2025-26 Texas hunting and fishing licenses on sale
It’s time to renew your Texas hunting and fishing licenses, which go on sale Friday, Aug. 15, for the 2025-26 season.
Current-year licenses (except the Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package) expire at the end of August, according to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department media release issued Thursday.
Licenses may be purchased through the TPWD website, in person at retail locations or TPWD offices across the state, or by calling the TPWD at 800-895-4248. A $5 administrative fee applies to phone and online purchases. An expedited checkout process is available to hunters and anglers who have purchased licenses in recent years.
When buying a license, Texas resident hunters and anglers may also purchase an entry in the Lifetime License Drawing. Three lucky winners will each receive a Lifetime Super Combo License and never again need to buy a Texas hunting or fishing license. Entries are $5 each and may be purchased online, at any license retailer, or by phone. The first entry deadline is Sept. 30.
All recreational licenses and endorsement stamps now have a digital option, only available through online purchase. While in the field or on the water, digital licenses must be readily available via a mobile device through the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app. Holders will not receive a printed license or tags.
Paper license holders may show an electronic copy of their license but must possess and apply physical tags for animals that require tagging. Several options exist for customers to provide proof of licensure other than their physical license, including:
- an electronic photo of their licenses;
- an emailed receipt of their purchases;
- their account in the online license sales system;
- or connecting their license to the Outdoor Annual or Texas Hunt & Fish mobile apps.
GIVING BACK
Texans purchase more than 3 million hunting and fishing licenses each year, directly funding a magnitude of conservation efforts and recreational opportunities. Fish stocking, wildlife management, habitat restoration, public hunting leases, river access sites, and Texas Game Wardens are just some of the many projects made possible by license sales.
License purchasers also may add a donation of $1, $5, $10, or $20 to help support the Hunters for the Hungry program, the Fund for Veterans Assistance, or Operation Game Thief.
The Hunters for the Hungry program lets hunters donate legally harvested deer to participating processors. The processed meat goes to local food pantries to feed Texas families in need.
The Fund for Veterans Assistance program provides grants to veteran service organizations and nonprofit charitable institutions, assisting veterans and their families at the community level across the state.
Operation Game Thief is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on protecting Texas’ wildlife and natural habitats through community engagement, outreach, and education. It serves as a state wildlife crime stoppers program.
REGULATIONS & RESOURCES
Hunting and fishing regulations for the 2025-26 season are available at outdoorannual.com or via the free Outdoor Annual mobile app. Once downloaded, the app works without internet connectivity, making it easy for hunters and anglers to view regulations in even the most remote locations. Other features include license lookup, location-based functionality such as “Hunting Seasons and Regulations by Location,” and “Where to Fish.” A limited supply of printed booklets will be available at select TPWD offices. Hunters and anglers are encouraged to call their local offices to check availability.
The Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app enables electronic submission of mandatory harvest reports, including alligator gar harvest reporting, and supports digital tagging of harvested deer, turkey, oversized red drum, and spotted seatrout for digital license holders. The app also allows hunters to complete their on-site registration for many TPWD public hunting lands. Hunters can hunt on more than one million acres of public land with the purchase of an annual public hunting permit.
For frequently asked questions about Texas hunting and fishing licenses, visit the TPWD website.