD map before your hunt.

Yes. Texas offers special youth-only hunting weekends before and after the general deer and turkey seasons, giving kids less crowded and safer hunting conditions. Youth under 17 need a Super Combo or hunting license, and those under 9 must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Texas also has a Youth Hunting Program through TPWD with special drawn hunts on WMAs specifically for hunters under 17. Hunter education is required for ages 9-16, with online courses available.

Absolutely - Texas is one of the top dove hunting destinations in the country, and the 5-Day Special Non-Resident License ($48) covers dove hunting specifically. The state has three dove zones (North, Central, South) with seasons running from September through January depending on the zone. South Texas is particularly famous for whitewing and mourning dove. You'll also need a Migratory Game Bird stamp and HIP certification. Many outfitters run guided dove hunts in the $200-500 range per day.