Hunting in Texas: What You Need to Know
One of the main benefits of land ownership is the freedom and ability to use the land however you wish. Many landowners in Hudspeth County, Texas use their acreage to partake in hunting. In fact, according to national hunting license data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, close to 2 million hunting licenses, tags, permits, and stamps were purchased in Texas in 2020. By having your very own acreage, you can hunt at your leisure, whenever you want!
Step 1) Undergo Hunter Education
Before you get started hunting in Texas, you need to go through quite a bit of training and education. First, you’ll have to take the hunter education course from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. This is a mandatory step for anyone born on or after September 2, 1971.
There are three-course options; instructor-led courses for people under the age of 17, online-only courses for people 17 years of age or older, and the one-time, one-year Hunter Education deferral which “allows the hunter to defer completion of their mandatory hunter education for up to one year, as long as the person is accompanied by a hunter who has completed hunter education.”
For most people, the second option will be more relevant. These online-only courses are led by independent vendors and their fees differ. Courses are also available in Spanish. Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be able to print a temporary Hunter Education Certificate. The permanent certificate will be available once the vendor uploads the relevant information to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. In general, the permanent certificate should be ready within a month. It’s important to point out that the Hunter Education Certificate is not a hunting license; that step will come later on.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department also offers the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. The goal of this workshop, which spans a weekend, is to “provide an atmosphere where women feel comfortable learning new skills associated with hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities, in a supporting and non-threatening environment.” You can click here to take a look at some examples of courses offered at BOW workshops.
Step 2) Get Acquainted with Hunting Laws and Regulations
Hunting regulations differ from state to state so becoming familiar with the laws in Texas is not only beneficial but required. You can take a look at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s Outdoor Annual to stay up-to-date on hunting updates, hunting licenses, hunting seasons, hunter education, regulations, and more.
Step 3) Buy Your Hunting License
Once you’re up-to-date on all the most recent laws and regulations for your county, you’ll be able to buy your hunting license. There are over 1,600 hunting and fishing license agents statewide who sell licenses. You can also purchase your hunting license online.
Step 4) Hunting Gear and Practice
You’re nearly there! Now’s the time to get prepared to actually go on your hunt. Make sure to match your firearm to the species you will hunt. Currently, the animals that are in season in Hudspeth County are the following:
- Alligator (April 1 – June 30, 2021)
- Javelina (Sept. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021)
- Rabbits and hares (No closed season)
Once you have your gear, you need to practice before going hunting. You can visit rifle ranges to maintain and develop your shooting skills. Becoming an accurate shooter is crucial before going on your hunt so you can take your time and practice on a regular basis until you feel comfortable going hunting.
Step 5) It’s Time to Hunt!
Now that you’ve followed the previous four steps, it’s time to start your hunt. If this is your first hunt, you can partake in one of 5,000 special supervised and guided hunts in the state of Texas.
When you own land in Hudspeth County, you’ll be able to go to your acreage and partake in hunting at your leisure. There are countless sources online and elsewhere that can help to provide further information on the best way to hunt javelina, alligator, pronghorn, or any other animal that’s available to hunt in Hudspeth.
Contact Lone Star Investments, Today!
By hunting, you’re taking your part in wildlife management. Investing in hunting land is a great idea for seasoned and new hunters alike. Lone Star Investments makes it easy for you to achieve your dream of land ownership. Check out our available lots and take the next step towards land ownership, today!