Goose2023-2024 Seasons & Regulations

Season Dates & County Regulations

Early Canada Geese Season

East Zone
Sept. 9 - 24, 2023

Light and Dark Geese

West Zone
Nov. 4, 2023 - Feb. 4, 2024
East Zone
Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 28, 2024

Light Geese (Conservation Order)

West Zone
Feb. 5 - Mar. 10, 2024
East Zone
Jan. 29 - Mar. 10, 2024

Goose Hunting Opportunity for Youth

It is legal for youth hunters to take geese during the youth-only waterfowl seasons associated with each of the duck zones. See duck regulations for season dates and zones.

Western Zone Bag Limits

AnimalDaily Bag LimitDaily Bag AggregatePossession Limit
Dark Geese Limits 5 birds No more than 2 white-fronted geese 3 times daily bag
Light Geese Limits 10 birds In the aggregate None
Conservation Order Light Geese Limits None None None

Eastern Zone Bag Limits

AnimalDaily Bag LimitDaily Bag AggregatePossession Limit
Early Canada Geese Limits 5 birds In the aggregate 3 times daily bag
Dark Geese Limits 5 birds No more than 2 white-fronted geese 3 times daily bag
Light Geese Limits 10 birds In the aggregate None
Conservation Order Light Geese Limits None None None

Goose Hunting Zone Map

Western Zone
West of a line from the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, north following IH-35 and 35W to Fort Worth, northwest along U.S. Hwy. 81 and 287 to Bowie, north along U.S. Hwy. 81 to the Texas-Oklahoma state line.
Eastern Zone
Remainder of the state.

Goose Hunting Regulations

Light Goose Conservation Order

During the Light Goose Conservation Order, the taking of light geese will be permitted by regulations established through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Conservation Order. Under the order, the following rules shall be in effect for the taking of light geese:

  • No daily bag or possession limits.
  • The use of electronic calls is legal.
  • Unplugged shotguns holding more than 3 shells are legal.
  • Shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset.

It is unlawful to take any other species of migratory game birds during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

Snow Goose and Ross's Goose Identification

  • White with black wingtips.
  • Wingspan: 3 to 4 feet.
  • Short legs.
  • Rapid wingbeat.
  • Flocks of 20 to hundreds.

Legal Shooting Hours

From one-half hour before sunrise to sunset except during the Light Goose Conservation Order..

See sunrise and sunset computations.

License Requirements

Hunting License

All migratory game bird hunters must have a valid hunting license.

Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement

A Migratory Game Bird Endorsement is required to hunt any migratory game bird (waterfowl, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe, dove, sandhill crane, and woodcock). A valid Federal Duck Stamp and HIP Certification are also required of waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older.

Harvest Information Program

When you purchase a hunting license, indicate to the license clerk that you intend to hunt migratory game birds and need to be HIP certified by answering a few simple questions.