Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Texas?

Now that we’ve mentioned javelina and bighorn sheep, you might be eager to plan your next hunt. But before you head out—or even set your dates—it’s important to know the open season periods and regulations for each species.

Below, you’ll find the most recent hunting season information for Texas to help guide your planning. Keep in mind that these details can change, so always double-check the official Texas Parks & Wildlife resources to confirm the latest regulations before your hunt.

Deer

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 1, 2025 – January 6, 2026
  • South Zone: November 1, 2025 – January 198, 2026
• Special Late:
  • North Zone: January 5 – 18, 2026
  • South Zone: January 19 – February 1, 2026
• Youth Only:
  • Early: October 24 – 26, 2025
  • Late: January 5 – 18, 2026
• Archery: September 27 – October 31, 2025
• Muzzleloader: January 5 – 18, 2026

Mule Deer

• General:
  • Panhandle: November 22 – December 7, 2025
  • Trans-Pecos: November 28 – December 14, 2025
• Archery: September 27 – November 21, 2025

Turkey

• Spring Season:
  • North Zone: March 29 – May 11, 2025
  • South Zone: March 15 – April 27, 2025
  • Special 1 Turkey Bag Limit: April 1 – 30, 2025
  • East Zone: April 22 – May 14, 2025
  • Youth Only:
    • North Zone: March 22 – 23, 2025 and May 17 – 18, 2025
    • South Zone: March 8 – 9, 2025 and May 3 – 4, 2025
• Fall Season:
  • Archery Only: September 27 – October 31, 2025
  • North Zone: November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
  • South Zone: November 1, 2025 – January 18, 2026
  • Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties: November 1, 2025 – February 22, 2026
• Fall (Youth Only):
  • North Zone: October 24 – 26, 2025 and January 5 – 18, 2026
  • South Zone: October 24 – 26, 2025 and January 19 – February 1, 2026
    

Pronghorn

October 4 – 19, 2025

Javelina

• General:
  • North Zone: October 1, 2025 – February 22, 2026
  • South Zone: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026

Squirrel

• General:
  • East Texas: October 1, 2025 – February 22, 2026 and May 1 – 31, 2026
  • Other Open Counties: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
• Youth Only:
  • East Texas: September 26 – 28, 2025

Migratory Game Birds

Dove Season Texas

• Regular:
  • North Zone: September 1 – November 9, 2025 and December 19, 2025 – January 7, 2026
  • Central Zone: September 1 – October 26, 2025 and December 12, 2025 – January 14, 2026
  • South Zone: September 14 – October 26, 2025 and December 12, 2025 – January 22, 2026
• Special White-Winged Dove Days: September 5 – 7, 2025 and September 12 – 13, 2025

Other Game Birds

• Rails, Gallinules, and Moorhens (Statewide): September 20 – 28, 2025 and November 1 – December 31, 2025
  
• Sandhill Cranes:
  • Zone A: October 25, 2025 – January 25, 2026
  • Zone B: November 21, 2025 – January 25, 2026
  • Zone C: December 13, 2025 – January 18, 2026
• Snipe (Statewide): November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
• September Teal (Statewide): September 20 – 28, 2025
• Woodcock (Statewide): December 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Duck

• Regular:
  • High Plains Mallard Management Unit: October 18 – 19, 2025 and October 24, 2025 – January 25, 2026
  • North Zone: November 8 – 30, 2025 and December 6, 20225 – January 25, 2026
  • South Zone: November 1 – 30, 2025 and December 13, 2025 – January 25, 2026
• Youth and Veterans:
  • High Plains Mallard Management Unit: October 11 – 12, 2025
  • North Zone: November 1 – 2, 2025
  • South Zone: October 25 – 26, 2025

Goose

• Early Canada Goose:
  • East Zone: September 13 – 28, 2025
    
• Dark Geese:
  • West Zone: November 1, 2025 – February 1, 2026
  • East Zone: November 1, 2025 – January 25, 2026
• Light Geese:
  • West Zone: November 1, 2025 – February 1, 2026
  • East Zone: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026

Upland Game Birds

• Chachalaca: October 25, 2025 – February 22, 2026
• Pheasant (Panhandle/South Plains): December 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026
• Quail (Statewide): November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026

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.

Alligator

• 22 Counties and Special Properties: September 10 – 30, 2025
• All Other Counties: April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026