AUSTIN — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is now accepting applications for drawn hunts across more than 60 categories for the 2026-27 season, according to the agency’s July newsletter. The offering includes 154 hunts spread across 55 state parks, with new opportunities at three parks not yet open to the public — Bear Creek, Silver Lake, and Post Oak Ridge — along with newly added acreage at Caprock Canyons, Enchanted Rock, and Honey Creek.
Entry fees for drawn hunts range from $0 to $10 depending on category, and Youth Only entries are free. Hunters can apply for multiple hunts within the same category, but application deadlines fall on the 1st and 15th of August, September, and October, with a final deadline of November 1st.
TPWD also released the confirmed season dates for 2026-27. Dove season opens September 1 statewide. Teal season begins September 19. Archery season opens October 3. Quail season opens November 1. White-tailed deer and wild turkey seasons both open November 7. Regulation changes for the new season will be published starting August 15 in the Outdoor Annual, both online and in the department’s mobile app.
The department is also flagging a public health concern for hunters and landowners. According to TPWD, the first confirmed Texas case of New World Screwworm was identified in a calf on June 3, 2026. New World Screwworm flies lay eggs in open wounds and moist areas on live mammals; the eggs hatch into maggots that feed on living tissue and can kill the animal if left untreated. TPWD is asking anyone who spots live maggots on a live animal to report the sighting immediately and avoid moving the animal. A downloadable guide for identifying the parasite and safely managing harvested animals is available through the department.
On safety, TPWD reminded hunters that anyone born after September 1, 1971 must complete a Hunter Education course and be able to present proof of certification in the field. The department also highlighted heat safety guidance for hunters and park visitors heading out during Texas summer conditions, noting that hot weather remains a serious risk even as cooler hunting seasons approach. Watch the department’s heat safety tips here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIWKLv5bEgg
Additionally, TPWD released guidance for hunters sharing content on social media, encouraging safety, legality, and respect for the harvest and the environment when posting online. Watch the full list of tips here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdmUmRyrRSY
