Changes for 2021-22 Hunting Seasons Approved
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission made the following changes to the 2021-22 Statewide Hunting and Migratory Game Bird Proclamations at its March 25 meeting:
- Added crossbow to the definition of lawful archery equipment
- Removed the prohibition on trailing wounded deer with dogs in Angelina, Hardin, Nacogdoches, Orange, Shelby, and Tyler counties. In addition, allowed the trailing of wounded deer to no more than two dogs on a leash in Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine counties
- Eliminated the experimental pronghorn season in the northern Panhandle and expanded the general pronghorn season from 9 to 16 days statewide
- Closed Panola County to hunting Eastern turkey season during the spring
- Implemented mandatory reporting for spring turkey hunting (April 1–30) in the “Western 1 Gobbler” counties in south central Texas
- Added two days of hunting opportunity in the Special White-winged Dove Area within the South Dove Zone
- Will establish season dates and daily bag limits for all migratory game bird hunting seasons
- Modified the muzzleloader definition to clarify only the bullet or projectile must be loaded through the muzzle
- Modified opening day for chachalacas to be concurrent with quail season
- Aligned spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons with consistent North and South Zone boundaries along Highway 90
- Allowed a statewide squirrel hunting season by opening the remaining closed counties to a year-round hunting season
Hunters hitting the field this fall should make note of these changes and follow all regulations set for species, tagging, bag limits, counties, season dates and means and methods. Hunters can check the online version of the Outdoor Annual for complete and updated regulations, but the 2021-22 season information will not be online until mid-August, per usual Texas Parks and Wildlife practice.
