Hunting & Fishing

Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Texas Law

Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 34
This provision in the Texas Constitution discusses Texans' rights to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 5, Subtitle A: Hunting and Fishing Licenses
These chapters discuss the different types of licenses that are available and mention Texas's reciprocal privileges with other states.

Get a License

Hunting and Fishing Licenses (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
This page provides information on obtaining the required licenses for recreational hunting and fishing in Texas.
Official Texas Fishing Licenses and Endorsements (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
This page discusses the required licenses for taking fish, mussels, clams, crayfish, and other aquatic life, as well as turtles and frogs.

Restrictions & Regulations

Texas Laws & Regulations

Texas Administrative Code, Title 31, Part 2, Chapter 65: Wildlife
Texas Parks and Wildlife Regulations on wildlife including necessary permits for various species. Animals regulated include: game animals, game birds, deer, exotic species, threatened and endangered species, bobcats, raptors, alligators, "fur bearing" animals (beavers, raccoons, foxes, minks, and others).
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 5, Subtitle B: Hunting and Fishing
These chapters define game and non-game animals and list penalties for possession, importation, and hunting of certain species. They also define acceptable hunting methods, including storage of game.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual
This information from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department compiles current fishing and hunting regulations and includes a few news articles. This page features downloadable booklets, pocket guides and an app.

Hunting Seasons

Seasons by Animal & Category (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department)
View hunting seasons for specific animals and for specific types of hunting. (Click "more..." below to see the list of animals and categories.)
more...less...
Special Seasons: Archery-only, Falconry, Muzzleloader Deer, Youth-Only.
Game Animals: Alligator, Javelina, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Squirrel, White-tailed Deer. Upland
Game Birds: Chachalaca, Pheasant, Quail, Turkey.
Migratory Game Birds: Common Snipe, Dove, Duck, Goose, Rails, Gallinules & Moorhens, Sandhill Cranes, Teal, Woodcock.
Other Animals: Rabbits & Hares, Fur-Bearing Animals (Badger, Beaver, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Nutria, Opossum, Otter, Raccoon, Ring-tailed cat, Skunk), Non-Game Animals (Armadillos, Bobcats, Coyotes, Flying Squirrels, Frogs, Mountain lions, Porcupines, Prairie dogs, Turtles).

Fishing

Texas Commercial Fishing Guide
Updated each year, this publication from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides an overview of relevant fishing laws in Texas. It includes information about license requirements as well as species-specific regulations.

Nuisance Wildlife

Sometimes wildlife can be dangerous or harmful to humans. Texas law addresses certain species of wild animals that can become a nuisance to humans and sets out ways that people can mitigate the dangers of these species.

Nuisance Wildlife
These guides from Texas Parks and Wildlife discuss "nuisance wildlife" including: alligators, bears, cowbirds, urban coyotes, feral hogs, herons, mountain lions, overabundant deer, ticks, and woodpeckers.
Feral Hog Laws and Regulations in Texas
This article by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension discusses laws and regulations surrounding feral hogs in Texas.

Hunting Leases

Rancher's Agricultural Leasing Handbook: Grazing, Hunting, and Livestock Leases
This handbook from Texas A&M's AgriLife Extension provides information for those seeking to lease their land for the purpose of grazing, hunting, or livestock use.
The Texas Deer Lease
This publication, created by the Texas A&M Real Estate Center, outlines common lease provisions, hunting laws, and landowner liability.

E-Books Available from the State Law Library

Animal law in a nutshell
Topics include: animal cruelty laws, livestock, domestic animal ownership, animal rights, hunting & fishing.

Who Can I Contact?

Texas Parks and Wildlife — Game Wardens
Use this site to learn how game wardens enforce Texas wild game laws and locate your county's game warden. This site also discusses Operation Game Thief, where you can report game violations such as poaching.
Texas Parks and Wildlife — Hunting
This site provides information about obtaining a hunting license, hunting seasons, and resources to find public hunting grounds.

Texas State
Law Library

Animal Law