The 2025-26 hunting season has opened with a strong start to dove season, but hunters should note several changes before heading into the field.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is introducing fully digital license options for all recreational hunting, fishing and combo license types this year. A how-to video on the TPWD website explains how to access the new digital licenses.
Non-resident hunters will see simplified options following legislation passed this spring. Those seeking to hunt any legal bird or game animal, including alligator, wild turkey, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mule deer and white-tailed deer, must purchase a Non-resident General Hunting license.
Hunters targeting exotic animals, small game birds (except wild turkey), non-game animals, fur-bearing animals, squirrels or javelina for five days or fewer will need a Non-resident Special 5-Day Small Game/Exotic Hunting license.
Some hunting regulations have also changed. IH-35E now marks the boundary for wild turkey in Hill County, Lubbock County is open for wild turkey hunting under North Zone rules, and the daily bag limit for northern pintails has increased in all duck zones.
Several season date adjustments affect hunters this year. Archery-only mule deer season in the Panhandle runs Sept. 27–Nov. 21 and in the Trans-Pecos Sept. 27–Nov. 27. General mule deer season is Nov. 22–Dec. 7 in the Panhandle and Nov. 28–Dec. 14 in the Trans-Pecos. Quail season statewide is Nov. 1–Feb. 28, and teal season has been shortened to Sept. 20–28.
Additional regulations, season dates and license information are available online at outdoorannual. com or through the free Outdoor Annual mobile app, which works offline in remote locations and offers features including license lookup and location- based hunting and fishing information.
.png)
