Recreational hunting and fishing licenses and stamp endorsements are available at approximately 1,700 locations throughout the state in addition to the offices listed below. These locations include sporting goods stores, gun shops, department stores, discount stores, bait and tackle shops, grocery stores, and many other types of stores. Some commercial hunting and fishing licenses are available ONLY at the Austin Headquarters and offices listed below. For added convenience, licenses may be purchased by phone or through the Internet with approved Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. A $5 administrative fee will be charged for those sales. Many licenses may be purchased for immediate use except where tagging is required, i.e., deer and turkey.
Buying Licenses
Information
(800) 792-1112 (toll-free) or (512) 389-4800 — 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Closed Saturday, Sunday and most holidays.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters — 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Regional & Field Law Enforcement Offices
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. Please be advised, at this time TPWD offices are unable to accept credit cards for all boat/outboard motor transactions.
- Abilene — 281 N. Willis, Abilene, TX 79603; 325/673-3333
- Amarillo — 203 W. Eighth, Suite 200, Amarillo, TX 79101; 806/379-8900
- Austin (Headquarters) — 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744; 512/389-4828
- Beaumont — 5550-K Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, TX 77708; 409/892-8666
- Brownsville — 5460 Paredes Line Road, Suite 201, Brownsville, TX 78526; 956/546-1952
- Brownwood — 301 Main St., Suite D, Brownwood, TX 76801; 325/646-0440
- College Station — 12815 FM 2154 (Wellborn Road), Suite 160, College Station, TX 77845; 979/696-4148
- Corpus Christi — 5541 Bear Lane, Suite 232, Corpus Christi, TX 78405; 361/289-5566
- El Paso — 401 East Franklin, Suite 520, El Paso, TX 79901; 915/834-7050
- Fort Worth — 5400 Airport Freeway, Suite E, Fort Worth, TX 76117; 817/831-3128
- Freeport — (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) — 210 W. First Street, Suite C, Freeport, TX 77541; 979/233-7968 (boat registration not available at Freeport office)
- Garland — 346 Oaks Trail, Suite 100, Garland, TX 75043; 972/226-9966
- Houston (North) — 350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77060; 281/931-6471
- Houston (South) — 10101 Southwest Freeway, Suite 206, Houston, TX 77074; 713/779-8977
- Kerrville — 309 Sidney Baker South, Kerrville, TX 78028; 830/257-7611
- LaMarque — 14037 Delany Road, LaMarque, TX 77568; 409/933-1947
- Laredo — 5119 Bob Bullock Loop, Laredo, TX 78044; 956/718-1087
- Lubbock — 1702 Landmark Lane, Suite 1, Lubbock, TX 79415; 806/761-4930
- Lufkin — Old Texas Plaza, 4100 S. Medford Drive, Suite 204B, Lufkin, TX 75901; 936/632-1311
- Midland — 4500 W. Illinois, Suite 307, Midland, TX 79703; 432/520-4649
- Mount Pleasant — 212 S. Johnson, Mount Pleasant, TX 75455; 903/572-7966
- Rockport — 715 S. Highway 35, Rockport, TX 78382; 361/790-0312
- Rusk — 580 W. Sixth St., Rusk, TX 75785; 903/683-2511
- San Angelo — 3407 S. Chadbourne, San Angelo, TX 76903; 325/651-4844
- San Antonio — 858 W. Rhapsody, San Antonio, TX 78216-2600; 210/348-7375
- Temple — 3615 South General Bruce Drive, Temple, TX 76504; 254/778-2851
- Tyler — 3330 S. Southwest Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701; 903/534-0388
- Victoria — 2805 N. Navarro, Suite 600-A, Victoria, TX 77901; 361/575-6306
- Waco — 1601 E. Crest Drive, Waco, TX 76705; 254/867-7951
- Wichita Falls — 100 FreMar Valley, Wichita Falls, TX 76301; 940/723-7327
The following information addresses some of the more commonly asked questions about hunting and fishing requirements and restrictions. For additional information not included in this guide, contact your local game warden or phone the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) toll free at (800) 792-1112.
- INSPECTION AUTHORITY: A game warden who observes a person engaged in an activity governed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code or reasonably believes that a person is or has been engaged in such an activity may inspect:
- any license, permit, tag, or other document issued by the department and required by the Texas Parks and Wildife Code of a person hunting or catching wildlife resources;
- any device that may be used to hunt or catch a wildlife resource;
- any wildlife resource in the person's possession; and
- the contents of any container or receptacle that is commonly used to store or conceal a wildlife resource.
The full text of this law may be found in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, §12.102 or call TPWD at (800) 792-1112 (press 9, then 4381).
- Personal Identification: While hunting, fishing or trapping, persons 17 years of age or older must carry on their person a driver's license or personal identification certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Non-residents must carry similar documents issued by the agency in their state or country of residence that is authorized to issue driver's licenses or personal identification certificates.
- Possession Limit: For all wildlife resources taken for personal consumption and for which there is a possession limit, the possession limit shall not apply after the wildlife resource has reached the possessor's permanent residence and is finally processed.
- Special regulations and documents are required for the transfer and importation of wildlife resources (see Transfer of Wildlife Resources).
- Waste of Game: It is an offense (Class C misdemeanor) if a person while hunting kills or wounds a game bird or game animal and intentionally or knowingly fails to make a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal or bird and include it in the person's daily or seasonal bag limit. It is an offense if a person intentionally takes a game bird, game animal, or fish and intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, or with criminal negligence, fails to keep the edible portions of the bird, animal, or fish in an edible condition. For whitetail and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and desert bighorn sheep, the violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
- Retrieval of Game: No person may pursue a wounded wildlife resource across a property line without the consent of landowner of the property where the wildlife resource has fled. Under the trespass provisions of the Penal Code, a person on a property without the permission of the landowner is subject to arrest.
- Harassment of Hunters, Trappers, or Anglers (Sportsmen's Rights Act) is punishable by a fine of $200 to $2000 and/or 180 days in jail.
- It is unlawful to:
- take, attempt to take, or possess wildlife resources within a protected length limit, in greater numbers, by other means, or at any time or place, other than as indicated within this guide.
- store, transport, or abandon an unsecured loaded firearm in a place where children can obtain unsupervised access to the firearm. A person under age 17 who has lawful access to a firearm may hunt with the firearm if the youth has successfully completed the hunter education course, or is accompanied by a licensed hunter age 17 or older who has complied with the hunter education requirement, if applicable.
- drive a motor vehicle in the bed of a navigable freshwater stream, unless approved by a local river access plan established by a city, county, or river authority. This law does not apply to the Canadian River and Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. There are other exemptions as well. The full text of this law may be found in Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 90.
- fish on privately owned waters, fish in public water from private land, or hunt on privately owned lands without the permission of the owner or the owner's agent. Under the Texas Penal Code (§30.05) it is an offense for any person to enter property that is fenced, posted with a sign(s), or marked (purple paint) without the express permission of the owner. Posts or trees bearing purple paint marking of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width at not less than three or more than five feet from the ground constitute notice that the property is posted. A person who hunts without landowner consent and kills a desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, white-tailed deer, or mule deer commits an offense that is a Parks and Wildlife Code state jail felony. Upon conviction, your hunting and fishing license is automatically revoked. You are not required to have a fishing license to fish in private waters in Texas; but, if you are on private property while fishing in public water, a fishing license is required.
- discharge a firearm on or across a public road.
General Information About Licenses, Stamp Endorsements and Tags
See sections on Fishing and Hunting for specific licensing information.
License fees are not refundable.
All of the licenses, license packages, stamp endorsements, and tags listed in this guide, unless otherwise noted, may be purchased at approximately 1,700 locations statewide where licenses are sold.
Many licenses may be purchased by phone or through the internet with approved VISA, Discover, or MasterCard.
Generally, fishing and hunting licenses and stamp endorsements are valid from the date of sale through August 31, 2009. Temporary hunting and fishing licenses and packages, Year-from-Purchase fishing licenses, and Lake Texoma fishing licenses have different expiration dates.
A number of "endorsements," sometimes called "stamps" are available for purchase with fishing packages and hunting licenses at the time a license is purchased. All fishing and all combination packages include one or more stamp endorsements. Additional stamp endorsements are available for purchase anytime during the effective date of the license/package.
Actual stamps with pictures on them are no longer issued with the hunting and fishing licenses; however, a book of commemorative stamps (item Type 555), which are not valid for hunting or fishing use, is available for purchase for $21.65. The book, which contains all six Texas picture stamps (3 hunting, 2 fishing, 1 non-game), may be purchased anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold, by phone (1-800-895-4248; $5 fee charged for all phone sales), at any TPWD Law Enforcement office, or Austin Headquarters. Commemorative stamps purchased anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold, by phone or at a Law Enforcement office will be mailed. Individual stamps are not sold by TPWD.
Lost/Destroyed License, Package or Stamp Endorsement: Any type of license or stamp endorsement that has been lost or destroyed may be replaced at any license sales location by signing an Application for Replacement License affidavit 
(PDF 33.1 )). Fees vary from $3 to $10 for replacement of recreational licenses or stamp endorsements.
A RESIDENT is a person who has lived continuously in Texas for more than 6 months immediately before applying for a license. Members of the United States Armed Forces (and their dependents) on active duty anywhere are entitled to purchase a resident license. The term "active duty" means full-time duty in active military service, including the National Guard and Reserves of the United States. Such term includes full-time training duty and attendance while in the active military service at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary of the military department concerned. Non-residents under 17 years of age are designated as residents for hunting license purposes (not valid for Lifetime Licenses).
Residency is proven by any three of the following (all documents must reflect the applicant's name and a physical address in Texas). Items marked with a * must have been issued at least 6 months prior to license or permit application. Except for a valid drivers license or a state issued identification card, documentation is not required at time of purchases or while hunting or fishing:
- a current Texas homestead property tax statement
- the most recent 6 months of utility bills
- the most recent 6 months of paycheck receipts
- the person’s most recent tax return from the Internal Revenue Service
- a statement from a parole board or probation officer stating that the person has continuously resided in Texas for the 6 months immediately preceding the application for a license or permit
- a valid Texas driver's license*
- a current Texas voter registration certificate*
- a current vehicle registration*
A NON-RESIDENT is any person who does not meet the requirements listed for qualification as a Texas resident.
It is unlawful to:
- hunt or fish without a valid license, or a permit and stamp endorsement on your person and available for inspection by a game warden, unless exempt by age, program or a reciprocal agreement with another state.
- use another person's license or tag to hunt or fish.
- let someone else hunt or fish with your license or tags.
It is unlawful to purchase or obtain more than one of the following license:
- Resident Hunting
- Youth Hunting
- Senior Hunting
- Free Resident Disabled Veteran "Super Combo"
- Resident "Super Combo" Package
- Senior Resident "Super Combo" Package
- Texas Resident Active Duty Military "Super Combo" Package
- Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing Package
- Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing Package
- General Non-Resident Hunting
- Non-Resident Spring Turkey Hunting
Social Security Numbers Required by Law: The collection of the Social Security Number is mandated by the Federal Government and is required regardless of age. TPWD has no option but to comply with Federal Law and collect the numbers from the purchasers of licenses. TPWD cannot force you to provide your social security number; however, under Federal Statute, we cannot sell you a license. Your social security number is required to be collected, regardless of age, for the purpose of child support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42 U.S.C.A. 666 and Texas Family Code, Section 231.302. If you are buying a license for another person, the law requires that the purchaser provide the social security number of the person who will be holding the license.
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For Texas residents only
The “Super Combo” includes a Resident Hunting License, a Resident Fishing License and all 5 state stamp endorsements (archery, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing with a red drum tag, upland game bird, and migratory game bird) at a discount price. For residents who hunt and fish fresh water and/or salt water, the “Super Combo” package can save purchasers up to $18. The Federal Waterfowl Stamp is not included.
- Resident “Super Combo” License Package (Type 111): $64
- Senior Resident “Super Combo” License Package (Type 117): $30 (for age 65 and over)
- Resident Disabled Veteran “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Type 502): FREE
Available to a resident qualifying as a disabled veteran. Disabled veteran means a veteran with a service-connected disability, as defined by the Veterans Administration, consisting of the loss of the use of a foot or leg, or a disability rating of 60% or more, and who is receiving compensation from the U.S. for the disability. Official proof of disability (issued by the V.A.) must be shown when applying for this license and must state the rate of disability.
- Texas Resident Active Duty Military “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Type 510): FREE
Available to any Texas resident on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves or National or State Guard. Proof of residency for this license is: military service record(s) indicating that the person’s home of record is in Texas or that the person’s duty station for the six months immediately prior to the time of application is in Texas.
The “Combo” packages include a Resident Hunting License, a Resident Fishing License and either the saltwater stamp endorsement (with a red drum tag), freshwater stamp endorsement, or both, depending on the specific package purchased.
- Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing (Type 503): $47
- Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing (Type 504): $52
- Resident Combination Hunting and All-Water Fishing (Type 505): $57
- Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing (Type 506): $15 (for age 65 and over)
- Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing (Type 507): $20
- Senior Resident Combination Hunting and All-Water Fishing (Type 508): $25
Residents who purchase “Combo” packages specific to either salt or freshwater fishing may upgrade to the All-Water package through the purchase of the appropriate stamp endorsement (i.e., the stamp endorsement not included in the initial license package purchased).
Lifetime Licenses
Residents may buy hunting and fishing licenses valid for the lifetime of the license holder. The lifetime license exempts the holder from state stamp endorsement requirements. The lifetime license does not exempt the holder from the Federal Duck Stamp requirement. Not valid for commercial fur trapping. Lifetime tags may be obtained at retailers each year at no fee. For Texas residents only; available only at TPWD headquarters. To obtain an application, call (800) 792-1112 (option 9, ext. 4820), download a copy (PDF 308.6 )), or visit the Lifetime License web page.
- Lifetime Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing: $1000
- Lifetime Resident Hunting: $600
- Lifetime Resident Fishing: $600
A lifetime resident hunting or fishing license can be upgraded to a lifetime resident combination hunting and fishing license for $400.
Fishing Licenses and Packages
A valid fishing license with a freshwater or saltwater stamp endorsement is required to take fish, mussels, clams, crayfish or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas. A hunting license is required to take turtles and frogs.
The first Saturday in June of each year is the annual Free Fishing Day and no person is required to have a fishing license or stamp endorsements while fishing on that day.
A fishing license and stamp endorsement are not required if fishing from the bank in a state park or in waters completely enclosed by a state park. All other fishing regulations, such as length and bag limits, remain in effect.
Recreational anglers must have a Texas fishing license and saltwater endorsement to bring any fish taken in federal waters ashore in Texas (see Texas State Waters – Federal Waters).
Resident Fishing Licenses
Required of any resident who fishes in the public waters of Texas.
You do not need a fishing license/package if you:
A resident fishing license is included in all Super Combination and Combination packages (including Texas Resident Active Duty Military), the Lifetime Resident Combination and Lifetime Resident Fishing licenses, and the various resident fishing packages offered by the Department. A resident who holds one of these licenses/packages is not required to purchase a separate resident fishing license.
Non-Resident Fishing Licenses
Required of all non-residents who fish in the public waters of Texas. Licenses/Packages are not required if you are a:
- non-resident under 17 years of age;
- Louisiana resident 65 years of age or older who possesses a valid Louisiana Recreational Fishing License (includes Senior Fish/Hunt License); or
- Oklahoma resident 64 years of age or older.
Fishing Packages
A variety of fishing packages are offered from which the public may select based on the type of fishing (freshwater, saltwater, or both) and duration of license desired.
License Year Fishing Packages include a resident, senior resident, special resident, or non-resident fishing license valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31, 2009 and either a freshwater stamp endorsement, a saltwater stamp endorsement with a red drum tag, or both stamp endorsements valid for the same time period.
Senior Resident Fishing Packages are available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after Sept. 1, 1930. The packages include a senior resident fishing license and either a freshwater stamp endorsement, a saltwater endorsement with a red drum tag, or both depending on the package selected.
Special Resident All-Water Fishing License is available to any Texas resident who is legally blind. Stamp endorsements are not required for this license. One red drum tag shall be available at no additional charge.
One-Day All-Water Fishing License includes resident or non-resident fishing license valid for the selected day or days purchased. Stamp endorsements are not required for this license. Consecutive days may be bought at the time of purchase. One red drum tag (Item 598) shall be available at no additional charge with the purchase of the first one-day license only.
Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package (available only to Texas residents) includes a resident fishing license, a freshwater stamp endorsement and a saltwater stamp endorsement with a red drum tag, all valid from the date of purchase through the end of the purchase month of the next license year.
2008-2009 Fishing Licenses and Fees
Resident
- Freshwater Package - $28
- Saltwater Package - $33
- All-Water Package - $38
- Senior Freshwater Package - $11
- Senior Saltwater Package - $16
- Senior All-Water Package - $21
- Special Resident All-Water License (for legally blind) - $6
- Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package - $45
- One-Day All-Water License - $10
Non-Resident
- Freshwater Package - $55
- Saltwater Package - $60
- All-Water Package - $65
- One-Day All-Water License - $15
Please note that if you own any valid freshwater fishing package, you will be able to purchase a saltwater stamp endorsement, and conversely, if you own any valid saltwater fishing package you will be able to purchase a freshwater stamp endorsement.
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Sport Oyster Boat License
Required when using a sport oyster dredge or tongs to take oysters
- Resident (Type 328): $12 - For boats registered in Texas or having a U.S. Coast Guard document that shows the owner's address is in Texas.
- Non-resident (Type 428): $48
Fishing Guide License
Required for any person who for compensation, accompanies, assists, or transports any person engaged in fishing in the waters of the state.
- $125 for operating as a resident or non-resident fishing guide in the fresh waters of the state. (Type 600 Resident; Type 700 Non-Resident)
- $200 for operating as a resident fishing guide in all public waters of Texas (salt water only or both fresh and salt water) (Type 610 Resident)
- $1,000 for operating as a non-resident fishing guide in all public waters of Texas (salt water only or both fresh and salt water) (Type 710 Non-Resident).
All-Water fishing guide license available only at TPWD Law Enforcement Offices. Freshwater fishing guide licenses available at any location where licenses are sold.
A vessel operator's license is required from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to carry passengers for hire on waters designated as navigable by the USCG. It is the operator's responsibility to assure compliance with USCG regulations. No person operating a vessel or boat as a fishing guide on or in the salt waters of this state may be issued a Fishing Guide License unless the person presents original documentation to the license deputy that the applicant possesses a valid and appropriate U.S. Coast Guard Operator's License. For additional information, contact the USCG Regional Examination Center in Houston, TX at (713) 948-3350.
Fishing Stamp Endorsements and Tags
- Freshwater Fishing Stamp Endorsement (Type 256): $5
- This stamp endorsement is required in addition to a valid fishing license if you take or attempt to take fish in the public fresh waters of Texas. If you are not required to hold a fishing license, or if you hold a lifetime combination or lifetime fishing license, this stamp endorsement is not required. A freshwater fishing stamp is included in freshwater and all-water fishing packages.
- Saltwater Fishing Stamp Endorsement (Type 211): $10
- This stamp endorsement is required in addition to a valid fishing license if you take or attempt to take fish in the public salt water of Texas. If you are not required to hold a fishing license, or if you hold a lifetime combination or lifetime fishing license, this stamp endorsement is not required. A red drum tag shall be issued at no additional charge with each saltwater fishing stamp endorsement. A saltwater fishing stamp is included in saltwater and all-water fishing packages.
- Red Drum Tag:
- This tag is required for an individual to take one red drum per license year over the maximum length limit of 28 inches, and is included free with the purchase of a saltwater fishing stamp endorsement or any package that includes the saltwater fishing stamp endorsement. See tagging information. Persons who want to obtain a red drum tag and are EXEMPT from fishing license requirements may purchase an Exempt Angler Red Drum Tag for $3.
- Bonus Red Drum Tag (Type 599): $3
- This tag is required for an individual to take an additional red drum per license year over the maximum length limit of 28 inches. Bonus tag can be purchased at any license sales location upon presenting a valid fishing license or other valid personal identification. Only one bonus tag allowed per person per year.
- Saltwater Trotline Tag (Type 307): $4
- Required for each 300 feet, or fraction thereof, on all non-commercial trotlines and sail lines placed in the coastal waters of Texas. Available at TPWD Coastal Law Enforcement offices.
- Individual Bait-shrimp Trawl Tag (Type 334): $35
- Required for sport shrimp trawls used to take shrimp for personal use. Available at TPWD Coastal Law Enforcement offices.
License Requirements for Border Waters
Texas-Oklahoma and Texas-Arkansas:
To fish in all waters of the Red River along the Texas-Oklahoma or Texas-Arkansas borders, a person must comply with the licensing requirements of Oklahoma or Arkansas, as applicable. A person may fish with a valid Texas fishing license from the Texas bank from Denison Dam to Shawnee Creek (see illustration). [D] - In Lake Texoma, a person may fish in the respective Texas and Oklahoma waters with the appropriate license from the respective state, or may fish the entire lake with a Lake Texoma fishing license as explained below.
- Lake Texoma License (Type 208): $12 - With this license, which is valid until December 31 following the date of issuance, a person may fish in both the Texas and Oklahoma waters of Lake Texoma without any additional Texas or Oklahoma fishing licenses. Holders of this license are exempt from freshwater fishing stamp endorsement requirements for the purpose of fishing on Lake Texoma.
Texas-Louisiana: Residents of either state, who are properly licensed in their state (or are exempt because of age), or persons who hold valid non-resident fishing licenses issued by either state may fish in any portion of the lakes and rivers forming a common boundary between Louisiana and Texas inland from a line across Sabine Pass between Texas Point and Louisiana Point.
Texas-Mexico: A fishing license issued by Mexico is required to fish in Mexican waters.
Boater Education
A person under 18 years of age may legally operate boats of 10 horsepower or more, windblown vessels over 14 feet, and personal watercraft on public water of the state, only if the operator is:
- accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older, or
- at least 13 years of age and less than 18 years of age and has successfully completed an approved Boater Education Training Course.
Note: Minimum age a person may be certified is 12 years of age.
For course information, please call TPWD toll-free at (800) 792-1112 (menu 6) or call (512) 389-4999 or consult the TPWD Boater Education page.