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TPWD Offers Opportunities During Special Youth Seasons (all regions)

Spurred by recent rains and the onset of fall cool fronts, duck numbers are steadily building along coastal ponds and on Panhandle playa lakes. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging hunting mentors to take advantage of these early migrants with young waterfowlers during the Oct. 28-29 Special Youth Season in Texas.

In addition to waterfowl hunting during the statewide special youth-only hunting weekend, licensed youth 16 years of age or younger will also be allowed to harvest white-tailed deer and Rio Grande turkey. Seasons for other species, including quail and squirrels, are also open to all hunters regardless of age during this special weekend, providing excellent opportunities for mentoring youth.

Hunting for ducks, mergansers and coots during the youth-only waterfowl hunts is limited by federal rules to youngsters 15 years of age or younger. Bag limits and hunting restrictions under the new Hunter’s Choice will apply during the youth season.

For hunters who do not have access to privately-owned land, TPWD is providing low cost access during the Special Youth Season to nearly three quarters of a million acres of department managed lands for hunting, including most wildlife management areas, some state parks and many leased properties under the Annual Public Hunting permit program.

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