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Executive Summary: Staff seeks adoption of proposed changes to the Statewide Hunting Proclamation and the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation. The proposed changes would amend regulations related to migratory game birds, upland game birds, and big game. They would also make conforming changes regarding the issuance of recreational hunting licenses, stamp endorsements, tags, and selected permits as digital products.
Resumen ejecutivo: El personal busca la adopción de los cambios propuestos a la Proclamación Estatal de Caza y la Proclamación de Aves Migratorias. Los cambios propuestos modificarían las regulaciones relacionadas con las aves de caza migratorias, las aves de caza de tierras altas y la caza mayor. También harían cambios conformes con respecto a la emisión de licencias de caza recreativa, endosos de sellos, etiquetas y permisos seleccionados como productos digitales.
Full Rule Text
2025-2026 STATEWIDE HUNTING PROCLAMATION
PROPOSAL PREAMBLE
1. Introduction.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department proposes amendments to 31 TAC §§65.7, 65.8, 65.10, 65.29, 65.42, §65.62, and 65.64, concerning the Statewide Hunting Proclamation.
The proposed amendments to §§65.7, concerning Application, 65.8, concerning Alternative Licensing System, and 65.10, concerning Possession of Wildlife Resources, would make conforming changes to accommodate proposed amendments to Chapter 53, concerning Finance, published elsewhere in this issue of the Texas Register, that would provide for the issuance of digital versions of all recreational hunting licenses, stamp endorsements, tags, and selected permits that are currently available directly to the public as physical products. In 2021, the department launched a pilot program to determine the feasibility of implementing digital versions of physical licenses, stamp endorsements, tags, and permits. The results of the pilot program were favorable, and the department is therefore proceeding with respect to making all recreational license products currently available directly to the public available in a digital version.
The proposed amendment to §65.29, concerning Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP), would allow the take of mule deer under the appropriate MLDP tag by any lawful means at any time during the period of validity of the tag (from the Saturday closest to September 30 through the last Sunday in January). Under current rule, lawful means of harvest is restricted to lawful archery equipment from the Saturday closest to September 30 for 35 consecutive days, which mirrors the current archery-only season dates established in the county regulations in §65.42, concerning Deer. Because the total harvest on MLDP properties is controlled by the department through the issuance of tags issued to landowners, the department has determined there is no biological reason not to provide landowners and land managers enrolled in the MLDP the latitude to attain their harvest quota at their own discretion by any means lawful in the county of take (which has long been the case on MLDP properties with respect to the harvest of white-tailed deer).
The proposed amendment to 65.42, concerning Deer, would expand the archery-only season for mule deer from 35 days to 62 days in Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Ector, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Terrell, Upton, Val Verde, Ward, and Winkler counties. In addition, the proposed amendment would expand the archery-only season for mule deer from 35 to 56 days in those Panhandle counties that have an archery-only season for mule deer. The proposed amendment is intended to provide additional hunting opportunity for archery enthusiasts and will not result in depletion or waste of the resource, as hunter success with respect to archery harvest of mule deer is generally quite low and the harvest regulations for antlerless mule deer are very conservative. The proposed amendment would in essence continue the current archery season in each affected county until opening day of the general season. The proposed amendment would also make conforming changes to provisions governing digital products, for reasons discussed earlier in this preamble. Finally, the proposed amendment to §65.42 would eliminate subsection (c)(6) which is no longer necessary because the department has eliminated CWD management zones.
The proposed amendment to §65.62, concerning Quail: Open Seasons, Bag and Possession Limits, would alter the current season structure by closing the season on the last day of February rather than the last Sunday in February. Under the existing regulatory structure, the last Sunday in February often falls on a different date each year, potentially creating confusion amongst hunters, landowners, and other interested parties. The proposed change would result in an additional 2.6 days of hunting per year over the next decade, with similar levels thereafter, which the department has determined will not result in depletion or waste of the resource.
The proposed amendment to §65.64, concerning Turkey, would open a fall (first Saturday in November through the first Sunday in January, either sex) and spring (Saturday closest to April 1 for 44 consecutive days, gobblers or bearded hens) season for turkeys in Lubbock County, with a four-bird annual bag limit. The department has determined that there is no biological reason not to allow the take of turkey in Lubbock County and that the proposed open seasons will not result in depletion or waste. The proposed amendment also would make conforming changes to provisions governing digital products, for reason discussed earlier in this preamble, clarify the boundaries for turkey seasons in Hill County to accommodate the fact that Interstate Highway 35 is divided into I-35 West and I-35 East, and insert season dates that were inadvertently omitted in a previous publication.
2. Fiscal Note.
Robert Macdonald, Regulations Coordinator, has determined that for each of the first five years that the rules as proposed are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications to state or local governments as a result of administering or enforcing the rules.
3. Public Benefit/Cost Note.
Mr. Macdonald also has determined that for each of the first five years that the rules as proposed are in effect:
(A) The public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed rules will be the dispensation of the agency’s statutory duty to protect and conserve the resources of this state, the duty to equitably distribute opportunity for the enjoyment of those resources among the citizens, and the execution of the commission’s policy to maximize recreational opportunity within the precepts of sound biological management practices.
There will be no adverse economic effect on persons required to comply with the rules as proposed.
(B) Under the provisions of Government Code, Chapter 2006, a state agency must prepare an economic impact statement and a regulatory flexibility analysis for a rule that may have an adverse economic effect on small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities. As required by Government Code, §2006.002(g), the Office of the Attorney General has prepared guidelines to assist state agencies in determining a proposed rule’s potential adverse economic impact on small and microbusinesses and rural communities. Those guidelines state that an agency need only consider a proposed rule’s direct adverse economic impacts to determine if any further analysis is required. The department considers “direct economic impact “to mean a requirement that would directly impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements; impose taxes or fees; result in lost sales or profits; adversely affect market competition; or require the purchase or modification of equipment or services.
The department has determined that the proposed rules regulate various aspects of recreational license privileges that allow individual persons to pursue and harvest wildlife resources in this state and therefore do not directly affect small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities. Therefore, neither the economic impact statement nor the regulatory flexibility analysis described in Government Code, Chapter 2006, is required.
(C) The department has not drafted a local employment impact statement under the Administrative Procedures Act, §2001.022, as the agency has determined that the rules as proposed will not impact local economies.
(D) The department has determined that Government Code, §2001.0225 (Regulatory Analysis of Major Environmental Rules), does not apply to the proposed rules.
(E) The department has determined that there will not be a taking of private real property, as defined by Government Code, Chapter 2007, as a result of the proposed rules.
(F) In compliance with the requirements of Government Code, §2001.0221, the department has prepared the following Government Growth Impact Statement (GGIS). The ruled as proposed, if adopted, will:
(1) neither create nor eliminate a government program;
(2) not result in an increase or decrease in the number of full-time equivalent employee needs;
(3) not result in a need for additional General Revenue funding;
(4) not affect the amount of any fee;
(5) not create a new regulation;
(6) not limit an existing regulation, but will expand an existing regulation (by lengthening archery seasons for mule deer);
(7) neither increase nor decrease the number of individuals subject to regulation; and
(8) not positively or adversely affect the state’s economy.
4. Request for Public Comment.
Comments concerning the proposed rules affecting big game species may be submitted to Shawn Gray at (432) 837-0666, e-mail: shawn.grayShawn.Gray@tpwd.texas.gov. Comments concerning the proposed rules affecting turkey may be submitted to Shaun Oldenburger at (512) 757-6067, email: shaun.oldenburger@tpwd.texas.gov. Comments also may be submitted via the department’s website at https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment/.
5. Statutory Authority.
The amendments are proposed under the authority of Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 61, which requires the commission to regulate the periods of time when it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life in this state; the means, methods, and places in which it is lawful to hunt, take, or possess game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life in this state; the species, quantity, age or size, and, to the extent possible, the sex of the game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life authorized to be hunted, taken, or possessed; and the region, county, area, body of water, or portion of a county where game animals, game birds, or aquatic animal life may be hunted, taken, or possessed.
The proposed amendments affect Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 61.
§65.7. Harvest Log.
(a) The provisions of this subsection apply only to a person who has acquired[in possession of] a physical license purchased through an automated point-of-sale system and do not apply to a person who has acquired a digital license identified in §53.18 of this title (relating to Digital Products)[issued by the department pursuant to §53.3(a)(12) of this title (relating to Combination Hunting and Fishing License Packages), §53.4 of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses) or §53.5(a)(3) of this title (relating to Recreational Hunting License, Stamps, and Tags)].
(1) – (2) (No change.)
(b) (No change.)
§65.8. Alternative Licensing System.
(a) – (c) (No change.)
(d) This section does not apply to the digital products[licenses] identified in §53.18 of this title (relating to Digital Products)[§53.3(a)(12) of this title (relating to Combination Hunting and Fishing License Packages), §53.4 of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses), or §53.5(a)(3) (relating to Recreational Hunting Licenses, Stamps, and Tags)].
§65.10. Possession of Wildlife Resources.
(a) (No change.)
(b) Under authority of Parks and Wildlife Code, §42.0177, the tagging requirements of Parks and Wildlife Code, §42.018, are modified as follows.
(1) – (4) (No change.)
(5) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the tagging requirements for deer and turkey taken under a digital license issued under the provisions of §53.18 of this title (relating to Digital Products)[§53.3(a)(12) of this title (relating to Super Combination Hunting and Fishing License Packages), under the digital tagging option of §53.4 of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses), and §53.5(a)(3) of this title (relating to Recreational Hunting License, Stamps, and Tags)] are prescribed in subsection (e) of this section.
(6) (No change.)
(c) – (d) (No change.)
(e) A person who lawfully kills a deer or turkey under the[a] digital version of a license identified in §53.18 of this title[issued under the provisions of §53.3(a)(12) of this title, the digital tagging option under §53.4 of this title or §53.5(a)(3) of this title (relating to Recreational Hunting License, Stamps, and Tags)] is exempt from any requirement of Parks and Wildlife Code or this subchapter regarding the use or possession of physical license tags for those species; however, that person shall ensure that immediately upon take a harvest report is created and submitted via a mobile or web application provided by the department for that purpose.
(1) – (3) (No change.)
(f) – (m) (No change.)
§65.29. Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP).
(d) MLDP — Mule Deer.
(1) The provisions of subsection (c)(2)(A) — (H) of this section also shall govern the authorization and conduct of program participation with respect to mule deer, except[:]
[(1)] the harvest of mule deer shall occur only between the Saturday closest to September 30 and the last Sunday of January, during which mule deer may be taken by any lawful means[, as follows:]
[(A) from the Saturday closest to September 30 for 35 consecutive days, the lawful means of harvest is restricted to lawful archery equipment; and]
[(B) from the first Saturday in November through the last Sunday in January any lawful meansmay be used to harvest deer; and]
(2) Program[program] eligibility is specifically restricted to tracts of land in counties for which an open season for mule deer is provided under §65.42 of this title.
(e) – (f) (No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency’s authority to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on
§65.42. Deer.
(a) General.
(5) In the counties or portions of counties listed in subsection (b)(2)(G) of this section, antlerless deer harvested on properties not subject to the provisions of §65.29 of this title (relating to Managed Lands Deer (MLD) Programs) must be reported via the department’s internet or mobile application within 24 hours of the time of kill, including antlerless deer harvested during the special seasons established by subsection (b)(4) and (5) of this section. This paragraph does not apply to antlerless deer harvested under a digital license issued by the department pursuant to §53.18 of this title (relating to Digital Products)[§53.3(a)(12) of this title (relating to Super Combination Hunting and Fishing Packages), a valid license with digital tags issued under §53.4 of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses), or a valid digital license issued under §53.5(a)(3) of this title (relating to Recreational Hunting License, Stamps, and Tags)], which must be reported as required under §65.10 of this title (relating to Possession of Wildlife Resources).
(b) (No charge.)
(c) Mule deer. The open seasons and bag limits for mule deer shall be as follows:
(5) Archery-only open seasons and bag and possession limits shall be as follows.
(A) In Andrews, Armstrong, Bailey, Borden, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Coke, Collingsworth, Cottle, [Crane, Crockett,] Crosby, [Culberson,] Dallam, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, [Ector, El Paso,] Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Gaines, Garza, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Hemphill, Hockley, [Hudspeth,] Hutchinson, [Jeff Davis,] Kent, King, Knox, Lamb, Lipscomb, [Loving,] Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, [Midland,] Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, [Presidio,] Randall, [Reagan, Reeves,] Roberts, Scurry, Sherman, Stonewall, Swisher, Terry, [Upton, Val Verde, Ward,] Wheeler, [Winkler,] and Yoakum counties:
(i) from the Saturday closest to September 30 for 56[35] consecutive days; and
(ii) (No change.)
(B) In Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Ector, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Midland, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Upton, Val Verde, Ward, and Winkler counties:
(i) from the Saturday closest to September 30 for 62 consecutive days; and
(ii) bag limit: one buck.
(C)[(B)] In Brewster, Pecos, and Terrell counties:
(i) from the Saturday closest to September 30 for 62[35] consecutive days.
(D)[(C)] In all other counties, there is no archery-only open season for mule deer.
[(6) There are no antler restrictions within a Containment Zone or Surveillance Zone established under the provisions of Subchapter B, Division 1 of this chapter.]
§65.62. Quail: Open Seasons, Bag and Possession Limits.
(a) In all counties there is an open season for quail beginning the Saturday closest to October 28 through the last day[Sunday] in February.
(b) – (d) (No change.)
§65.64. Turkey.
(b) The open seasons and bag limits for turkey shall be as follows.
(1) Fall seasons and bag limits:
(A) – (B) (No change.)
(C) The counties and portions of counties listed in this subparagraph are in the Fall North Zone. In Archer, Armstrong, Bandera, Baylor, Bell (west of Interstate Highway 35), Bexar, Blanco, Borden, Bosque, Briscoe, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Carson, Childress, Clay, Coke, Coleman, Collingsworth, Comal (west of Interstate Highway 35), Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Dawson, Denton, Dickens, Donley, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Erath, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gillespie, Glasscock, Gray, Hall, Hamilton, Hardeman, Hartley, Haskell, Hays (west of Interstate Highway 35), Hemphill, Hill (west of Interstate Highway 35 East[35]), Hood, Howard, Hutchinson, Irion, Jack, Johnson, Jones, Kendall, Kent, Kerr, Kimble, King, Kinney (north of U.S. Highway 90), Knox, Lampasas, Lipscomb, Llano, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Mason, McCulloch, McLennan (west of Interstate Highway 35), Medina (north of U.S. Highway 90), Menard, Midland, Mills, Mitchell, Montague, Moore, Motley, Nolan, Ochiltree, Oldham, Palo Pinto, Parker, Potter, Randall, Reagan, Real, Roberts, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Throckmorton, Tom Green, Travis (west of Interstate Highway 35), Upton, Uvalde (north of U.S. Highway 90), Val Verde (north of a line beginning at the International Bridge and proceeding along Spur 239 to U.S. Hwy. 90 and thence to the Kinney County line), Ward, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Williamson (west of Interstate Highway 35), Wise, and Young counties, there is a fall general open season.
(i) – (ii) (No change.)
(2) (No change.)
(3) Spring season and bag limits.
(A) The counties and portions of counties listed in this subparagraph are in the Spring North Zone. In Archer, Armstrong, Bandera, Baylor, Bell (west of Interstate Highway 35), Bexar, Blanco, Borden, Bosque, Briscoe, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Carson, Childress, Clay, Coke, Coleman, Collingsworth, Comal (west of Interstate Highway 35), Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Dawson, Denton, Dickens, Donley, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Ellis (west of Interstate Hwy. 35), Erath, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gillespie, Glasscock, Gray, Guadalupe (south of Interstate Highway 10), Hall, Hamilton, Hardeman, Hartley, Haskell, Hays (west of Interstate Highway 35), Hemphill, Hill (west of Interstate Highway 35 East[35]), Hood, Howard, Hutchinson, Irion, Jack, Johnson, Jones, Kendall, Kent, Kerr, Kimble, King, Kinney (north of U.S. Hwy. 90), Knox, Lampasas, Lipscomb, Llano, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Mason, McCulloch, McLennan (west of Interstate Highway 35), Medina (north of U.S. Hwy. 90), Menard, Midland, Mills, Mitchell, Montague, Moore, Motley, Nolan, Ochiltree, Oldham, Palo Pinto, Parker, Potter, Randall, Reagan, Real, Roberts, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Throckmorton, Tom Green, Travis (west of Interstate Highway 35), Upton, Uvalde (north of U.S. Hwy. 90), Val Verde (north of a line beginning at the International Bridge and proceeding along Spur 239 to U.S. Hwy. 90 and thence to the Kinney County line), Ward, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Williamson (west of Interstate Highway 35), Wise, and Young counties, there is a spring general open season.
(B) (No change.)
(C) In Bastrop, Brewster, Caldwell, Colorado, Comal (east of Interstate Highway 35), Fayette, Guadalupe (north of I-10), Hays (east of Interstate Highway 35), Hill (east of Interstate Highway 35 East[35]), Jackson, Jeff Davis, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, McLennan (east of Interstate Highway 35), Pecos, Terrell, Travis (east of Interstate Highway 35), and Wharton counties, there is a spring general open season.
(i) Open season: from April 1 through April 30.
(D) (No change.)
(4) (No change.)
(c) Except as provided by §65.10 of this title for turkeys harvested under a digital license issued pursuant to §53.18 of this title (relating to Digital Products)[§53.3(a)(12) of this title, a valid license with digital tags under §53.4 of this title, or a valid digital license under §53.5(a)(3) of this title], all harvested turkeys must be registered via the department’s internet or mobile application within 24 hours of the time of kill.
(d) (No change.)
Proposed 2025-2026 Statewide Hunting Proclamation
Specific Rule Items to Comment On for Statewide Hunting
Archery Season for Mule Deer
Managed Lands Deer Program
Digital Products
Wild Turkey Seasons
Lubbock County - Wild Turkey
Quail Hunting
Selected Permits
2025 — 2026 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD PROCLAMATION
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (the department) proposes amendments to 31 TAC §§65.314 — 65.320, concerning the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) issues annual frameworks for the hunting of migratory game birds in the United States. Regulations adopted by individual states may be more restrictive than the federal frameworks but may not be less restrictive. Responsibility for establishing seasons, bag limits, means, methods, and devices for harvesting migratory game birds within Service frameworks is delegated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 64, Subchapter C.
With exceptions as noted, the proposed amendments specify the season dates for hunting the various species of migratory game birds for 2025-2026 seasons. Except as noted in the discussion of the proposed seasons for the Special White-winged Dove Area (SWWDA), teal, falconry, ducks in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit (HPMMU), the season dates for rails and gallinules, and the proposed daily bag limits for pintail, the rules as proposed retain the season structure and bag limits for all species of migratory game birds from last year while adjusting the season dates to allow for calendar shift (i.e., to ensure that seasons open on the desired day of the week), since dates from a previous year do not fall on the same days in following years.
The proposed amendment to §65.314, concerning Doves (Mourning, White-Winged, White-Tipped, White-Fronted Doves), would again implement a slightly different structure for the SWWDA season than in years past. Under the federal frameworks, Texas is allowed 90 total days of dove hunting opportunity in the South Zone (which is also designated as a special management area for white-winged doves). Under the frameworks, the earliest possible date for full-day dove hunting in the South Dove Zone is September 14; however, Texas is also authorized to have up to six half-days of hunting opportunity between September 1 and September 19. Department survey data have consistently indicated strong hunter and landowner preference for the earliest possible hunting opportunity available under the federal frameworks, as well as for maximal weekend hunting opportunity during the SWWDA season, since nearly half of the hunters in the SWWDA zone travel from outside of the zone. In a typical year, this would take the form of two three-day weekends of half-day special white-winged opportunity beginning on the earliest day possible under the frameworks. The 2025-26 calendar, however, presents a challenge because September 1, 2025 (the earliest possible day for SWWDA hunting) falls on a Monday, so there are not two complete three-day weekends available before the full-day dove hunting can begin. The department has determined that in keeping with hunter and landowner preference, this year’s SWWDA dates would be best employed by implementing a five-day season structure of September 5-7 (a traditional three-day weekend) and September 12-13 (Friday and Saturday), which is the last two days before the earliest possible date that full-day dove hunting can be provided under the federal frameworks (September 14).
The proposed amendment to §65. 315, concerning Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, and Teal, would reduce the length of the early teal season from 16 days to nine days, which is the maximum allowed under this year’s federal frameworks. The proposed amendment to §65.315 also would increase the HPMMU season by seven days. Under the federal frameworks, Texas is allowed 107 total days of duck hunting opportunity. Because the federal frameworks for 2025-26 mandate a seven-day reduction in early teal season opportunity, those seven days can be allocated elsewhere; therefore, the department proposes to add the seven days to the beginning of the season in the HPMMU to provide additional opportunity for species that arrive early in Texas, especially teal.
The proposed amendment to §65.315, concerning Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, and Teal, would also alter subsection (c) to increase the daily bag limit for pintails from one to three. The Service recently adopted a new Pintail Harvest Strategy that includes the option for a three-bird daily bag limit. In keeping with long-standing commission policy to provide the most liberal hunting opportunity possible under the federal frameworks, consistent with the tenets of sound biological management, the department therefore proposes to increase the bag limit in accordance with the Service’s harvest strategy.
The proposed amendment to §65.319, concerning Gallinules, Rails, Snipe, Woodcock, would result in a slightly different season structure for rails and gallinules. Typically, the department establishes a split-season structure for rail and gallinule seasons, the first segment to run concurrently with the early teal season and the second segment to open concurrently with the South Zone duck season and run for 70 days (thereby utilizing the maximum number of days allotted for rail and gallinule seasons under the federal frameworks). Because of the seven-day reduction in the early teal season mandated under the federal frameworks, retaining the traditional season structure results in a nine-day first segment for rail and gallinule seasons, with seven days added to the end of the second segment, which the department believes optimizes hunting opportunity for rail and gallinule hunters.
The proposed amendment to §65.320, concerning Extended Falconry Seasons, would allow for expanded falconry opportunity for ducks, which is possible because of the additional seven days of opportunity resulting from the shortened early teal season discussed previously in this preamble.
Shaun Oldenburger, Wildlife Division Small Game Program Director, has determined that for the first five years that the amendments as proposed are in effect, there will be no additional fiscal implications to state or local governments of enforcing or administering the rules as proposed.
Mr. Oldenburger also has determined that for each of the first five years the proposed rules are in effect:
(A) The public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules as proposed will be the department’s discharge of its statutory obligation to manage and conserve the state’s populations of migratory game birds for the use and enjoyment of the public, consistent with the principles of sound biological management.
(B) Under the provisions of Government Code, Chapter 2006, a state agency must prepare an economic impact statement and a regulatory flexibility analysis for a rule that may have an adverse economic effect on small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities. As required by Government Code, §2006.002(g), the Office of the Attorney General has prepared guidelines to assist state agencies in determining a proposed rule’s potential adverse economic impact on small and microbusinesses and rural communities. Those guidelines state that an agency need only consider a proposed rule’s "direct adverse economic impacts" to determine if any further analysis is required. The department considers "direct economic impact" to mean a requirement that would directly impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements; impose taxes or fees; result in lost sales or profits; adversely affect market competition; or require the purchase or modification of equipment or services.
The department has determined that the proposed rules regulate various aspects of recreational license privileges that allow individual persons to pursue and harvest migratory game bird resources in this state and therefore do not directly affect small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities. Therefore, neither the economic impact statement nor the regulatory flexibility analysis described in Government Code, Chapter 2006, is required.
There also will be no adverse economic effect on persons required to comply with the rules as proposed.
(F) In compliance with the requirements of Government Code, §2001.0221, the department has prepared the following Government Growth Impact Statement (GGIS). The rules as proposed, if adopted, will:
(5) not create, limit, or expand an existing regulation;
(6) neither increase nor decrease the number of individuals subject to regulation; and (7) not positively or adversely affect the state’s economy.
Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted to Shaun Oldenburger (Small Game Program Director) at (512) 389-4778, email: shaun.oldenburger@tpwd.texas.gov or via the department website at www.tpwd.texas.gov.
The amendments are proposed under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 64, which authorizes the Commission and the Executive Director to provide the open season and means, methods, and devices for the hunting and possessing of migratory game birds.
The proposed amendments affect Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 64.
6. Rule Text.
§65.314. Doves (Mourning, White-Winged, White-Tipped, White-Fronted Doves)
(b) Seasons; Daily Bag Limits.
(1) North Zone.
(A) Dates: September 1 – November 9, 2025 and December 19, 2025 – January 7, 2026[September 1 — November 10, 2024 and December 20, 2024 — January 7, 2025].
(2) Central Zone.
(A) Dates: September 1 — October 26, 2025 and December 12, 2025 — January 14, 2026[September 1 — October 27, 2024 and December 13, 2024 — January 14, 2025].
(3) South Zone and Special White-winged Dove Area.
(A) Special White-winged Dove Area Season.
(i) Dates: September 5-7, 12-13, 2025[September 1-2, 6-8, 13, 2024].
(B) South Zone Season.
(i) Dates: September 14 — October 26, 2025 and December 12, 2025 — January 22, 2026[September 14 — October 27, 2024 and December 13, 2024 — January 21, 2025].
§65.315. Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, and Teal.
(b) Season dates and bag limits.
(1) HPMMU.
(A) For all species other than "dusky ducks": October 18-19 and October 24, 2025 — January 25, 2026[October 26-27, 2024 and November 1, 2024 — January 26, 2025]; and
(B) "dusky ducks": October 27, 2025 — January 25, 2026[November 4, 2024 — January 26, 2025].
(2) North Zone.
(A) For all species other than "dusky ducks": November 8-30, 2025 and December 6, 2025 — January 25, 2026[November 9 — December 1, 2024 and December 7, 2024 — January 26, 2025]; and
(B) "dusky ducks": November 13-30, 2025 and December 6, 2025 — January 25, 2026[November 14, 2024 — December 1, 2024 and December 7, 2024 — January 26, 2025].
(3) South Zone.
(A) For all species other than "dusky ducks": November 1-30, 2025 and December 13, 2025 – January 25, 2026[November 2 — December 1, 2024 and December 14, 2024 — January 26, 2025]; and
(B) "dusky ducks": November 6-30, 2025 and December 13, 2025 – January 25, 2026[November 7 — December 1, 2024 and December 14, 2024 — January 26, 2025].
(4) September teal-only season.
(A) (No change.)
(B) Dates: September 20-28, 2025[14-29, 2024].
(c) Bag limits.
(1) The daily bag limit for ducks and mergansers is six in the aggregate, which may include no more than five mallards (only two of which may be hens); three wood ducks; one scaup (lesser scaup or greater scaup); two redheads; two canvasbacks; three pintails[one pintail]; and one "dusky" duck (mottled duck, Mexican duck, black duck and their hybrids) during the seasons established for those species in this section. For all species not listed, the daily bag limit shall be six. The daily bag limit for coots is 15.
§65.316. Geese.
(1) Western Zone.
(A) Light geese: November 1, 2025 — February 1, 2026[November 2, 2024 — February 2, 2025]. The daily bag limit for light geese is five.
(B) Dark geese: November 1, 2025 — February 1, 2026[November 2, 2024 — February 2, 2025]. The daily bag limit for dark geese is five.
(2) Eastern Zone.
(A) Light geese: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026[November 2, 2024 — February 14, 2025]. The daily bag limit for light geese is five.
(B) Dark geese:
(i) Season: November 1, 2025 – January 25, 2026[November 2, 2024 — January 26, 2025];
(c) September Canada goose season. Canada geese may be hunted in the Eastern Zone during the season established by this subsection. The season is closed for all other species of geese during the season established by this subsection.
(1) Season dates: September 13-28, 2025[September 14-29, 2024].
§65.317. Special Youth, Active-Duty Military, and Military Veteran Seasons.
(a) Special Youth Waterfowl Season. There shall be a Special Youth Season for waterfowl, during which the hunting, taking, and possession of geese, ducks, mergansers, and coots is restricted to licensed hunters 16 years of age and younger accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older, except for persons hunting by means of falconry under the provisions of §65.320 of this title (relating to Extended Falconry Seasons).
(1) HPMMU:
(A) season dates: October 11-12, 2025[October 19-20, 2024];
(2) North Duck Zone:
(A) season dates: November 1-2, 2025[November 2-3, 2024];
(3) South Duck Zone:
(A) season dates: October 25-26, 2025[October 26-27, 2024];
(b) Special Active-Duty Military and Military Veteran Migratory Game Bird Season.
(3) Season Dates and Bag Limits.
(A) HPMMU:
(i) season dates: October 11-12, 2025[October 19-20, 2024];
(B) North Duck Zone:
(i) season dates: November 1-2, 2025[November 2-3, 2024];
(C) South Duck Zone:
(i) season dates: October 25-26, 2025[October 26-27, 2024];
§65.318. Sandhill Crane.
(1) Zone A: October 25, 2025 — January 25, 2026[October 26, 2024 — January 26, 2025]. The daily bag limit is three.
(2) Zone B: November 21, 2025 — January 25, 2026[November 22, 2024 — January 26, 2025]. The daily bag limit is three.
(3) Zone C: December 13, 2025 — January 18, 2026[December 14, 2024 — January 19, 2025]. The daily bag limit is two.
(c) (No change.)
§65.319. Gallinules, Rails, Snipe, Woodcock.
(a) Gallinules (moorhen or common gallinule and purple gallinule) may be taken in any county of this state during the season established in this subsection.
(1) Season dates: September 20-28 and November 1 — December 31, 2025 [September 14-29 and November 2 — December 25, 2024].
(b) Rails may be taken in any county of this state during the season established by this subsection.
(c) Snipe may be taken in any county of this state during the season established by this subsection.
(1) Season dates: November 1, 2025 — February 15, 2026[November 2, 2024 — February 16, 2025].
(d) Woodcock may be taken in any county of this state during the season established by this subsection.
(1) Season dates: December 18, 2025 — January 31, 2026[December 18, 2024 — January 31, 2025].
§65.320. Extended Falconry Seasons. It is lawful to take the species of migratory birds listed in this section by means of falconry during the seasons established by this section.
(1) Mourning doves, white-winged doves and white-tipped doves: November 14 – November 30, 2025[November 15 — December 1, 2024].
(2) Duck, gallinule, moorhen, rail, and woodcock: January 26 — February 15, 2026[January 27 — February 10, 2025].
(3) – (4) (No change.)
Proposed 2025-2026 Statewide Migratory Game Bird Proclamation
Specific Rule Items to Comment On for Migratory Game Bird
Pintail Ducks
Teal Season
Mallard Season
White-winged Dove Days
Rail and Gallinule season
Falconry Seasons
Calendar Progression
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