Duck Hunting in Central Texas

Texas duck hunting regulations vary by zone.

In Texas, duck hunting rules vary by zone. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), central Texas belongs to the North Zone. Follow the TPWD's North Zone duck hunting regulations.

Licensing

The TPWD requires all duck hunters to carry a valid hunting license. Hunters older than 16 must also have a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and, if older than 17, a state migratory game bird stamp endorsement.

Hunting Methods

Hunt ducks using legal shotguns and archery equipment, dogs, decoys, mouth-operated bird calls and falconry during the falconry season. Do not hunt ducks using traps, snares, baits, poisons, live birds as decoys or recorded bird calls. Do not with any firearms except legal shotguns.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

The TWPD's daily bag limit for ducks is six, including no more than five mallards, two mallard hens, three wood ducks, two scaup, two redheads, one pintail, one canvasback and one dusky duck. The daily possession limit is 12.

Duck Hunting Season

As of July 2010, the TPWD has not announced the dates for the upcoming duck hunting season. Typically, duck hunting season opens for about one month sometime in fall, with brief additional youth and falconry hunting seasons before and after the regular season.

References

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Duck, Merganser and Coot Hunting Zones
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: 2009 - 2010 Texas Waterfowl Digest
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Where to Get Information and Licenses
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Waterfowl Hunting Methods
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Bag and Possession Limits for Ducks

Resources

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Hunting and Wildlife