Turkey Hunting Regulations

General Laws

The following information addresses some common questions about hunting and fishing laws and regulations.

Unlawful Activities

It is UNLAWFUL to:

• take, attempt to take, or possess wildlife resources within a protected length limit, in greater numbers, by other means, or at any time or place, other than as indicated within this guide or as may otherwise be provided by law.
• hunt on public roads or the right-of-way of public roads; except for certain reptiles and amphibians.
• store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children can obtain (unsupervised) access to the firearm. A person under age 17 who has lawful access to a firearm may hunt with the firearm if the youth has successfully completed the hunter education course, or is accompanied by a licensed hunter age 17 or older who has complied with the hunter education requirement, if applicable.
• drive a motor vehicle in the bed of a navigable freshwater stream, unless approved by a local river access plan established by a city, county, or river authority. This law does not apply to the Canadian River and Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. Other exemptions may be found in the Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 90.
• fish on privately-owned waters, fish in public water from private land, or hunt on privately-owned lands without the permission of the owner or the owner’s agent.
• fish on public water from private land without a fishing license.
• enter property that is agricultural, fenced, posted with a sign(s), or marked (purple paint) without the express permission of the owner (Texas Penal Code §30.05). Posts or trees bearing a purple paint marking of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width and not less than three or more than five feet from the ground, constitute notice that the property is posted.
• hunt any animal without landowner consent.
• kill a desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn, white-tailed deer, or mule deer without landowner consent (Parks and Wildlife Code state jail felony). Upon conviction, hunting and fishing license is automatically revoked.
• discharge a firearm on or across a public road.
• possess a deer or any part of a deer that has been hit by a motor vehicle

Personal Identification

While hunting, fishing or trapping, persons 17 years of age or older must carry on their person a valid driver’s license or personal identification certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Non-residents must carry similar documents issued by the agency in their state or country of residence that is authorized to issue driver’s licenses or personal identification certificates.

Inspection Authority

A game warden who observes a person engaged in an activity governed by the Parks and Wildlife Code or reasonably believes that a person is or has been engaged in such an activity may inspect:

• any license, permit, tag, or other document issued by the department and required by the Parks and Wildlife Code of a person hunting or catching wildlife resources;
• any device that may be used to hunt or catch a wildlife resource;
• any wildlife resource in the person’s possession; and
• the contents of any container or receptacle that is commonly used to store or conceal a wildlife resource.

Waste of Game

It is an offense if a person while hunting, kills or wounds a game bird or game animal and intentionally or knowingly fails to make a reasonable effort to retrieve it and include it in the person’s daily or seasonal bag limit. It is an offense if a person intentionally takes or possesses a game bird, game animal, or a fish and intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, or with criminal negligence, fails to keep the edible portions in an edible condition.

Retrieval Of Game And Hunting Dogs

No person may enter any property to pursue wounded game, retrieve a dog, or for any other purpose, without the consent of the landowner.

Sale Of Inedible Wildlife Parts

The following inedible wildlife parts may be purchased or sold if lawfully taken or possessed:

• Hair, hide, antlers, bones, horns, skull, hooves, or sinew from the following game animals: mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, gray squirrels, fox squirrels, and javelina.
• Feathers, bones, or feet of game birds (turkey, pheasant, quail, and chachalaca) may be used, purchased, or sold for making fishing flies, pillows, mattresses, and other similar commercial uses.
• Feathers from migratory birds may not be purchased or sold for hats or ornamental purposes nor may a person purchase or sell mounted migratory game bird specimens or their parts taken by hunting.

Harassment Of Hunters, Trappers, Or Anglers

Under the Sportsmen’s Rights Act (Parks and Wildlife Code, §62.0125), harassment of hunters, trappers, or anglers is punishable by a fine of $200 to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail.

Hunter Orange

Hunter orange is RECOMMENDED for hunter safety but is not required while hunting on private property.

General Regulations and Information

What’s New for Hunting

New Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zones established in Coleman, Real, and portions of Brown counties. For more information on current zone boundaries, requirements, and dates and hours of operation of check stations: tpwd.texas.gov/ cwd. “Doe days” expanded in 43 counties in the Post Oak Savannah and Pineywoods ecoregions. Fallyouth-only seasons expanded to include Friday for white-tailed deer, squirrels, and wild turkeys. Mandatory harvest reporting now required for all wild turkeys harvested in all counties during all seasons. Updates to wild turkey season closures, bag limits,

and season dates in specific counties. Changes to light geese regulations include removal of the Light Goose Conservation Order, and during the regular light goose season a daily bag limit of 5 in the aggregate and possession limit of three times the daily bag. Digital Federal Duck Stamps now available.

Means And Methods

It is LEGAL to:

• hunt animals and non-migratory game birds from a motor vehicle, powerboat, sailboat, or from any other floating device within the boundaries of private property or upon private water.
• use calling devices (including manual and mouth-operated), recordings, and electrically amplified calls to hunt game animals and game birds. Electronic calls may not be used to hunt migratory game birds.
• use decoys to hunt game animals and game birds. NO person may use live decoys when hunting migratory game birds.
• bait for game animals, nongame animals, and upland game birds, except for wild turkey in the East Zone and migratory game birds. (Baiting is unlawful on most public property. Please check specific regulations for that public property.)
• trap nongame/exotic animals (such as feral hogs, rabbits, etc.) on private property.
• use dogs to aid in the hunting of any game bird.

Firearms

Game animals and non-migratory game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:

• rimfire ammunition (of any caliber) may NOT be used to hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, or pronghorn.
• fully automatic firearms
• shotguns are the only legal firearm that may be used during East Zone spring season for wild turkey.
• magazine capacity (number of shells/cartridges allowed): there are no restrictions on the number of shells or cartridges a legal firearm may hold when hunting game animals or game birds (except migratory game birds, see Legal Shotgun).
• muzzleloader deer seasons are restricted to muzzleloading firearms only: any firearm designed such that a bullet/projectile, and powder can be loaded only through the muzzle (as opposed to breech-loading firearms). A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader.
• suppressors (aka “silencers”): may be used to take any wildlife resource; however, all federal, state and local laws continue to apply.

Air Guns and Arrow Guns

Alligator, game animals, furbearers, squirrels, and non-migratory game birds (EXCEPT wild turkey in the East Zone) may be may be hunted with air guns and arrow guns provided:

• alligators, bighorn sheep, javelina, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and turkey (EXCEPT wild turkey in the East Zone) may be taken only with pre-charged pneumatic arrow guns, or pre-charged pneumatic air guns.
• pre-charged pneumatic air guns must fire a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215 foot pounds of energy.
• squirrels, pheasant, quail, and chachalaca may be hunted with air guns that fire a projectile of at least .177 caliber (4.5mm) in diameter producing a muzzle velocity of at least 600 feet per second.
• arrows or bolts used with an arrow gun must conform to the same projectile standards for archery.
• arrow guns may not be used to hunt deer or wild turkey during archery season.

Texas Air Gun & Arrow Gun Regulations

Archery

• Only lawful archery equipment prescribed in this section may be used for taking game animals or game birds.
• Lawful archery equipment includes compound bows, crossbows, longbows, and recurved bows.
• Lawful archery equipment may not be used to hunt deer during the Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season.
• Lawful archery equipment is lawful for non-protected nongame animals.

Longbows, compound bows, or recurved bows:

• There is no minimum draw requirement.
• Lighted pins, sight magnification, overdraw rests, and devices that allow a bow to be locked at full or partial draw are lawful during any season when lawful archery equipment may be used.

Crossbow:

For current crossbow requirements, please refer to the Outdoor Annual Mobile App or visit: Texas Hunting Means & Methods

• In Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, no person may use a crossbow to hunt deer during the Archery-Only Open Season unless the person has an upper-limb disability and has in immediate possession a physician’s statement that certifies the extent of the disability. An upper-limb disability is a permanent loss of the use of fingers, hand, or arm in a manner that renders the person incapable of using a longbow, compound bow, or recurved bow.
• An Archery Endorsement is required to hunt deer during the Archery-Only Open Season. An archery endorsement is required to hunt deer at any time in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, including during the general open season.
• Any person, regardless of physical ability, may use a crossbow to hunt game animals or game birds in any county, including Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, during a general open season or East Zone spring turkey season.

Projectiles (Arrows and Crossbow Bolts)

While hunting game animals and game birds, a projectile may not be poisoned, drugged, or explosive.

• When used to hunt turkey and all game animals other than squirrels, a projectile must be equipped with a broadhead hunting point. An archer may have arrows/bolts with field, target, or judo points in the quiver with the broadhead hunting points.
• There are no restrictions or minimum requirements on arrow or bolt lengths, arrow material, arrow weight, lighted nocks, broadhead lengths or diameter, number of cutting edges, broadhead material, or mechanical broadheads.

Falconry

Please contact (512) 389-4481 for information on falconry permitting and regulations or visit: Texas Wildlife Permits: Falconry Permits

For open seasons and daily bag limits for migratory game birds visit: Migratory Game Bird Regulations

Unlawful Activities

It is UNLAWFUL to:

• knowingly discharge a firearm causing a projectile to cross a property line, unless the person owns both sides of the property line or has obtained written permission from the owner of any land crossed by the projectile.
• discharge a firearm on or across a public road or hunt from public roads.
• use a computer, or operate a facility that uses a computer, to assist in remote firearm or archery hunting, if the animal being hunted is located in Texas.
• hunt with the aid of artificial light of any form that casts or reflects a beam of light onto or otherwise illuminates a game animal or bird; EXCEPTION: hunters with legal blindness, or hunters who have a documented permanent physical disability that prevents them from using traditional firearm sighting devices may use laser sighting devices. Hunters with blindness must possess a physician’s signed statement attesting to legal blindness; and be assisted by a licensed hunter at least 13 years of age who is not legally blind. Legal blindness is defined in section 62.104 (c) of the Texas Government Code.
• Hunter education and licensing requirements still apply to hunters with legal blindness, hunters with a documented permanent physical disability, and persons assisting hunters with blindness or other disability.
• All hunters may use battery-powered scoping devices that project a light or dot only inside the scope or pin sight lights on archery equipment.
• use traps to hunt game birds or game animals.
• use dogs to hunt deer in this state. No person may possess a shotgun and buckshot or slugs while in the field with dogs on another person’s land during an open deer season in Angelina, Hardin, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler counties.
• No more than two dogs may be used to trail a wounded deer in all counties; however, in Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine counties, a person may trail a wounded deer with no more than two leashed dogs held by the person in control of the dogs. A “wounded deer” is a deer leaving a blood trail.
• use aircraft (including drones, except by activity-specific permit) to hunt, locate (including wounded animals), manage, harass, drive, trap or photograph any wild animal. Use of drones to locate wounded animals is not permitted.
• hunt on Public Hunting Areas without the required permits.
• hunt in a subdivision on lots 10 acres or less in an unincorporated area of a county if prohibited by local ordinance. Contact local county clerk and ask about §235.022, Local Government Code.
• hunt on any area named as a wildlife sanctuary, nesting, or propagation area.
• hunt in state and/or national parks or refuges except during scheduled hunts or under other special state or federal policies.
• hunt any wild animal or wild bird on or over privately-owned land that is submerged under public freshwater due to seasonal or occasional inundation or submerged under saltwater above the mean high tide line. The property must be posted to indicate that hunting is prohibited.
• hunt any wild animal or wild bird on foot or from a vehicle on any public road or road right-of-way, or a boat on public water, except that migratory waterfowl may be hunted from a boat or any floating craft (except a sinkbox) under certain conditions.
• possess a firearm if a convicted felon, with limited exception. Texas law allows the possession and use of a muzzle loading firearm if it is an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899, or is a replica of an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899 that does not use rimfire or centerfire ammunition. For questions regarding the possession and use of firearms by convicted felons, refer to Texas Penal Code Ch. 46 and/or seek guidance from legal counsel.

See County Listings table for additional regulations

Tagging Game Animals

Hunters in possession of a digital license and tags should refer to the Digital Licenses and Tagging page for tagging instructions.

Tagging a Deer or Wild Turkey

A tag from the hunting license of the person who killed the deer or turkey must be correctly and legibly completed (including name of property and county) and immediately attached to the animal (exception is properties with special-issued tags such as MLDP tags).

The hunter MUST:

• use the specific type of deer or turkey tag (for example, buck tags must be used only on buck deer, antlerless tags on antlerless deer, etc.).
• have the month and date of kill clearly cut out on the tag by notching the respective month and day. Do not “ink out.”
• immediately complete, date and cut out the appropriate hunting license tag after a deer is harvested but before the deer is field dressed, moved or tagged.
• after a deer is harvested and tagged, but before the deer is field-dressed or moved, complete the log (in ink) on the back of the hunting license. Boxes with asterisks in the log must be checked for harvest in antler restricted counties for bucks with an inside main beam spread of at least 13″.
• complete the mandatory harvest reporting for wild turkey in all counties or for white-tailed deer in applicable counties using the Texas Hunt & Fish app.

Completion of the log is not required for mule deer, or for white-tailed deer or mule deer harvested under a MLDP tag, TPWD Special Drawn Public Hunt permit, or on a Big Time Texas Hunt.

Where to Attach Tag to Deer or Wild Turkey

The tag may be attached anywhere on a deer or turkey so that it is not damaged, defaced, or lost in transporting or handling. For deer, the appropriate tag or permit must remain attached until the deer reaches its final destination and is quartered. For tagging requirements at a Type 1 cold storage or processing facility. If deer’s head is severed from the carcass (body), then the appropriate tag or permit must remain attached to its carcass (Proof of Sex section). If the head does not accompany the carcass, then the head must be accompanied by a Wildlife Resource Document. For turkey, the tag must remain attached until the turkey reaches its final destination and is finally processed. During a season in which the bag composition for turkey is restricted to gobblers only or gobblers and bearded hens, proof of sex must remain with the turkey, attached or unattached, until it reaches either the processor’s permanent residence or a cold storage/processing facility and is finally processed.

TIP: Remember that if the head and the carcass are separated, the tag from the hunting license goes with the meat and the WRD goes with the head.

NOTICE: Read the tag use description on your license carefully before attaching to harvested deer or turkey.

Proof of Sex

Deer or Pronghorn

It is unlawful to possess a deer or pronghorn with proof of sex removed unless the deer or pronghorn has reached the final destination other than a Type 1 cold storage or processing facility and has been at least quartered. Proof of sex includes one of the following:

• the head (skinned or unskinned) of a buck deer with antlers attached, OR the tail and unskinned skull cap with antlers attached;
• the head (skinned or unskinned) of an antlerless deer, OR the mammary organ (udder) or vulva AND the tail if the deer is female;
• the unskinned head of a pronghorn;
• or a completed Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) Tag, Antlerless Mule Deer Permit, CWD Check Station Receipt, or TPWD Drawn Hunt Legal Deer Tag.

It is unlawful to remove the proof of sex of deer or pronghorn at a Type 1 commercial processor until the carcass has been entered into the cold storage logbook and the county and ranch of harvest has been recorded by the cold storage facility.

Pheasant or Wild Turkey

It is unlawful to possess a pheasant where applicable with proof of sex removed. The following is considered proof of sex and must accompany the pheasant or turkey until it reaches its final destination and is finally processed:

• Pheasant: one leg, including the spur, attached to the pheasant carcass or the entire plumage attached to the pheasant carcass;
• Wild turkey: During a season in which the bag composition for turkey is restricted to gobblers only or gobblers and bearded hens, proof of sex must remain with the turkey, attached or unattached, until it reaches either the processor’s permanent residence or a cold storage/processing facility and is finally processed. Proof of sex for turkeys:
  • gobbler (male turkey):
    • one leg, including the spur or
    • a patch of skin with breast feathers and beard attached
  • bearded hen (female turkey): a patch of skin with breast feathers and beard attached

Exception to Proof of Sex

Instead of proof of sex, the hunter may obtain a receipt for a taxidermist or a Wildlife Resource Document (WRD) from the landowner or landowner’s agent containing the following:

• name of the person who harvested the wildlife resource;
• date the wildlife resource was harvested; and
• one of the following, as applicable: Whether the deer was antlered or antlerless; the sex of the pronghorn; the sex of the turkey and whether a beard was attached; or the sex of the pheasant.

Processing of Game Animals

All Game Animals (including deer and pronghorn)

The four quarters and two backstraps are the only parts of a game animal required by law to be kept in edible condition.

Tagging and proof-of-sex requirements, if required, continue to apply until the wildlife resource reaches a final destination other than a Type 1 cold storage or processing facility, AND is quartered.

While in camp you may remove and prepare a part of a wildlife resource if the removal and preparation occur immediately before the part is cooked or consumed; however, all tagging and proof of sex regulations apply to remaining parts until the parts reach a final destination.

Facilities

A cold storage or processing facility may be established anywhere, including on property where hunting is conducted. It must be stationary and designed to process and/or store wild game. A vehicle, trailer, or other mobile storage or processing arrangement is NOT lawful.

Commercial Cold Storage or Processing Facility Record Keeping Requirements

A person may place and maintain, or possess, in a cold storage or processing facility, lawfully harvested game birds and game animals not in excess of the number permitted to be possessed by law, if the owner, operator, or lessee of the cold storage or processing facility maintains the record book as required by law with:

name, address, and hunting license number of all persons placing game animals or game birds in storage (if a person other than the person who harvested the game bird or animal, places a game bird or game animal in storage, that person’s name and address must be included);

number and species of all game animals and game birds in storage, and

date each game animal or game bird was placed in storage (information must be entered into the record book before game is placed in storage)

Type 1 Commercial Cold Storage Or Processing Facility Requirements

A place of business open to the public for the purpose of storing or processing game animals or game birds upon demand on a for-profit basis or in exchange for anything of value must comply with the record keeping requirements described above, and as follows:

tags, permits, or WRDs, when applicable, must remain attached to birds until the birds are finally processed;

tags, permits, or WRDs, when applicable, must remain attached to pronghorn until the carcass is quartered; for deer, tagging and proof of sex requirements cease once the required information detailed above has been entered in the cold storage log, and the county and name of the ranch or property where the deer was harvested has been recorded.

for deer: tag, or WRD, as applicable, must be retained on the premises for as long as the carcass or any part of the carcass remains in the possession of the cold storage or processing facility.

Type 2 Commercial Cold Storage Or Processing Facility On Hunting Lease Requirements

A cold storage facility that is not open to the public on an on-demand basis, and is utilized to store or process game taken by persons on properties where hunting by individuals in return for pay or other consideration occurs (a hunting lease) must comply with the record keeping requirements described above, and as follows:

For turkey, proof of sex and tagging requirements cease to apply when the turkey has been entered in a cold storage record book.

Once a deer or pronghorn has been entered in the cold storage record book it may be finally processed. Proof of sex and tagging requirements continue to apply until the deer or pronghorn has at least been quartered and entered into the record book.

Private, Non-Commercial, Family-Owned Cold Storage Or Processing Facility

Except as noted below, a cold storage record book is not required for game animals or game birds placed in a private, family-owned, non-commercial cold storage or processing facility that is not used by paying hunters; however, all tagging and proof of sex requirements apply. At a private, non-commercial facility where a record book meeting the requirements of a commercial cold storage or processing facility is voluntarily maintained, proof of sex and tagging requirements are the same as for a Type 2 commercial facility (described above).

Save your tag and/or permit. After a wildlife resource reaches its final destination and tagging requirements have ceased, the possessor is encouraged to retain tags or permits in order to prevent delay or problems (cold storage or processor refusing to accept meat, etc.). When taking game (meat/ head/hide) that you have processed at home to a commercial processor, simply attach the appropriate hunting license tag or permit to the game.

Taxidermist

Hunters who give any part of a game animal or game bird to a taxidermist for mounting must attach a WRD (not the tag from the hunting license or permit) to the part.

In return, for deer, pronghorn, turkey and pheasant, the taxidermist must give the hunter a receipt as prescribed in “EXCEPTION”. The taxidermist “proof of sex” receipt for the part must accompany the tagged carcass until it reaches its final destination and is finally processed. If the taxidermist places any game animal or game bird in cold storage, then the cold storage or processing facility record book is required by law. Without the appropriate record book and a WRD accompanying the game animal or game bird, a taxidermist may be exceeding the prescribed possession limits for game animals and game birds. Taxidermy information packets may be obtained online.

A taxidermist who accepts a deer or turkey shall retain the accompanying WRD or tag for two years following the return of the resource to the owner or the sale of the deer or turkey mount to recover taxidermy cost.

Youth Hunting Seasons

Only licensed hunters 16 years of age or younger are eligible to participate in youth seasons which generally occur before (or directly after) general hunting seasons.

Youth-only hunting seasons occur for turkeys, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and waterfowl.

Youth-only waterfowl season requires the youth to be accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older.

Special requirements, bag limits, and restrictions may apply for youth-only white-tailed deer hunting seasons.

A Youth Hunting License (Type 169) is valid for the entire license year regardless if the 17th birthdate occurs during the license year. However, ONLY individuals 16 years of age or younger are allowed to participate in Youth-Only seasons.

County Listing Table

(A) =ARCHERY (Y) =YOUTH ONLY

ES = Either sex

GB = Gobblers or bearded hens

G = Gobblers only

Wild turkey: Mandatory harvest reporting in all open counties during all seasons.

Turkey bag limit: Four, in the aggregate, no more than one of which may be from the East Zone.

Definitions

Active duty

Full-time military service in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard or Texas State Guard; includes full-time training duty and attendance while inactive service at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary of the military department.

Note: Veteran Waterfowl and Active Military Waterfowl season definitions differ.

Aggregate limit

A daily bag or possession limit composed of more than one species or a single bag limit that applies to a group of counties.

Aircraft

Any mechanical or other device used for flight; this includes unmanned aerial vehicles (aka drones). Aircraft may not be used, or any attempt, to hunt, locate (including wounded animals),photograph, count, harass, drive any animal without a department-issued permit.

Air gun

A device that fires a bullet solely by the use of un-ignited compressed gas as the propellant.

Annual bag limit

(alligator, deer, pronghorn, turkey or javelina)

The maximum number of these species that may be lawfully taken by a hunter during a license year.

Antler Point

A projection that extends at least one inch from the edge of a main beam or another tine. The tip of a main beam is also a point.

Antlerless Deer

A deer with no antler point protruding through the skin or a deer that has no antlers.

Artificial lure

Any lure (including flies) with hook or hooks attached that is man-made and is used as a bait while fishing.

Arrow gun

A device that fires an arrow or bolt solely by the use of un-ignited compressed gas as the propellant.

Bait

Something that intentionally or unintentionally lures any wildlife resource. Includes, but not limited, to salt, grain, minerals, or other feed, directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered. Does not include scent attractants for animals. It is unlawful to use game fish or any part thereof as bait.

Baited area

Any (public or private) area where bait is found. For migratory game birds, this could include adjacent properties. There is no set distance from a baited area that a bird/animal may be hunted if the flight path or behavior is altered by its placement. It is the hunter’s responsibility to know if an area is baited. These areas are unlawful for ALL migratory game birds and wild turkeys in the East Zone and Public Hunting Land.

Barotrauma

A condition caused by expansion of gases inside a fish, such as the stomach coming out of the mouth, bulging eyes, bloated belly, and/or distended intestines.

Buck deer

A deer with an antler point protruding through the skin or a deer with antler growth in velvet of greater than one inch.

Buck Pronghorn

A pronghorn with black cheek patches below the ears.

Catch

To take or kill and includes an attempt to take or kill.

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Community fishing lake

All public impoundments 75 acres or smaller located totally within an incorporated city limits or a municipal, city, county, or state park. For a listing of specific fishing regulations for these waters. For a list of Community Fishing Lakes in a specific area, call (512) 389-4444 or check online.

Closed season

For any species, the period of time, if any, when fishing or hunting that species is not permitted.

Culling

Release of a fish after it was held in an angler’s possession to be replaced with another fish of the same species.

Daily bag limit (Anglers)

Quantity of a species of a resource, such as fish, that may be taken in one day.

Daily bag limit (Hunters)

The maximum number of game animals/birds that may be lawfully taken or possessed by a hunter in one day. No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit while in the field or travelling to or from the field.

Day

A 24-hour period of time that begins at midnight and ends at midnight.

Depredation

Causing damage or destruction to property, commercial crops or native environments.

Descending Device

An instrument capable of releasing a fish at the depth from which the fish was caught with a weighted hook, lip clamp, or container that will hold the fish while it is lowered to depth to effect release. The device must be capable of releasing the fish automatically, by actions of the operator of the device, or by allowing the fish to escape on its own when at depth. The device must use a minimum of a 16-ounce (454-gram) weight and a minimum of a 60-ft (15.2-m) length of line.

Final destination

The permanent residence of the hunter; the permanent residence of any other person receiving the animal/bird carcass part of an animal/bird carcass; or a Type 1 cold storage or processing facility.

Final processing

The cleaning of a dead wildlife resource for cooking or storage purposes. For a deer or pronghorn carcass, the term includes the processing of the animal more than by quartering.

Fishing

The act of taking or attempting to take aquatic animal life by any means.

Fishing guide

A person who, for compensation, accompanies, assists, or transports a person or persons engaged in fishing in the water of this state. Commercial Fishing General Information

Fishing guide deck hand

A person in the employ of a fishing guide who assists in operating a boat for compensation to accompany or to transport a person or persons engaged in fishing in the water of this state. Commercial Fishing General Information

Gear tag

A tag constructed of material as durable as the device to which it is attached. The gear tag must be legible, contain the name and address, or customer number, of the person using the device, and the date the device was set out. Date is not required for saltwater trotlines or crab traps fished under a commercial license. For juglines, freshwater trotlines, minnow traps, and throwlines properly marked buoys or floats qualify as valid gear tags.

Hunt

To capture, trap, take, or kill, and includes the act of attempt- ing to capture, trap, take, or kill.

Immediate consumption

The preparation process for a carcass portion to be immediately cooked and eaten. This would not include processed portions stored while marinating for later consumption.

Legal shooting hours for all game animals and nonmigratory (upland) game birds

The period from one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset. For information on sunrise/sunset hours is found online.

Livestock

Includes but is not limited to cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats and domesticated/non-feral swine.

Manipulation

The alteration of natural vegetation or agricultural crops, including but not limited to mowing, shredding, discing, rolling, chopping, trampling, flattening, burning and herbicide treat-ments. Only lawful for dove hunting, NOT waterfowl or cranes. Manipulation does not include the incidental distributing or scattering of grain, seed or other feed after removal from or storage on the field where grown.

Migratory bird preservation facility

A stationary facility designed and constructed to store or process game birds.

Motorboat

Any vessel propelled or designed to be propelled by machinery, whether or not the machinery is permanently or temporarily affixed or is the principal source of propulsion.

Natural vegetation

Any non-agricultural, native or naturalized plant species that grows at a site in response to planting or from existing seeds or propagule. Natural vegetation does not include planted millet.However, planted millet that grows on its own in subsequent years after the planting is considered natural vegetation (only natural vegetation may be manipulated for waterfowl and crane hunting.)

Nongame fish

All species not listed as game fish except endangered and threatened fish, which are defined and regulated under separate rules.

Normal agricultural planting, harvesting, and post-harvest manipulation

A normal agricultural planting or harvesting undertaken for the purpose of producing and gathering a crop, or manipulation (including post-harvest) after such harvest and removal of a crop, that is conducted in accordance with official recommendations of State Extension Specialists of the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Includes commercial harvest, loading and unloading. Does not include the broadcast spreading of seed that is normally drill-planted.

Normal stabilization practice

A planting for agricultural soil-erosion control or post-mining land-reclamation conducted in accordance with official recommendations of State Extension Specialists of the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Open season

The period of time during which it is lawful to pursue, hunt, take, or attempt to take a specified animal, bird, or fish. The dates in this guide are opening and closing dates for the open season which includes all dates between them.

Operate

To navigate or otherwise use a motorboat or a vessel.

Outboard motor

Any self-contained internal combustion propulsion system, excluding fuel supply, which is used to propel a vessel and which is detachable as a unit from the vessel.

Party boat

A vessel, other than a sailboat, of 30 feet or more in length that is operated on inland waters of the state by the owner of the vessel or an employee and is rented or leased for a recreational event for more than six passengers.

Permanent residence

One’s principal or ordinary home or dwelling place. This does not include one’s temporary abode or dwelling such as a hunting/fishing club, or any club house, cabin, tent, car, truck, or trailer house used as a hunting/fishing club, or any hotel, motel, or rooming house used during a hunting, fishing, pleasure, or business trip.

Personal watercraft

A type of motorboat that is specifically designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

Possession limit (hunters)

The maximum number of any animal or bird that may be possessed by any person at any place. This limit only ceases when a bird or animal is legally finally processed or reaches its final destination. Final processing may only occur at final destination or cold storage facility.

Possession limit (anglers)

The maximum number of fish a person may possess before returning to their residence. Possession limit is twice the daily bag on game and nongame fish, except as provided in this guide, and does not apply to fish in the possession of or stored by a person at their residence.

Pre-charged pneumatic

An air gun or arrow gun for which the propellant is supplied or introduced by means of a source that is physically separate from the air gun or arrow gun. Note: Air guns or arrow guns powered by CO2 canisters are NOT pre-charged pneumatics.

Residence (anglers)

A permanent structure where a person regularly sleeps and keeps personal belongings such as furniture and clothes, but does not include a temporary abode or dwelling such as a hunting or fishing club, or any club house, cabin, tent or trailer house or mobile home used as hunting or fishing camp, or any hotel, motel or rooming house used on a temporary basis.

Sell

To transfer the ownership or the right of possession of an item to a person for consideration and includes a barter and an even exchange.

Sinkbox

A low floating device concealing a person below the surface of that is operated on inland waters of the state by the owner of the vessel or an employee and is rented or leased for a recreational event for more than six passengers.

Tag

A label attached to a harvested resource (such as animal, fowl, fish). The type of license (physical or digital) may affect the type of tag authorized for use.

Venting tool

A device capable of penetrating the abdomen of a fish for purposes of releasing gases accumulated in the body cavity as a result of retrieving the fish from depth. It must be a sharpened, hollow instrument that allows air to escape and of at least a 16–gauge, with an outside diameter of no less than 0.065 inches (1.65 mm).

Veteran

A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable. Note: Veteran Waterfowl and Active Military Waterfowl season definitions differ.

Vessel

Any watercraft, other than a seaplane on water, used or capable of being used for transportation on water.

Waterfowl

Ducks (including teal), geese, mergansers, and coots. Does NOT include Sandhill Crane.

Wildlife resource

Any wild animal, wild bird, or aquatic life.

Wildlife Resource Document (WRD)

A document that allows a person to give, leave, receive, or possess any species (or part of) of legally taken game birds, game fish or game animals; WRD must contain:

• name, signature, address, and hunting license number of the person who harvested or caught the wildlife resource;
• name of the person receiving the wildlife resource;
• description of the wildlife resource (number and type of species or parts);
• date the wildlife resource was harvested or caught; and
• location where the wildlife resource was harvested or caught (name of ranch; area; county).

Wounded deer

A deer leaving a blood trail.

Youth (for the purposes of participation in Youth-Only hunting seasons or special youth events)

Any person 16 years of age or younger.

Commonly Used Abbreviations

CDC

Centers for Disease Control

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

CWD

Chronic Wasting Disease

EEZ

Exclusive Economic Zone

HIP

Harvest Information Program

IWVC

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

MLDP

Managed Lands Deer Program

OGT

Operation Game Thief

PFD

Personal Flotation Device

PWC

Personal Watercraft

TAHC

Texas Animal Health Commission

TCEQ

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality TDSHS Texas Department of State Health Services TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

USCG

United States Coast Guard

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture

WMA

Wildlife Management Area WRD Wildlife Resource Document WTD White-tailed Deer

TPWD Regional and Field Law Enforcement Offices

Abilene

281 North Willis (79603)

(325) 673-3333

Amarillo

203 SW 8th Street, Suite 200 (79101)

(806) 379-8900

Beaumont

5655 Eastex Frwy., Suite A (77706)

(409) 892-8666

Brownsville

5460 Paredes Line Road, Ste. 201 (78526)

(956) 546-1952

Brownwood

301 Main, Suite D (76801)

(325) 646-0440

College Station

12815 FM 2154 (Wellborn Road)

Suite 160 (77845) (979) 696-4148

Corpus Christi

5541 Bear Lane, Suite 232 (78405)

(361) 289-5566

El Paso

401 East Franklin, Suite 520 (79901)

(915) 834-7050

Fort Worth

5400 Airport Frwy, Suite E (76117)

(817) 831-3128

Garland

346 Oaks Trail, Suite 100 (75043)

(972) 226-9966

Houston (north)

350 North Sam Houston Pkwy E., Ste. 100

(77060) (281) 931-6471

Houston (south)

10101 Southwest Frwy, #206 (77074)

(713) 779-8977

Kerrville

309 Sidney Baker South (78028)

(830) 257-7611

LaMarque

12007 Delany Road (77568)

(409) 933-1947

Laredo

5119 Bob Bullock Loop (78041)

(956) 718-1087

Lubbock

1702 Landmark Lane, Suite 1 (79415)

(806) 761-4930

Lufkin

Old Texas Plaza, 4100 S. Medford Drive,

Suite 204B (75901) (936) 632-1311

Midland

4500 West Illinois, Suite 307 (79703)

(432) 520-4649

Mt. Pleasant

212 South Johnson (75455)

(903) 572-7966

Rockport

715 South Hwy. 35 (78382)

(361) 790-0312

Rusk

580 West Sixth Street (75785)

(903) 683-2511

San Angelo

3407 South Chadbourne (76903)

(325) 651-4844

San Antonio

2391 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 409 (78217)

(210) 348-7375

Temple

3615 South General Bruce Drive (76504)

(254) 778-8913

Tyler

11942A FM 848, Suite 100 (75707)

(903) 534-0388

Victoria

2502 E Mockingbird Lane (77904)

(361) 575-6306

Waco

1601 East Crest Drive (76705)

(254) 867-7951

Wichita Falls

4822 Kemp Blvd., Suite 1300 (76308)

(940) 723-7327

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