New 2017-2018 hunting and fishing licenses are now on sale! All current year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except year-to-date fishing licenses) expire Aug. 31.
Every year, more than 2.4 million hunting and fishing licenses are issued through the agency’s 28 field offices, more than 50 state parks, at over 1,700 retailers across the state and online at www.tpwd.texas.gov/buy. All revenue generated from hunting and fishing license fees pays for conservation efforts and recreational opportunities that help make Texas one of the best places in the country to hunt and fish. Fish stocking, wildlife management, habitat restoration, public hunting leases, river access permits and Texas Game Wardens are just some of the initiatives funded in part by license fees.
Big Time Texas Hunts
Big Time Texas Hunts entries can also be purchased when buying your license. Big Time Texas Hunts offers the chance to win any of nine exciting premium guided hunt packages, with all lodging and food included. Many also allow the winners to bring friends along to hunt. There are packages to hunt bighorn sheep, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, alligator, waterfowl, upland game birds, wild hog and exotics. Big Time Texas Hunts entries are available online for $9 each or for $10 each at license retailers or by phone at (800) 895-4248.
Lifetime License Drawing
TPWD will also be awarding Lifetime Super Combo Licenses to three lucky winners through the Lifetime License Drawing. Winners will never need to buy another Texas hunting or fishing license. Participants can enter for $5 per entry at license retailers or online. The first entry deadline for the three monthly drawings is Sept. 30, with the first winner drawn on October 2. Any entries not drawn will be automatically included in the next drawings on November 1 and December 1.
Make a Donation with Your License Purchase
You have the option to support two worthwhile causes when buying your hunting or fishing license by making a voluntary donation of $1, $5, $10 or $20 to help support the “Feeding Texas’ Hunters for the Hungry” program or the Veterans Commission’s Veterans Assistance Fund.
Donations to the Hunters for the Hungry program provide hunters with a way to donate legally harvested deer to participating processors, and this processed meat goes to local food banks to feed Texas families in need. Last year, hunters and anglers generously donated $106,913 through the TPWD licensing system, which helped offset a percentage of the processing fees for food banks and made it possible for more Texas families in need to enjoy this quality protein source.
Donations to the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) program provide grants to veteran service organizations and nonprofit charitable institutions that assist veterans and their families at the community level throughout Texas. In its first year in 2017 license buyers generously contributed $193,903 in donations from Texas hunting and fishing license purchasers.
Get your new 2017-2018 hunting and fishing licenses and special drawing entries online, at license retailers or by phone at (800) 895-4248. The online transaction system is available 24/7. Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a required $5 administrative fee for each phone or online transaction, but multiple items can be purchased during a single transaction occasion for this $5 fee. All of these license sales outlets will offer the opportunity to make a donation to help veterans and/or families in need of food.
Rules and Regulations
Hunting and fishing regulations for the new season can be found in the 2017-2018 Outdoor Annual, available in print form at license retailers, online at www.outdoorannual.com and in the free Outdoor Annual mobile app available for both Apple and Android devices and updated with regulations for the new season on Aug. 15.