Hunting in Texas: 3 Animals to Hunt in the Spring

With the end of winter comes the end of the high-traffic game hunting. In Texas, even the late-season big-game harvests close.

The furbearer seasons largely end as well, save for those select few that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department deems in need of consistent population control with year-round harvesting.

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Such a drastic cessation of activity by sport hunters creates less stressful opportunities for younger hunters. Spring in Texas also offers the chance for some unique and challenging chances for sport hunters.

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Here are three animals to hunt in the spring in Texas:

1. Rabbit and Hare

From eastern cottontail to swamp rabbit and California jackrabbit, the vast array of ecoregions in Texas provides this game species with ample resources.

Prolific breeding cycles and lack of steady predation of these animals has left the TPWD with little other choice than to encourage harvest by sport hunters as a means of humane culling and control.

This species has a year-round open season throughout the state. Hunters should check state regulations for possible county-specific bag and/or possession restrictions.

2. Wild Turkey

This species is one of the select few game animals that the TPWD actively and regularly stocks into the wild for the express purpose of harvest by sport hunters, as this once extirpated breed still struggles to establish a sustainable population.

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The spring harvest runs from late March or early April, through the middle of May. Specific season dates vary across state regions, as do bag limits.

3. Alligator

Taken off the endangered species list in 1978, this native to North America is nevertheless protected in all 10 states where its populations naturally occur.

Throughout much of Texas, responsible management of harvesting for both recreational and commercial purposes encourages the preservation of critical habitats and a healthy, self-sustaining population.

As predators at the top of the food chain in their ecosystems, they play a crucial role in maintaining balance among the other flora and fauna they share space with.

Open season runs from the beginning of April through the end of June in "non-core" counties. Texas' core alligator counties are limited to an open season that only runs through September.

Interested sport hunters should check for current TPWD regulations and restrictions on viable harvesting locations and methods.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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Related Stories:

• Hunting in Texas: 3 Animals to Hunt in the Fall
• Hunting in Texas: 10 Animals to Hunt in the Winter