TPWD Proposes Major Hunting Changes for 2026-27 Seasons

AUSTIN, TX — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is accepting public comment until March 26 for the following proposed changes to the 2026-27 Statewide Hunting and Migratory Game Bird proclamations: 

Migratory Game Bird Regulations 

• Change the South Zone dove hunting season structure during the first segment to include an earlier regular season opening date (September 1 – October 25, 2026), eliminate the Special White-winged Dove Days, and institute standardized daily bag limits across all days in the South Zone.
• Change the South Zone dove hunting season structure during the second segment to move the starting date from mid-December to the day prior to Thanksgiving (November 25 – December 29, 2026).  

Upland Game Bird Regulations 

• Simplify regulations by aligning chachalaca and quail hunting season dates. This regulation alignment is similar to what occurred during the 2024-25 hunting season.
• Close Matagorda and Wharton counties to wild turkey hunting due to the decline in wild turkey populations in these counties.
• Due to the overall decline in wild turkey populations across Texas, propose to change annual bag limits to only gobblers and bearded hens in counties where either sex is currently allowed for wild turkey hunting.  

Big Game Regulations 

• Expand "doe days" in 21 counties in the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion for white-tailed deer based on data collected from TPWD deer surveys.
• Modify the definition of "muzzleloader" to allow for the use of new muzzleloading technology for the take of white-tailed deer.  

Additional details on the proposed regulation changes can be found on the public comment page and in the Texas Register. 

The public is encouraged to provide comment on the proposed regulation changes, and input will be considered before any action is taken by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its March 26 public hearing. 

Opportunities to provide comments for or against these proposals include:

• Online: Comments on each of the changes can be provided on the TPWD public comment page through 5 p.m. March 25.
• Email:
  • For Migratory Game Bird Proclamation comments, or comments regarding wild turkey or chachalaca hunting regulations, please contact Shaun Oldenburger, [email protected].gov
  • For comments regarding big game hunting regulations seasons, please contact Blaise Korzekwa, [email protected]
• Commission Meeting: The TPW Commission will take public comment on the proposed changes at their meeting on Thursday, March 26 in Austin. Those wishing to provide public testimony are required to pre-register to speak. Public testimony is normally limited to three minutes per person.