Texas Parks And Wildlife Is Now Taking Drawn Hunt Applications For 2026

Heads up, hunters! Texas Parks and Wildlife has some important information for the 2026-2027 hunting season.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Opens Drawn Hunt Applications for the 2026–27 Season

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has officially begun accepting applications for its Drawn Hunt permit program for the upcoming 2026–27 hunting season. The program provides outdoor enthusiasts with access to premier public hunting grounds throughout the Lone Star State across more than 60 categories.

Access to New Public Acres

This season’s lineup features 154 specific drawn hunts distributed across 55 state parks. Hunters have a unique opportunity to apply for inaugural hunts at three state park properties that are not yet open to the general public: Bear Creek, Silver Lake, and Post Oak Ridge.

Unopened Parks

In addition to these new sites, TPWD has expanded its hunting footprint on newly acquired acreage added to established state parks, including Caprock Canyons, Enchanted Rock, and Honey Creek. Successful applicants will be among the very first to hunt on these recently added public lands.

Application Deadlines and Fees

Hunters are permitted to submit multiple entries within the same category, though applicants should pay close attention to rolling deadline dates throughout the Fall. Program deadlines are set for the 1st and 15th of August, September, and October, with the final application window closing on November 1.

Fees

Application fees remain accessible, ranging from $0 to $10 per entry depending on the specific category, while all Youth Only entries continue to be completely free of charge. Complete application guidelines can be reviewed in the official agency press release, "TPWD Accepting Drawn Hunt Permit Applications for 2026–27 Season."

Key 2026–27 Season Dates

With application windows now open, TPWD has also finalized the statewide season start dates across major game categories:

Dove: September 1 (All Zones)

Teal: September 19

Archery: October 3

Quail: November 1

White-tailed Deer: November 7

Wild Turkey: November 7

Full details regarding regulatory updates for the 2026–27 season will be published on August 15 in the online edition of the Outdoor Annual and within its mobile application, which will automatically update for connected devices in mid-August.