Hunting in Texas: Animals to Hunt in the Summer

Unlike other states in the Northeast, Texas has a long list of animals that can be legally hunted during the summer months.

ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now

Note that to hunt any animal in any season hunters in Texas must have a valid hunting license and carry with them state-issued identification at all times while following state law. Here are several animals you can hunt in season in Texas, according to Texas hunting season tables for 2014-2015.

Per county seasonal regulations are made public mid-August of each year by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

1. Birds
Birds, such as dove found in the North Central Zones, can be taken from September until late October, and in the South Zone from late September until late October. White-winged dove can be taken September 6, 7, 13 and 14, and again from September 19 through late October. Early teal can only be taken statewide from September 13 through 28. Larger birds, such as the Canada goose, can only be taken in the Eastern zone from September 13 to 28.

2. Small Game
Javelinas can be taken in the South Texas and Hill Country counties year-round. Squirrels can be taken except in East Texas where its season runs from early October though late September and the whole month of May; and rabbits and hares can be taken year-round. Some animals, such as armadillos, are restricted. No possession or sale of live armadillos is allowed. Flying squirrels, ground squirrels, porcupines, and prairie dogs can be hunted year round.

VOTE NOW: Is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Doing a Good Job?

3. Furbearers
Animals with year-round and no bag limits include badgers, beavers, bobcats, foxes, minks, muskrats, nutrias, and opossums. Other species include otters, raccoons, ring-tailed cats, and skunks. Coyotes are currently under statewide rabies quarantine and cannot be transported or sold in the state, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.

4. Large Animals
Those with no closed season include feral hogs, Aoudad sheep, axis deer, elks, sika deer, fallow deer, blackbuck antelopes, nilgai antelopes, mountain lion, and Russian boars.

5.  Reptiles and Amphibians
Alligators can be taken in 22 counties by permit only in September and generally from April until the end of June.

Frogs are open season; however, when it comes to turtles, no person may possess a diamondback terrapin at any time.

See the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website and check out Texas Hunt Lodge for more information.  

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

URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now

Related Stories:

• Hunting in Maine: 3 Things for Landowners To Know About Hunting on Private Property
  
• Hunting in Kentucky: 3 Animals to Hunt in the Summer