Texas 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Texas's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 7, 2026-Jan 17, 2027.
Archery Mule Deer opens Oct 3, 2026 and closes Nov 26, 2026.
Spring Youth-Only Wild Turkey opens Mar 13, 2027 and closes May 9, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Texas Parks & Wildlife.
- firearm deer
- Nov 7, 2026-Jan 17, 2027
- archery deer
- Oct 3-Nov 26, 2026
- spring turkey
- Mar 13-May 9, 2027
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Key seasons by species
What changed for 2026-27
County and species rules change the season fast
Texas is too large for a single date to tell the story. Whitetail, mule deer, turkey, and migratory bird seasons depend heavily on county, zone, and species.
Use this page to find the likely window, then confirm the county table and Outdoor Annual details with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Texas Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Texas
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 3 stations in Texas. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
Mule Deer
Archery
Oct 3-Nov 26, 2026
Zone: Trans-Pecos
Mule Deer
Archery
Oct 3-Nov 20, 2026
Zone: Panhandle
Mule Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 21-Dec 6, 2026
Zone: Panhandle
Mule Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 27-Dec 13, 2026
Zone: Trans-Pecos
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Oct 3-Nov 6, 2026
Zone: 252 of 254 counties
White-tailed Deer
Youth-Only Early Season
Oct 30-Nov 1, 2026
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 17, 2027
Zone: South
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 3, 2027
Zone: North
White-tailed Deer
Special Late
Jan 4-17, 2027
Zone: North
White-tailed Deer
Youth-Only Late Season
Jan 4-17, 2027
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader-Only
Jan 4-17, 2027
Zone: 90 of 254 counties
White-tailed Deer
Special Late
Jan 18-31, 2027
Zone: South
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery-only
Oct 3-Nov 6, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Youth-only
Oct 30, 2026-Jan 17, 2027
Season includes Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 2026 & Jan. 4-17, 2027
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Fall Youth-only
Oct 30, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Season includes Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 2026 & Jan. 18-31, 2027
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Fall General
Nov 7, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties
Wild Turkey
Fall General
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 17, 2027
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Fall General
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 3, 2027
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth-Only
Mar 13-May 9, 2027
Season includes Mar. 13-14, 2027 & May 8-9, 2027
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Spring General
Mar 20-May 2, 2027
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth-Only
Mar 27-May 23, 2027
Season includes Mar. 27-28, 2027 & May 22-23, 2027
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Spring General
Apr 1-30, 2027
Zone: One-turkey counties
Wild Turkey
Spring General
Apr 3-May 16, 2027
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Spring General
Apr 22-May 14, 2027
Zone: East
Waterfowl
Duck
Youth/Veterans
Oct 17-18, 2026
Zone: High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Duck
Regular
Oct 24, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Season includes Oct. 24-25, 2026 & Oct. 30, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027
Zone: High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Duck
Youth/Veterans
Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026
Zone: South
Duck
Youth/Veterans
Nov 7-8, 2026
Zone: North
Duck
Regular
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Season includes Nov. 7-29, 2026 & Dec. 12, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027
Zone: South
Duck
Regular
Nov 14, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Season includes Nov. 14-29, 2026 & Dec. 5, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027
Zone: North
Goose - Dark Geese
Regular
Nov 7, 2026-Feb 7, 2027
Zone: West
Goose - Dark Geese
Regular
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: East
Goose - Early Canada Goose
Early Canada Goose
Sep 12-27, 2026
Zone: East
Goose - Light Geese
Regular
Nov 7, 2026-Feb 19, 2027
Zone: East
Goose - Light Geese
Regular
Nov 7, 2026-Feb 7, 2027
Zone: West
Teal
September Teal Only
Sep 19-27, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Dove
Dove
Regular
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 7, 2027
Season includes Sep. 1 - Nov. 8, 2026 & Dec. 18, 2026 - Jan. 7, 2027
Zone: North
Dove
Regular
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 21, 2027
Season includes Sep. 1 - Oct. 25, 2026 & Dec. 18, 2026 - Jan. 21, 2027
Zone: South
Dove
Regular
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 14, 2027
Season includes Sep. 1 - Oct. 25, 2026 & Dec. 11, 2026 - Jan. 14, 2027
Zone: Central
Pheasant
Pheasant
Regular
Dec 5, 2026-Jan 3, 2027
Zone: Panhandle/South Plains
Quail
Quail
Regular
Nov 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Rabbit and Hares
Regular
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel
General
Sep 1, 2026-Aug 31, 2027
Zone: Other open counties
Squirrel
Youth-only
Sep 25-27, 2026
Zone: East Texas
Squirrel
General
Oct 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Season also includes May 1-31, 2027
Zone: East Texas
Migratory Birds
Rails, Gallinules & Moorhens
Regular
Sep 19, 2026-Jan 6, 2027
Season includes Sep. 19-27, 2026 & Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 6, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Oct 31, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: A
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Nov 27, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: B
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Dec 12, 2026-Jan 17, 2027
Zone: C
Snipe
Regular
Nov 7, 2026-Feb 21, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular
Dec 18, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn
Pronghorn
General
Oct 3-18, 2026
Zone: 41 of 254 counties
Javelina
Javelina
General
Sep 1, 2026-Aug 31, 2027
Zone: South
Javelina
General
Oct 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: North
Other
Alligator
General
Sep 10-30, 2026
Zone: 22 Counties & Special Properties
Alligator
General
Apr 1-Jun 30, 2027
Zone: All Other Counties
Chachalaca
Regular
Nov 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties
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Texas Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Texas?
October 3, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Texas; it is archery mule deer Oct 3-Nov 26, 2026.
When is Texas's firearm deer season?
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 17, 2027 is the listed firearm deer window for Texas. Check zone and permit details with Texas Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Texas?
March 13, 2027 is the first listed spring turkey opener for Texas; the listed window is Mar 13-May 9, 2027.
Do I need a license to hunt in Texas?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Texas hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Texas Parks & Wildlife.