Can You Hunt Javelina Year-Round in Texas? What Texas Law Requires
November 3, 2026
Javelina hunting season in Texas 2026-27 is split into two zones, and the one you hunt in decides almost everything. In the South Zone, the season runs the full license year. In the North Zone, you get five months. Some counties have no open season at all.
This page covers dates, the bag limit, licensing, weapons, shooting hours, and the rules that apply once a javelina is down. Every date and number below comes from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) pages or the Texas Administrative Code.
Javelina Hunting Season in Texas 2027: Dates at a Glance
TPWD’s 2026-2027 season dates page lists two general javelina seasons. The North Zone runs Oct. 1, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027, and the South Zone runs Sep. 1, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2027.
| Zone | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| North | October 1, 2026 | February 28, 2027 |
| South | September 1, 2026 | August 31, 2027 |
So yes, you can hunt javelina year-round in Texas, but only in South Zone counties. Counties outside both zones are closed. TPWD’s seasons-by-animal page lists a “No Open Season” category alongside the two zones.
Pro Tip: Look up your exact county on the TPWD javelina zone map before you buy gas. The zone line, not the region you think of as “South Texas,” controls your dates.
Javelina Season Dates by Weapon and Hunt Type in Texas
Texas does not split general javelina season by weapon. Archery, rifle, handgun and crossbow hunters all share the same zone dates listed above. That makes javelina one of the simpler big game species to plan around.
The exception is drawn hunts on public land, which run on their own short windows. TPWD’s drawn hunt category page shows one example, with hunt dates of Oct 12, 2026 to Oct 15, 2026, a bag limit of one javelina of either sex, and unlimited feral hogs. Dates differ from hunt to hunt, so read the listing for the specific hunt you apply for.
- General season, North Zone: October 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027
- General season, South Zone: September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027
- Drawn public land hunts: set by TPWD per hunt category, usually a few days each
Texas Javelina Bag Limit
The bag limit is two javelina per license year. TPWD’s javelina page states it plainly: two per license year. There is no daily limit separate from that annual cap.
The Texas Administrative Code, Section 65.44, sets the same numbers in rule form: a bag limit of two javelina and a possession limit of two javelina. Your license year runs September 1 through August 31, so a South Zone hunter can take two in September 2026 and two more after September 1, 2027.
One exception: the rule’s text notes that the bag limits do not apply on properties where the department has set an annual harvest quota under a Wildlife Management Plan. That applies to specific enrolled properties, not to general hunting.
Javelina Hunting License and Tag Requirements in Texas
You need a valid Texas hunting license. Javelina are game animals, and they can be hunted by anyone with a valid Texas hunting license, with no tags required for general season hunting. That is a notable difference from deer, which require tags on the license.
Resident and nonresident licenses are separate products. For the current fee schedule and license types, use TPWD’s licensing pages or see our rundown of Texas hunting license requirements.
- Hunters born on or after September 2, 1971 generally need hunter education certification, with limited exceptions.
- Carry your license while hunting.
- Landowner permission is required on private land.
How to Apply for a Javelina Tag in Texas
For general season, there is nothing to apply for. You buy a hunting license and go. The only application process is for drawn public land hunts through TPWD.
- Buy a valid Texas hunting license for the license year.
- Browse the drawn hunt categories on TPWD’s public hunting program pages and find a javelina hunt.
- Submit your application during the posted application window.
- If you are selected, follow the instructions in your confirmation for permit pickup and check-in.
Application windows and fees vary by hunt category and change from year to year, so confirm them on the TPWD listing before you apply.
Javelina Draw Odds and Bonus Points in Texas
General season javelina hunting involves no draw and no bonus points. Anyone with a license can hunt in an open county. Draw odds only matter for the limited-entry public land hunts.
Texas runs its drawn hunts as a random selection, not a preference point system like some western states. Treat your odds as luck of the draw, and improve them by applying to more than one hunt where the application rules allow it.
Pro Tip: Most hunters never need the draw. If your goal is simply to hunt javelina, a South Zone private lease or a landowner invitation skips the application entirely.
Where to Hunt Javelina in Texas: Units, Zones and Public Land
Javelina live in the arid and semi-arid parts of the state. According to the Texas Trophy Hunters Association, the densest population is in the brush country of South Texas and the hills of far West Texas, with huntable numbers in the Hill Country and the lower Panhandle.
Most Texas land is private, so your first move is a lease or landowner permission. For public land, TPWD’s wildlife management areas are the main option. The James E. Daughtrey WMA in South Texas brush country is described as having strong white-tailed deer habitat plus javelina and turkey, though access can be permit-based.
Before you scout, check three things for any property:
- Whether the county sits in the North Zone, South Zone, or has no open season
- Whether the property is enrolled in a Wildlife Management Plan with its own harvest quota
- Whether the public area requires a permit or has its own rules
Legal Weapons and Methods for Javelina in Texas
On general season hunts, you can use legal firearms and archery equipment. The statewide rules that apply to other big game, including bans on shooting from public roads and restrictions on certain devices, apply here too.
Drawn public land hunts add their own limits. The TPWD drawn hunt listing shows examples of what can be restricted: handguns and shotguns with birdshot are not allowed, and any vehicle with an elevated seat or shooting platform is strictly prohibited. Always read the “Means Not Allowed” line on your specific hunt.
| Hunt Type | Weapon Rules |
|---|---|
| General season, private land | Legal firearms and archery equipment under statewide rules |
| Drawn public hunts | Set by each hunt listing; some prohibit handguns, birdshot, or elevated platforms |
Javelina Hunting Hours and Legal Shooting Times in Texas
Javelina fall under the same legal shooting hours as most big game in Texas: from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. One source notes that the same hours cover deer, javelina, squirrel, quail, pheasant, and most turkey hunting.
Javelina are active at dawn and dusk, so those legal windows are also your best hunting windows. Check sunrise and sunset for your county and date rather than assuming a fixed clock time, since it shifts over the long South Zone season.
Youth, Military and Special Javelina Hunts in Texas
Texas does not publish a separate youth-only or military-only javelina season on its 2026-27 dates page. Youth and active-duty hunters use the same general season as everyone else. Youth-only dates exist for other species, such as East Texas squirrel, Sept. 25 to 27, 2026.
Where special access does exist is TPWD’s drawn hunt program. Some hunt categories are designated for youth or novice hunters, and the listings spell out who qualifies. Search the drawn hunt categories for javelina and filter by eligibility.
If you are building a broader fall plan, our guides to deer season in Texas and turkey season in Texas cover those species’ dates.
Nonresident Javelina Hunting in Texas
Nonresidents can hunt javelina on the same terms as residents, with a nonresident license. One summary of TPWD fees lists $315 for the nonresident general hunting license covering all game birds and animals, but fees change, so verify on TPWD before buying.
The practical hurdle for out-of-state hunters is access. With so little public land, most nonresidents book a guided hunt or a ranch lease. Texas is also one of only a few states with javelina at all, per Double Diamond Ranch, which makes it a draw for hunters from elsewhere.
If you also want to add small game or waterfowl to a trip, see our pages on dove season in Texas and rabbit season in Texas.
Javelina Tagging, Reporting and Meat Rules in Texas
Because general season javelina hunting requires no tag, there is no tag to attach and no mandatory harvest report for ordinary hunts. Keep track of your own count so you stay within two per license year.
Drawn hunts and Wildlife Management Plan properties can carry their own check-in and reporting steps, so follow the instructions on your permit.
- Keep proof of legal take, such as your license, with the carcass while transporting.
- Javelina meat can be eaten, but it needs careful field dressing and cooling. Wear gloves while handling a carcass.
- Cook meat thoroughly.
Important Note: Texas hunters can share harvested game, but giving or transporting meat has recordkeeping rules. Check TPWD’s wild game transfer guidance before moving meat between people.
Javelina Hunting Season in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
When does javelina season open in Texas for 2026-27?
The South Zone opens September 1, 2026, and the North Zone opens October 1, 2026, per TPWD’s published dates.
How many javelina can you shoot in Texas?
You can take two per license year. That is the figure in TPWD’s javelina regulations and in the state administrative code.
Do you need a tag to hunt javelina in Texas?
No tag is required for general season hunting. You do need a valid hunting license.
Can you hunt javelina year-round in Texas?
Only in the South Zone, where the season runs September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. The North Zone closes after February 28, 2027, and some counties have no season.
Is there a draw for javelina in Texas?
Only for limited public land hunts. General season has no draw and no bonus points.
What is the best time of day to hunt javelina?
Early morning and late afternoon, within legal shooting hours of half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.