by John Jefferson
Along the coast, you knew when waterfowl seasons were approaching. The honking of thousands of geese descending toward their traditional winter homes along the coast — like planes’ final approach to airports – lets you know.
A neighbor named Ivan would shoot at them unsuccessfully from his front yard with a .22 caliber rifle. We lived just outside the city and law enforcement was rare — but what Ivan did was and IS illegal. Only shotguns with non-toxic shot are legal means for waterfowl hunting. Lead shot is forbidden. At least he didn’t hit any birds!
And I’ll bet Ivan didn’t have a hunting license. That’s required, along with a license certification that you are HIP certified (Hunter Information Program). See the TPW Outdoor Annual app for details.
Anyone hunting on the million acres of Texas public hunting lands must also purchase an Annual Public Hunting Permit ($48). More information about this program can be found on the TPWD website. Public lands hunters can complete their on-site registration via the Texas Hunt & Fish app. More information about these lands and locations can be found on the TPWD website.
Waterfowl Hunting is also only permitted during prescribed seasons. Youth only/active military duck season opens October 25-26 in the South Zone, and Nov.1-2 in the North Zone.
Regular duck season opens in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit Oct. 18, South Zone Nov. 1, and North Zone Nov. 8. More information regarding duck seasons and daily bag limits can be found in the Outdoor Annual.
Light and dark goose seasons opens Nov. 1 in both the East Zone and West Zone.
More information regarding goose seasons and daily bag limits can also be found in the Outdoor Annual.
The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 modified provisions of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (the Duck Stamp) now allowing individuals to carry an electronic stamp (E-stamp) for the entire waterfowl hunting season. A physical Federal Duck Stamp will be mailed to E-stamp purchasers after the hunting season between March 10 – June 30, 2026.
Hunters can find waterfowl season dates, regulations, bag limits and more in this year’s Outdoor Annual. Hunters can also access digital copies of their licenses via the Outdoor Annual and Texas Hunt & Fish apps.
Light and dark goose seasons open Nov. 1 in both zones. Bag limits and more information are in the TPW Outdoor Annual app.
A TPWD press release spoke of favorable prospects for waterfowl this upcoming season. Six common duck species have higher populations this season: teal, gadwall, wigeon, pintails, shovelers, and redheads. A new three bird limit on pintails will be popular. And summer rainfall filled ponds and benefitted habitats.
But a waterfowl guide near Abilene – Julian Wright — pointed out that northern weather strongly affects early season Texas hunting. If its late getting icy, waterfowl doesn’t migrate to Texas. Wright said we need ice and snow in the Dakotas and Kansas to move them southward.
And we All want cooler weather!
JJ
(At top): owner of “Top Gun Outfitters,“ Julian Wright, a waterfowl hunting service working the area near Abilene, Texas, has warned that if winter is dragging its sleet coming from the Dakotas and Kansas, that often keeps ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes in the north before migrating to Texas. Check the weather in the north before going duck, goose, or crane hunting. (Courtesy Photo)
