New Dates Set for 2023-24 Hunting Season in Texas
Although there were no major changes to statewide hunting regulations for 2023-24 seasons, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently approved a minor language change to clarify the intent of the Federal Sandhill Crane Permit.
“We do have a clarification to the Federal Sandhill Crane Permit language. Crane permits are state-specific, and we’ve had issues with hunters attempting to use crane permits obtained in other states, which are not valid in Texas,” Owen Fitzsimmons, webless migratory game bird program leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), said. “The language update would specify that hunters must have a Federal Sandhill Crane Permit issued by the department to legally hunt cranes in Texas.”
The permits are free and can be obtained at TPWD law enforcement offices, at TPWD headquarters in Austin, by calling (800) 792-1112 or (512) 389-4820, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online. There is a $5 administrative fee for those who order online.
Late last year, TPWD proposed elimination of the Light Goose Conservation Order in Texas. That proposal, however, was tabled so it could be further explored.
At its March meeting, the commission also approved hunting season dates for 2023-24.
“For 2023-24, there are no federal framework changes, and as a reminder, the department must follow all established federal regulations when it comes to migratory game birds,” Fitzsimmons said. “All season lengths and daily bag limits are maintained. All proposed season dates are calendar progressions from the previous season.”
All 2023-24 hunting season dates are available online here and below.
Current season dates are available here.
Find bag limits and possession limits in the Outdoor Annual app.
Game animals:
Javelina
North Zone: Oct. 1, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024
South Zone: Sept. 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2023
Mule deer
General Season
Panhandle: Nov. 18, 2023 – Dec. 3, 2023
Trans-Pecos: Nov. 24, 2023 – Dec. 10, 2023
Archery Season
59 of 254 counties: Sept. 30, 2023 – Nov. 3, 2023
Pronghorn
41 of 254 counties: Sept. 30, 2023 – Oct. 15, 2023
Squirrel
East Texas: Oct. 1, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024 and May 1-31, 2024
Other open counties: Sept. 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2023
Youth-Only East Texas: Sept. 23-24, 2023
White-tailed deer
General Season
North Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024
South Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024
Special Late Season
North Zone: Jan. 8-21, 2024
South Zone: Jan. 22 – Feb. 4, 2024
Youth-Only Seasons
North Zone: Oct 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 8-21, 2024
South Zone: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 8-21, 2024
Archery Season
Sept. 30, 2023 – Nov. 3, 2023
Muzzleloader-Only Season
Jan. 8-21, 2024
Upland game birds
Chachalaca
Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties: Oct. 28, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024
Pheasant
Panhandle: Dec. 2-31, 2023
Quail
Oct. 28, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024
Rio Grande Turkey
Fall
North Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024
South Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024
Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy counties: Nov. 4, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024
Archery-Only: Sept. 30, 2023 – Nov. 3, 2023
Fall Youth-Only
North: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 8-21, 2024
South: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 22, 2024 – Feb. 4, 2024
Spring
North: March 30, 2024 – May 12, 2024
South: March 16, 2024 – April 28, 2024
One-turkey counties: April 1-30, 2024
Spring Youth-Only:
North: March 23-24, 2024 and May 18-19, 2024
South: March 9-10, 2024 and May 4-5, 2024
Eastern Turkey
Spring Season
East Texas: April 22, 2024 – May 14, 2024
Migratory Game Birds
Dove
North Zone
Sept. 1, 2023 – Nov. 12, 2023 and Dec. 15-31, 2023
Central Zone
Sept. 1, 2023 – Oct. 29, 2023 and Dec. 15, 2023 – Jan. 14, 2024
South Zone
Sept. 14, 2023 – Oct. 29, 2023 and Dec. 15, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024
Additional days for Special White-winged Dove season:
Sept. 1-3, 2023 and Sept. 8-10, 2023 (special regulations apply)
Duck
Regular Season
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Nov. 3, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024
North: Nov. 11-26, 2023 and Dec. 2, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024
South: Nov. 4-26, 2023 and Dec. 9, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024
Youth and Veterans
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Oct. 21-22, 2023
North: Nov. 4-5, 2023
South: Oct. 28-29, 2023
Goose
Early Canada Goose
East Zone: Sept. 9-24, 2023
Light and Dark Geese
East Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024
West Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Feb. 4, 2024
Light Goose Conservation Order
East Zone: Jan. 29, 2024 – March 10, 2024
West Zone: Feb. 5, 2024 – March 10, 2024
Rails, gallinules and moorhens
Sept. 9-24, 2023 and Nov. 4, 2023 – Dec. 27, 2023
Sandhill cranes
Zone A: Oct. 28, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024
Zone B: Nov. 24, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024
Zone C: Dec. 16, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024
Snipe
Nov. 4, 2023 – Feb. 18, 2024
Teal
Sept. 9-24, 2023
Woodcock
Dec. 18, 2023 – Jan. 31, 2024
Other animals
Alligator
22 Counties and Special Properties: Sept. 10-30, 2023
All other Counties: April 1 – June 30, 2024
Rabbits and hares
No closed season
For more information on general hunting rules and regulations, visit TPWD’s website.
