Public Deer Hunting in Texas

TX Public Lands

Most of the land in Texas is privately owned but there are some solid public deer hunting lands found throughout the state. The majority of the public draw hunts for white-tailed deer are good quality hunts on state-owned properties, many of which are managed specifically for deer and other native wildlife.

Each year offers more opportunities for deer hunting than the years prior, as additional draw hunts on public and private lands are being consolidated into Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) online application system. Gone are the days of filing out dozens of paper forms (which was the norm) for various public lands and wildlife management areas.

Texas Public Hunting Lands

Included in these public lands hunts are hunts for white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn, exotic ungulate species, turkey, alligator, as well as a guided hunt for desert bighorn sheep and even a new category offer public dove hunting. They key to getting on any of these hunts starts by putting your name in the hat.

I’ve come up empty handed in the draw process before, but more years than not I’ve been lucky enough to go hunt some new country across the state. Although I’m no-doubt focused on the quality public deer lands out there, I make sure to enter almost all of the other hunt categories as well.

State and Federal Hunting Opportunities

In addition to drawn hunts managed by TPWD, other public hunting land opportunities now includes applications for hunts administered by other agencies. This is especially good for deer hunters living in the eastern part of the state or closer to the Texas coast.

These federal land hunts include about 1,500 big game hunt positions on several U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges in Texas and antlerless deer permits for U.S. Forest Service properties in East Texas.

All hunt opportunities can be viewed by category or by area using an interactive web-based map. In fact, the entire application process is handled online — from browsing opportunities, to applications, fee payments and permit issuance. To participate in Texas’ draw hunts, applicants will need an email address and a credit or debit card.

Deadlines to Apply for Texas Public Drawn Hunts

Every year, the application deadlines for public land hunts begin in August, with  early August being the deadline for alligator hunts and about mid-August being the deadline for archery deer, exotic, javelina and the new private lands dove hunts. Other hunt category deadlines, such as those for either-sex and antlerless deer hunts, occur from late-August through late-January.

Hunters interested in applying for Texas’ public hunts must apply online through TPWD through the Texas Public Hunt System. Hunters can apply up to 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the application deadline, and after the application is submitted, they can check their drawing status online at any time.

Costs of Public Deer Hunts

The drawn hunts program offers affordable public deer hunting in Texas with a good shot at success. Application fees are $3 or $10 depending on the hunt category. The E-Postcard Selection Hunts offered through the state, which includes hunts for white-tailed deer on both state and federal lands, requires that applicants possess a valid Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit. This is the old “Type II” permit, for those that recall.

So what happens if you are selected and win a hunt? Adult hunters that are selected for regular drawn hunts may also need to pay a special permit fee of $80 for regular hunts and $130 for extended hunts. Some categories, such as the youth-only hunts, require no application fees or permit fees at all. Hunters selected through the E-Postcard Selection Hunts on public deer hunting lands do not have to pay any additional fees either.