Texas Duck Hunting Rules & Regulations

There are many rules and regulations governing Texas duck hunting.

Duck hunting is a popular sport in Texas. Before you pack up your gear and head to the Lone Star State, there are many things you should know about duck hunting there. Texas has many rules and laws governing this recreational activity, as well as required licenses, stamps and permits. According to Texas Outdoorsman, many Texas hunters violate rules simply because of ignorance of the gaming laws.

Duck Hunting Licenses

All duck hunters must have a valid Texas hunting license, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Even hunters under the age of 17 must be licensed. All hunters must also carry their official driver's licenses or personal identification cards with them at all times when hunting.

Duck Hunting Permits and Stamps

Duck hunters must possess an annual public hunting permit or a daily hunting permit while hunting on public land or private land leased by the state of Texas. Hunters under the age of 17 are allowed to hunt for free on state land. Every hunter age 17 or older must have a state waterfowl stamp endorsement receipt to legally hunt for ducks and waterfowl. Texas duck hunters age 16 and older also must have the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, also called the duck stamp. This stamp is typically available for purchase at U.S. Post Offices and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offices.

Hunting Methods

The legal hunting hours start 30 minutes before sunrise and end at sunset. Lawful duck hunting methods include legal shotguns, falconry, dogs and lawful archery equipment. Artificial decoys and manual or mouth-operated duck calls may be used. Duck hunting is permitted from a blind, in the open and from a floating object, but only if the sail or motor has been turned off.

Baiting Laws

Hunters can duck hunt over standing crops, flooded harvested crops and standing flooded crops. They may also hunt on land where seeds or grains have been scattered as a result of normal agriculture practice. They may not hunt with the aid of bait or on any baited areas. These areas are where salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, deposited, exposed, distributed or scattered in an attempt to lure or attract waterfowl to hunters. If a hunter wants to hunt on a previously-baited area, he must wait 10 days after all the baiting materials are removed.

After the Hunt

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a reasonable effort must be made to retrieve any wounded or killed birds, and wounded birds must be killed immediately. All ducks killed must be kept in edible conditions. Other parties (such as cleaners or taxidermists) may transport the ducks, but they must have a tag that contains the hunter's name, signature, address and hunting license number, as well as a description of the ducks (number and species), and date and location of the kill.

References

• Texas Parks and Wildlife: General Rules for Waterfowl Hunting
• Texas Outdoorsman: A Beginner's Guide to Duck Hunting

Resources

• TPWD: Where to Get Information and Licenses