As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas. Whether you’re talking about the land area or opportunities for big game hunting, with an abundance of land, hunting zones, and prey, Texas is truly a fantastic destination — you might even call it a wonderland — for big game trophy hunters and amateur hunting enthusiasts alike.
Texas is packed to the cowboy hat brim with major game such as desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, squirrels, javelina, white-tailed deer, and mule deer; in fact, more deer are taken down in Texas than in any other state!
For RV travelers who like to hunt deer, you may be wondering how you can go deer hunting in Texas. Here’s what you need to know!
What To Know About Deer Hunting in Texas
One big first thing to know about hunting in Texas is that you need a hunting license — and you will end up paying a lot more for one as a non-resident than you would as a resident.
How Much is a Texas Hunting License?
Texas residents can grab a hunting license for a mere $25, while Texan senior citizens can get one for only $7. As for non-residents? Well, you’re going to have to pony up a cool $315 for a non-resident General Hunting License!
If you’re planning on hunting with your kids, it’s more affordable for both residents and non-residents under 17 years old — you’re only going to pay $7 for a youth hunting license either way.
Archery Endorsements
Should you plan on using archery equipment for deer hunting in Texas, you’ll need to get a specific “archery endorsement” to do so. As with youth hunting licenses, the archery endorsement price is the same for both residents and non-residents and is quite affordable at $7.
Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permits
What about public deer hunting land in Texas? Since 1987, Texas has offered special public hunting permits which enable you to engage in the full range of hunting opportunities and game practically year-round on over a million acres of public land.
An Annual Public Hunting Permit costs $48, but don’t go thinking of this as an alternative to purchasing a hunting license. In order to get a Public Hunting Permit, you need to have a valid seasonal hunting license.
You can find hot spots for public deer hunting in Texas here.
When is Deer Hunting Season in Texas?
Deer hunting season in Texas generally closely aligns with hunting seasons in other states, give or take a few days or weeks. As in other states, your hunting tool of choice will help determine when you can head out to take down some deer in Texas.
But there is another factor in that which deer you plan to go hunting for in Texas will also affect when, how, and where you can hunt in Texas. Got all that? No? Well, read on!
White-tailed Deer vs. Mule Deer
Your choices for deer hunting in Texas are white-tailed deer and mule deer. You can’t hunt for both everywhere, though. While 252 out of Texas’ 254 counties have white-tailed deer seasons, only 74 Texas counties have mule deer seasons.
In addition, white-tailed deer season in Texas tends to last for a couple of months, but mule deer season usually only lasts a few weeks to a month.
How Long is Deer Hunting Season in Texas?
How long can you go deer hunting in Texas? That also depends on your weapon of choice! Archers can jump into mule deer hunting season (where available) on or around October 1st and then have a month and change to themselves for hunting until those with guns join in at the start of general hunting season for mule deer; hunting season for mule deer will then end a few weeks later.
Meanwhile, the archery hunting season for white-tailed deer opens at the same time as it does for mule deer (October 1st), but once the general hunting season begins, you can hunt for white-tailed deer from the start of November until early January.
Tip: If you don't want to be as time-limited for deer hunting in Texas, consider grabbing an Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit, as mentioned earlier.
How To Go RV Camping for Deer Hunting in Texas
The ideal way to go deer hunting in Texas in an RV? Boondocking. Why? You want to stay away from developed campgrounds since the deer you’re going for will — in all likelihood — be doing the same. Dry camping won’t cut it; you’re just RV camping in a campground sans hookups.
Boondocking is the Answer
To find the best and biggest game, you need to head out into the vast Texan wilderness, ready for whatever nature might throw at you while out there. Even if you’re an experienced RV traveler and hunter, you may not have as much history with boondocking.
You need to be sure to be more than adequately prepared for a boondocking hunting trip with the proper attire, freshwater tanks clean and full, and a full propane tank or two (depending on how long you’ll be out there).
Go Deer Hunting in Texas With Cruise America
Yes, indeed, most everything is bigger in Texas — and that should include the RV you’re camping in while deer hunting in Texas. No RV yet? No problem!
Cruise America has big RV rentals that will be perfect for your next big game adventure in the Lone Star State. Ready to get on the road and get hunting? Visit Cruise America today!
