Texas Hunting Regulations

License Requirements

A hunting license is required of any person, regardles of age, who hunts any animal or bird in the state of Texas, except as specified by law. Non-residents under 17 years of age may purchase and hunt with the Special Resident Hunting License (Type 102).

A hunting license is not required to hunt the following:

• Alligators; however, an alligator hunting license is required.
• Coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals or fowl.
• Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.
• Fur-bearing animals, if a hunter possesses a trapper's license or if the fur-bearing animals are causing depredation.

Non-resident General Hunting (Type 102): $300
Valid to hunt any legal bird or animal except alligators. Stamp endorsement requirements apply.

Non-resident 5-day Special Hunting (Type 157): $45
Legal for any period of 5 consecutive days (valid hunting dates will be printed on the license when issued). Valid to hunt: Exotic animals, all legal game birds (except turkey), nongame animals, squirrel and javelina (not valid for other game animals or alligators).

Non-resident Banded Bird Hunting (Type 120): $25
Valid to hunt only banded game birds on private hunting areas.

Hunter Education

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after September 2, 1971, must successfully complate a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 12 years and cost is $10.

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971, and you are:

• under 12 years of age, you must be accompanied.
• age 12 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied.
• age 17 or over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or purchase a "Hunter Education Deferral, and you must be accompanied.

New: Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) - Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year.

Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before September 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control.

Bowhunter Education: Certification is required on certain areas of Texas. Bowhunter certification does not substitute for Hunter Education certificate.

For course information, call 1-800-792-1112 (menu 6) or call 512-389-4999, or consult the TPWD Hunter Education section at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/edu/hunted.

For further information, call 1-800-895-4248.