Although Texas is dominated by private land there are still some readily-available and high quality Texas public hunting lands. In fact, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) makes over 1 million acres of public land accessible for a variety of hunting opportunities through two public hunting systems. One way to access state-owned hunting land is to purchase an Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit. The APH Permit, currently $48, provides nearly year-round hunting on approximately 1.2 million acres of land and allows hunters to choose from multiple areas to hunt for a variety of game species. APH Permit holders select when and where they hunt and can access the properties as many times as they want. Hunters that purchase this permit will receive a public hunting lands map booklet with available hunt areas and hunt dates. Texas’ short-term dove hunting areas can be accessed through the APH Permit program.
The Public Hunt Drawing System provides opportunities for hunters to apply for a wide variety of supervised, drawn hunts including special drawings for both adults and youth hunters. These hunts take place on TPWD’s state parks and wildlife management areas where specific harvest goals are required. The hunt categories available through the drawing system are Alligator, Archery Deer, Archery Mule Deer, Crossbow Deer, Archery Exotic Only, Gun Pronghorn, Private Lands Pronghorn, Private Lands Buck, Private Lands Antlerless-Spike, Gun Deer Either Sex, Gun Deer Antlerless-Spike, Gun Deer Management Either Sex, Gun Mule Deer, Exotic Only, Javelina, Feral Hog, Spring Turkey, Youth Only Alligator, Youth Only Gun Deer, Youth Only Javelina, Youth Only Exotic, Youth Only Spring Turkey and several other hunt “packages” available through the drawing system.
The Texas public hunting lands drawing system offers special hunt package drawings for native animals as well as exotic and feral animals on TPWD managed lands as well as specially leased private properties. Of course, white-tailed deer hunting seems is the most competitive, so expect some competition when entering these hunt drawings. All of the drawing system hunts will be listed in TPWD’s “Special Drawing and Regular Permit Hunting Opportunities” booklet that comes out every year in late summer.
In addition to draw hunts, this public hunting lands booklet also contains areas that can be hunted through what they call regular permit hunts, and the hunts take place at many of the wildlife management areas. A regular permit is available for certain small game and waterfowl hunts. Regular permits are issued as the hunt area on a first-come, first-served basis and the hunting area has the right to limit the number of participating hunters, though this rarely seems to happen. A $20 fee is charged for each Regular Permit issued to an adult hunter per day. The fee is waived for minors age 17 and younger and for APH Permit holders. During regular permit hunts, all hunters must sign in at the wildlife management areas’ check station before entering the area.
Again, Texas is a state that is dominated by privately-owned lands, but the state does open up it’s wildlife management areas and state parks to provide public hunting lands. From my experience, the special drawing hunts are well organized and allow hunters to experience great hunting on well-managed areas. The APH Permit also allows hunters to access wildlife management areas and private lands that the state leases for short-term public hunting opportunities. The APH Permit is great for small game and dove hunting, but also has a large amount of acreage available to waterfowl and deer hunters. For more information, follow the category on Texas pubic hunting lands.
I had a question about hunting in Taylors Bayou, Port Arthur Texas. If I were to launch at Taylors Bayou Bridge, where can I duck hunt that isn’t privately owned land or what are the stipulations on hunting out there. Also in Rodair.
Thanks,
Brandon
What is required when hunting elk in west Texas public land?
Caleb, elk are considered an exotic in Texas, so are generally regulated the same as axis, fallow, etc. They are not regulated by a season or bag limit.
However, if you are hunting public land then the take of elk may be regulated by the regs on the land you are hunting. You will need a hunting license and a permit, if required, to hunt the land you’re on, but will not need anything else.
Basically, there is nothing that prohibits hunting elk anywhere in Texas unless the regs on the public land you are hunting state otherwise. If in question, I’d recommend you make contact with an appropriate state or federal for the property in question. Let us know how it goes!
After taking me to the shooting range a couple of times, I figured I should join my uncle in hunting deer in Texas to have a different experience with my growing interest in firearms. When you mentioned that deer hunting is apparently the most competitive category when hunting there, I figured that this is gonna be quite the adventure. I better start looking for a good hunting lodge to stay at when I come to visit.
I’ve purchased the Annual Public Hunting Permit several years in a row from Cabela’s. I never received a booklet/map of public land opportunities. What am I doing wrong? BTW, I live in Florida.
Thanks,
Frank
Frank, I have no idea on why your map booklet is not getting to you. You may want to call TPWD. I buy an APH permit each year, but several years ago my book did not come in the mail. Even though I usually get mine, I often refer to the pdf of the document that can be found online. Anyone can download the APH map book form this TPWD web page, whether you buy the permit or not.
It was mentioned that there are many ways to hunt in Texas including public hunting lands. My husband would like to go on a hunting trip, but he has never been to Texas before. Would it be a good idea for him to get into a hunting lodge to get tips and tricks on where to hunt?