Texas Hunting License: Cost, Types, Requirements & Where to Buy (2026)
Texas hunters ages 17 and older must have a Texas hunting license. If you're a resident, you'll pay $25 for an annual license. Hunters under 17 (youth hunting license) and over 65 (senior resident hunting license) pay a reduced fee of $7. Non-residents pay $315 for a combination hunting and fishing license.
Texas is one of only a handful of states that permits hunters born on or after September 2, 1971, to complete their hunter education course fully online. This means no field-day requirement.
Then, you can purchase licenses through Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Outdoor Annual mobile app, Walmart, Academy Sports, Bass Pro Shops, or more than 1,700 officially licensed retailers.
Texas is generally considered to have one of the most culturally ingrained and active hunting heritages in the country, with over 1 million hunting licenses sold annually. Let’s take a deeper look at everything you need to know about getting a license to hunt legally and with confidence in the Lone Star State.
What Does a Texas Hunting License Cost in 2026–2027?
A basic Texas hunting license costs $25 for residents and $315 for non-residents, but the fee may vary depending on residency status and age. These costs do not include additional stamps or endorsements required for certain types of hunting.
Texas Hunting License and Tag Fees 2026–2027 | ||
| License/Stamp | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Annual Hunting License | $25 | $315 (general, all-species) |
| Senior Resident (65+) | $7 | N/A |
| Youth (under 17) | $7 | N/A |
| Upland Game Bird Stamp | $7 | $7 |
| Migratory Game Bird Stamp | $7 | $7 |
| Archery Stamp | $7 | $7 |
| Resident Super Combo (hunt + fish + all stamps) | $68 | N/A |
When applying for your Texas hunting license, you’ll also be required to pay the $5 online/phone administrative fee on top of the listed costs.
How to Get a Texas Hunting License
While Texas hunting license rules are fairly simple, one of the most common errors first-timers make is skipping the hunter education requirement. Follow the steps below for a straightforward approach to securing your Texas hunting license.
- If it’s your first time buying a Texas hunting license and you were born on or after September 2, 1971, then you’ll need to complete hunter education. This is a fully online process for anyone over 17, so you can work at your own pace and fit the education around your schedule. No field day is required to complete it successfully.
- To make the purchase, visit Texas Parks and Wildlife online or the Outdoor Annual app.
- Select the correct license type based on Texas proof of residency rules: resident ($25), non-resident general ($315), or youth/senior reduced-fee license ($7).
- Add necessary game stamps: Upland Game Bird ($7), Migratory Game Bird ($7), Archery ($7), depending on hunting style.
- Once complete, don’t forget to carry your license with you at all times. Physical licenses or a digital copy via the Outdoor Annual app are both accepted while hunting.
Although a digital license is accepted, you must still carry physical tags for species such as deer and turkey.
What Can You Hunt With a Base Texas Hunting License?
The base hunting license Texas is extensive and includes most legal game. Additional state endorsements and federal stamps may be required depending on the target species.
What's Covered by the Base License vs. What Needs an Extra Stamp
Species covered under the Texas base license include:
- White-tailed deer and mule deer (with tags included on physical license)
- Turkey
- Feral hogs
- Small game (squirrel, rabbit)
- Predators/furbearers (with separate trapping license if selling pelts)
Note that the county may still apply regulations depending on your hunting zone related to antler restrictions, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) requirements, and mandatory reporting. Always verify online before heading out in the field.
What Requires an Additional Stamp or Endorsement
Some species require an additional stamp/endorsement.
- Archery-only season hunting: Archery Stamp ($7)
- Turkey, quail, pheasant during upland seasons: Upland Game Bird Stamp ($7)
- Ducks, geese, doves, other migratory birds: Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7) + HIP certification
- Waterfowl specifically: Federal Duck Stamp (separate federal purchase)
Stamps and endorsements are attached to your license and may be required no matter what the main hunting license covers.
Texas Deer Season Dates and Bag Limits (2026–2027)
The Texas deer hunting season is split into categories by hunting type (weapon) and zone (North/South).
- Archery: October 3 – November 6, 2026 (252 of 254 counties)
- General Season, North Zone: November 7, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- General Season, South Zone: November 7, 2026 – January 17, 2027
- Special Late Season, North Zone: January 4–17, 2027
- Special Late Season, South Zone: January 18–31, 2027
- Youth-Only Early: October 30 – November 1, 2026
- Youth-Only Late: January 4–17, 2027
- Statewide bag limit: 5 deer annually, no more than 3 bucks (Managed Lands Deer Program properties may differ)
Some counties enforce antler restrictions. Along with securing your hunting license for deer, you’ll also be required to confirm whether restrictions are in place before heading out in the field via the Outdoor Annual.
Where to Buy a Texas Hunting License
There are multiple ways to purchase your Texas hunting license.
First, you’ll need your 12-digit customer ID. If you’re a first-timer getting into hunting, you’ll be assigned a number when you purchase your first license.
- Most purchases are made directly online via Texas Parks and Wildlife or the Outdoor Annual/Texas Hunt & Fish app (don’t forget the $5 admin fee).
- For in-person options, over 1,700 retailers offer licenses, including Walmart, Academy Sports, and Bass Pro Shops, as well as popular sporting goods and feed stores. You can also purchase by phone through the TPWD license line.
Digital licenses are valid for most hunting types. However, some species will require the purchase of physical tags. We recommend purchasing early, as IDs and hunter education certification are validated at checkout. If you’re purchasing at the last minute, you may face delays.
Lock In Your Texas License and Hunter Ed Before Opening Day
If you’re 17 or older, you’ll need a hunting license to hunt game species in the state legally. Overall costs will depend on your residency status, age, and intended target species.
To ensure a smooth process, get your documentation in order. And don’t forget to complete your hunter education training if you were born on or after September 2, 1971, as this is a step many first-time hunters and out-of-towners miss.
Hunter education is an essential step to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge and local know-how to hunt safely, confidently, and legally in Texas. Once you’re squared away, you can enjoy some of the most exciting and dynamic hunting North America has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is hunting free in Texas for youth?
A: No, hunting isn't free for youth in Texas. A youth hunting license costs $7 for anyone under 17, whether they’re a Texas resident or non-resident. Youth hunters are exempt from most state hunting endorsement requirements, although HIP certification and certain endorsements may still apply.
Q: Do you need hunter education in Texas?
A: Texas requires every hunter born on or after September 2, 1971, to complete hunter education, including non-residents. Hunters ages 9 through 16 can complete the course or hunt under the required supervision, while hunters 17 and older must complete hunter education or use a Hunter Education Deferral while accompanied by a qualified hunter.
Q: Where can I buy a Texas hunting license?
A: You can purchase a Texas hunting license online through the official Texas license sales system, from approximately 1,700 license retailers statewide, or through eligible TPWD offices. You can purchase digital licenses online and access them through the Texas Hunt & Fish app, while the Outdoor Annual app keeps your licenses and purchase history digitally.
Q: Does a Texas hunting license include deer hunting?
A: Yes. A Texas hunting license allows you to hunt deer, but deer hunting comes with additional requirements. Deer require physical tags, and you must follow the season, county, bag-limit, and other regulations that apply to the area where you hunt. A digital license alone isn't sufficient for hunting species that require physical tags, including deer.
Q: How much is a Texas senior resident hunting license?
A: A Texas senior resident hunting license costs $7 for residents age 65 and older. Any applicable stamp endorsements are additional.
Q: Do non-residents need a hunter education certificate to hunt in Texas?
A: Yes. Texas's hunter education requirement applies to out-of-state hunters and Texas residents. If you're a non-resident born on or after September 2, 1971, you must complete hunter education or, if you're 17 or older, use a Hunter Education Deferral and hunt with the required qualified supervision. You must carry proof of certification or deferral while hunting.
