Texas Opens General Deer Hunting Season

The general white-tailed deer season runs through Sunday, January 3, with license, education and endorsement requirements in place.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Hunting

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a weathered fence post in brush country at dawn, with a folded jacket and bow leaning against it. — Texas opened its general white-tailed deer season, which runs through Sunday, January 3, requiring licenses, hunter education, and method-specific endorsements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think Texas hunting license and permit fees are reasonable?

Texas opened its general white-tailed deer hunting season, which runs through Sunday, January 3. Hunters above age 17 must hold a valid hunting license and complete the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's hunter education course.

Why it matters

The season opening sets the rules hunters across the state must follow, including documentation and method-specific endorsements. Archery hunters, for example, must hold an archery endorsement.

The Twin Buttes Annual Public Hunting Permit costs $48 in addition to a hunting license, and Tom Green County allows a bag limit of five deer with no more than two bucks. The source does not address expected harvest totals for the season.

The players

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The Texas state agency that administers hunting licenses, hunter education courses and public hunting permits across the state.

The details

Hunters must carry proper documentation and the required endorsements for the method they use. Hunting at Twin Buttes requires both a hunting license and an Annual Public Hunting Permit.

The general white-tailed deer hunting season opened on November 10, 2026.
The season runs through Sunday, January 3, 2027.

Season Trajectory

Texas's hunter education requirement, administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, applies to every hunter above age 17 each season. This season's opening follows that same licensing framework for the general white-tailed deer hunt.

Hunters above age 17 need a valid license and must complete the hunter education course before heading out. Those hunting Twin Buttes should budget for the $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit alongside their license.

The takeaway

Check your license, education certificate and any method endorsements before the season closes on January 3, 2027, since missing paperwork can cost you the hunt.