Texas 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Texas's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens November 7, 2026 in every zone and closes between January 3, 2027 and January 17, 2027 depending on zone.
Archery deer season runs Oct 3-Nov 6, 2026 (252 of 254 counties).
Duck season opens between October 24, 2026 and November 14, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 31, 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 3, 2027; later in some zones
- archery deer
- Oct 3-Nov 6, 2026
- duck
- opens Oct 24-Nov 14, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Texas's seasons
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.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Texas
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 3 stations in Texas. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
Mule Deer
Archery
Zone: Trans-Pecos
Mule Deer
Archery
Zone: Panhandle
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: 252 of 254 counties
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Zone: North
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Zone: South
Mule Deer
Regular Firearm
Zone: Panhandle
Mule Deer
Regular Firearm
Zone: Trans-Pecos
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader-Only
Zone: 90 of 254 counties
White-tailed Deer
Special Late
Zone: North
White-tailed Deer
Youth-Only Late Season
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Special Late
Zone: South
White-tailed Deer
Youth-Only Early Season
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
16 listed rowsWild Turkey
Archery-only
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Fall
Zone: Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties
Wild Turkey
Fall
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Fall Youth-only
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Fall Youth-only
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth-Only
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Spring
Zone: South
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth-Only
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Spring
Zone: One-turkey counties
Wild Turkey
Spring
Zone: North
Wild Turkey
Spring
Zone: East
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wild TurkeyFall Youth-only · South | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeyFall Youth-only · North | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring Youth-Only · South | Upcoming | |
| Wild TurkeySpring Youth-Only · North | Upcoming |
Waterfowl
14 listed rowsDuck
Regular
Zone: High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Duck
Regular
Zone: South
Duck
Youth/Veterans
Zone: North
Goose
Dark Geese
Zone: West
Goose
Light Geese
Zone: West
Goose
Light Geese
Zone: East
Goose
Dark Geese
Zone: East
Duck
Regular
Zone: North
Duck
Regular
Zone: North
Duck
Regular
Zone: South
Duck
Youth/Veterans
Zone: High Plains Mallard Management Unit
Duck
Regular
Zone: High Plains Mallard Management Unit
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DuckYouth/Veterans · South | Closed | |
| GooseEarly Canada Goose · East | Closed |
Dove
Dove
Regular
Zone: North
Dove
Regular
Zone: Central
Dove
Regular
Zone: North
Dove
Regular
Zone: South
Dove
Regular
Zone: Central
Dove
Regular
Zone: South
Pheasant
Pheasant
Regular
Zone: Panhandle/South Plains
Quail
Quail
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Rabbits and Hares
Regular
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel
General
Zone: Other open counties
Squirrel
General
Season also includes May 1-31, 2027
Zone: East Texas
Squirrel
General
Zone: East Texas
Squirrel
Youth-only
Zone: East Texas
Migratory Birds
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Zone: A
Rails, Gallinules & Moorhens
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Zone: B
Sandhill Crane
Regular
Zone: C
Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Rails, Gallinules & Moorhens
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Teal
September Teal Only
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn
Pronghorn
General
Zone: 41 of 254 counties
Javelina
Javelina
General
Zone: South
Javelina
General
Zone: North
Other
Chachalaca
Regular
Zone: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr & Willacy Counties
Alligator
General
Zone: All Other Counties
Alligator
General
Zone: 22 Counties & Special Properties
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Texas Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Texas?
Archery deer season runs Oct 3-Nov 6, 2026 (252 of 254 counties). Firearm deer season opens November 7, 2026 in every zone and closes between January 3, 2027 and January 17, 2027 depending on zone. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Texas Parks & Wildlife.
When is Texas's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens November 7, 2026 in every zone and closes between January 3, 2027 and January 17, 2027 depending on zone. Check zone and permit details with Texas Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Texas?
Spring turkey season opens between March 20, 2027 and April 22, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes May 16, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
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.
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