By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

Although there were no major changes to statewide hunting regulations for 2023-24 seasons, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently approved a minor language change to clarify the intent of the Federal Sandhill Crane Permit.

“We do have a clarification to the Federal Sandhill Crane Permit language. Crane permits are state-specific, and we’ve had issues with hunters attempting to use crane permits obtained in other states, which are not valid in Texas,” Owen Fitzsimmons, webless migratory game bird program leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), said. “The language update would specify that hunters must have a Federal Sandhill Crane Permit issued by the department to legally hunt cranes in Texas.”

The permits are free and can be obtained at TPWD law enforcement offices, at TPWD headquarters in Austin, by calling (800) 792-1112 or (512) 389-4820, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online. There is a $5 administrative fee for those who order online.

Late last year, TPWD proposed elimination of the Light Goose Conservation Order in Texas. That proposal, however, was tabled so it could be further explored.

At its March meeting, the commission also approved hunting season dates for 2023-24.

“For 2023-24, there are no federal framework changes, and as a reminder, the department must follow all established federal regulations when it comes to migratory game birds,” Fitzsimmons said. “All season lengths and daily bag limits are maintained. All proposed season dates are calendar progressions from the previous season.”

All 2023-24 hunting season dates are available online here and below.

Current season dates are available here.

Find bag limits and possession limits in the Outdoor Annual app.

Game animals
Javelina
North Zone: Oct. 1, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024

South Zone: Sept. 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2023

Mule deer
General Season
Panhandle: Nov. 18, 2023 – Dec. 3, 2023

Trans-Pecos: Nov. 24, 2023 – Dec. 10, 2023

Archery Season
59 of 254 counties: Sept. 30, 2023 – Nov. 3, 2023

Pronghorn
41 of 254 counties: Sept. 30, 2023 – Oct. 15, 2023

Squirrel
East Texas: Oct. 1, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024 and May 1-31, 2024

Other open counties: Sept. 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2023

Youth-Only East Texas: Sept. 23-24, 2023

White-tailed deer
General Season
North Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024

South Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024

Special Late Season
North Zone: Jan. 8-21, 2024

South Zone: Jan. 22 – Feb. 4, 2024

Youth-Only Seasons
North Zone: Oct 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 8-21, 2024

South Zone: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 8-21, 2024

Archery Season
Sept. 30, 2023 – Nov. 3, 2023

Muzzleloader-Only Season
Jan. 8-21, 2024

Upland game birds
Chachalaca
Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties: Oct. 28, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024 

Pheasant
Panhandle: Dec. 2-31, 2023

Quail
Oct. 28, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024

Rio Grande Turkey
Fall
North Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024

South Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024

Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy counties: Nov. 4, 2023 – Feb. 25, 2024

Archery-Only: Sept. 30, 2023 – Nov. 3, 2023

Fall Youth-Only
North: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 8-21, 2024

South: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Jan. 22, 2024 – Feb. 4, 2024

Spring
North: March 30, 2024 – May 12, 2024

South: March 16, 2024 – April 28, 2024

One-turkey counties: April 1-30, 2024

Spring Youth-Only:
North: March 23-24, 2024 and May 18-19, 2024

South: March 9-10, 2024 and May 4-5, 2024

Eastern Turkey
Spring Season
East Texas: April 22, 2024 – May 14, 2024

Migratory Game Birds
Dove
North Zone
Sept. 1, 2023 – Nov. 12, 2023 and Dec. 15-31, 2023

Central Zone
Sept. 1, 2023 – Oct. 29, 2023 and Dec. 15, 2023 – Jan. 14, 2024

South Zone
Sept. 14, 2023 – Oct. 29, 2023 and Dec. 15, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024

Additional days for Special White-winged Dove season:
Sept. 1-3, 2023 and Sept. 8-10, 2023 (special regulations apply)

Duck
Regular Season
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Oct. 28-29, 2023 and Nov. 3, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024

North: Nov. 11-26, 2023 and Dec. 2, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024

South: Nov. 4-26, 2023 and Dec. 9, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024

Youth and Veterans
High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Oct. 21-22, 2023

North: Nov. 4-5, 2023

South: Oct. 28-29, 2023

Goose
Early Canada Goose
East Zone: Sept. 9-24, 2023

Light and Dark Geese
East Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024

West Zone: Nov. 4, 2023 – Feb. 4, 2024

Light Goose Conservation Order
East Zone: Jan. 29, 2024 – March 10, 2024

West Zone: Feb. 5, 2024 – March 10, 2024

Rails, gallinules and moorhens
Sept. 9-24, 2023 and Nov. 4, 2023 – Dec. 27, 2023

Sandhill cranes
Zone A: Oct. 28, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024

Zone B: Nov. 24, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024

Zone C: Dec. 16, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024

Snipe
Nov. 4, 2023 – Feb. 18, 2024

Teal
Sept. 9-24, 2023

Woodcock
Dec. 18, 2023 – Jan. 31, 2024

Other animals
Alligator
22 Counties and Special Properties: Sept. 10-30, 2023

All other Counties: April 1 – June 30, 2024

Rabbits and hares
No closed season

For more information on general hunting rules and regulations, visit TPWD’s website.