Texas hunting seasons
Season dates for 2026-27, straight from the TPWD regulations — starting with what you actually want to know.
Open right now in
Texas
Deer Opens Oct 3 50 days away Turkey Opens Oct 3 50 days away Duck Opens Oct 17 64 days away Dove Opens Sep 1 18 days away
Dates checked against the TPWD regulations Aug 13, 2026.
Deer season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| General Season | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 |
| General Season | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 |
| Special Late Season Antlerless and spike-buck only. | North Zone | Jan 4 – Jan 17 |
| Special Late Season Antlerless and spike-buck only. | South Zone | Jan 18 – Jan 31 |
| Archery-Only | Statewide | Oct 3 – Nov 6 |
| Muzzleloader Muzzleloader counties only — check the county listing in the Outdoor Annual. | Statewide | Jan 4 – Jan 17 |
| Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30 – Nov 1; Jan 4 – Jan 17 |
| Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 30 – Nov 1 |
Turkey season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Season | Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties | Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 |
| Fall Season | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 |
| Fall Season | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 |
| Spring Season | East Zone (Eastern turkey) | Apr 22 – May 14 |
| Spring Season | North Zone (Rio Grande) | Apr 3 – May 16 |
| Spring Season | One-turkey counties | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Spring Season | South Zone (Rio Grande) | Mar 20 – May 2 |
| Archery-Only Counties with a fall turkey season. | Statewide | Oct 3 – Nov 6 |
| Fall Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30 – Nov 1; Jan 4 – Jan 17 |
| Fall Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 30 – Nov 1; Jan 18 – Jan 31 |
| Spring Youth-Only | North Zone | Mar 27 – Mar 28; May 22 – May 23 |
| Spring Youth-Only | South Zone | Mar 13 – Mar 14; May 8 – May 9 |
Duck season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season Dusky ducks are closed the first five days of the season. | High Plains Mallard Management Unit | Oct 24 – Oct 25; Oct 30, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| Regular Season Dusky ducks are closed the first five days of the season. | North Zone | Nov 14 – Nov 29; Dec 5, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| Regular Season Dusky ducks are closed the first five days of the season. | South Zone | Nov 7 – Nov 29; Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| Youth, Veterans & Active Duty | High Plains Mallard Management Unit | Oct 17 – Oct 18 |
| Youth, Veterans & Active Duty | North Zone | Nov 7 – Nov 8 |
| Youth, Veterans & Active Duty | South Zone | Oct 31 – Nov 1 |
| Falconry | Statewide | Feb 1 – Feb 21 |
Dove season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | Central Zone | Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027 |
| Regular Season | North Zone | Sep 1 – Nov 8; Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 7, 2027 |
| Regular Season All three zones open Sept. 1 this year — the former Special White-winged Dove Days are gone. | South Zone | Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 21, 2027 |
| Falconry | Statewide | Nov 13 – Nov 29 |
Draw & application deadlines
Coming up: Archery deer, exotics & javelina drawn hunts — closes Aug 15, 2026.