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Texas Hunting Seasons & Prices

2026 big-game season dates and license/tag prices.

Texas offers 2026 hunting seasons for whitetail, mule deer, and turkey across archery, firearm, any method, and muzzleloader methods. Seasons run from October 3, 2026 through May 16, 2027. A resident hunting license costs $25.

Planning reference only — always confirm dates and prices with the state wildlife agency before applying, buying a license, or hunting.

Season dates

Mule deer

SeasonMethodOpensClosesNotesTrack
ArcheryArcheryOct 3, 2026Nov 26, 2026Panhandle closes Nov. 20; Trans-Pecos closes Nov. 26🔔
General (Panhandle)FirearmNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026🔔
General (Trans-Pecos)FirearmNov 27, 2026Dec 13, 2026🔔

Whitetail

SeasonMethodOpensClosesNotesTrack
ArcheryArcheryOct 3, 2026Nov 6, 2026🔔
Youth-only (Early)FirearmOct 30, 2026Nov 1, 2026Ages 16 & under🔔
GeneralFirearmNov 7, 2026Jan 17, 2027North Zone closes Jan. 3, 2027; South Zone closes Jan. 17, 2027🔔
MuzzleloaderMuzzleloaderJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 2027Muzzleloader-only counties🔔
Youth-only (Late)FirearmJan 4, 2027Jan 17, 2027Ages 16 & under🔔

Turkey

SeasonMethodOpensClosesNotesTrack
FallAny methodNov 7, 2026Jan 17, 2027Rio Grande turkey. North Zone closes Jan. 3, 2027; South Zone closes Jan. 17, 2027🔔
Spring (South Zone)Any methodMar 20, 2027May 2, 2027Rio Grande turkey🔔
Spring (North Zone)Any methodApr 3, 2027May 16, 2027Rio Grande turkey🔔

License & tag prices

LicenseResidentNonresidentNotes
Resident Hunting License$25—
Senior Resident Hunting License (65+)$7—
Youth Hunting License (16 & under)$7$7
Nonresident General Hunting License—$315
Nonresident Special (5-Day) Hunting License—$48

Texas licenses big game with a general hunting license, not per-species tags — one license covers deer and turkey (deer tags are issued with the license). Nonresidents buy the General Nonresident Hunting License; a short-term 5-day option is also offered.

Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Hunting Licenses (tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses)

Texas hunt units

Explore harvest history, success rates, and draw odds by unit.

Angelina Neches/Dam B WMA AlligatorGuadalupe Delta WMA AlligatorJ.D. Murphree WMA AlligatorJames Daughtrey WMA AlligatorMad Island WMA AlligatorSea Rim SP AlligatorBig Lake Bottom WMA Wild pigCaddo Lake WMA Wild pigCaprock Canyons SP Wild pigChoke Canyon SP - North Shore Wild pigChoke Canyon SP - North Shore Unit Wild pigColeman County Ranch Wild pig
Browse all Texas harvest data →

Texas hunting FAQ

When does mule deer season open in Texas in 2026?
Texas's 2026 mule deer archery season opens October 3 and runs through November 26. Always confirm exact dates with the state wildlife agency before hunting.
What big-game species can you hunt in Texas?
In 2026, Texas has hunting seasons for whitetail, mule deer, and turkey.

📊 Texas harvest trends

How Texas's harvest has moved season to season, from official state reports.