No separate deer tag price listed here; hunting license, physical tagging/documentation, and county limits still apply
TX
Texas Deer Hunting: Included Tags, Zone Dates & Antler Rules (2026)
Deer hunting in Texas starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag See notes No separate deer tag price listed here; hunting license, physical tagging/documentation, and county limits still apply
Non-Resident Tag See notes No separate deer tag price listed here; hunting license, physical tagging/documentation, and county limits still apply
Primary Season Sep 27 – Oct 31 Archery (Statewide)
Draw Required? No (OTC) Over-the-counter tags
DEER QUICK ANSWER
Texas Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for Texas deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
No separate deer tag price listed here; hunting license, physical tagging/documentation, and county limits still apply
Most hunters can start from the state license portal and available deer permits.
Archery (Statewide); also check Youth Only (Early).
For Texas deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: No separate deer tag price listed here; hunting license, physical tagging/documentation, and county limits still apply. Because this page lists over-the-counter access, the main risk is choosing the correct weapon season, zone, and add-on permit. CWD has been detected in Texas, so carcass movement and testing rules deserve an early check.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in Texas
Texas deer tags are included with the hunting license, but hunters still need to follow tag execution, harvest reporting, county bag limits, antler restrictions, and CWD-zone rules. TPWD CWD Containment and Surveillance Zones can require mandatory sampling and carcass movement limits, while counties outside those zones follow different reporting and transport rules. Digital license holders must execute the digital tag in Texas Hunt & Fish and still attach a physical handwritten document to a deer or turkey carcass, so digital does not mean no field documentation.
Species present: White-tailed DeerMule Deer
SEASONS
Texas Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
Texas offers 9 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
Texas Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
See notes
No separate deer tag price listed here; hunting license, physical tagging/documentation, and county limits still apply
Non-Resident
See notes
Over-the-counter tag available
No separate deer tag price listed here; hunting license, physical tagging/documentation, and county limits still apply
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right Texas deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full Texas license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags.
Compare Texas with other deer options
Use shortlist pages when you are deciding between states instead of reviewing each deer page one by one.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in Texas
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Detected
Specific Containment Zones (CZs) and Surveillance Zones (SZs) spanning various counties (Hunt, Kaufman, Bexar, etc.)
CWD Testing / Transport
Required in listed zones
Zones: Specific Containment Zones (CZs) and Surveillance Zones (SZs) spanning various counties (Hunt, Kaufman, Bexar, etc.)
Strict carcass transport restrictions apply. Whole carcasses generally cannot leave CWD zones or be imported from positive states.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 · Season: 5 (no more than 3 bucks)
Annual: 5 deer, max 3 bucks all seasons combined; antler restrictions vary by county; MLD permits provide additional harvest
Allowed Weapons
Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in Texas — FAQ
Is CWD testing mandatory in Texas?
Mandatory sampling applies when TPWD designates it for a CWD Containment or Surveillance Zone. Check the current TPWD CWD zone map before hunting, because county and zone rules can change.
Can I shoot a spike buck in Texas?
Yes, in restricted counties, bucks with at least one unbranched antler (a spike) are fully legal to harvest and do not count against your 13+ inch buck limit.
Do I need a draw to hunt deer in Texas?
No, Texas offers over-the-counter (OTC) deer tags that can be purchased without a draw. Some special hunts or antlerless permits may require a separate lottery.
What deer species can I hunt in Texas?
Texas is home to White-tailed Deer and Mule Deer. Allowed weapons include rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow.
Can non-residents hunt deer in Texas?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in Texas. Deer tags are included with the non-resident general hunting license rather than sold separately, so the main deer-entry cost is the $315 license itself. Texas deer access is generally over the counter, which is one reason it remains attractive to visiting whitetail hunters.