Hunting in Texas: 8 Things to Know About Hunting on Private Lands

Hunting and Texas go together like shells and shotguns, but when you are going to use those shotguns while hunting on private lands, there are a few things to keep in mind. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department holds public hunting on private land leased from landowners who wish to have surplus deer culled from their properties. 

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Completing a hunting education course is mandatory for anyone born on or after September 2, 1971, who intends to hunt in Texas. Every hunter must have a hunting license, and sometimes are required to have species-specific stamp endorsements.

Anyone who is hunting, fishing or trapping over the age of 17 must have a driver's license or personal identification certificate issued by the state, or if a nonresident carry similar documents issued by their state agency.

Here are some of the rules set out by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: 

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1. There are public hunt drawings that allow hunters to apply for a large variety of supervised hunts on private properties, and there are locations that offer hunting packages on private ranches.

2. When the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department leases private lands from landowners the terms of the lease allow limiting the number of hunters.

3. Typically, each hunter is limited to two deer of a specified type.

4. While hunts on private lands can be done at any time during the general deer season, many landowners prefer to hold them late in the season. Sometimes, the hunts on private land occur during an extended season. Hunting on private lands during a managed hunt can be less expensive to hunters.

5. Those hunting on private property have the option of using bonus carcass tags on deer harvested, which allows them to use their hunting license carcass tags elsewhere. Hunts on private lands are governed by statewide hunting regulations regarding seasons, bag limits, and means and methods unless otherwise noted.

6. Landowners may add further bag limits imposed through mutual agreement with the department. Landowners may add their own rules and procedures during management hunts. They can set the bag limit, define what is legal game and the definition of a management or "cull" buck. They can also tell hunters where to hunt, monitor hunting activities, and check out hunters at the end of the hunt period. The landowner or agent is not required to provide guide service, food or lodging.

7. The hunters are responsible for keeping their assigned hunt time and location. If the hunter fails to keep their assigned hunting schedule, drinks alcohol or becomes unruly or violates state laws, they forfeit all rights to hunt and can be told to leave the property.

8. Landowners have limited liability to guest hunters, so review your rights. 

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

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