Youth and Youth/Adult Hunts

Hunter Education

Requirements on Public Lands:
Please note that the Hunter Education requirement for supervision is different from the statewide requirement.

Adult supervision of youth is required during public hunts. Youth under 17 years old are required to be under the immediate supervision of a permitted adult, at least 18 years old, who is licensed to hunt in Texas.

• Youth under 12 years old must remain within normal voice distance of an adult supervisor (direct supervision).
• For youth ages 12 to 16 who have received Hunter Education Certification, the requirement for immediate supervision is relaxed to the extent that the supervising adult is required only to be present on the area.

Youth only hunts

1. Special Permit Categories:
   • Youth applicants must be 8 to 16 years old at the time of application.
   • Youth applicants must apply with a non-hunting supervising adult who is at least 18 years old.
   • During these hunts, only the youth will be allowed to hunt.
   • An adult may supervise multiple youth hunters, however, there may not be more than one adult per youth.
   • All youth hunters under 12 years of age must be directly supervised by an adult and remain within normal voice distance.
   • Failure of the parent or guardian to properly supervise youth hunters will be cause for forfeiture of the permits of both adult and youth hunters.
   • You may apply for up to 3 areas within each category but only once at each area within the category.
   • The application and permit fees are waived for all participants in the youth only hunts.
2. US Forest Service Antlerless Deer Permits:
   • Applicants must be under 17 years old. There is no minimum age requirement.
   • Each person must submit their own application, including youth. No Supervising adult is required on a youth’s application.
   • You may apply only once in this category.
   • The supervising adult must have a valid Annual Public Hunting Permit.
3. E-Postcard Selection Hunts:
   • Youth applicants must be under 17 years old. Except federal age requirements for the Youth Waterfowl Season define a youth as someone 15 years old or younger at the time of the hunt.
   • You may apply for multiple areas within each category but only once at each area within the category. Application in Youth categories are limited to 3 areas.
   • Participation in these hunts requires each adult hunter and supervising adult to possess a valid Annual Permit Hunting Permit.
4. National Wildlife Refuge Hunts:
   • Youth applicants must be 9 to 16 years old at the time of application.
   • Youth applicants must apply with a non-hunting supervising adult who is at least 18 years old.
   • During these hunts, only the youth will be allowed to hunt.
   • All youth hunters under 12 years of age must be directly supervised by an adult and remain within normal voice distance.
   • You may apply for multiple areas within each category but only once at each area within the category.
   • The application and permit fees are waived for all participants in the youth only hunts.

Youth/Adult Hunts

E-Postcard Selection Hunts:

• Youth applicants must be under 17 years old. Except federal age requirements for the Youth Waterfowl Season define a youth as someone 15 years old or younger.
• You may apply for up to 3 areas within each category but only once at each area within a category.
• Each application/hunting party must contain at least one youth participant.
• All selected participants (youth and adults) will be allowed to hunt.
• Number of applicants per application may vary depending on the group size needed.
• Participation in these hunts requires each adult hunter and supervising adult to possess a valid Annual Permit Hunting Permit.