The Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit can be purchased from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and provides the opportunity to participate in a variety of inexpensive, public hunting activities for a variety of game species. The hunting permit cost $48. The APH allows hunters to access wildlife management areas (WMA) and state-leased hunting lands for hunting, fishing, nature watching, camping, and other outdoor activities.
The Texas Public Hunting Program includes approximately 1,000,000 acres located throughout the state of Texas. Each year, usually during early August, the APH map booklet for the next year comes out. The map booklet contains all the information of property owned by TPWD as well as acreage leased by the department from other state and federal agencies, timber companies, and other cooperating private landowners.
Through the APH permit, Texas public hunting land provides access for white-tailed deer hunting, hog hunting, duck hunting. In addition, the public dove hunting areas and other small game leases are included in the map booklet each year. Hunting lands can be accessed by two types of annual permits, but only the APH allows hunting. If you want to scout these public hunting lands, a Limited Public Use (LPU) Permit can be also be purchased which allows permit holders to fish, camp, hike, or partake in other recreational uses.
The Annual Public Hunting Permit is a good value for the money, but permit holders must realize that other public hunters will be using these same areas on the same days at the same times. Many of the WMAs provide excellent duck hunting along the coast. Solid dove hunting prospects exist on WMAs and the private lands leased through the program as well. There is also a large amount of land for white-tailed deer and hog hunting, but permit holders must be willing to travel. For the money, the APH permit provides good access to Texas’ public hunting lands.
What would I need to do to be permitted to hunt on Texas public lands? Thank you.
where do i purchase a permit to hunt public lands (aph)permit. i live in cleburne texas
David, you can purchase the APH Permit anywhere hunting licenses are sold. I would try Academy or Wal Mart.
Academy, walmart, or anywhere that sells a hunting licence.
What are the dates covered by the Annual Public Hunting Permit?
Jeremy, the dates are Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 of the “hunting year” in which the permit is purchased.
applying for post card hunts they say I need aph permit already bought it and its not showing up on application several friends or not showing also we all bought the permits is this a tpwd problem in computer , hunt deadlines are coming up fast please fix
David, it sounds like to you are going to have to contact TPWD—and quick! Some of the deadlines are approaching.
David, it looks like the epostcard hunts that require an APH permit to enter do not start taking applications until August 15 each year. The reason appears to be that new hunting licenses (for the next year) do not go on sale until August 15th. Basically, an APH permit for this year can not be used to apply for a hunt for next year.
Is the APH included in the Combo package or is that a different purchase?
Jerry, the APH permit is not included with the combination hunting and fishing combo package. It’s a different permit, and it cost $48. You can buy it online or any place of business where licenses are sold.
Is the $ 48.00 cost for APH permit per person or does it cover family (Wife)
Tom, I believe everyone 17 years of age and older needs an APH permit.
Tom, every adult (older than 16) needs an APH permit. Youth, those 16 and under, don’t need one at all!
Is there a discount price on the APH PERMIT for seniors citizens?
Ted, I don’t think so. APH permits for everyone is $48.
Last year I bought my APH on the same TPW site that the hunts are on but it does not appear to be there this year.