2013-2014 Hunting Season Dates
Alligator
Regular Season
- 22 Counties and special properties (By permit only)
- Sept. 10-30, 2013
- Remainder of state
- Apr. 1-Jun. 30, 2013
See Spring Alligator Hunt Orientation for further information.
Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal
September Teal Only Season
- Statewide
- Sept. 14-29, 2013
In addition to a hunting license, a migratory game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt any migratory game bird.
Chachalaca
Regular Season
- Cameron, Hildago, Starr, and Willacy Counties
- Nov. 2, 2013-Feb. 23, 2014
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt chachalacas.
Dove
Regular Season
- North Zone
- Sept. 1-Oct. 23, 2013 and Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014
- Central Zone
- Sept. 1-Oct. 23, 2013 and Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014
- South Zone
- Sept. 20-Oct. 27, 2013 and Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 20, 2014
- Special White-winged Dove Area
- Sept. 20-Oct. 23, 2013,
and Dec. 20, 2013-Jan. 20, 2014
Special Season
- Special White-winged Dove Area
- Sept. 1, 2, 7 and 8, 2013
Legal shooting hours are noon to sunset
Falconry Season
- Entire State
- Nov. 15-Dec. 21, 2012
In addition to a hunting license, a migratory game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt any migratory game bird, including mourning dove.
Please report leg bands to 1-800-327-BAND
Duck
Youth Waterfowl
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit
- Oct. 20-21,2012
- North Zone
- Oct. 27-28, 2012
- South Zone
- Oct. 27-28, 2012
Regular Gun (See Duck Bag Limits for special dusky duck definition and restrictions)
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit
- Oct. 27-28, 2012 and Nov. 2, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013
- North Zone
- Nov. 3-25, 2012 and Dec. 8, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013
- South Zone
- Nov. 3-25, 2012 and Dec. 8, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013
Falconry
- High Plains Mallard Management Unit
- None
- North Zone
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
- South Zone
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
In addition to a hunting license, a migratory game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt any migratory game bird. Regular season bag limits apply for all legal species of ducks, mergansers, and coots during Youth Waterfowl seasons.
Eastern Turkey
Spring Season Only (Rio Grande and Eastern Turkey may be hunted in these counties)
- East Texas (28 counties)
- Apr. 15-May 14, 2014
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt turkey.
Goose
Canada Geese
- East Zone
- Sept. 14-29, 2013
Light and Dark Geese
- West Zone
- Nov. 3, 2012-Feb. 3, 2013
Light Geese
- East Zone
- Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013
Light Geese (Conservation Order)
- West Zone
- Feb. 4-Mar. 24, 2013
- East Zone
- Jan. 28-Mar. 24, 2013
White-fronted Geese
- East Zone
- Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 13, 2013
Javelina
Regular Season
- Northern (43 counties)
- Oct. 1, 2013-Feb. 23, 2014
- Southern (50 counties)
- No closed season
King and Clapper Rails
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Sept. 15-30, 2012 and Nov. 3-December 26, 2012
Falconry
- Statewide
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
Moorhens (Common Gallinules) and Purple Gallinules
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Sept. 15-30, 2012 and Nov. 3-December 26, 2012
Falconry
- Statewide
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
Mule Deer
Archery
- In counties that have an open archery only season for that species.
- Sept. 28-Nov. 1, 2013
General
- Panhandle (38 counties)
- Nov. 23-Dec. 8, 2013
- Southwestern Panhandle (12 counties)
- Nov. 23-Dec. 1, 2013
- Trans-Pecos (19 counties)
- Nov. 29-Dec. 15, 2013
Pheasant
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to pheasant.
- Panhandle (37 counties)
- Dec. 7, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014
Pronghorn
Regular Season
- By permit only
- Sept. 28-Oct. 6, 2013
Quail
Regular Season
- Statewide (all counties)
Daily Bag Limit: 15 - Oct. 26, 2013-Feb. 23, 2014
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to quail.
Rabbits and Hares
Regular Season
- Statewide
- No closed season
Rio Grande Turkey
Archery
- (in counties that have an open season archery only for that species)
- Sept. 28-Nov. 1, 2013
Fall Season
- Special Youth Season
(in all counties that have an open season for those species) - Oct. 26-27, 2013 and Jan. 18-19, 2014
- North Texas (123 counties)
- Nov. 2, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014
- South Texas (26 counties)
- Nov. 2, 2013-Jan. 19, 2014
- Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties
- Nov. 2, 2013-Feb. 23, 2014
Spring Season (Spring Zones)
- North Zone (101 counties)
- Mar. 29-May 11, 2014
- North Zone Special Youth Season
(in all counties that have an open season for those species) - Mar. 22-23, 2014 and May 17-18, 2014
- South Zone (54 counties)
- Mar. 15-Apr. 27, 2014
- South Zone Special Youth Season
(in all counties that have an open season for those species) - Mar. 8-9, 2014 and May 3-4, 2014
- 1 - Turkey Bag Limit (8 counties)
- April 1-30, 2014
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt turkey.
Sandhill Crane
Regular Season
- Zone A
- Nov. 3, 2012-Feb. 3, 2013
- Zone B
- Nov. 23, 2012-Feb. 3, 2013
- Zone C
- Dec. 22, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013
In addition to a hunting license, a migratory game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt any migratory game bird. A Federal Sandhill Crane Permit also is required to hunt sandhill crane.
Sora and Virginia Rails
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Sept. 15-30, 2012 and Nov. 3-December 26, 2012
Falconry
- Statewide
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
Squirrel
Special Youth Season
- In all counties that have an October 1-February 4
and May 1-31 Open Squirrel Season - September 28-29, 2013
Regular Season
- East Texas (51 counties)
- Oct. 1, 2013-Feb. 2, 2014 and May 1-31, 2014
- Other open counties (See county listings)
- No closed season
White-tailed Deer
Archery
- Statewide
- Sept. 28-Nov. 1, 2013
General
- North Texas (212 counties)
- Nov. 2, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014
- South Texas (30 counties)
- Nov. 2, 2013-Jan. 19, 2014
- Special Antler Restrictions (117 counties)
- 13" inside spread or one unbranched antler
Special Youth Season
- In all counties that have an open season for these species
- Oct. 26-27, 2013 and Jan. 6-19, 2014
Late Antlerless and Spike
- North Texas (106 counties)
- Jan. 6-19, 2014
- South Texas (30 counties)
- Jan. 20-Feb. 2, 2014
- Muzzleloader (57 counties)
- Jan. 6-19, 2014
Wilson's Snipe (Common Snipe or Jacksnipe)
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Nov. 3, 2012-Feb. 17, 2013
Woodcock
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Dec. 18, 2013-Jan. 31, 2014
Falconry
- Statewide
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
License & Permit Information
Regulations & Publications
- Recreational Fishing and Hunting Regulations
- 2012-2013 Regulations Summary (PDF 1.8 MB)
- Waterfowl Digest (PDF)
- Commercial Fishing Guide (PDF 1.9 MB)
Agent & Commerical Information
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