2012-2013 Hunting Season Dates
AlligatorOpens Sep 10,2012
Regular Season
- 22 Counties and special properties (By permit only)
- Sept. 10-30, 2012
- Remainder of state
- Apr. 1-Jun. 30, 2013
See Spring Alligator Hunt Orientation for further information.
Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon TealOpens Sep 15, 2012
September Teal Only Season
- Statewide
- Sept. 15-30, 2012
In addition to a hunting license, a migratory game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt any migratory game bird.
ChachalacaOpens Nov 3, 2012
Regular Season
- Cameron, Hildago, Starr, and Willacy Counties
- Nov. 3, 2012-Feb. 24, 2013
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt chachalacas.
DoveOpens Sep 1, 2012
Regular Season
- North Zone
- Sept. 1-Oct. 24, 2012 and Dec. 22, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013
- Central Zone
- Sept. 1-Oct. 24, 2012 and Dec. 22, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013
- South Zone
- Sept. 21-Oct. 28, 2012 and Dec. 22, 2012-Jan. 22, 2013
- Special White-winged Dove Area
- Sept. 21-Oct. 28, 2012 and Dec. 22, 2012-Jan. 18, 2013
Special Season
- Special White-winged Dove Area
- Sept. 1-2 and Sept. 8-9, 2012
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
DuckOpens Oct 20, 2012
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 TurkeyOpens Apr 15, 2013
Spring Season Only (Rio Grande and Eastern Turkey may be hunted in these counties)
- East Texas (28 counties)
- Apr. 15-May 14, 2013
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt turkey.
GooseOpens Sep 15, 2012
Canada Geese
- East Zone
- Sept. 15-30, 2012 and Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 27, 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
JavelinaOpens Oct 1, 2012
Regular Season
- Northern (43 counties)
- Oct. 1, 2012-Feb. 24, 2013
- Southern (50 counties)
- No closed season
King and Clapper RailsOpens Sep 15, 2012
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 GallinulesOpens Sep 15, 2012
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Sept. 15-30, 2012 and Nov. 3-December 26, 2012
Falconry
- Statewide
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
Mule DeerOpens Sep 29, 2012
Archery
- In counties that have an open archery only season for that species.
- Sept. 29-Nov. 2, 2012
General
- Panhandle (39 counties)
- Nov. 17-Dec. 2, 2012
- Southwestern Panhandle (11 counties)
- Nov. 17-25, 2012
- Trans-Pecos (19 counties)
- Nov. 23-Dec. 9, 2012
PheasantOpens Dec 1, 2012
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to pheasant.
- Panhandle (37 counties)
- Dec. 1-30, 2012
PronghornOpens Sep 29, 2012
Regular Season
- By permit only
- Sept. 29-Oct. 7, 2012
QuailOpens Oct 27, 2012
Regular Season
- Statewide (all counties)
- Oct. 27, 2012-Feb. 24, 2013
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to quail.
Rabbits and HaresNo closed season
Regular Season
- Statewide
- No closed season
Rio Grande TurkeyOpens Sep 29, 2012
Archery
- (in counties that have an open season archery only for that species)
- Sept. 29-Nov. 2, 2012
Fall Season
- Special Youth Season
(in all counties that have an open season for those species) - Oct. 27-28, 2012 and Jan. 19-20, 2013
- North Texas (123 counties)
- Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013
- South Texas (26 counties)
- Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 20, 2013
- Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties
- Nov. 3, 2012-Feb. 24, 2013
Spring Season (Spring Zones)
- North Zone (101 counties)
- Mar. 30-May 12, 2013
- North Zone Special Youth Season
(in all counties that have an open season for those species) - Mar. 23-24, 2013 and May 18-19, 2013
- South Zone (54 counties)
- Mar. 16-Apr. 28, 2013
- South Zone Special Youth Season
(in all counties that have an open season for those species) - Mar. 9-10, 2013 and May 4-5, 2013
- 1 - Turkey Bag Limit (8 counties)
- April 1-30, 2013
In addition to a hunting license, an upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt turkey.
Sandhill CraneOpens Nov 3, 2012
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 RailsOpens Sep 15, 2012
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Sept. 15-30, 2012 and Nov. 3-December 26, 2012
Falconry
- Statewide
- Jan. 28-Feb. 11, 2013
SquirrelOpens Sep 29, 2012
Special Youth Season
- In all counties that have an October 1-February 4
and May 1-31 Open Squirrel Season - September 29-30, 2012
Regular Season
- East Texas (51 counties)
- Oct. 1, 2012-Feb. 3, 2013 and May 1-31, 2013
- Other open counties (See county listings)
- No closed season
White-tailed DeerOpens Sep 29, 2012
Archery
- Statewide
- Sept. 29-Nov. 2, 2012
General
- North Texas (212 counties)
- Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013
- South Texas (30 counties)
- Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 20, 2013
- 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. 27-28, 2012 and Jan. 7-20, 2013
Late Antlerless and Spike
- North Texas (106 counties)
- Jan. 7-20, 2013
- South Texas (30 counties)
- Jan. 21-Feb. 3, 2013
- Muzzleloader (57 counties)
- Jan. 7-20, 2013
Wilson's Snipe (Common Snipe or Jacksnipe)Opens Nov 3, 2012
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Nov. 3, 2012-Feb. 17, 2013
WoodcockOpens Dec 18, 2012
Regular Season
- Statewide
- Dec. 18, 2012-Jan. 31, 2013
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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