Seasons & Bag Limits: Fur-bearing Animals
Recreational Harvest
- September 1- August 31
- Fur-bearing animals taken as a result of recreational harvest may not be sold
- No bag or possession limit
Commercial Harvest
- Nutria: September 1 - August 31
- Beaver: October 1 - May 31
- All other furbearers: November 1 - March 31
- No bag or possession limit
Propagators
Possession of live fur-bearing animals at any time is restricted to licensed fur-bearing animal propagators, persons authorized under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 43, or representatives of recognized organizations for approved instruction or demonstration purposes. Fur-bearing animal propagators my take fur-bearing animals alive only during the commercial harvest season and live fur-bearing animals may be held only in facilities that meet required specifications. Details on propagator requirements are given in a separate leaflet available from the Fur-bearing Animal Program 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744.
Possession
No person may possess the pelt or carcass of a fur-bearing animal at any time except as indicated below. For fur-bearing animals taken by a recreational hunter, there is no bag or possession limit. A licensed trapper may possess a pelt or carcass of a fur-bearing animal at any time. Nutria pelts may be possessed at any time. Pelts that have been reduced to a finished product shall not be considered part of the possession limit.
Live fur-bearing animals may be taken and possessed for three days or less by representatives of recognized organizations for approved instruction or demonstration purposes at scheduled meetings provided prior written authorization has been obtained from the department.
Taxidermists may possess a fur-bearing animal or the pelt of a fur-bearing animal that was lawfully taken or possessed provided the animal or pelt is labeled with a wildlife resource document (see the current Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual). For pelts imported from other states or countries, see IMPORTATION section.