It’s time to inspect your tree stand and tighten your bow. Archery seasons for deer and wild turkey are expected to be very good this year, and bowhunters should have plenty of opportunities to bag a quality buck or tom.
Archery-only season dates:
- Wild Turkey – Sept. 27-Oct. 31
- White-tailed Deer – Sept. 27-Oct. 31
- Mule Deer – Panhandle: Sept. 27-Nov. 21; all others Sept. 27-Nov. 27
Find county-specifics and all other regulations in the Outdoor Annual online or in the app. Find out more about the season in our white-tailed deer season forecast.
If you’re looking for a new bowhunting area, hunt the more than 1 million acres of public hunting lands. Access it all with an Annual Public Hunting Permit ($48). All persons on public hunting lands during most firearm-shooting seasons must wear hunter orange.
What You Need to Know
Bowhunters must carry the following in the field:
- Hunter Education Certification
- Archery Endorsement
- Hunting License get your license and endorsements online or at retailers.
Wild turkey hunters:
- You must report ALL harvested wild turkey within 24 hours – it’s quick and easy with the free Texas Hunt & Fish app or online
- Know the proper way to tag turkey
Deer hunters:
- Know the proper way to tag deer
- Review current information about CWD
- Review statewide carcass disposal requirements.
- You must report harvested white-tailed deer within 24 hours in certain counties using the free Texas Hunt & Fish app or online
How to Sight In a Single-pin Bow Sight
Single-pin sights are good for tree stand and ground blind hunting, because once you pre-measure the range to your landmark or decoy, you’re ready to go.
To sight in a single-pin bow sight, start by establishing your distance, then fine tune your sight. Do this by shooting until you get 3 arrows in a tight group, then adjust your sight pin for horizontal windage and/or vertical elevation until you can get a tight group in the bullseye.
The sight pin can loosen with use, so make sure it’s tight before and after a session. For thorough instructions, watch the video Sighting In a Single-pin Bow Sight.
What’s New For Bowhunters
NEW for the 2025-26 Season:
- Mule deer season has been extended
- Wild turkey hunting is now open in Lubbock County, North Zone regulations apply
- Wild turkey hunting in the Hill Country: IH35E now serves as the zone boundary line
Find more of what’s new in the press release What Is New for Hunting Season 2025-26.
New World Screwworm: If you observe a live animal infested with maggots, quickly report the observation to a local TPWD biologist. Through active surveillance hunters can help protect Texas’ wildlife and livestock from this pest.
Article source and photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife
