How to Get a Hunting License in Texas
Planning to hunt in Texas means you need to get a hunting license first. Both Texas residents and out-of-state hunters must have proper licensing before they step foot in the field. The steps change a bit depending on how old you are, where you live, and what game you want to hunt.
Texas keeps its hunting license rules pretty straightforward, and they apply to just about everyone who wants to hunt. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department runs the whole system to help protect wildlife and keep hunting safe. Getting familiar with these rules now will save you headaches later and keep you on the right side of the law.
Who Needs a Hunting License?
If you are 17 or older, you need a valid Texas hunting license to legally hunt any animal, bird, frog, or turtle in the state. This goes for Texas folks and visitors from other states too. Only kids in certain situations and a few specific cases can hunt without one.
A few narrow exceptions exist to the licensing rule. Coyotes attacking your livestock, domestic animals, or birds can be hunted without a license. Landowners can hunt feral hogs on their own land without a license if they have written permission. Commercial trapper license holders can hunt fur-bearing animals without needing a hunting license. These exceptions are pretty specific though, so most hunting still needs proper licensing.
Step 1: Complete Texas Hunter Education
Anyone born after September 2, 1971, has to complete a certified hunter education course before hunting in Texas. This rule covers Texas residents and out-of-state hunters alike. You have to be at least 9 years old to get certified, and the course runs $15.
Hunter education comes in two main styles. Online courses fit well with busy lives and let you work at whatever speed feels right. Traditional classroom courses give you face-to-face teaching and hands-on practice. Many hunters mix both approaches by doing the online part first, then going to a field day for the practical stuff. If you are 17 or older and need to hunt right away, you can buy a one-time hunter education deferral for $10. This lets you hunt for one license year while staying with a certified hunter, but you still have to finish the course before next season starts.
Step 2: Choose the Right Type of License
| License Type | Cost | Who Can Buy | What You Can Hunt |
| Resident Hunting | $25 | Texas residents | Any legal bird or animal |
| Non-Resident General | $315 | Out-of-state visitors | Any legal bird or animal, including deer |
| Youth License | $7 | Anyone under 17 | Any legal game (some exemptions apply) |
| Senior Resident | $7 | Texas residents 65+ | Any legal bird or animal |
| Non-Resident Special | $132 | Out-of-state visitors | Exotic animals, birds (no deer/pronghorn) |
| Super Combo Package | $68 | Texas residents | Hunting + fishing + endorsements |
Additional specialty options include lifetime licenses for Texas residents, spring turkey licenses for non-residents, and various trapping permits. The Super Combo package offers the best value for residents who both hunt and fish.
Step 3: Know What Extra Permits or Tags You Need
Hunting deer and turkey usually means you need special tags that get attached to any animals you harvest. Waterfowl hunters have to get both state and federal stamps, including the Federal Duck Stamp that costs $28.50. The state also requires a Migratory Game Bird Endorsement for $7 when you hunt ducks, geese, or other migratory birds.
Some hunting needs specific endorsements no matter what your main license covers. The Archery Hunting Endorsement runs $7 and you need it for bow hunting during archery-only seasons. The Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement costs $10 and covers anyone hunting these animals on public roads or rights-of-way. Hunting exotic game on certain properties might need extra permits depending on what animals live there and where you hunt.
Step 4: Where to Buy a Texas Hunting License
- Online Purchase: Available around the clock through the official Texas Parks and Wildlife website at tpwd.texas.gov. Online purchases include a $5 administrative fee.
- Sporting Goods Stores: Around 1,700 retail spots across Texas sell hunting licenses, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and local gun shops.
- Department and Grocery Stores: Many Walmart locations, H-E-B stores, and other big retailers offer license sales for extra convenience.
- TPWD Offices: All Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offices and state parks sell licenses during business hours without extra fees.
- Phone Purchase: Call (800) 895-4248 during business hours. Phone purchases include a $5 administrative fee, and you might wait a while during busy seasons.
- Mobile App Purchase: The Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app lets you buy digital licenses and show them on your phone. Digital licenses work for most hunting except when you need physical tags.
Step 5: License Costs and Expiration
Resident hunters pay $25 for a basic hunting license, while the popular Super Combo package costs $68 and includes hunting, fishing, and several endorsements. Youth licenses run just $7 no matter where you live, making hunting affordable for young people. Non-resident hunters pay $315 for a general hunting license, which reflects the higher cost of out-of-state access.
Most Texas hunting licenses stay valid from when you buy them through August 31 of the next year. This means you get the same time period no matter when during the year you purchase your license. New licenses go on sale each August 15 for the coming season. Some specialty licenses like the five-day non-resident option work differently, but most follow the standard August-to-August timeline.
Hunting on Private Land in Texas
Owning land in Texas does not get you out of needing a hunting license. Most landowners still need valid licenses and have to follow the same rules as everyone else. The main exceptions cover specific situations like protecting livestock from predatory animals or hunting feral hogs on your own property. Texas stands out among states because over 94% of the land sits in private hands, making private land access crucial for hunters across the state.
With so much private ownership, many serious hunters think about buying their own hunting property or getting long-term lease agreements. HRC Ranch specializes in helping hunters find their perfect Texas hunting ranch for sale. Our properties feature diverse game populations including whitetail deer, turkey, feral hogs, and different exotic species. Contact us today to explore available hunting land and discover how land ownership can give you the long-term access, privacy, and habitat management opportunities that make Texas hunting truly exceptional.