Hunters 16 and younger
Texas Youth Hunting
15 youth-only season segments for deer, turkey, ducks and squirrels, a $7 license that covers the state endorsements, and the programs that put kids in a blind with a mentor.
Photo: Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0)
Youth-only seasons, 2026-27
Licensed hunters 16 or younger. Youth license (Type 169, $7) valid all license year.
| Game | Season | Zone | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only | Both zones | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth-Only late | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | North Zone | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, Willacy | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | North Zone | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Fall Youth-Only | South Zone | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | South Zone | Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | North Zone | Mar 27, 2027 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | South Zone | May 8, 2027 | May 9, 2027 | |
| Turkey | Spring Youth-Only | North Zone | May 22, 2027 | May 23, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Youth-Only | East Texas | Sep 25, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | High Plains Mallard Mgmt Unit | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | South Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth-Only | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 |
Deer on youth days
Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2026 (both zones); Jan. 4-17, 2027 (North Zone). Any lawful means except archery-only in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, Rockwall. In 21 antlerless-reporting counties, bag/antlerless rules match Nov 26-29; elsewhere match the first two days of general season.
Waterfowl on youth days
HPMMU Oct. 17-18; South Oct. 31 – Nov. 1; North Nov. 7-8, 2026. Regular bags; dusky ducks legal; geese legal. Youth not hunter-ed certified must be with licensed adult 18+ who meets hunter ed. Adults may not hunt ducks, mergansers or coots.
Sources: TPWD youth-only seasons, verified October 11, 2026.
Licenses and hunter education for kids
Hunter education is open to students as young as 9. Younger hunters may hunt, but only within normal voice control of a qualified adult.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Youth Hunting License | $7. Under 17 at purchase, resident or non-resident; exempt from state endorsements (except Reptile and Amphibian); valid whole license year even if 17th birthday passes; only 16 and under may hunt youth-only seasons. |
| Under 9 | Must be accompanied by a person 17+ who is licensed in Texas and has passed hunter education or is exempt, within normal voice control. |
| Ages 9 to 16 | Must complete hunter education or be accompanied. |
| Hunter education course | In person ($15); persons 17 and older may take it in person or online (online cost varies). |
| Mentored Hunting Permit | $25 (TPWD item 189). |
| Public land | Youth under 17 hunt TPWD public land free with a permitted adult 18 or older; the daily permit is also waived for youth. |
Sources: licenses; hunter education; permits, verified October 11, 2026.
Programs and drawn hunts for young hunters
Mentors, lodging and meals are normally provided on Texas Youth Hunting Program hunts.
Texas Youth Hunting Program
- TPWD and Texas Wildlife Association program since 1996; 200+ hunts a year, mostly on donated private land; mentors, lodging and meals normally provided.
- Requirements: age 9-17, Youth Hunter Account at tyhp.org, valid Texas hunting license and tags/stamps, hunter education completed.
Per-hunt fees are not given on the TPWD program page.
Youth Only drawn hunts
8 hunt types in the TPWD drawing: Alligator, Exotic, Feral Hog, Gun Deer Antlerless/Spike, Gun Deer Either Sex, Gun Deer Management, Javelina, Spring Turkey. Youth pay no application or permit fee.
E-Postcard youth hunts
Youth Archery Deer, Youth Only Deer, Youth/Adult Feral Hog, Youth/Adult Waterfowl. Drawn on APH areas.
Veterans and active duty: duck days and free licenses
These days share dates with the youth duck weekends in each zone.
| Game | Zone | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | High Plains Mallard Mgmt Unit | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ducks | South Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 |
Eligible: Veterans and active-duty US Armed Forces members (incl. National Guard and Reserve on active duty other than training).
Free Texas Resident Active Duty Military Hunting Package and Super Combo; free Disabled Veteran Super Combo. Active duty and honorably discharged veterans exempt from hunter education.
Sources: duck season; military packages; hunter education, verified October 11, 2026.
Youth hunting questions
How much is a youth hunting license in Texas?
$7, for anyone under 17 at the time of purchase, resident or not. It stays valid all license year even after a 17th birthday.
Who may hunt Texas youth-only seasons?
Licensed hunters 16 or younger.
When is the youth deer season?
Oct 30 to Nov 1, 2026 in both zones, plus Jan 4 to Jan 17, 2027 in the North Zone.
Can adults shoot ducks on youth weekend?
No. Adults may not hunt ducks, mergansers or coots during the youth-only waterfowl days.
When is youth squirrel season?
East Texas counties Sept. 25-27, 2026, bag 10.
How old must a child be for hunter education?
9. Under that age a child hunts only when accompanied within normal voice control by a qualified adult 17 or older.
Who can join the Texas Youth Hunting Program?
Hunters 9 to 17 with a Youth Hunter Account at tyhp.org, a valid Texas hunting license with any needed tags or stamps, and completed hunter education.
Do kids pay for drawn hunts?
No. Youth pay no application fee and no permit fee in the TPWD drawing.
Are veterans exempt from hunter education?
Yes. Active duty members and honorably discharged veterans are exempt.
Last word on the rules
Seasons, fees and programs here are for the 2026-27 license year, which runs Sept. 1, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2027.
Other photos on this page: USDAgov (Public domain); Dana Beveridge (CC BY 2.0); GA-Kayaker (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).