HERE Houston
Houston TX
Hunting
Report
Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Harris County and North Zone (deer).
Hog: Closed
Turkey: Closed
Dove: Open
Deer: Open
North Zone (deer)
First Look • Hunt Conditions
🌔
Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 89%
7:26 am
6:44 pm
66°F
5 mph
Weather as of 8:20 AM ET
Fair — bright nights keep deer nocturnal. Hunt midday movement.
North Zone (deer) • Harris County
In Season Now: Houston Hunting · Oct. 22
Open now
- Archery Deer Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026 · North Zone
- Dove (South Zone) Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 21, 2027 · South Zone
- Dove (Central Zone) Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027 · Central Zone
- Squirrel (East Texas) Oct 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027; May 1 – 31, 2027 · Statewide
Coming up
- Quail Nov 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 · Statewide
- General Deer Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · North Zone
- Snipe Nov 7, 2026 – Feb 21, 2027 · Statewide
- Woodcock Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · Statewide
From this page's the state wildlife agency season calendar. Always verify current regulations before you hunt.
Houston Hunting Season Status
Whitetail Deer
OPEN
Season DatesHarris County (TPWD North Zone): archery Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026; general season Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027; antlerless Nov 7–29; youth-only Oct 30 – Nov 1 and Jan 4–17; muzzleloader Jan 4–17, 2027.
Bag Limit:See TPWD's Harris County page for bag limits.
Deer season is OPEN in Harris County.
Hunter education required for hunters born on or after Sept 2, 1971. See TPWD means and methods.
per TPWD · verified 2026-10-22
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
CLOSED
Season DatesTPWD's 2026–27 Harris County page lists no turkey season.
Bag Limit:N/A
TPWD's 2026–27 Harris County page lists no turkey season.
TPWD's 2026–27 Harris County page lists no turkey season.
per TPWD · verified 2026-10-22
Mourning Dove
OPEN
Season DatesHarris County south of IH 10 (South Zone): Sept 1 – Oct 25 and Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 21, 2027. North of IH 10 (Central Zone): Sept 1 – Oct 25 and Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027.
Bag Limit:15 per day.
Dove season is OPEN.
HIP certification and migratory game bird endorsement required.
per TPWD · verified 2026-10-22
Season dates shown are for North Zone (deer) 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
Houston Hunting Weather Now
66F
Clear
Feels like 66°F
as of 8:20 AM ET
Wind
5 mph E
Humidity
82%
Pressure
1022 hPa
Moon
Waxing Gibbous
Location
Houston, TX
Field Scout Tips
- Deer season is open — focus today's hunt on deer. Also open: Dove.
- Calm winds are ideal for scent control. Play the wind carefully — enter and exit your stand downwind.
- High humidity (82%) intensifies scent. Spray down thoroughly and hunt with wind in your face.
Solunar Index
Houston Hunt Conditions Today
Temperature
66°F
Warm
Wind Speed
5 mph
Ideal — Calm
Barometric
1022 hPa
High — Active
Moon Phase
🌔
Fair
Extended Outlook
Houston Hunt Forecast — 5 Days
TODAY
Sunny
84° / 60°
5 mph wind
FAIR
FRI
Sunny
85° / 64°
3 mph wind
FAIR
SAT
Sunny
84° / 65°
8 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Mostly Sunny
81° / 64°
8 mph wind
FAIR
MON
Partly Sunny
80° / 63°
8 mph wind
FAIR
Public Hunting Lands
Houston Texas Wildlife Management Areas
2 public hunting areas near Houston. Check the state wildlife agency maps and rules for each property before you go.
Sam Houston National Forest WMA
NATIONAL FOREST (WMA)
Whitetail Deer
Squirrel
Dove
Waterfowl
The whole Sam Houston National Forest is a TPWD Wildlife Management Area. For 2026–27 deer: archery Oct 3 – Nov 6, general Nov 7 – Jan 3 (bucks only unless you hold a USFS antlerless permit), muzzleloader Jan 4–17.
Texas hunting license plus the $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit for adults.
Field Tip
Check the Public Hunting Lands map booklet for no-hunting recreation areas.
Justin Hurst WMA
STATE WMA
Waterfowl
A coastal TPWD WMA with public waterfowl hunts. In 2026–27 shooting ends at noon; South Zone duck hunts run Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and the last Sunday of each split.
4:30 a.m. lottery and check-in. Adults need the APH permit. Boats are hand-launched, electric motors only.
Field Tip
Youth/adult hunts are on the first Sunday of each South Zone split.
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Houston-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Hunting SpotCommunity Reviews
Houston Hunting Reviews
Share Your Hunt
Hunted a Houston-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 Houston hunters.
Don't Drink by the Swig...
Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done?
Coverage
Houston Hunting News
Local — Houston and Greater Houston
Texas
Official
Houston hunting
No new Houston-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 Houston and Greater Houston, TX
Outfitters and Gear
Hunting Gear Guide
Gear reviews and picks for the Houston hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Greater Houston, 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?
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingNorth Zone (deer) Key Dates
TX Hunting Season Calendar
Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026
Archery Deer
Harris County.
Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
General Deer
Antlerless Nov 7–29. Youth-only Oct 30 – Nov 1 and Jan 4–17.
Jan 4 – 17, 2027
Muzzleloader Deer
Harris County.
Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 18, 2026 – Jan 21, 2027
Dove (South Zone)
South of IH 10. 15 per day.
Sep 1 – Oct 25; Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027
Dove (Central Zone)
North of IH 10. 15 per day.
Oct 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027; May 1 – 31, 2027
Squirrel (East Texas)
Youth-only Sept 25–27.
Nov 14 – 29 and Dec 5, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Ducks (North Zone)
6 per day. Youth/veterans Nov 7–8.
Nov 7 – 29 and Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Ducks (South Zone)
6 per day. Youth Oct 31 – Nov 1.
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). Always verify with the current TPWD Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change.
Questions and Answers
Houston Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting in the Houston area, answered.
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Harris County (TPWD North Zone): archery Oct 3 – Nov 6, 2026; general season Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027; antlerless Nov 7–29; youth-only Oct 30 – Nov 1 and Jan 4–17; muzzleloader Jan 4–17, 2027.
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Near Houston, public options include the Sam Houston National Forest WMA and Justin Hurst WMA near Freeport. Both need the Annual Public Hunting Permit for adults.
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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.
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Sunday hunting rules in Texas vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with TPWD and Harris County before hunting on Sunday.
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See TPWD's Harris County page for deer bag limits.
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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 Harris County.
HUNTING NEWS NEAR HOUSTON TX
Hunting coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.