Private Bird Hunting Area License Information

The Private Bird Hunting Area License authorizes a license holder to release banded pen-reared bobwhite quail, pheasant, pigeons, partridge and Mallard ducks to provide hunting. The fee is $84.

NOTE: The partridge and all species of pheasant, although not native to Texas, are defined by law as game birds. Additionally, partridge includes the chukar, Hungarian partridge and francolin.

Private bird hunting area means a tract of land on which the hunting of banded pen-reared birds is authorized by a license issued by the Department.

Pen-reared game birds must be lawfully propagated or acquired as authorized by Chapter 45, Parks and Wildlife Code (commercial game bird breeder) or documented as having been lawfully purchased from another state.

License Conditions

Pen-reared bobwhite quail, pheasant, partridge and Mallard ducks may be held in captivity on the private bird huntingarea only for release to provide hunting. (Propagation and/or sale is not authorized under this license.)
A private bird hunting area must consist of contiguous acreage owned by an individual, partnership, firm, orcorporation.
The license is valid for only one tract of land and may not be transferred to other property.
The license must be issued in the name of a person and not to a company, organization, or corporation.

Hunting Season

The license is valid from September 1 of one year to August 31 of the following year; therefore, the hunting season is open for the same period.

Bag/Possession Limits

There is no bag or possession limit for banded pen-reared birds that are killed on a private bird hunting area.

Hunting License and Endorsement Requirements

Any person hunting on a private bird hunting area must have a valid hunting license.
A Non-resident Banded Bird Hunting License, the fee for which is $27, is available for nonresidents.
A state Upland Game Bird endorsement is required for bobwhite quail, pheasant and partridge.
A state Migratory Game Bird endorsement is required for mallard ducks.
A federal Duck Stamp is not required for hunting pen-reared banded Mallard ducks on these areas.

Hunting Lease License

A Hunting Lease License is not required for the property licensed as a private bird hunting area to hunt banded pen- reared birds, except that if a fee or other consideration is received to hunt any other animal or game bird, a hunting lease license is required.

Boundary Signs

A private bird hunting area shall be distinguished from any other club, hunting lease, or other leased premises forhunting purposes by clearly marking its boundaries with wood, plastic, or metal signs bearing the words Private BirdHunting Area and the identification or dealer number.
The lettering and identification/dealer number on these signs must be in block letters and Arabic numbers not lessthan three inches high, and must be in a color that contrasts with the background of the sign.
Signs shall be placed at each entrance to identify clearly the boundaries of each licensed private bird hunting area.

Bird Bands

All pen-reared birds released on a private bird hunting area shall be banded with a metal or plastic band beforerelease.
Each band must show the identification/dealer number of the private bird hunting area.

Call-back Traps

Call-back traps may be used on these areas to retrieve only the banded pen-reared birds released to provide hunting.

Any unbanded bird caught in a trap must be released immediately!

Mallard Ducks

No person may possess shotgun shells containing any shot material, or loose shot for muzzleloading firearms, other than nontoxic shot while hunting Mallard ducks.

Field Trials

The hunting of banded pen-reared birds in a formal trial of bird dogs that has been licensed or sanctioned by anorganization or association of bird dog clubs, with or without the awarding of points, can only be held on private birdhunting areas.
A separate Field Trial Permit is required for this activity. If you are interested in further information about field trialsand/or field trial permits, please ask for that information when you submit your application for your Private Bird HuntingArea License or call (512) 389-4820 and request that the information be mailed to you.

Linked here is an Application for a Private Bird Hunting Area License. If you wish to obtain a license, please take the following steps:

Complete the Application for a Private Bird Hunting Area License.
Mail the completed application with your license fee.

Private Bird Hunting Area Licenses may also be obtained in person at the Department Headquarters at 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744 or at any other Parks and Wildlife Department Offices.

The provisions of the law governing wildlife are subject to changes by the Texas Legislature and Parks and Wildlife