The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently approved new changes to the hunting regulations in the state. Hunters in Texas should expect to see these new changes implemented for the 2021-2022 hunting seasons. Similarly, every year states around the county add to or change the hunting regulations. Texas is no different, this year the TPWC approved 12 changes or modifications to the regulations. In the following section, we will list some of the bigger changes coming to the Texas hunting regulations.
- The TPWC will eliminate the experimental pronghorn season in the northern Panhandle.
- Likewise, they will extend the general pronghorn season from 9 days to 16 days statewide.
- Add the definition of a crossbow to that of lawful archery equipment.
- Establish new season dates and daily bag limits for all migratory game bird hunting seasons.
- Change the muzzleloader definition to clarify that only the bullet or projectile and powder must be loaded through the muzzle.
- Close the Panola County eastern turkey hunt during the spring of 2022.
- Implement mandatory reporting for spring turkey hunting (April 1 – 30) in the “Western 1 Gobbler” counties in south-central Texas in 2022.
- Align spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons with consistent North and South Zone boundaries along Highway 90 starting in the fall of 2021.
- Allow squirrel hunting statewide by opening the remaining closed counties to a year-round hunting season. However, the Traditional East Texas squirrel season, May 1-31, and Oct. 1-last Sunday in Feb. remains unchanged.
The TPWD would like to remind hunters to make note of the changes and follow all regulations for species, tagging, bag limits, counties, and season dates. Likewise, hunters can learn more about these hunting changes and see the complete list by checking out the TPWD website.
