HERE Austin
Austin TX
Hunting
Report
Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Travis County and North Zone (deer); IH 35 splits deer and turkey rules.
Hog: Closed
Turkey: Open
Dove: Closed
Deer: Open
North Zone (deer); IH 35 splits deer and turkey rules
First Look • Hunt Conditions
🌘
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 16%
6:47 am
5:41 pm
72°F
0 mph
Weather as of 12:51 PM ET
Excellent — decreasing moon, peak dawn and dusk movement expected.
North Zone (deer); IH 35 splits deer and turkey rules • Travis County
In Season Now: Austin Hunting · Nov. 5
Open now
- Archery Deer Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026 · Travis County
- Fall Turkey (west of IH 35) Oct 3, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · West of IH 35
- Squirrel Sep 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2027 · Statewide
- Quail Nov 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 · Statewide
Coming up
- General Deer Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · Travis County
- Geese (West Zone) Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027 · West Zone
- Snipe Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 21, 2027 · Statewide
- Dove (Central Zone) Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027 · Central Zone
From this page's the state wildlife agency season calendar. Always verify current regulations before you hunt.
Austin Hunting Season Status
Whitetail Deer
OPEN
Season DatesTravis County east of IH 35: archery Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026; general season Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (antlerless by license tag Nov 14–29); youth-only Oct 30 – Nov 1 and Jan 4–17; muzzleloader Jan 4–17, 2027. West of IH 35: same archery and general dates, special late season Jan 4–17, 2027.
Bag Limit:East of IH 35: 4 deer, no more than 2 antlerless and 2 bucks, with antler restrictions. West of IH 35: 5 deer, no more than 2 bucks (TPWD Travis County page).
Deer season is OPEN in Travis County.
Hunter education required for hunters born on or after Sept 2, 1971. See TPWD means and methods.
per TPWD · verified 2026-10-29
Feral Hog
CLOSED
Season DatesFeral hogs are not listed as a game season in TPWD's 2026–27 season dates. Check TPWD rules and landowner permission before hunting hogs.
Bag Limit:N/A
Feral hogs are not listed as a game season in TPWD's 2026–27 season dates. Check TPWD rules and landowner permission before hunting hogs.
Feral hogs are not listed as a game season in TPWD's 2026–27 season dates. Check TPWD rules and landowner permission before hunting hogs.
per TPWD · verified 2026-10-22
Spring Turkey
OPEN
Season DatesTravis County west of IH 35: fall archery Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026; fall season Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027; spring Apr 3 – May 16, 2027. East of IH 35: spring only, Apr 1–30, 2027, gobblers only.
Bag Limit:West of IH 35: 4 turkeys, gobblers or bearded hens. East of IH 35: 1 gobbler. Harvest reporting is mandatory.
Turkey season is OPEN in Travis County.
Upland game bird endorsement required.
per TPWD · verified 2026-10-29
Mourning Dove
CLOSED
Season DatesTravis County (Central Zone): Sept 1 – Oct 25, 2026 and Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027.
Bag Limit:15 per day.
Dove season closed.
HIP certification and migratory game bird endorsement required.
per TPWD · verified 2026-10-29
Season dates shown are for North Zone (deer); IH 35 splits deer and turkey rules private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with TPWD before hunting.
Report a Season Update
First Look
Austin Hunting Weather Now
72F
Clear
Feels like 70°F
as of 12:51 PM ET
Wind
0 mph N
Humidity
55%
Pressure
1013 hPa
Moon
Waning Crescent
Location
Austin, TX
Field Scout Tips
- Deer season is open — focus today's hunt on deer. Also open: Turkey.
- Warm day. Deer activity will shift toward dusk. Focus on evening hunts near water and food sources.
- Calm winds are ideal for scent control. Play the wind carefully — enter and exit your stand downwind.
- Dark moon nights push deer to move in legal shooting hours at dawn and dusk. Be at your stand early.
Solunar Index
Austin Hunt Conditions Today
Temperature
72°F
Warm
Wind Speed
0 mph
Ideal — Calm
Barometric
1013 hPa
Normal
Moon Phase
🌘
Prime
Extended Outlook
Austin Hunt Forecast — 5 Days
TODAY
Sunny
83° / 58°
5 mph wind
FAIR
FRI
Sunny
76° / 57°
8 mph wind
FAIR
SAT
Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
72° / 53°
8 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
66° / 50°
5 mph wind
SLOW
MON
Slight Chance Rain Showers
68° / 50°
0 mph wind
FAIR
Public Hunting Lands
Austin Texas Wildlife Management Areas
2 public hunting areas near Austin. Check the state wildlife agency maps and rules for each property before you go.
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Whitetail Deer
Dove
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge set up in 1992 to protect golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo habitat. The refuge runs a limited general deer hunt and a Labor Day-week dove hunt (Sept. 1–4 in 2026, $20 cash-only permit).
Refuge hunts follow the refuge brochure and Texas rules; call the refuge office at (512) 339-9432.
Field Tip
Read the 2026–27 general deer hunt brochure on the refuge site before applying.
TPWD Annual Public Hunting (APH) lands
STATE PROGRAM
Dove
Small Game
Waterfowl
Deer (where listed)
TPWD leases and manages public hunting units statewide under the Annual Public Hunting Permit. Use TPWD's area and legal-game search or map booklet to find units and dates.
Texas hunting license plus the $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Field Tip
Search by county and legal game before you go.
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Austin-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Hunting SpotCommunity Reviews
Austin Hunting Reviews
Share Your Hunt
Hunted a Austin-area WMA or private land? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer.
Community
Here We...
Bag Them Big...
Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Austin hunters.
Don't Drink by the Swig...
Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done?
Coverage
Austin Hunting News
Local — Austin and Central Texas
Texas
Official
Austin hunting
No new Austin-area hunting stories this week. Check current Texas hunting rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
More at Outdoor Sports
Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Austin and Central Texas, TX
Outfitters and Gear
Hunting Gear Guide
Gear reviews and picks for the Austin hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Central Texas, TX Hunting
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound…
Decoy
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound….
$13.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B…
Optic / Scope
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B….
$1676.85
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount.
$2899.97
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,…
GPS / Navigation
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,….
$399.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars.
$799.00
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track…
Trail Camera
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track….
$99.99
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
View on Amazon →
Outfitter, Guide Service, or Hunting Retailer?
Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active hunters across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities.
Learn About Gear AdvertisingNorth Zone (deer); IH 35 splits deer and turkey rules Key Dates
TX Hunting Season Calendar
Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026
Archery Deer
Travis County, both sides of IH 35.
Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
General Deer
East of IH 35: antlerless by license tag Nov 14–29.
Jan 4 – 17, 2027
Muzzleloader (east) / Special Late (west) Deer
Youth-only Oct 30 – Nov 1 and Jan 4–17.
Oct 3, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Fall Turkey (west of IH 35)
Archery Oct 3 – Nov 6; fall Nov 7 – Jan 3.
Apr 3 – May 16, 2027
Spring Turkey (west of IH 35)
Youth-only Mar 27–28 and May 22–23.
Apr 1 – 30, 2027
Spring Turkey (east of IH 35)
1 gobbler.
Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027
Dove (Central Zone)
15 per day.
Sep 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2027
Squirrel
Open year-round in Travis County.
Nov 14 – 29 and Dec 5, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Ducks (North Zone)
6 per day. Youth/veterans Nov 7–8.
Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 7, 2027
Geese (West Zone)
Dark and light geese, west of IH 35.
Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 (dark); Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 19, 2027 (light)
Geese (East Zone)
East of IH 35.
Sep 19 – 27, 2026
Teal
Statewide early teal season.
Nov 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Quail
15 per day.
Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Woodcock
Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 21, 2027
Snipe
Sep 12 – 27, 2026
Early Canada Goose
Dates reflect 2026 Texas hunting regulations for North Zone (deer); IH 35 splits deer and turkey rules. Always verify with the current TPWD Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change.
Questions and Answers
Austin Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting in the Austin area, answered.
-
Travis County east of IH 35: archery Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026; general season Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (antlerless by license tag Nov 14–29); youth-only Oct 30 – Nov 1 and Jan 4–17; muzzleloader Jan 4–17, 2027. West of IH 35: same archery and general dates, special late season Jan 4–17, 2027.
-
Near Austin, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge northwest of the city holds limited deer and dove hunts. TPWD's Annual Public Hunting Permit opens leased units statewide.
-
Yes. Texas requires a hunting license, plus endorsements such as the migratory game bird endorsement for doves and ducks. Buy from TPWD online or at a retailer. Hunter education is required for anyone born on or after Sept 2, 1971.
-
Sunday hunting rules in Texas vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with TPWD and Travis County before hunting on Sunday.
-
East of IH 35: 4 deer, no more than 2 antlerless and 2 bucks. West of IH 35: 5 deer, no more than 2 bucks (TPWD Travis County page).
-
Bear hunting in Texas is regulated by TPWD. Bear populations and seasons vary by Game Zone. Check the current TPWD hunting guide for bear zones and tags relevant to Travis County.