Texas Hunting Season Dates 2026 – 2027

Your Guide to Texas Deer, Waterfowl, Exotic and Feral Hog Hunting Seasons.

Planning a Texas hunting trip starts with knowing which species have regulated seasons and which can be hunted throughout the year. Click here to view the  official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2026–2027 hunting calendar.

Texas Thermal Outfitters offers guided hunting opportunities on private Texas ranches. Use the dates below as a planning guide, then confirm the regulations, license requirements and county-specific rules that apply before your hunt.

Waterfowl seasons vary by species and zone. Hunters should also review current federal migratory-bird regulations, legal shooting hours, daily bag limits, possession limits and stamp requirements.

• North Zone: November 14–29, 2026 and December 5, 2026–January 31, 2027

Youth and Veterans Waterfowl Dates:

• North Zone: November 7–8, 2026

• September Teal-Only Season, Statewide: September 19–27, 2026

• Early Canada Goose, East Zone: September 12–27, 2026
• Dark Geese, East Zone: November 7, 2026–January 31, 2027
• Light Geese, East Zone: November 7, 2026–February 19, 2027

• Zone A: October 31, 2026–January 31, 2027
• Zone B: November 27, 2026–January 31, 2027
• Zone C: December 12, 2026–January 17, 2027

Deer regulations are determined by species, county and zone. County bag limits, antler restrictions and special regulations may apply even when the statewide season is open.

• Archery Season: October 3–November 6, 2026 in 252 of 254 counties
• General Season, North Zone: November 7, 2026–January 3, 2027
• Early Youth-Only Season: October 30–November 1, 2026
• Late Youth-Only Season: January 4–17, 2027
• Special Late Season, North Zone: January 4–17, 2027
• Muzzleloader-Only Season: January 4–17, 2027 in designated counties

On private property, Texas has no closed season and no state bag or possession limit for non-protected exotic animals. This creates year-round hunting opportunities for species such as:

• Axis deer
• Blackbuck antelope
• Aoudad sheep
• Fallow deer
• Red stag and red deer
• Sika deer
• Nilgai antelope
• Elk and other qualifying exotic species

A valid Texas hunting license and landowner permission are generally required to hunt exotic animals. Hunters should review the current TPWD exotic and nongame regulations before hunting.

View our exotic hunts offered here.

Feral hogs may be hunted year-round on private property, with no closed season and no state bag limit. No Texas hunting license is required to hunt feral hogs on private property when the hunter has landowner authorization, although hunter-education requirements and other laws may still apply.

Year-round availability makes thermal hog hunting one of the most flexible Texas hunting trips. Night hunting with thermal optics can provide fast-paced action while helping ranchers manage destructive feral-hog populations.

• Season dates and regulations may differ by county, zone and property.
• Waterfowl hunters may need state and federal migratory-game-bird endorsements and stamps.
• Deer bag limits and antler restrictions are county-specific.
• Public hunting areas may have rules that differ from private land.
• Always verify current regulations before traveling or entering the field.

Whether you are planning a seasonal deer or waterfowl hunt or looking for a year-round thermal hog or exotic hunt, Texas offers outstanding opportunities throughout the year. Texas Thermal Outfitters can help hunters choose the right trip, ranch and time of year for their goals.

Explore our Texas hunt pricing, view our hunting photos, or contact Texas Thermal Outfitters to begin planning your hunt.