Drawn Hunts at New State Parks | 2026-27 Season Dates | Night Hunts for Wild Hog | Tips to Keep Cool | How to ID Screwworm | + More!



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More State Parks Added to Drawn Hunts

Buck harvest and hunter at Chaparral WMA, link [ [link removed] ]

We are now accepting applications for Drawn Hunts [ [link removed] ] in more than 60 categories for the 2026-27 season. This includes 154 hunts across 55 state parks. 

Take a shot at hunts in not-yet-open state parks Bear Creek [ [link removed] ], Silver Lake [ [link removed] ] and Post Oak Ridge [ [link removed] ]. You'll also find drawn hunts on new acreage added to Caprock Canyons [ [link removed] ], Enchanted Rock [ [link removed] ] and Honey Creek [ [link removed] ]. Will you be one of the first to score a hunt on these new public lands? 

Apply for multiple hunts in the same category, but stay aware of the deadline dates [ [link removed] ] – the 1st and 15th of Aug., Sept. and Oct., plus Nov. 1st. Each entry will cost anywhere from $0 to $10, and Youth Only entries are always *free*. 

Find out more in our press release TPWD Accepting Drawn Hunt Permit Applications for 2026-27 Season [ [link removed] ]. For tips on improving your chances, see the "Texas Parks and Wildlife" magazine story How to Boost Your Odds for a Texas Drawn Hunt [ [link removed] ]. 



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2026-27 Season Dates

Two men holding duck harvest in field, link [ [link removed] ]

Time to start planning your hunts! The season dates for 2026-27 [ [link removed] ] have been set:


* *Dove*: 9/1 all zones
* *Teal*: 9/19
* *Archery*: 10/3
* *Quail*: 11/1
* *White-tailed Deer*: 11/7
* *Wild Turkey*: 11/7

Regulation changes for the 2026-27 season can be found beginning *Aug. 15* in the Outdoor Annual online [ [link removed] ] or in the app [ [link removed] ]. The app will update itself in mid-August (requires internet access).



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Try a Night Hunt for Wild Hog This Summer

Bowhunter with harvest of 2 wild hogs [ [link removed] ]

Wild hogs are always in season, making them perfect for summer hunts. Once it gets hot, they become nocturnal and move into agricultural fields, where night shooting is highly effective.

You won't necessarily need night-vision gear, because the moon is your ally in hunting wild hogs. A standard scoped rifle on a bright, moonlit night will get the job done. We have upcoming full moons [ [link removed] ] on July 29, Aug. 28 and Sept. 26. 

Outdoorsman and pro chef Jesse Griffiths shares info about night-vision gear and other hog-hunting tips in our magazine story Summer Nights Present a Unique and Productive Opportunity to Harvest Feral Pigs [ [link removed] ]. Don't miss the recipe at the end, Grilled Hog Backstrap with Summer Vegetable Salad [ [link removed] ].

For more on wild hogs, listen to Hog Wild [ [link removed] ] on the TPWD podcast Better Outside [ [link removed] ].


Enter to win Big Time Texas Hunts today, link [ [link removed] ]
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State Park Tips Help You Handle Heat in the Field

Park Ranger holding water bottle, video link [ [link removed] ]

The folks who work at Texas state parks have a lot of experience being outdoors in the summer heat. They've put together a list of the top 7 tips for heat safety and turned it into a fun video. Take 1 minute to watch Safety is our Goooaaaaalllll! [ [link removed] ]

The World Cup may be over but hot weather is not, so take a water break if you need it – safety first! Safety is also why anyone who was born after Sept. 1, 1971 and wants to hunt in Texas must pass a Hunter Education course [ [link removed] ] and be able to present the proof in the field. Check online for [ [link removed] ]proof of your certification [ [link removed] ]. 


Tip411 if you see a wildlife crime, link [ [link removed] ]
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Watch for New World Screwworm

TPWD vet standing in front of maggots, video link [ [link removed] ]

If you see live maggots on a live animal, immediately report the sighting [ [link removed] ] and do not move the animal. It may be infested with New World Screwworm (NWS).

NWS are flies that lay eggs in open wounds and moist body parts of live mammals. The eggs hatch into maggots that feed on living tissue. They kill the animal if left untreated. The first case of NWS in Texas was found on a calf on June 3, 2026. 

For guidance on identification of NWS and safe management of your harvest, see the easy-to-read, downloadable NWS Guide for Hunters and Landowners [ [link removed] ] (PDF).

Stay informed with our situational updates [ [link removed] ] and watch our video short New World Screwworm [ [link removed] ].



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7 Tips for Sharing Hunt Content on Social Media

Phone screen of social post + narrator, video link [ [link removed] ]

Support the hunting tradition by engaging with the community in a positive way when you post about hunts on social media.

Safety, legality, respect for your harvest and the environment are a few things to check before you post. For all 7 tips, watch the short video Social Media Considerations For Hunters [ [link removed] ].



"A message from our sponsor:"

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"Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers:"

Safely store your guns, link [ [link removed] ]
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Join the Houston Safari Club, link [ [link removed] ]
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Texas land for sale, link [ [link removed] ]

"Hunt Texas is made possible in part ""by the generous support of Toyota. "

Toyota [ [link removed] ]

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