Game in Texas

• Since Texas is so geographically diverse, many types of game are available to hunt, including two species of deer (whitetail and mule), elk, javelina (feral pigs), turkey, doves, quail, waterfowl and squirrel. The state considers all wildlife in Texas the property of the state and has aggressive programs to foster the population of the animals in its charge on both public and private lands. Some hunting ranches in Texas have introduced exotic species native to other countries for specialized hunting.
  
  

Hunting on Public Lands in Texas

• According to the TPWD, 1.2 million acres of public land are available for hunting. When the hunter purchases the license, he is given maps that show where hunting on public land is permissible in Texas. The state has divided the land available for public hunting into eight geographic divisions. Each division is managed by wildlife biologists.
  
  

Hunting on Private Land in Texas

• Texas ranchers can open their property to private hunting parties. These ranchers work with the TPWD to manage their land and wildlife for optimal hunting experiences. They charge a fee to hunt on their property and offer accommodations from spots for tent camping to luxurious stays in ranch houses or lodges.
  
  The benefits of hunting on private land in Texas are substantial, since the ranchers work with wildlife biologists to create an ideal environment for the game that live on these ranches. Some of these ranches have other animal crops like cattle or sheep, and the ranchers operate both the ranching and the hunting as income-generating businesses.
  
  

Permits for Hunting

• The state charges a nominal fee for year-round hunting licenses in Texas for residents and substantially more for non-residents. Children under 17 can hunt without a permit as long as they are with a permitted adult.
  
  Most of the public lands in Texas that allow hunting allow year-round dove hunting, and the state specifies hunting season for other types of game and bag limits. The state has a lottery for specialized hunts for exotic animals like antelope, alligators and turkey. These are guided hunts and last from one to four days.
  
  

Hunting Seasons in Texas

• The TPWD establishes the beginning and ending for the hunting season in Texas each year based on the animal that is being hunted. Most of the time the hunting seasons are in the fall, with the exception of dove hunting, which may be permissible all year long in some areas in Texas. Hunters who want to take advantage of the private land hunting packages must check the dates when they can hunt the game they want and book reservations according to the schedules that are released annually.