Hunting Guidelines in Texas
It is important to stay up to date on all hunting laws and regulations. With the abundance and variety of wildlife in Texas, it’s a much sought-after place to go hunting. Most of the hunting regulations are published annually in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) publication Outdoor Annual: Hunting and Fishing Regulations.
Most importantly, while hunting, fishing or trapping, anyone who is 17 years of age or older must carry a valid driver’s license or personal identification certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Non-residents must carry similar documents issued by the agency in their state or country of residence that is authorized to issue driver’s licenses or personal identification certificates. A hunting license is required for anyone to hunt any animal in Texas, except under the following circumstances:
- Coyotes if they are attacking, are about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock or domestic animals
- Feral hogs on private property (must have landowner authorization)
- Fur-bearing animals if the hunter has a commercial trapper’s license only
In Texas, the wildlife varies a lot, and as such, there are laws that pertain to specific types of animals as you engage in hunting and trapping activities. Texas Game Wardens are certified state peace officers and are responsible for enforcing all hunting and fishing laws and regulations. Game Wardens also:
- Protect and serve people in the State of Texas by enforcing all other state laws and have the authority to do so anywhere within the state’s boundaries.
- May enter onto any land or body of water to inspect the licenses or equipment being used by individuals participating (or believed to have been participating) in a regulated activity
- May inspect wildlife resources taken or possessed by individuals.
It is just as important to know what is legal as it is to know what is not legal while you are hunting in Texas. Some unlawful activities include:
- Taking or possessing wildlife resources other than as indicated by the Texas hunting law
- Hunting on public roads, with the exception of specific reptiles and amphibians
- Storing, transporting, or abandoning an unsecured firearm where children can access it
- Driving a motorized vehicle through the bed of a navigable freshwater stream, unless otherwise allowed by a local river access plan
- Fishing on privately-owner waters or hunting on private land without the landowner’s consent
- Fishing in public water from private land without a fishing license
- Discharging a firearm on or across a public road
- Possessing a deer or any part of it that has been hit by a motor vehicle
Also, It is an offense (Class C misdemeanor) if a person while hunting, kills or wounds a game bird or game animal and intentionally or knowingly fails to make a reasonable effort to retrieve it and include it in the person’s daily or seasonal bag limit. It is an offense if a person intentionally takes or possesses a game bird, game animal, or a fish and intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, or with criminal negligence, fails to keep the edible portions in an edible condition.
Ignorance of hunting laws is not a valid excuse for violating them. It is the hunter's responsibility to review state game laws before the hunting season. It is very possible that the laws could change every season. Make sure to stay up to date and keep yourself out of trouble.
