In Texas, crossbow hunting is a legal activity during general hunting, ester springs turkey and archery only season. Every year, thousands of hunters go into the wild to look for deer, hogs, turkeys, and other animals. But it’s crucial to be aware of the state’s crossbow hunting laws and regulations before leaving on your next hunting excursion. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand everything you need to know about Crossbow Hunting Regulations in Texas.
Crossbow hunting was prohibited in Texas until 2009, but the law has subsequently been altered to permit it during both archery-only seasons and general crossbow seasons. Hunting with a crossbow is subject to certain restrictions and requirements to ensure safe and ethical hunting practices. Below you will find a list of the main restrictions and requirements for crossbow hunting in Texas.
Crossbow Hunting Regulations in Texas: Rules And Laws To Follow For Crossbow Hunting In Texas
- You can use your crossbow to hunt during these seasons: Archery only season, Easter spring turkey season, and general hunting seasons.
- If you live in one of these counties: Grayson, Dallas, Collin, or Rockwall counties you can not use the crossbow for hunting during the Archery Only Season. To use a crossbow in archery-only season in these counties, one must obtain a disability permit.
- To legally shoot deer in Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, and Grayson counties, an archery stamp is always necessary.
- You must need to use an archery stamp if you intend to harvest deer with crossbows during the archery-only season.
- Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and a minimum stock length of 25 inches.
- Additionally, they need to have a mechanical safety.
- Mechanical broadheads must be 7/8 inches wide to be used lawfully.
- Only broadheads with at least two cutting edges and an opening that opens upon impact may be used.
- Telescopic sights are legal, but artificial light cast or illuminated on the prey is not permitted.
- It is forbidden to chemically treat or attach explosives to bolts and/or arrows.
Required Licenses and Permits
Every hunter in Texas must possess a current hunting license and applicable permits for the species they intend to pursue. You can avail of these licenses and permission through a nearby licensing agent or online through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website. Before receiving a permit, hunters might also need to attend a hunter education course.
Laws Against Trespassing
Hunters must understand the legal restrictions on trespassing. Hunting on private property without the landowner’s consent is prohibited in Texas. A hunter caught hunting on private property without permission risks fines and/or legal action.
Safety Measures
Crossbow hunting is a potentially hazardous pastime; thus, hunters must take the appropriate safety measures. This entails always being aware of your surroundings and using the proper safety equipment, such as a hunting vest and safety harness. It’s also crucial to treat your crossbow as if it’s loaded at all times and to avoid aiming it toward anything you don’t want to shoot.
Legal Hunting Seasons in Texas
You can start crossbow hunting in Texas during the archery and general hunting season. The precise dates for these seasons change depending on the state’s location and the animals being hunted. The dates for hunting in Texas, though, are listed below.
Dates for Texas’s 2023 hunting season
The following dates are the mule deer shooting season in Texas in 2023:
- November 19 – December 4 is the general season in the Panhandle.
- November 25 – December 11 is the general season in the Trans-Pecos.
- October 1 through November 4 is the archery season in 59 of 254 counties.
Texas’s permitted pronghorn hunting season for 2023 is as follows:
- General season: October 1–16 in 41 of 254 counties
For the year 2023, Texas has the following permitted squirrel hunting seasons:
- October 1 – February 26 and May 1 – 31 are the general seasons in East Texas.
- general season from September 1 to August 31 in other open counties
- East Texas youth-only season: September 24–25
The following dates are the Texas white-tailed deer shooting season for 2023:
- November 5 – January 1 is the general season in the North.
- November 5 – January 15 is the general season in the South.
- Special Late Season: January 2–January 15
- Jan. 16–29 is a special late season in the South.
- Oct. 29–30 and Jan. 2–15 in the North are youth-only seasons.
- Oct. 29–30 and Jan. 2–15 in the South are youth-only seasons.
- October 1 through November 4 is the archery season in 252 of 254 counties.
- January 2 to January 15 is the muzzleloader season runs in 90 of the 254 counties.
For the year 2023, Texas will have the following legal hunting seasons for Rio Grande turkeys:
- Fall in the North: from November 5 to January 1.
- Fall in the South runs from November 5 to January 15.
- Fall in Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy counties runs from November 5 to February 26.
- October 1 through November 4 is the only time of year for fall archery.
- The northern youth-only season for the fall: October 29–30 & January 2–15
- Southern youth-only seasons for the fall: October 29–30 and January 16–29
- April 1 through May 14 is the start of spring in the North.
- Southern springtime runs from March 18 through April 30.
- One turkey county’s spring season runs from April 1 to 30.
- Northern youth-only spring season dates: March 25–26 and May 20–21
- South’s spring youth-only season runs from March 11 to 12 and May 6-7.
For the year 2023, Texas will have the following legal hunting seasons for eastern turkeys:
- East Texas’s spring season runs from April 22 through May 14.
Why Texas is popular for hunting
Texas is well-known for its hunting opportunities since it is home to an estimated 5.3 million white-tailed deer, which are dispersed across the state in both urban parks and remote rangelands. The state is also well-known for its large game animals, such as pronghorn antelope, whitetail deer, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep. Additionally, Texas is one of the few states where you may hunt javelina and is great for a variety of squirrel subspecies.
FAQ
Are there any limitations on how many deer can be shot in Texas?
Yes, with some limitations, you are permitted to shoot two bucks per season in Texas. The inside spread of one buck may be 13 inches or more, and the other buck must have at least one unbranched antler. In light of this, you have the option of shooting either one buck with an inner spread of 13 inches or more and one buck with at least one unbranched antler, or two bucks with at least one unbranched antler.
On MLDP properties, is there a bag size restriction?
The MLDP characteristics do not have a luggage restriction.
What types of big games can you find in Texas?
Whitetail deer, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep are the big game animals that can be found in Texas.
How many counties in Texas are home to white-tailed deer?
252 of the 254
Conclusion
Crossbow hunting is a well-liked and thrilling sport in Texas, but it’s crucial to comprehend and abide by the rules and laws that apply to the activity. Hunters may assure a safe and productive hunting experience by obtaining the required licenses and permits, recognizing the permitted hunting seasons, and being aware of the trespassing and safety rules.
About The Author:
Lake Streeter, A Gun enthusiast, and loves to hunt in the middle of the wood. Always check the latest hunting gears out in the market and try to share his honest opinion with the audience in Tarheel3Gun.