In Texas, there is no single “hunting season” date; seasons run almost year‑round depending on the animal, county, and weapon, with major activity from early September through late spring.

Quick Scoop: Key Season Windows

  • Deer (whitetail, general season) :
    • North Zone: roughly early November 2025 to early January 2026.
* South Zone: early November 2025 to mid‑January 2026, followed by a short “special late” season in some counties into late January or early February 2026.
  • Deer archery season : Statewide in most counties from late September to the end of October 2025.
  • Deer youth‑only seasons : A weekend “early” youth hunt in late October 2025 and a “late” youth season in early–mid January 2026.
  • Mule deer : Shorter general seasons in specific regions like the Panhandle and Trans‑Pecos, typically late November through mid‑December 2025, with archery starting in late September.

Birds & Other Game

  • Dove : Seasons by zone, but generally open around September 1 and run in split segments through January 2026, with exact dates varying by North, Central, and South Zones.
  • Turkey :
    • Spring seasons by region (North, South, East, and one‑turkey counties) from mid‑March to mid‑May 2026, with youth‑only weekends in March and May.
  • Teal : September‑only special season, generally a short window in late September 2025.
  • Snipe & woodcock: Run through winter, for example snipe statewide from early November 2025 to mid‑February 2026, and woodcock from mid‑December 2025 to late January 2026.

Why It’s Complicated (And What To Do)

The exact answer to “when is hunting season in Texas” depends on:

  1. The species (deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl, exotics, etc.).
  1. The county or zone (North vs South deer zones, dove zones, “core” alligator counties, etc.).
  1. The method (archery‑only, muzzleloader‑only, general firearm, youth‑only).

For an actual hunt, always:

  • Check the current Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Annual online for your exact county and species.
  • Confirm bag limits, tagging, and reporting (for example, using the My Texas Hunt Harvest app for deer and turkey).

If you tell me the specific game animal and county (or closest major city), I can help narrow down the exact 2025–2026 dates that apply to you.