Archery-Only Season Opens Saturday for Deer and Turkey

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Archery-Only Season Kicks Off October 1

Hunters at camp

Start flexing those bowstrings, archery-only season for white-tailed deermule deer and turkey opens Saturday, October 1 and runs through Friday, November 4.

If you need a new place to bowhunt white-tailed deer, check out the 1 million acres of public hunting land available in Texas. All you need for access is an Annual Public Hunting Permit ($48).


The Need-to-Know

Tree stand safety video

Bowhunters must carry the following in the field:

  • Certificate of Hunter Education – keep the proof in your pocket
  • Hunting license with archery stamp endorsement
  • For turkey hunters: upland game bird stamp endorsement

There’s one change this year: archery-only seasons are in 14 additional Panhandle counties. Refer to your 2016-2017 Outdoor Annual for the list of counties and other regulations.

If you can’t find your Hunter Education card, print a free copy by going online. Hunter Ed. is required for everyone 9 years or older and born on or after Sept. 2, 1971. We also offer Bowhunter Education courses.

Licenses and endorsements are available at retailers and online. You can also order over the phone by calling 800-895-4248 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. There’s a $5 service charge if you purchase over the phone or online.

Mule deer and white-tailed deer hunters should be aware of new chronic wasting disease(CWD) regulations, including sampling requirements and movement restrictions. There’s a new booklet you can download to learn everything a hunter needs to know about CWD.

Planning to use a tree stand? Then take a minute and a half to watch this video about tree stand safety. The #1 cause of hunter fatalities in the U.S. is due to falls from tree stands. Be safe and good hunting! 


Game Harvest App

Download the My Texas Hunt Harvest app to easily report your harvest in real time. And use it to find CWD check stations and test results. Reporting helps game management, which creates prime Texas hunting.


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