John BlessingTexas is home to one of the largest and most diverse hunting traditions in the United States. With more than 95 percent of the state’s land held in private ownership, hunting in Texas is deeply intertwined with land access, landowner relationships, and a licensing system that funds conservation and wildlife management across the state.
A hunting license in Texas is required of any person, regardless of age, who hunts any animal, bird, frog, or turtle, with a narrow set of exceptions for depredating species and certain nuisance animals . The license itself is distinct from the Hunter Education Certificate, which proves completion of a safety course and remains valid for life, while the hunting license must be renewed annually . All Texas hunting licenses are valid from the date of purchase until August 31, meaning that a license purchased in September is good for nearly a full year, while one purchased in July expires within weeks.
This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of hunting license costs in Texas, covering resident and non-resident licenses, youth and senior options, lifetime licenses, required endorsements, and the total cost of common hunting scenarios. The goal is to give hunters a clear picture of what they can expect to pay and how to plan their licensing budget effectively.
Cost of a Hunting License in Texas
Resident Hunting License Costs
For Texas residents, the standard hunting license is one of the most affordable in the nation. The Resident Hunting License, Item 101, costs $25 and is valid to hunt any legal bird or animal, including deer, subject to endorsement requirements . This license is required of any resident unless they hold a qualifying combination package, lifetime license, or another exempt license type.
Senior residents age 65 and older qualify for the Senior Resident Hunting License, Item 102, for $7. This license is valid to hunt any legal bird or animal, and endorsement requirements still apply to seniors .
Youth hunters under 17 years of age, whether resident or non-resident, can purchase the Youth Hunting License, Item 169, for $7. Youth license holders are exempt from state hunting endorsement requirements, with the exception of the Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement, and this exemption remains valid for the entire license year .
These low resident fees reflect Texas’s commitment to making hunting accessible to its citizens. A resident hunter who pursues deer, turkey, and dove in a single season could potentially do so with a base license and a few endorsements for less than $50, depending on the specific species pursued.
Non-Resident Hunting License Costs
Non-resident hunters face significantly higher fees in Texas, reflecting the state’s status as a premier destination for whitetail deer, exotic game, and waterfowl hunting. The Non-Resident General Hunting License, Item 105, costs $315 and is valid to hunt any legal bird or animal, including deer . This is the only license available to non-residents who wish to hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, or bighorn sheep .
Several specialized non-resident licenses offer more limited privileges at lower costs. The Non-Resident Special Hunting License, Item 107, costs $132 and is valid for exotic animals, all legal game birds except turkey, non-game animals, squirrel, javelina, and alligator, but is not valid for deer . The Non-Resident 5-Day Special Hunting License, Item 157, costs $48 and is legal for any period of five consecutive days, covering the same species as the Special Hunting License.
The Non-Resident Spring Turkey License, Item 118, costs $126 and is valid only for turkey during the open spring turkey season; holders of this license are exempt from the upland game bird endorsement requirement . The Non-Resident Banded Bird Hunting License, Item 120, costs $27 and is valid only for hunting banded bobwhite quail, partridge, pheasant, and mallard ducks on private bird hunting areas .
Trapper’s licenses are also available. The Resident Trapper’s License costs $19, while the Non-Resident Trapper’s License costs $315 . These licenses are required for persons who hunt, shoot, or take for sale those species classified as fur-bearing animals .
Required Endorsements and Add-Ons
A base hunting license does not include species-specific endorsements, and most hunters will need to purchase one or more add-ons depending on what they intend to pursue. The Texas Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, Item 168, costs $7 and is required to hunt any migratory game bird, including waterfowl, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe, dove, sandhill crane, and woodcock . Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must also possess a valid Federal Duck Stamp, which costs $25, and complete HIP Certification, which is free .
The Upland Game Bird Endorsement, Item 167, costs $7 and is required to hunt turkey, pheasant, quail, or chachalaca . Non-residents who purchase the Non-Resident Spring Turkey License are exempt from this endorsement, but holders of the Non-Resident Special Hunting License or Non-Resident 5-Day Special Hunting License may not use those licenses to hunt turkey .
The Archery Endorsement, Item 135, costs $7 and is required to hunt game animals during an Archery-Only open season. It is also required to hunt deer at any time in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, or Rockwall counties .
The Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement, Item 178, costs $10 and is required to capture indigenous reptiles or amphibians on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way .
Lifetime Licenses
Texas offers lifetime licenses to residents, providing a one-time payment option that eliminates the need for annual renewals. The Lifetime Resident Hunting License, Item 981, costs $1,000 and includes a Resident Hunting License and three state endorsements: archery, upland game bird, and migratory game bird . The Lifetime Resident Super Combination Hunting and All-Water Fishing License Package, Item 980, costs $1,800 and includes hunting, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and all required state stamps for life.
Residents who already hold a Lifetime Hunting License can upgrade to the combination package for $800, adding fishing privileges and the associated endorsements. Lifetime licenses are valid for life, and if a resident moves to another state, the license remains valid when the holder returns to Texas to hunt or fish . Lifetime license holders are exempt from upland, migratory, archery, freshwater, and saltwater state endorsements, though the Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement and Federal Duck Stamp are not included .
For younger hunters, the lifetime license can represent significant long-term savings. An analysis of lifetime license values noted that at an annual equivalent cost of $68 per year for the Super Combo, the $1,800 lifetime license breaks even in approximately 26 years. The recommendation is that the Texas lifetime license makes the most sense for hunters under 40 who plan to stay in Texas long-term.
Free and Reduced-Cost Licenses
Texas offers several free or reduced-cost license options for qualifying individuals. The Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package, Item 502, is free for disabled veterans, both resident and non-resident. This package includes a resident hunting license, fishing license, and five state endorsements.
The Federal Duck Stamp is not included but is required for waterfowl hunting . The Texas Resident Active Duty Military Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package is also available free of charge, providing the same comprehensive privileges to active-duty military personnel who are Texas residents .
Hunting Lease Licenses
Landowners or their agents who lease hunting rights to others on property they own must obtain a Hunting Lease License. These are available in three tiers based on acreage. The Small Hunting Lease License, Item 132, costs $79. The Medium Hunting Lease License, Item 133, costs $147. The Large Hunting Lease License, Item 134, costs $252.
Public Hunting Opportunities and Drawn Hunts
Texas offers public hunting opportunities through drawn hunt permits and Annual Public Hunting Permits. Drawn hunt application fees are $3 per adult for most categories, though Private Lands and Guided Hunt categories charge $10 per application. Youth-only categories have no application fees. Permit fees for successful applicants are $80 for standard two-to-three-day hunts and $130 for extended four-to-five-day hunts, with no permit fee for youth under 17 .
An Annual Public Hunting Permit is required for certain hunt categories, including US Forest Service Antlerless Deer Permits, and must be purchased in addition to a valid Texas hunting license .
Hunter Education Requirements and Costs
Hunter education is a separate requirement from licensing. Anyone born on or after September 2, 1971, must complete a TPWD-approved hunter education course before hunting, regardless of age or residency, unless accompanied by a qualified adult. The fully online hunter education course for hunters 17 and older costs $39.95 plus a $5.25 TPWD administrative fee, with most students finishing in three to four hours.
For younger students, ages 9 through 16, the online course is followed by a required in-person Field Day that carries a separate $15 instructor fee. Traditional fully in-person courses are also available for approximately $15 .
Hunters who have not completed the course may purchase a one-time Hunter Education Deferral and hunt under the supervision of a qualified adult .
Total Cost Examples
The total cost of hunting in Texas depends on residency, species pursued, and the duration of the hunt. A resident deer hunter needs only the $25 base license, with no additional endorsements required for standard rifle deer hunting.
A resident who also pursues turkey, quail, or pheasant would add the $7 Upland Game Bird Endorsement, bringing the total to $32. A resident dove hunter would add the $7 Migratory Game Bird Endorsement for a total of $32, and a waterfowl hunter would also need the $25 Federal Duck Stamp for a total of $57.
For non-residents, a deer and hog hunting trip requires only the $315 General Hunting License, with no additional endorsements needed for deer. A deer, turkey, and dove combination trip would add the $7 Upland and $7 Migratory endorsements for a total of $329. A quick dove weekend using the five-day license would cost $48 plus the $7 Migratory endorsement, totaling $55.
A spring turkey-only hunt would require the $126 Spring Turkey License plus the $7 Upland endorsement, totaling $139. A waterfowl hunting trip would require the $315 General License, the $7 Migratory endorsement, and the Federal Duck Stamp, totaling $322 plus the stamp checkout total .
Conclusion
The cost of a hunting license in Texas reflects the state’s dual identity as both a haven for resident hunters and a destination for non-resident sportsmen. Resident licenses are among the most affordable in the nation, with a base hunting license at $25, senior and youth licenses at $7, and lifetime options that provide long-term value for committed hunters.
Non-resident licenses are substantially higher, with the General Hunting License at $315, but specialized licenses for turkey, small game, and five-day hunts offer more economical alternatives for targeted trips.
Required endorsements for migratory birds, upland game, archery, and reptiles add modest costs for hunters pursuing those species. Free licenses for disabled veterans and active-duty military demonstrate the state’s commitment to those who have served. By understanding the full range of license types, endorsements, and add-ons, hunters can plan their Texas hunting experiences with a clear awareness of the financial commitment involved.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or regulatory advice. The costs, fees, and requirements described herein are based on publicly available information and may vary depending on the specific activity, location, and changes in applicable law or administrative rules.
Nothing in this article creates a professional relationship of any kind. Readers should consult the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or a licensed professional for advice regarding their specific situation.