When is Turkey Hunting Season in Texas?
Turkey hunting is a popular and exciting sport in Texas, with thousands of hunters taking to the fields and woods every year in search of the majestic wild turkey. But before you can start planning your hunt, you need to know when turkey hunting season is in Texas.
Spring Turkey Hunting Season
The spring turkey hunting season in Texas typically runs from mid-March to mid-May, with the exact dates varying depending on the region. The season typically opens on the first Saturday in April and runs for about six weeks.
Here are the specific dates for spring turkey hunting season in Texas:
- North Zone: March 15 – May 6
- Central Zone: March 20 – May 13
- South Zone: March 22 – May 15
Fall Turkey Hunting Season
In contrast, the fall turkey hunting season in Texas is shorter and runs from late September to mid-November. The season typically opens on the first Saturday in September and runs for about four weeks.
Here are the specific dates for fall turkey hunting season in Texas:
- North Zone: September 19 – November 2
- Central Zone: September 26 – November 10
- South Zone: September 28 – November 12
Youth Turkey Hunting Season
Texas also offers a youth turkey hunting season, which is designed to introduce young hunters to the sport. The youth season typically runs on the last Saturday and Sunday in March.
Here are the specific dates for youth turkey hunting season in Texas:
- North Zone: Last Saturday and Sunday in March
- Central Zone: Last Saturday and Sunday in March
- South Zone: Last Saturday and Sunday in March
Hunting Regulations
Before you head out on your turkey hunt, make sure you’re familiar with the regulations in your area. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Licenses: You’ll need a valid Texas hunting license and a turkey permit to hunt turkeys in Texas.
- Bag Limit: The daily bag limit for turkeys in Texas is one bearded turkey per day.
- Season Limits: The total season limit for turkeys in Texas is two bearded turkeys per hunter.
- Hunting Hours: The hunting hours for turkeys in Texas are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Gear Restrictions: Certain gear, such as electronic calls and turkey decoys, are prohibited during the spring turkey hunting season in Texas.
Tips for a Successful Hunt
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a newcomer to the sport, here are some tips to help you have a successful turkey hunt:
- Scout Before You Hunt: Take the time to scout out your hunting area before the season opens to get a sense of the terrain and where the turkeys are likely to be.
- Use the Right Gear: Make sure you have the right gear for the job, including a reliable shotgun, appropriate ammunition, and the right clothing for the weather.
- Be Patient: Turkey hunting can be a waiting game, so be prepared to spend some time in your blind or hide waiting for the turkeys to come to you.
- Use Calls and Decoys Wisely: Calls and decoys can be effective tools in attracting turkeys, but use them wisely and don’t overdo it.
Turkey Hunting Zones in Texas
Texas is divided into three turkey hunting zones: the North Zone, the Central Zone, and the South Zone. Here’s a breakdown of each zone and the areas within them:
- North Zone: This zone includes the counties of Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Cooke, Wise, Jack, Parker, Tarrant, and Johnson.
- Central Zone: This zone includes the counties of Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Hill, Johnson, McLennan, Navarro, Somervell, and Ellis.
- South Zone: This zone includes the counties of Anderson, Andrews, Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bowie, Brazos, Briscoe, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Callahan, Camp, Carson, Cass, Castro, Chambers, Cherokee, Coleman, Collingsworth, Comal, Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Dallam, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Delta, Denton, DeWitt, Dickens, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Ellis, El Paso, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Gaines, Garza, Gillespie, Glasscock, Gonzales, Gray, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hale, Hall, Hamilton, Hansford, Hardeman, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hockley, Hood, Hopkins, Houston, Howard, Hunt, Hutchinson, Irion, Jack, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Johnson, Jones, Karnes, Kaufman, Kent, Kerr, Kimble, King, Kinney, Kleberg, Knox, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Lipscomb, Live Oak, Llano, Lubbock, Lynn, Madison, Marion, Martin, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, McCulloch, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Midland, Milam, Mills, Mitchell, Montague, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Motley, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nolan, Nueces, Ochiltree, Oldham, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Parmer, Pecos, Polk, Potter, Presidio, Rains, Randall, Reagan, Real, Red River, Reeves, Refugio, Roberts, Robertson, Rockwall, Runnels, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Saba, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Sherman, Smith, Somervell, Starr, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Terrell, Terry, Throckmorton, Titus, Tom Green, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Ward, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Winkler, Wise, Wood, Yoakum, Young, and Zavala.
Conclusion
Turkey hunting is a popular and exciting sport in Texas, and with the right information and preparation, you can have a successful and enjoyable hunt. By understanding the different turkey hunting seasons and regulations in Texas, you’ll be well on your way to bagging your first wild turkey.
