Headline Takeaways
- Texas is cheaper for the primary resident base license by $13.49.
- Colorado is cheaper for the primary non-resident base license by $210.14.
- Texas deer planning starts with "Archery (Statewide): Sep 27 - Oct 31", while Colorado starts with "Archery: Aug 30 - Sep 28".
Side-by-Side Table
Planning Item Texas Colorado
Resident base license $25 $38.49
Non-resident base license $315 $104.86
Hunter education Required for hunters born after 1971-09-02 Required for hunters born after 1949-01-01
Resident deer tag See notes $51.25
Non-resident deer tag See notes $506.92
Deer season snapshot Archery (Statewide): Sep 27 - Oct 31 Archery: Aug 30 - Sep 28
Deer draw rule No deer draw required for the primary path Draw required by Primary draw closes April 7, 2026; leftover limited licenses go on sale August 4, 2026. Check CPW's current Big Game Brochure for the hunt code.
Official agency Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Planning Notes
- Texas official purchases flow through Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; Colorado uses Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
- Texas: Required for hunters born after 1971-09-02. Colorado: Required for hunters born after 1949-01-01.
- Texas: No deer draw required for the primary path. Colorado: Draw required by Primary draw closes April 7, 2026; leftover limited licenses go on sale August 4, 2026. Check CPW's current Big Game Brochure for the hunt code..