There’s something about hunting in Texas—the vast horizons, mesquite-scented air, and the sound of boots crunching over dry caliche before sunrise. No other state offers such an incredible variety of game and terrain. From the piney woods of East Texas to the rugged canyons of the Panhandle, every corner of the Lone Star State tells a different hunting story.
Whether you’re chasing trophy whitetails, stalking feral hogs, or glassing for exotics, Texas is a hunter’s playground. Here’s your regional breakdown of where to go, what to hunt, and how to make the most of each adventure.
1. Hill Country: The Heart of Texas Hunting
Landscape: Rolling hills, oak mottes, cedar thickets, and limestone ridges.
Primary Game: Whitetail deer, axis deer, turkey, feral hogs.
The Hill Country—stretching roughly from Austin to San Antonio—is often considered the soul of Texas hunting. Home to one of the highest deer densities in the U.S., this region is where many Texans cut their hunting teeth.
Top Counties: Llano, Mason, Gillespie, Blanco, and Kerr.
Best Time to Hunt: November during the rut (peak whitetail movement).
Tips for Success:
-
Focus on oak flats and creek bottoms—acorns draw in deer and hogs alike.
-
Consider a low-fence ranch if you want a true free-range hunt.
-
For exotics like axis and blackbuck, summer can be surprisingly productive.
Bonus: The Hill Country also offers excellent spring turkey action—Rio Grande gobblers respond aggressively to calls in April.
2. South Texas: Big Racks and Brush Country Legends
Landscape: Thorny brush, mesquite flats, and sprawling ranchlands.
Primary Game: Trophy whitetail, javelina, nilgai, feral hogs.
South Texas is famous for producing monster bucks—thanks to genetics, nutrition, and strict management. The “Golden Triangle” (Dimmit, La Salle, and Webb counties) is ground zero for record-book deer.
Top Counties: Webb, Zavala, La Salle, Jim Hogg.
Best Time to Hunt: December–January rut.
Tips for Success:
-
Use protein feeders and water sources strategically—especially in dry years.
-
Bucks here are cagey; patience in blinds pays off more than still-hunting.
-
Don’t overlook exotic and predator hunts—nilgai and coyotes thrive here.
Pro Tip: Many South Texas ranches are high-fence operations, but even on low-fence land, the genetics and antler size are world-class.
3. East Texas: Piney Woods and Hidden Whitetails
Landscape: Dense pine and hardwood forests, swampy bottoms, and rolling hills.
Primary Game: Whitetail deer, wild hogs, turkey, waterfowl, squirrels.
East Texas offers a totally different vibe—lush, humid forests and a slower hunting pace. It’s a mix of private timberlands and public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
Top Counties: Angelina, Nacogdoches, Polk, Tyler.
Best Time to Hunt: Late October through December for deer; January for ducks.
Tips for Success:
-
Scout early—deer movement can be hard to pattern under the thick canopy.
-
Bring waders if you’re chasing ducks in flooded timber or oxbows.
-
Focus on edges where hardwoods meet openings or old logging roads.
Bonus: The Sam Houston National Forest offers 160,000+ acres of public hunting just north of Houston—a rarity in Texas.
4. West Texas: Desert Hunts and Mountain Vistas
Landscape: Rugged desert mountains, rocky canyons, and scrub flats.
Primary Game: Aoudad (barbary sheep), mule deer, pronghorn, javelina.
If you’re after adventure and scenery, West Texas delivers in spades. From the Davis Mountains to the Big Bend region, this is where the hunt feels truly wild.
Top Counties: Jeff Davis, Brewster, Presidio, Terrell.
Best Time to Hunt: October–December for mule deer; February for aoudad.
Tips for Success:
-
Bring good optics—spot-and-stalk is the name of the game here.
-
Be prepared for long hikes, rough roads, and unpredictable weather.
-
Aoudad hunts are some of the most affordable “mountain hunts” in North America.
Pro Tip: Many West Texas ranches offer combo hunts—mule deer, javelina, and predators in one trip.
5. North Texas & The Panhandle: Plains Game and Open Skies
Landscape: Prairie plains, rolling wheat fields, and rugged canyons.
Primary Game: Mule deer, whitetail, turkey, quail, sandhill cranes.
The wide-open country of North Texas and the Panhandle gives hunters a Western feel without leaving the state. Expect long shots, steady winds, and plenty of opportunity.
Top Counties: Wheeler, Childress, Hall, and Hemphill.
Best Time to Hunt: November for mule deer; January for sandhill cranes and quail.
Tips for Success:
-
Bring a flat-shooting rifle—many shots stretch beyond 200 yards.
-
Wind direction is everything; plan stalks and blinds accordingly.
-
For quail, hunt fence lines and grain stubble after a cold front.
Bonus: The Canadian River breaks are prime mule deer country with jaw-dropping vistas.
6. Coastal Plains: Waterfowl and Hogs Galore
Landscape: Marshlands, rice fields, and coastal bays.
Primary Game: Ducks, geese, feral hogs, alligator.
For waterfowlers, the Texas coast is paradise. Every winter, the Gulf Coast lights up with pintails, teal, redheads, and specklebellies.
Top Areas:
-
Rockport & Port O’Connor: Prime for redheads and pintails.
-
Anahuac NWR: Public-access hotspot for ducks and geese.
-
Matagorda Bay: Great for mixed-bag hunts and hog opportunities nearby.
Best Time to Hunt: November–January.
Pro Tip: Coastal hunts require flexibility—tides, weather, and wind can change everything overnight.
Public Land vs. Private Land in Texas
Texas is 95% private, so securing access is key. Fortunately, the state’s Public Hunting Lands Program and Annual Public Hunting Permit open millions of acres for affordable access.
Public Gems:
-
Sam Houston National Forest (East TX)
-
Matador WMA (North TX)
-
Black Gap WMA (West TX)
Private leases, day hunts, and guided operations dominate most trophy opportunities—but many outfitters cater to every budget.
Essential Gear for Texas Hunts
-
Lightweight, breathable camo for warm early seasons.
-
Snake boots—especially in South and East Texas.
-
Quality optics (binos + rangefinder) for long-range glassing.
-
Water filtration or hydration packs—heat is a constant challenge.
-
Thermal scope or night vision for hog hunting (check regulations).
