Texas hunting
Public hunting land in Texas
Caliber maps 82 public hunting areas in Texas, with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Texas · 82 areas
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 195,710 acres
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 181,528 acres
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 178,963 acres
Sam Houston National Forest
National forest · 163,247 acres
Sabine National Forest
National forest · 161,158 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 82 by distance from you.
- 52
- State wildlife areas
- 4
- National forests
- 5
- National grasslands
- 1
- BLM land
- 20
- National wildlife refuges
Texas hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Phone
- (512) 389-4800 or (800) 792-1112
- Resident license
- $25 — Resident Hunting License (annual); Super Combo (hunt + fish) is $68
- Nonresident license
- $315 — Nonresident General Hunting License (annual); special tags/endorsements extra
- Hunter education
- Required for anyone born on or after Sept 2, 1971, unless exempt; ages 17+ may defer for up to a year for $10.
- Good to know
- Annual Public Hunting Permit is $48 (valid Sept 1, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027) and requires a hunting license; needed to hunt TPWD public lands.
Fees and rules as published by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Texas
The 12 biggest of 82 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 195,710 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Aransas National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 181,528 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 178,963 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Sam Houston National Forest | National forest | 163,247 | Open |
| Sabine National Forest | National forest | 161,158 | Open |
| Davy Crockett National Forest | National forest | 161,095 | Open |
| Angelina National Forest | National forest | 154,309 | Open |
| San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 130,456 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Mcfaddin National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 119,304 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Black Gap Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 104,802 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 94,060 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Rita Blanca National Grassland | National grassland | 77,366 | Open |
State wildlife areas · 52
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 4
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National grasslands · 5
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. Grasslands are often mixed with private land, so know the boundaries.
BLM land · 1
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. BLM land is often scattered between private parcels, so legal access can be the hard part.
National wildlife refuges · 20
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Texas hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Texas?
Caliber lists 82 public hunting areas in Texas: 52 state wildlife areas, 4 national forests, 5 national grasslands, 1 blm land, 20 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Texas?
As published by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $25 — Resident Hunting License (annual); Super Combo (hunt + fish) is $68; nonresident, $315 — Nonresident General Hunting License (annual); special tags/endorsements extra. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Texas?
Required for anyone born on or after Sept 2, 1971, unless exempt; ages 17+ may defer for up to a year for $10. Check Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Texas?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Texas hunting land near you
All 82 Texas areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
More in Caliber
Public hunting land
Public hunting land in all 50 states, with each state's license fees and official links.
Learn more →
Ballistic calculator & shooting tools
Free bullet drop calculator, DOPE book, scope clicks, distance estimating and more.
Learn more →
Shooting range finder
5,600+ shooting ranges nationwide, on a list or a map, with filters.
Learn more →
Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the managing agency before you hunt.
CaliberBecome a safer, more skilled firearm owner. Free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFeatures
Guides & directories
- The four firearm safety rules
- California FSC practice test
- Texas LTC practice test
- Hunter education practice test
- Shooting range directory
- Public hunting land in Colorado
- Public hunting land in Florida
- Public hunting land in Georgia
- Public hunting land in Michigan
- Public hunting land in Minnesota
- Public hunting land in Pennsylvania
- Public hunting land in Texas
- Public hunting land in Wisconsin
Caliber is an educational and tracking tool for lawful, responsible ownership. It is not legal advice and not a substitute for in-person instruction. Caliber doesn't sell firearms, ammunition or accessories. Always follow the four safety rules and your local laws. Caliber is made by Norbrook Media LLC. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.