Hunting in Texas: 10 Animals to Hunt in the Winter

If you want to hunt in Texas, the state has a long list of animals that can be legally hunted during the winter months. Make sure you have a valid hunting license and carry state-issued identification at all times while hunting in the Lone Star State.

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There are certain prey that require special dispensation.  You need to have a migratory game bird stamp endorsement to hunt migratory game birds and mourning doves, and an upland game bird stamp endorsement is required if you intend to hunt turkey, quail, pheasant or chachalacas, according to outdoorannual.com, the website of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Here are 10 animals you can hunt in season, and some of the animals that can be taken year-round in Texas.
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1. Doves
Doves can be hunted in the north and central zone from late December through Jan. 7; in the south zone from late December through late January. Special white-winged dove season runs from late December through late January.

2. White-tailed Deer
The hunting season for white-tailed deer in North Texas runs from November through the first week of January, in South Texas from early November through mid-January. Late antlerless and spike deer can be taken the first three weeks of January in North Texas. In South Texas, the season runs from the third week of January through the end of the month and with a muzzleloader from early January through the third week.

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3. Javelinas
Javelinas can be taken in select North Texas counties from October through late February; in select South Texas and Hill Country counties year-round.

4. Squirrels
There is a special youth season in East Texas for hunting squirrels that begins in October and runs through February. It otherwise can be hunted year-round by adults.

5. Pheasants and Quails
Pheasants can be hunted in the Panhandle from early December through early January. Quails can be hunted statewide from late October through late February.

6. Wild Turkeys
The state's official turkey, the Rio Grande Turkey, can only be taken on January 17 and 18 in the North zone; In North Texas, the season goes from November through early January while the South Texas season runs from November through the third week of January. In Brooks, Kennedy, Kleberg and Willacy counties, the wild turkey hunting season runs from November through February.

7. Chachalaca
Chachalaca, which is a relatively small, brown game bird, can be hunted in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties from November through late February.

8. Rabbits and Hares
The hunting season for rabbits and hares goes year-round.

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

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