A Texas hunting license is required for anyone who hunts any wild animal in Texas unless specifically exempted by law. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) manages all hunting licensing, and the process in 2026 is faster than ever — with digital licenses available through the Texas Hunt & Fish app, harvest reporting gone fully digital, and license sales available online 24 hours a day. Here is everything you need to know about getting a Texas hunting license for the 2026 season.
Who Needs a Texas Hunting License?
Anyone who hunts wild animals in Texas — including deer, turkey, dove, ducks, feral hogs, and other game — must have a valid Texas hunting license unless they qualify for a specific exemption. Exempt hunters include Texas residents under 17 years of age hunting on land owned or leased by their parent or guardian, landowners hunting on their own property, and certain disabled veterans who qualify for the free Disabled Veteran Resident Hunting License.
Texas Hunting License Types and Prices (2026)
| License Type | Who It’s For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | Texas residents (6+ months continuous residence) | $25 |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | Out-of-state hunters | $315 |
| Youth Hunting License | Hunters 16 and under (resident and non-resident) | $7 |
| Senior Hunting License | Texas residents 65 and older | $7 |
| Lifetime Hunting License | Texas residents; never expires | $1,000 |
| Resident Super Combo | Residents who hunt and fish; includes 5 endorsements | $68 |
All prices are for the 2025–2026 license year (September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026). A $5 administrative fee applies to phone purchases. No fee applies to online or in-person retail purchases.
Texas Hunting Endorsements and Additional Permits
A basic hunting license covers most small game and deer hunting, but certain species and activities require additional endorsements:
- Migratory Game Bird Endorsement — $7 — required for dove, ducks, geese, and other migratory birds
- Upland Game Bird Endorsement — $7 — required for turkey, pheasant, and quail
- HIP Certification — Free — required for all migratory bird hunters; register at tpwd.texas.gov
- Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit — $48 — required to hunt on TPWD-managed Wildlife Management Areas (over 1 million acres of public land)
- Federal Duck Stamp — $25 — required for waterfowl hunters age 16 and over; not included in Super Combo
- Archery Only Endorsement — required for archery-only seasons and for deer hunting at any time in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, or Rockwall counties
How to Buy a Texas Hunting License in 2026
Online – Fastest Option
Purchase at tpwd.texas.gov or through the Texas Hunt & Fish app on iOS or Android. Create a TPWD account with your Social Security number, select your license type, add endorsements, and pay by credit or debit card. Digital licenses are immediately available in the app — no need to print. Digital licenses include all the same legal authority as paper licenses.
Retail – 1,700 Locations Statewide
Hunting licenses are sold at approximately 1,700 authorized retail locations across Texas including Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Walmart, sporting goods stores, bait and tackle shops, and many grocery stores. Retail agents can print your license on the spot. No administrative fee applies to retail purchases.
By Phone
Call 800-895-4248 (1-800-TX-LIC-4U) Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM CST. A $5 administrative fee applies. Staff can also answer questions about license requirements and species-specific regulations.
Hunter Education Requirement
Texas requires hunter education certification for anyone born on or after September 2, 1971 — meaning most hunters under approximately 54 years old in 2026 must be certified before hunting. The course covers hunter responsibility, wildlife conservation, firearm and bow safety, and hunting regulations. Online training is available free at tpwd.texas.gov, followed by a mandatory in-person field day at a local session. Students under 9 years of age are exempt from the education requirement but must be accompanied by a licensed adult supervisor.
Digital Harvest Reporting – Texas Hunt & Fish App
Texas eliminated paper deer and turkey tags beginning with the 2022–2023 season. All harvest reporting is now digital through the Texas Hunt & Fish app. When you harvest a deer or turkey, report it electronically through the app at the time of harvest — before moving the animal. The app displays zone maps, antler restriction information, property boundaries for leased land, and WMA access details. Hunters without smartphones can report by phone. Failure to report a harvest is a violation.
Texas Deer Hunting Overview
Texas holds the largest white-tailed deer population in the United States — approximately 5 million animals across all 254 counties. General deer season in most of Texas runs from late October through early January, with archery-only seasons starting as early as October 1 in many counties. The Managed Lands Deer (MLD) program allows landowners enrolled in TPWD wildlife management plans to receive special permits for extended seasons and additional harvest flexibility — the program covers over 22 million acres of Texas land. CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) has been detected in the Trans-Pecos region and parts of the Panhandle; carcass transport restrictions apply in CWD Containment Zones.
For official TPWD season dates, bag limits, and county-specific regulations, visit tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/. For Texas state parks and outdoor recreation, read our Texas state parks guide.
Frequently Asked Questions – Texas Hunting License
How much does a Texas hunting license cost in 2026?
A Texas resident hunting license costs $25 for the 2025–2026 license year. Non-residents pay $315. Youth (16 and under) and seniors (65 and older) pay $7. The Super Combo package — which includes hunting, fishing, and five endorsements — costs $68 for residents and saves up to $18 versus purchasing separately.
How do I get a Texas hunting license in 2026?
Buy online at the TPWD website (tpwd.texas.gov), through the Texas Hunt & Fish app, by phone at 800-895-4248 ($5 admin fee applies), or at approximately 1,700 retail locations including Academy Sports, Bass Pro Shops, Walmart, and sporting goods stores statewide.
When does my Texas hunting license expire?
Most Texas hunting licenses are valid from date of purchase through August 31. The 2025–2026 license year runs September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. New licenses for the 2026–2027 year go on sale August 15, 2026.
Do I need hunter education to get a Texas hunting license?
Hunter education is required for anyone born on or after September 2, 1971. The course can be completed online for free at tpwd.texas.gov, with a mandatory in-person field day. Hunters under 9 years old are exempt from the education requirement but must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
What is the Texas Super Combo license?
The Super Combo is a combination hunting and fishing license package available only to Texas residents for $68. It includes a hunting license, fishing license (all water), and five endorsements: migratory game bird, upland game bird, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and a red drum tag. It saves up to $18 compared to purchasing individually.
