Frequently Asked Questions About Licenses
When do new-year licenses go on sale?
August 15. Most recreational hunting and fishing type license packages are valid from date of purchase in August (August 15 and later) through August 31 of the following year. Most commercial type licenses may be purchased starting August 15 of each year for the following year but are not effective until September 1.
What identification do I need to provide to obtain a recreational license?
For Texas residents age 17 and older, an unexpired state issued driver license or state issued identification will suffice. Non-Texas residents age 17 and older may need to provide identification that is REAL ID compliant depending on what state you reside from, or a non-REAL ID plus additional documentation. Temporary or Limited term identification for Texas or Non-Texas residents require additional documentation. Residents of a foreign country will need an unexpired passport and if required by the country of residence, a permanent resident card or unexpired immigration visa. Please see the License ID Validation FAQ page for more details. Please see the License ID Validation FAQ page for more details.
How can I get an electronic copy of my license?
A receipt will be emailed to you upon providing a valid email address to the license agent at the time of purchase. You can also view your recreational license information in the Outdoor Annual mobile app An electronic copy of your recreational license receipt can be used for activities that do not require tagging or physical stamps.
Where can I get a Digital License?
Digital licenses are available online only. In order to use digital licenses, you must download the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app (previously called My Texas Hunt Harvest). Please visit the digital license page page for more information. Not all items, such as hunting lease licenses, are available in a digital format.
Are email addresses and phone numbers required with a license purchase?
Email address and phone number are required fields to complete a recreational or commercial license purchase. Customers who provide a valid email with their purchase can be provided with an electronic emailed copy of their purchase receipt that the customer can use as proof of license for any hunting/fishing activity that does not require tags. A customer's email address and/or phone number can only be used by TPWD. Note: If a customer is not able to provide an email address, they can ask the retail clerk for an exception.
I'm a Texas resident in active military, what license is available to me for hunting and/or fishing?
Available to any Texas resident on full-time active military service in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard or Texas State Guard. Proof of residency for this license is: military service record(s) indicating that the person's home of record is in Texas or that the person's duty station for the six months immediately prior to the time of application is in Texas. Official proof can be electronic or hard copy.
Fishing License Only:
Resident Active Military All-Water Fishing Package (Includes fishing license, freshwater and saltwater endorsements with the red drum and spotted seatrout tag): Free.
Hunting License Only:
Resident Active Military Hunting Package (Includes hunting license, plus archery, upland game bird and migratory game bird endorsements): Free. The Federal Duck Stamp is NOT included but is required for waterfowl hunting.
Combination Package:
Resident Active Military Super Combo Package (Includes five state endorsements except the Reptile and Amphibian endorsement): Free. The Federal Duck Stamp is NOT included but is required for waterfowl hunting.
Note: Texas Resident Active-Duty Military Licenses are available in a digital or paper format at local license agent locations.
I'm a disabled veteran, what license is available to me for hunting and/or fishing?
Disabled Veteran “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Includes five state endorsements except the Reptile and Amphibian endorsement): Free.
The Federal Duck Stamp is NOT included but is required for waterfowl hunting.
License available to disabled veterans with a service-connected disability, as defined by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), consisting of the loss of the use of a foot or leg, or of a disability rating of 50% or more, and who is receiving compensation from the US for the disability.
VA issued Proof of Disability must be shown when buying this License and must state the rate of disability.
Note: Disabled Veteran Super Combo License is available in a digital or paper format at local license agent locations.
Are Texas residents 65 years of age and older required to purchase a fishing license?
Only Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 are exempt from the fishing license requirement. Texas residents 65 years of age or older and born on or after January 1, 1931 are required to purchase a senior fishing license which is available at a reduced fee. Below are the options available:
Fishing License Only:
Resident Senior Freshwater Fishing: $12
Resident Senior Saltwater Fishing: $17
Resident Senior All-Water Fishing: $22
Combination Packages Available:
Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing: $16
Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing: $21
Senior Resident Combination Hunting and All-water Fishing: $26
Senior Resident Super Combination License (includes all state endorsements except the Reptile and Amphibian endorsement): $32
I'm disabled, is a fishing license required?
Yes, unless you meet one of the below criteria:
- A person with an intellectual disability fishing as part of medically approved therapy, under the immediate supervision of personnel approved or employed by a hospital, residence, or school for persons with an intellectual disability. The person with an intellectual disability must carry an authorization identifying the entity supplying the service. This authorization may be in the form of an identification card that contains the name of the sponsoring entity; or
- A person with an intellectual disability fishing under the direct supervision of a licensed angler who is either a family member or has permission from the family to take the person fishing. While fishing, the person with an intellectual disability needs a note from a doctor stating the person has been diagnosed as having an intellectual disability.
I'm a Texas resident 65 years of age, what type of hunting licenses are available?
Hunting License Only:
Senior Resident Hunting License: $7 (stamp endorsements are required as applicable)
Combination Packages Available:
Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing: $16
Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing: $21
Senior Resident Combination Hunting and All-water Fishing: $26
Senior Resident Super Combination License (includes all state endorsements except the Reptile and Amphibian endorsement): $32
What type of hunting license is required of resident and non-resident youth (16 years of age and younger)?
Resident and non-resident youth may purchase the Youth Hunting License for $7. Youth are exempt from state stamp endorsement requirements except the Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement. Federal Duck Stamp is required at age 16 for waterfowl hunting.
Is the Non-Resident 5-Day Special Small Game/Exotic Hunting license valid for deer and turkey?
No. This license is valid to hunt exotic animals, all legal game birds (except turkeys), all legal non-game animals, fur-bearing animals, squirrel, and javelina (NOT valid for white-tailed or mule deer including managed lands deer tags, pronghorn, bighorn sheep or alligator). Stamp endorsements apply. See Hunting Licenses for a complete listing.
What license is available to non-residents to hunt deer?
The only license available to non-residents to hunt deer is the General Non-Resident Hunting license for $315. This license is also valid to hunt any legal bird or animal. If hunting white-tailed deer or mule deer, this is the only valid license available to participate in those activities for non-residents. Stamp endorsements apply. See Hunting Licenses.
Is a fishing license required for youth?
Resident and non-resident youth under the age of 17 do not need a fishing license. However, if they wish to retain a red drum or spotted seatrout over the maximum length, they can purchase an Exempt Angler Red Drum Tag (Item 257) for $3 and/or the Exempt Angler Spotted Seatrout Tag (Item 258) for $3.
I lost my physical license, what do I do?
You can now use an electronic copy of your recreational license for activities that do not require tagging. You can use the Texas License Connection receipt that was emailed to you when you completed your license purchase, or you can view your recreational license information in the Outdoor Annual mobile app.
Additionally, replacement licenses can be purchased at approximately 1,700 license agents located across the state. The agent will ask that you complete an application for a replacement license. Most recreational replacement licenses are $10. See a list of license agents.
What is HIP Certification and how do I obtain the free certification?
HIP Certification stands for Harvest Information Program Certification. The data collected from the survey questions is provided to the US Fish and Wildlife Service which provides valuable information for the management of migratory game birds on a continental basis. This certification can be obtained from any license sales agent located throughout the state. The clerk will ask a few simple questions. The letters "HIP"; will appear on your license. Additionally, the permit can be obtained online at the Official Online Fishing & Hunting License Sales site (texas.gov). A transaction receipt will be emailed.
How can I obtain a Federal Duck Stamp?
Texas Parks and Wildlife participates in the Federal Duck E-Stamp program (E-Stamp). You can purchase your E-Stamp online and at all of our retail and TPWD license locations. Your Federal Duck E-Stamp is valid through June 30 of the license year. All sales are non-transferable and non-refundable. At the time of purchase, customers will receive proof of purchase that can be stored either on paper or electronically and will represent a valid E-stamp through the end of the stamp year (June 30). Proof of a valid E-stamp provides the same privileges as the physical Duck Stamp and is valid nationwide. A physical stamp will be mailed after March 10 and also expires on June 30. For duck stamp fulfillment questions, contact Amplex, 1-800-852-4897 or DUCKSTAMP@AMPLEX.COM
How can I obtain a Federal Sandhill Crane Permit?
The Federal Sandhill Crane Permit is available at TPWD Austin Headquarters and Law Enforcement Offices located across the state (see listing of offices and business hours). Additionally, the permit can be obtained online. Each sales venue will provide a Sandhill Crane document number or a transaction receipt that you can use along with your valid hunting license, state migratory endorsement, and HIP Certification.
Hunter Education Deferral Questions
Please visit our Hunter Education FAQ for a complete listing of Hunter Education and Deferral related questions.
Can you tell me more about the voluntary donation opportunities available when I purchase a license?
At the end of a sales transaction, license buyers have the opportunity to make voluntary contributions to the Fund for Veterans Assistance, Hunters for the Hungry, or Operation Game Thief. Contributions can be made in increments of $1, $5, $10, or $20 to each, and 100% of the donation goes to the respective entity. Please note that any donation must be in conjunction with the purchase of a license or drawing entry, not as a standalone item in a transaction.
The Fund for Veterans Assistance administered by the Texas Veterans Commission helps support government agencies and veterans service organizations that provide direct services to Texas veterans and their families. Since 2009, the Fund for Veterans Assistance has awarded $55 million to organizations across Texas to help over 210,000 veterans and their families. The Hunters for the Hungry program is managed by the nonprofit organization, Feeding Texas, Inc. Donations for this program help offset processing costs for legally harvested deer donated by hunters that is provided to local food banks to feed Texas families in need. The program has provided over nine million servings of venison since its inception. Operation Game Thief (OGT) is a nonprofit organization focused on protecting Texas’ wildlife and natural habitats through community engagement, outreach, and education. It serves as Texas’ wildlife crime-stoppers program.
If you purchase online, you will also have an opportunity at the end of your transaction to sign up to be an organ donor.