TEXAS, USA — It's almost time for Texans to return to the hunting grounds.
Starting Sept. 1, hunting season begins for many animals throughout the state, and this year there are some new rules and regulations. For many animals--like squirrel and javelinas--hunting season never ends. But for some of the most popular hunting targets--like whitetail deer, dove, and duck/teal--the season opener depends on where you hunt and what weapon you're hunting with.
Here's a breakdown on when you can begin hunting.
Hunting Season Openers
Dove Season
- Regular
- North - Sep. 1, 2024 - Nov. 10, 2024 & Dec. 20, 2024 - Jan. 7, 2025
- Central - Sep. 1, 2024 - Oct. 27, 2024 & Dec. 13, 2024 - Jan. 14, 2025
- South - Sep. 14, 2024 - Oct. 27, 2024 & Dec. 13, 2024 - Jan. 21, 2025
- Special White-winged Dove Days
- South - Sep. 1-2, 2024; Sep. 6-8, 2024; & Sep. 13, 2024
Mule Deer Season
- General
- Panhandle -Nov. 23, 2024 - Dec. 8, 2024
- Trans-Pecos -Nov. 29, 2024 - Dec. 15, 2024
- Archery
- 59 of 254 counties- Sep. 28, 2024 - Nov. 1, 2024
White-tailed Deer Season
- General
- North -Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025
- South -Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 19, 2025
- Special Late
- North - Jan 6 - 19, 2025
- South - Jan 20 - Feb 2, 2025
- Youth-Only
- North -Oct. 25-27, 2024 & Jan. 6-19, 2025
- South -Oct. 25-27, 2024 & Jan. 6-19, 2025
- Archery
- 252 of 254 counties - Sep. 28, 2024 - Nov. 1, 2024
- Muzzleloader
- 90 of 254 counties - Jan. 6-19, 2025
Duck Season
- Regular
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit -Oct. 26-27, 2024 & Nov. 1, 2024 - Jan. 26, 2025
- North- Nov. 9, 2024 - Dec. 1, 2024 & Dec. 7, 2024 - Jan. 26, 2025
- South -Nov. 2, 2024 - Dec. 1, 2024 & Dec. 14, 2024 - Jan. 26, 2025
- Youth/Veterans
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit- Oct. 19-20, 2024
- North- Nov. 2-3, 2024
- South- Oct. 26-27, 2024
Teal Season
- September Teal Only
- Statewide- Sep. 14-29, 2024
Hunting and fishing season updates
This year, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) is extending its "Doe days"--when hunters are allowed to hunt deer without antlers-- to 43 counties, including Williamson County east of Interstate 35.
Another new change is the expansion of fall youth-only seasons, which allocate time for licensed hunters 16 years old or younger. For the first time, adolescents can hunt squirrels, white-tailed deer and turkeys on Fridays.
While digital stamps have previously been offered for animals like turkey and deer, this system will now include ducks.
The new Federal Duck Stamps can be purchased online starting at $25, and they will be sent to hunters after March 10, 2025.
Additionally, if you're hoping to catch spotted seatrout, the daily maximum is three, and they must range between 15 and 20 inches long.
Fishers can also catch and capture one spotted seatrout bigger than 28 inches and another of the same length by purchasing the Spotted Seatrout and Bonus Spotted Seatrout tags, according to TPWD.
Looking to hunt wild turkey? Starting this season, harvest reporting is required year-round, with specific bag limits, closures, etc. varying by county.
Bird hunters should also be wary of new light geese rules, including a year-long lift on the Light Goose Conservation Order. From Sept. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025, there are no limits to the number of light geese you can hunt.
Unplugged shotguns with more than three shells are also allowed during shooting hours, which are 30 minutes before and after sunrise and sunset accordingly. Electronic bird calls are also permitted.
Finally, three new Texas counties have been added as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zones. These include Coleman, Real and parts of Brown county. These areas are established to limit a deadly disease found in certain types of deer.
How to enter Big Time Texas Hunts
Also this year, TPWD is bringing back its Big Time Texas Hunt packages, which raise money for public hunting spaces, wildlife preservation and more.
This year, hunters can pay $9 an entry to put their name in a drawing for hunts like the Whitetail Bonanza, Big Time Bird Hunt and the Exotic Safari.
New this season, the Trans-Pecos Aoudad Adventure gives the winner a chance to participate in a four-day long, free-range hunt for a specific type of North African sheep.
Funding supports habitat projects including brush control, bighorn surveys, food plots and more.
The initiative raised more than $1 million last year and has collected more than $21 million during more than 25 years of operation.
Those interested in participating must submit their entries by Oct. 15.