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AUSTIN – Hunters have an exciting lineup of opportunities and a chance to experience the beaut iful scenery of Texas through Texas Parks and Wildl i fe Department’s (TPWD) drawn hunt permits program.
The drawn hunts program issues permits to hunters for drawn hunts on both public and private lands throughout Texas. Applications are now being accepted for a shot at nearly 9,800 permits in more than 60 high-quality hunt categories.
“It is an affordable way to get to hunt, but more importantly, the offerings in the public hunt draw system allow you to potentially hunt one end of Texas to the other for potentially every species Texas has to offer!” said Kelly Edmiston, TPWD public hunting coordinator.
Hunts for white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn, turkey, alligator and dove, plus guided packages for exotic species and bighorn sheep are a few of the hunts available through the Texas public drawn hunt system. Last year, more than 500,000 applications were submitted to TPWD.
Application deadlines are the 1st and 15th of each month between Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. For example, applications for all alligator hunt categories and private land dove hunts are due Aug. 1, whi le deadl ines for archery deer, archery mule deer, pronghorn, private land pronghorn and javelina are Aug. 15.
Application fees range from free to $3 to $10, depending on the hunt category. If selected, adult hunters may need to pay a special permit fee of $80 for regular hunts or $130 for extended hunts. Categories such as youth-only hunts and specified others do not require application or permit fees. Permits are open to residents and non-resident hunters alike.
To apply for e-Postcard hunts and U.S. Forest Service antlerless deer permits, applicants must have a current Annual Public Hunt Permit (APH). APH permits go on sale annually on Aug. 15.
The Drawn Hunts Catalog interactive map shows all drawn hunt opportunities by category or by area. All applications, fee payments and permit issuance are handled electronically.
For more information or to start the application process, visit TPWD Drawn Hunts. For questions, contact hunt@tpwd. texas.gov or call (512) 3894505 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
