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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Virtual Wildlife Series May 12 and May 18

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service of Callahan County will be hosting a virtual wildlife series on May 12 and May 18. The program is free, all you will need is your computer or cell phone to log into the program through Zoom. Both programs will be held during the lunch hour from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. The May 12 program will focus on White Tail Deer. Jacob Dykes, Assistant Professor and Wildlife Specialist, will be talking about “to supplement white tail deer or not, and other ways to feed deer”. Jacob will be focusing on what deer need and other ways to attract them to your property. The May 18 program will focus on Feral Hogs. Mikayla Killam, Wildlife Damage Management Program Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will be talking about Feral Hogs, Impact to the Watershed. With our ponds being low and very little to no water in creeks, how are feral hogs affecting our watershed? To register for the programs, type in the link: https://bit.ly/CallahanWS . When you click on the link, you will fill out the information and then it will send you a link to join the program through Zoom. You can also find the information on Callahan County Extension Office- Agriculture Facebook page. You can also call the Callahan County Extension office at 325-854-5835 if you have any questions.