Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has announced some of the changes to keep in mind. There will be new options for digital licenses this season. Fully Digital options (digital tagging) for all recreational hunting, fishing and combo licenses and tags.
Changes for Non-Resident Hunters
Legislation passed this spring simplified license options for non-resident hunters from five license options to two.
Non-resident hunters hoping to harvest any legal bird or game animal, including alligator, wild turkey, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mule deer and white-tailed deer, will need to purchase a Non-resident General Hunting license. Non-resident hunters who plan on targeting exotic animals, small game birds (except wild turkey), non-game animals, fur-bearing animals, squirrel and javelina for five or less days will need to purchase a Non-resident Special 5-Day Small Game/Exotic Hunting license.
Regulation Changes
Some additional changes for this next hunting season include:
For wild turkeys in Hill County, IH35E now serves as the zone boundary line.
Lubbock County is now open to wild turkey hunting with North Zone regulations.
Increase in daily bag limit for northern pintails in all duck zones.
Season Date Changes
There have been changes that were announced for mule deer, quail and the migratory bird seasons.
These season date changes for the 2025-26 hunting seasons before their first hunt include:
Mule deer season:
Archery Only Season:
Brewster, Pecos and Terrell counties:
General Season:
Quail season:
New statewide dates:
Migratory game bird season:
Teal: Days reduced from previous year
This is a great resource for Texas hunting information.
News Release: Sept. 15, 2025: What is New for Hunting Season 2025-26 – TPWD
Always be aware of regulation changes and please remember to hunt responsibly!
