Texas offers some of the best goose hunting opportunities in the country, with thousands of migrating geese passing through the state each winter. You can hunt several species including Canada geese, snow geese, and specklebelly geese across diverse landscapes from agricultural fields to coastal wetlands.
The dark geese season runs from November 1, 2025 through February 1, 2026 in most of the state, while light geese have extended dates depending on your zone.
Planning a successful goose hunting trip requires understanding the specific regulations, proper licensing, and knowing where to find the best hunting spots. Texas divides the state into Eastern and Western zones, each with different season dates and bag limits that you need to follow.
Whether you’re targeting Canada geese in the early season or chasing large flocks of snow geese later in the winter, knowing the rules keeps you legal and helps you make the most of your time in the field.
This guide covers everything you need to know about goose hunting in Texas for the current season. You’ll learn the exact dates for each species, what licenses you need to purchase, the daily bag limits for your zone, and where to focus your efforts for the best hunting action.
Goose Hunting Season Dates In Texas
Texas divides goose hunting into different seasons based on species and geographic zones. The state has two main zones: the Western Zone and the Eastern Zone.
The Early Canada Geese Season runs from September 13-28, 2025 in the Eastern Zone only. This gives you a chance to hunt Canada geese before the regular season starts.
Dark Geese Season includes Canada geese and white-fronted geese. In the Western Zone, you can hunt from November 1, 2025 through February 1, 2026. The Eastern Zone has a slightly shorter season running from November 1, 2025 through January 25, 2026.
Light Geese Season covers snow geese and Ross’s geese. The Western Zone season runs from November 1, 2025 through February 1, 2026. In the Eastern Zone, you get extra time with the season extending from November 1, 2025 through February 15, 2026.
Youth hunters have additional opportunities during youth-only waterfowl seasons associated with duck zones. These special seasons let young hunters gain experience before the regular goose season opens.
Legal shooting hours are the same across all zones and seasons. You can hunt from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset each day. The zone boundary runs along IH-35 and 35W from Laredo north to Fort Worth, then follows U.S. Highway 81 and 287 to the Oklahoma border.
Goose Hunting Regulations And Bag Limits In Texas
Texas divides goose hunting into two zones with different seasons and regulations. The Western Zone includes areas west of a line from Laredo north along IH-35 to Fort Worth. The Eastern Zone covers the rest of the state.
Dark geese season runs from November 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026 in the Western Zone. In the Eastern Zone, dark geese season ends on January 25, 2026. Light geese, which include snow geese and Ross geese, have extended seasons to provide more hunting opportunities.
You can harvest up to 5 geese per day in both zones. The possession limit is three times your daily bag. In the Eastern Zone, you face an additional restriction of no more than 2 white-fronted geese within your daily bag of dark geese.
Daily Bag Limits by Zone:
| Zone | Dark Geese | Light Geese | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western | 5 birds | 5 birds | 3x daily bag |
| Eastern | 5 birds (max 2 white-fronted) | 5 birds | 3x daily bag |
Recent changes to bag limits reduced light geese from 10 to 5 birds daily due to declining populations. Youth hunters can take geese during special youth-only waterfowl seasons.
You must hunt during legal shooting hours, which run from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. All hunters need a valid hunting license, Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp, Federal Duck Stamp (if 16 or older), and HIP certification to legally hunt these game animals.
Required Licenses And Permits For Goose Hunting In Texas
You need multiple licenses and permits before you can legally hunt geese in Texas. The state requires every hunter to carry proper documentation in the field.
Basic Requirements
Every goose hunter must have a valid Texas hunting license. You also need a Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement to hunt any migratory game bird. If you’re 16 years or older, you must purchase a Federal Duck Stamp.
HIP Certification
You must complete Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification when buying your hunting license. Tell the license clerk you plan to hunt migratory game birds. They’ll ask you a few simple questions to complete your certification.
Complete License List
Here’s what you need to carry:
- Valid Texas hunting license
- Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7)
- Federal Duck Stamp ($17 for hunters 16+)
- HIP Certification
Purchase Options
You can buy your licenses online or by calling 1-800-TX-LIC-4U. All hunting licenses remain valid from your purchase date until August 31. New licenses go on sale each year on August 15.
Non-Resident Hunters
Out-of-state hunters need the same permits as residents. Non-residents pay $48 for a five-day special hunting license. You still need all the same stamps and certifications that resident hunters carry.
Make sure you have all required documentation before heading into the field. Game wardens check licenses regularly during hunting season.
Best Locations And Zones For Goose Hunting In Texas
Texas divides goose hunting into two main zones. The Western Zone includes all areas west of Interstate 35 from Laredo through Fort Worth, then northwest along U.S. Highway 81 to the Oklahoma border. The Eastern Zone covers the rest of the state.
West Texas offers some of the most productive goose hunting in the state. The Texas Panhandle near Lubbock attracts large numbers of Canada geese, snow geese, Ross’s geese, and white-fronted geese each winter. Shallow playa lakes surrounded by agricultural fields provide perfect habitat for migrating flocks.
The Central Flyway brings thousands of geese through Texas annually. You’ll find consistent hunting opportunities in areas with wheat fields, rice fields, and wetlands where geese feed and rest during migration.
North Texas provides excellent early season and fall hunting. The region’s agricultural lands attract both Canada geese and snow geese in substantial numbers. Many hunters target winter wheat fields where geese congregate to feed.
Coastal prairies in the Eastern Zone offer diverse hunting environments. These areas combine wetlands with agricultural lands to create ideal stopover points for migrating geese.
Public hunting opportunities exist throughout Texas on various wildlife management areas. Check with Texas Parks and Wildlife for specific locations that allow waterfowl hunting and any special permit requirements.
Your choice of location should match the specific goose species you want to hunt. Greater Canada geese prefer agricultural fields, while light geese often gather in larger concentrations around playa lakes and wetlands.
