Where to Get Information and Licenses

Recreational hunting and fishing licenses and stamp endorsements are available at approximately 1,700 locations throughout the state in addition to the offices listed below. These locations include sporting goods stores, gun shops, department stores, discount stores, bait and tackle shops, grocery stores, and many other types of stores. Some commercial hunting and fishing licenses are available ONLY at the Austin Headquarters and offices listed below. For added convenience, licenses may be purchased by phone or through the Internet with approved Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. A $5 administrative fee will be charged for those sales. Many licenses may be purchased for immediate use except where tagging is required, i.e., deer and turkey.

Buying Licenses

• On-line License Sales
• Licenses by Phone: Call (800) TX LIC 4 U (800-895-4248) — 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday, closed Saturday, Sunday and most holidays.
• Local License Sales

Information

(800) 792-1112 (toll-free) or (512) 389-4800 — 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Closed Saturday, Sunday and most holidays.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters — 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Regional & Field Law Enforcement Offices

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. Please be advised, at this time TPWD offices are unable to accept credit cards for all boat/outboard motor transactions.

• Abilene — 281 N. Willis, Abilene, TX 79603; 325/673-3333
• Amarillo — 203 W. Eighth, Suite 200, Amarillo, TX 79101; 806/379-8900
• Austin (Headquarters) — 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744; 512/389-4828
• Beaumont — 5550-K Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, TX 77708; 409/892-8666
• Brownsville — 5460 Paredes Line Road, Suite 201, Brownsville, TX 78526; 956/546-1952
• Brownwood — 301 Main St., Suite D, Brownwood, TX 76801; 325/646-0440
• College Station — 12815 FM 2154 (Wellborn Road), Suite 160, College Station, TX 77845; 979/696-4148
• Corpus Christi — 5541 Bear Lane, Suite 232, Corpus Christi, TX 78405; 361/289-5566
• El Paso — 401 East Franklin, Suite 520, El Paso, TX 79901; 915/834-7050
• Fort Worth — 5400 Airport Freeway, Suite E, Fort Worth, TX 76117; 817/831-3128
• Freeport — (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) — 210 W. First Street, Suite C, Freeport, TX 77541; 979/233-7968 (boat registration not available at Freeport office)
• Garland — 346 Oaks Trail, Suite 100, Garland, TX 75043; 972/226-9966
• Houston (North) — 350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77060; 281/931-6471
• Houston (South) — 10101 Southwest Freeway, Suite 206, Houston, TX 77074; 713/779-8977
• Kerrville — 309 Sidney Baker South, Kerrville, TX 78028; 830/257-7611
• LaMarque — 14037 Delany Road, LaMarque, TX 77568; 409/933-1947
• Laredo — 5119 Bob Bullock Loop, Laredo, TX 78044; 956/718-1087
• Lubbock — 1702 Landmark Lane, Suite 1, Lubbock, TX 79415; 806/761-4930
• Lufkin — Old Texas Plaza, 4100 S. Medford Drive, Suite 204B, Lufkin, TX 75901; 936/632-1311
• Midland — 4500 W. Illinois, Suite 307, Midland, TX 79703; 432/520-4649
• Mount Pleasant — 212 S. Johnson, Mount Pleasant, TX 75455; 903/572-7966
• Rockport — 715 S. Highway 35, Rockport, TX 78382; 361/790-0312
• Rusk — 580 W. Sixth St., Rusk, TX 75785; 903/683-2511
• San Angelo — 3407 S. Chadbourne, San Angelo, TX 76903; 325/651-4844
• San Antonio — 858 W. Rhapsody, San Antonio, TX 78216-2600; 210/348-7375
• Temple — 3615 South General Bruce Drive, Temple, TX 76504; 254/778-2851
• Tyler — 3330 S. Southwest Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701; 903/534-0388
• Victoria — 2805 N. Navarro, Suite 600-A, Victoria, TX 77901; 361/575-6306
• Waco — 1601 E. Crest Drive, Waco, TX 76705; 254/867-7951
• Wichita Falls — 100 FreMar Valley, Wichita Falls, TX 76301; 940/723-7327

Criminal Penalties and General Law

Criminal Penalties and Civil Value Recovery

General Law

The following information addresses some of the more commonly asked questions about hunting and fishing requirements and restrictions. For additional information not included in this guide, contact your local game warden or phone the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) toll free at (800) 792-1112.

• INSPECTION AUTHORITY: A game warden who observes a person engaged in an activity governed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code or reasonably believes that a person is or has been engaged in such an activity may inspect:
  1. any license, permit, tag, or other document issued by the department and required by the Texas Parks and Wildife Code of a person hunting or catching wildlife resources;
  2. any device that may be used to hunt or catch a wildlife resource;
  3. any wildlife resource in the person's possession; and
  4. the contents of any container or receptacle that is commonly used to store or conceal a wildlife resource.
  The full text of this law may be found in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, §12.102 or call TPWD at (800) 792-1112 (press 9, then 4381).
• Personal Identification: While hunting, fishing or trapping, persons 17 years of age or older must carry on their person a driver's license or personal identification certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Non-residents must carry similar documents issued by the agency in their state or country of residence that is authorized to issue driver's licenses or personal identification certificates.
• Possession Limit: For all wildlife resources taken for personal consumption and for which there is a possession limit, the possession limit shall not apply after the wildlife resource has reached the possessor's permanent residence and is finally processed.
• Special regulations and documents are required for the transfer and importation of wildlife resources (see Transfer of Wildlife Resources).
• Waste of Game: It is an offense (Class C misdemeanor) if a person while hunting kills or wounds a game bird or game animal and intentionally or knowingly fails to make a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal or bird and include it in the person's daily or seasonal bag limit. It is an offense if a person intentionally takes a game bird, game animal, or fish and intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, or with criminal negligence, fails to keep the edible portions of the bird, animal, or fish in an edible condition. For whitetail and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and desert bighorn sheep, the violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Retrieval of Game: No person may pursue a wounded wildlife resource across a property line without the consent of landowner of the property where the wildlife resource has fled. Under the trespass provisions of the Penal Code, a person on a property without the permission of the landowner is subject to arrest.
• Harassment of Hunters, Trappers, or Anglers (Sportsmen's Rights Act) is punishable by a fine of $200 to $2000 and/or 180 days in jail.
• It is unlawful to:
  • take, attempt to take, or possess wildlife resources within a protected length limit, in greater numbers, by other means, or at any time or place, other than as indicated within this guide.
  • store, transport, or abandon an unsecured loaded firearm in a place where children can obtain unsupervised access to the firearm. A person under age 17 who has lawful access to a firearm may hunt with the firearm if the youth has successfully completed the hunter education course, or is accompanied by a licensed hunter age 17 or older who has complied with the hunter education requirement, if applicable.
  • drive a motor vehicle in the bed of a navigable freshwater stream, unless approved by a local river access plan established by a city, county, or river authority. This law does not apply to the Canadian River and Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. There are other exemptions as well. The full text of this law may be found in Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 90.
  • fish on privately owned waters, fish in public water from private land, or hunt on privately owned lands without the permission of the owner or the owner's agent. Under the Texas Penal Code (§30.05) it is an offense for any person to enter property that is fenced, posted with a sign(s), or marked (purple paint) without the express permission of the owner. Posts or trees bearing purple paint marking of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width at not less than three or more than five feet from the ground constitute notice that the property is posted. A person who hunts without landowner consent and kills a desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, white-tailed deer, or mule deer commits an offense that is a Parks and Wildlife Code state jail felony. Upon conviction, your hunting and fishing license is automatically revoked. You are not required to have a fishing license to fish in private waters in Texas; but, if you are on private property while fishing in public water, a fishing license is required.
  • discharge a firearm on or across a public road.

Criminal Penalties and General Law

Criminal Penalties and Civil Value Recovery

General Law

The following information addresses some of the more commonly asked questions about hunting and fishing requirements and restrictions. For additional information not included in this guide, contact your local game warden or phone the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) toll free at (800) 792-1112.

• INSPECTION AUTHORITY: A game warden who observes a person engaged in an activity governed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code or reasonably believes that a person is or has been engaged in such an activity may inspect:
  1. any license, permit, tag, or other document issued by the department and required by the Texas Parks and Wildife Code of a person hunting or catching wildlife resources;
  2. any device that may be used to hunt or catch a wildlife resource;
  3. any wildlife resource in the person's possession; and
  4. the contents of any container or receptacle that is commonly used to store or conceal a wildlife resource.
  The full text of this law may be found in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, §12.102 or call TPWD at (800) 792-1112 (press 9, then 4381).
• Personal Identification: While hunting, fishing or trapping, persons 17 years of age or older must carry on their person a driver's license or personal identification certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Non-residents must carry similar documents issued by the agency in their state or country of residence that is authorized to issue driver's licenses or personal identification certificates.
• Possession Limit: For all wildlife resources taken for personal consumption and for which there is a possession limit, the possession limit shall not apply after the wildlife resource has reached the possessor's permanent residence and is finally processed.
• Special regulations and documents are required for the transfer and importation of wildlife resources (see Transfer of Wildlife Resources).
• Waste of Game: It is an offense (Class C misdemeanor) if a person while hunting kills or wounds a game bird or game animal and intentionally or knowingly fails to make a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal or bird and include it in the person's daily or seasonal bag limit. It is an offense if a person intentionally takes a game bird, game animal, or fish and intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, or with criminal negligence, fails to keep the edible portions of the bird, animal, or fish in an edible condition. For whitetail and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and desert bighorn sheep, the violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Retrieval of Game: No person may pursue a wounded wildlife resource across a property line without the consent of landowner of the property where the wildlife resource has fled. Under the trespass provisions of the Penal Code, a person on a property without the permission of the landowner is subject to arrest.
• Harassment of Hunters, Trappers, or Anglers (Sportsmen's Rights Act) is punishable by a fine of $200 to $2000 and/or 180 days in jail.
• It is unlawful to:
  • take, attempt to take, or possess wildlife resources within a protected length limit, in greater numbers, by other means, or at any time or place, other than as indicated within this guide.
  • store, transport, or abandon an unsecured loaded firearm in a place where children can obtain unsupervised access to the firearm. A person under age 17 who has lawful access to a firearm may hunt with the firearm if the youth has successfully completed the hunter education course, or is accompanied by a licensed hunter age 17 or older who has complied with the hunter education requirement, if applicable.
  • drive a motor vehicle in the bed of a navigable freshwater stream, unless approved by a local river access plan established by a city, county, or river authority. This law does not apply to the Canadian River and Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. There are other exemptions as well. The full text of this law may be found in Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 90.
  • fish on privately owned waters, fish in public water from private land, or hunt on privately owned lands without the permission of the owner or the owner's agent. Under the Texas Penal Code (§30.05) it is an offense for any person to enter property that is fenced, posted with a sign(s), or marked (purple paint) without the express permission of the owner. Posts or trees bearing purple paint marking of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width at not less than three or more than five feet from the ground constitute notice that the property is posted. A person who hunts without landowner consent and kills a desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, white-tailed deer, or mule deer commits an offense that is a Parks and Wildlife Code state jail felony. Upon conviction, your hunting and fishing license is automatically revoked. You are not required to have a fishing license to fish in private waters in Texas; but, if you are on private property while fishing in public water, a fishing license is required.
  • discharge a firearm on or across a public road.

General Information About Licenses, Stamp Endorsements and Tags

See sections on Fishing and Hunting for specific licensing information.

License fees are not refundable.

All of the licenses, license packages, stamp endorsements, and tags listed in this guide, unless otherwise noted, may be purchased at approximately 1,700 locations statewide where licenses are sold.

Many licenses may be purchased by phone or through the internet with approved VISA, Discover, or MasterCard.

Generally, fishing and hunting licenses and stamp endorsements are valid from the date of sale through August 31, 2009. Temporary hunting and fishing licenses and packages, Year-from-Purchase fishing licenses, and Lake Texoma fishing licenses have different expiration dates.

A number of "endorsements," sometimes called "stamps" are available for purchase with fishing packages and hunting licenses at the time a license is purchased. All fishing and all combination packages include one or more stamp endorsements. Additional stamp endorsements are available for purchase anytime during the effective date of the license/package.

Actual stamps with pictures on them are no longer issued with the hunting and fishing licenses; however, a book of commemorative stamps (item Type 555), which are not valid for hunting or fishing use, is available for purchase for $21.65. The book, which contains all six Texas picture stamps (3 hunting, 2 fishing, 1 non-game), may be purchased anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold, by phone (1-800-895-4248; $5 fee charged for all phone sales), at any TPWD Law Enforcement office, or Austin Headquarters. Commemorative stamps purchased anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold, by phone or at a Law Enforcement office will be mailed. Individual stamps are not sold by TPWD.

Lost/Destroyed License, Package or Stamp Endorsement: Any type of license or stamp endorsement that has been lost or destroyed may be replaced at any license sales location by signing an Application for Replacement License affidavit (PDF 33.1 )). Fees vary from $3 to $10 for replacement of recreational licenses or stamp endorsements.

A RESIDENT is a person who has lived continuously in Texas for more than 6 months immediately before applying for a license. Members of the United States Armed Forces (and their dependents) on active duty anywhere are entitled to purchase a resident license. The term "active duty" means full-time duty in active military service, including the National Guard and Reserves of the United States. Such term includes full-time training duty and attendance while in the active military service at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary of the military department concerned. Non-residents under 17 years of age are designated as residents for hunting license purposes (not valid for Lifetime Licenses).

Residency is proven by any three of the following (all documents must reflect the applicant's name and a physical address in Texas). Items marked with a * must have been issued at least 6 months prior to license or permit application. Except for a valid drivers license or a state issued identification card, documentation is not required at time of purchases or while hunting or fishing:

• a current Texas homestead property tax statement
• the most recent 6 months of utility bills
• the most recent 6 months of paycheck receipts
• the person’s most recent tax return from the Internal Revenue Service
• a statement from a parole board or probation officer stating that the person has continuously resided in Texas for the 6 months immediately preceding the application for a license or permit
• a valid Texas driver's license*
• a current Texas voter registration certificate*
• a current vehicle registration*

A NON-RESIDENT is any person who does not meet the requirements listed for qualification as a Texas resident.

It is unlawful to:

• hunt or fish without a valid license, or a permit and stamp endorsement on your person and available for inspection by a game warden, unless exempt by age, program or a reciprocal agreement with another state.
• use another person's license or tag to hunt or fish.
• let someone else hunt or fish with your license or tags.

It is unlawful to purchase or obtain more than one of the following license:

• Resident Hunting
• Youth Hunting
• Senior Hunting
• Free Resident Disabled Veteran "Super Combo"
• Resident "Super Combo" Package
• Senior Resident "Super Combo" Package
• Texas Resident Active Duty Military "Super Combo" Package
• Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing Package
• Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing Package
• General Non-Resident Hunting
• Non-Resident Spring Turkey Hunting

Social Security Numbers Required by Law: The collection of the Social Security Number is mandated by the Federal Government and is required regardless of age. TPWD has no option but to comply with Federal Law and collect the numbers from the purchasers of licenses. TPWD cannot force you to provide your social security number; however, under Federal Statute, we cannot sell you a license. Your social security number is required to be collected, regardless of age, for the purpose of child support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42 U.S.C.A. 666 and Texas Family Code, Section 231.302. If you are buying a license for another person, the law requires that the purchaser provide the social security number of the person who will be holding the license.

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Hunting and Fishing Combination License Packages

For Texas residents only

The “Super Combo” includes a Resident Hunting License, a Resident Fishing License and all 5 state stamp endorsements (archery, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing with a red drum tag, upland game bird, and migratory game bird) at a discount price. For residents who hunt and fish fresh water and/or salt water, the “Super Combo” package can save purchasers up to $18. The Federal Waterfowl Stamp is not included.

• Resident “Super Combo” License Package (Type 111): $64
• Senior Resident “Super Combo” License Package (Type 117): $30 (for age 65 and over)
• Resident Disabled Veteran “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Type 502): FREE
  Available to a resident qualifying as a disabled veteran. Disabled veteran means a veteran with a service-connected disability, as defined by the Veterans Administration, consisting of the loss of the use of a foot or leg, or a disability rating of 60% or more, and who is receiving compensation from the U.S. for the disability. Official proof of disability (issued by the V.A.) must be shown when applying for this license and must state the rate of disability.
• Texas Resident Active Duty Military “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Type 510): FREE
  Available to any Texas resident on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves or National or State Guard. Proof of residency for this license is: military service record(s) indicating that the person’s home of record is in Texas or that the person’s duty station for the six months immediately prior to the time of application is in Texas.

The “Combo” packages include a Resident Hunting License, a Resident Fishing License and either the saltwater stamp endorsement (with a red drum tag), freshwater stamp endorsement, or both, depending on the specific package purchased.

• Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing (Type 503): $47
• Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing (Type 504): $52
• Resident Combination Hunting and All-Water Fishing (Type 505): $57
• Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing (Type 506): $15 (for age 65 and over)
• Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing (Type 507): $20
• Senior Resident Combination Hunting and All-Water Fishing (Type 508): $25

Residents who purchase “Combo” packages specific to either salt or freshwater fishing may upgrade to the All-Water package through the purchase of the appropriate stamp endorsement (i.e., the stamp endorsement not included in the initial license package purchased).

Lifetime Licenses

Residents may buy hunting and fishing licenses valid for the lifetime of the license holder. The lifetime license exempts the holder from state stamp endorsement requirements. The lifetime license does not exempt the holder from the Federal Duck Stamp requirement. Not valid for commercial fur trapping. Lifetime tags may be obtained at retailers each year at no fee. For Texas residents only; available only at TPWD headquarters. To obtain an application, call (800) 792-1112 (option 9, ext. 4820), download a copy (PDF 308.6 )), or visit the Lifetime License web page.

• Lifetime Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing: $1000
• Lifetime Resident Hunting: $600
• Lifetime Resident Fishing: $600

A lifetime resident hunting or fishing license can be upgraded to a lifetime resident combination hunting and fishing license for $400.

Hunting Licenses and Permits

Note: A Hunting Stamp Endorsement may be required (see Hunting Stamp Endorsements).

See more specific information on LIFETIME, DISABLED VETERAN, TEXAS RESIDENT ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY, and COMBINATION licenses. For residents who hunt and fish fresh water and/or salt water, the "Super Combo" package can save purchasers up to $18.

A hunting license is required of any person, regardless of age, who hunts any animal, bird, frog or turtle in this state (except furbearers, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license). No license is required for nuisance fur-bearing animals, depredating hogs or coyotes (see below). Non-residents under 17 years of age may purchase and hunt with the Youth Hunting License (Type 169).

Exceptions: a hunting license is not required to hunt the following:

• Coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl.
• Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.
• Fur-bearing animals, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license or if the fur-bearing animals are causing depredation.

Note: All laws and regulations governing hunter education still apply.

Resident Hunting (Type 101): $23
Valid to hunt any legal bird or animal (terrestrial vertebrates). Stamp endorsement requirements apply. Required of any resident (see RESIDENT defined) unless the resident possesses a valid:

• Senior Resident Hunting License;
• Youth Hunting License;
• Super Combo or Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing License Package;
• Lifetime Resident Hunting License;
• Resident Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and Fishing License Package;
• Lifetime Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing License; or
• Texas Resident Active Duty Military Super Combo Hunting and Fishing License Package.

Senior Resident Hunting (Type 102): $6
Valid only for residents 65 years of age and older. Valid to hunt any legal bird or animal. Stamp endorsement requirements apply.

Youth Hunting License (Type 169): $6
Valid for any person, resident or non-resident, under 17 years of age at the date of license purchase. Exempt from state stamp requirements. License and state stamp exemptions remain valid for the entire license year.

Non-resident General Hunting (Type 105): $300
Valid to hunt any legal bird or animal (including deer). Stamp endorsement requirements apply.

Non-resident Spring Turkey (Type 118): $120. Available after February 1.
Valid to hunt turkey only during the open spring turkey season. Holders of this license are exempt from the upland game bird stamp endorsement requirements. (Unlawful to possess both this license and a valid Non-Resident General Hunting License.)

Non-resident Special Hunting (Type 107): $125
Valid to hunt: Exotic animals, all legal game birds (NOT VALID FOR TURKEY), all nongame animals, squirrel, javelina and alligator (not valid for other game animals, NOT VALID FOR DEER). Stamp endorsement requirements apply.

Non-resident 5-Day Special Hunting (Type 157): $45
Legal for any period of 5 consecutive days (valid hunting dates will be printed on the license when issued). Valid to hunt: Exotic animals, all legal game birds (except turkeys), all nongame animals, squirrel, javelina and alligator (not valid for other game animals, NOT VALID FOR DEER). Stamp endorsement requirements apply.

Non-resident Banded Bird Hunting (Type 120): $25
Valid only to hunt banded game birds (bobwhite quail, partridge, pheasant, mallard ducks) on private bird hunting areas.

Trapper's: Resident (Type 106): $18; Non-resident of any age (Type 115): $300
Required for all persons to hunt, shoot, or take for sale those species classified as fur-bearing animals or their pelts. (See Nongame and Other Species and Fur-bearing Animal Digest (PDF 109.2 )) for more information.)

Hunting Lease License (Types 132, 133 and 134)
Required of a landowner or landowner's agent who leases hunting rights to another person on property they own or control for pay or other consideration. The license must be displayed on the property. License fee: $75 for 1 through 499 acres; $140 for 500 through 999 acres; or $240 for 1,000 acres or more. NOTE: Record book no longer required.

Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit (Type 590): FREE
In addition to a hunting license, migratory game bird stamp endorsement, and HIP certification, this permit is required of all sandhill crane hunters; available at all license sales locations. All permittees should keep a record of hunts and harvests, because 26% of permit holders will be chosen for a federal harvest survey.

Harvest Information Program (HIP) Certification (Type 137): FREE
This certification is required to hunt any migratory game bird.

Hunting Stamp Endorsements

SPECIAL NOTE: No STATE stamp endorsements are required for anyone under 17 years of age (resident or non-resident), holders of Lifetime Resident Combination, or Lifetime Resident Hunting licenses. The youth hunting license and state stamp exemptions remain valid for the entire year.

Archery Stamp Endorsement (Type 135): $7
Required to hunt deer or turkey during an Archery-Only open season.

Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement (Type 168): $7
Required to hunt any migratory game bird (waterfowl, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe, dove, sandhill crane, and woodcock). A valid Federal Duck Stamp and HIP Certification are also required of waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older. A free Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit is required to hunt sandhill cranes.

Upland Game Bird Stamp Endorsement (Type 167): $7
Required to hunt turkey, pheasant, quail, lesser prairie chicken, or chachalaca. Non-residents who purchase the Non-resident Spring Turkey License are exempt from this stamp endorsement requirement. May not be used to hunt turkey with a Non-resident Special Hunting License (Type 107) or a Non-resident 5-Day Special Hunting License (Type 157).

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp ("Duck Stamp"): $17
Required for all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older; available at most U.S. Post Offices, TPWD Law Enforcement offices, Austin HQ, and all license retail sales locations. The stamp must be signed on its face by the person using it. A valid hunting license, HIP Certification, and a valid Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp endorsement are also required.

Hunter Education

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years and cost is $15.

If you were born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, and you are:

• under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied. (*See definition of accompanied.)
• age 9 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course or be accompanied.
• age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a "Hunter Education Deferral" and be accompanied.

Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) - Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount.

* Accompanied means: By a person (resident or non-resident) who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting.

Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

Bowhunter Education: Certification is required on certain areas of Texas (Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Pottsboro; Camp Bullis, San Antonio and Schreiner Park, Kerrville).

Note: Bowhunter education does not substitute for Hunter Education certification.

For course information, please consult TPWD Hunter Education or call toll-free (800) 792-1112 (menu 6) or call (512) 389-4999.