Texas Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 1 – February 28, 2027

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Texas Upland Game Bird Hunting Overview

State DNR & Licensing Information

Upland game bird hunting in Texas is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

License Requirements & Fees

  • Resident Annual Hunting License: $25
  • Nonresident Annual Hunting License: $315
  • Nonresident 5-Day Special Hunting License: $48
  • Upland Game Bird Endorsement: $7 — required for quail, pheasant and chachalaca
  • Migratory Game Bird Endorsement: $7 — required for dove, woodcock and snipe
  • HIP Certification: Free and required for migratory game birds
  • Annual Public Hunting Permit: $48

Season Dates & Bag Limits — 2026–2027

Northern Bobwhite Quail

  • Season: November 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
  • Daily Limit: 15 quail, combined with scaled and Gambel’s
  • Possession Limit: 45

Scaled Quail

  • Season: November 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
  • Daily Limit: 15 quail, combined with bobwhite and Gambel’s
  • Possession Limit: 45

Gambel’s Quail

  • Season: November 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
  • Daily Limit: 15 quail, combined with bobwhite and scaled
  • Possession Limit: 45

Montezuma Quail

  • No open season.

Ring-Necked Pheasant

  • Season: December 5, 2026 – January 3, 2027
  • Zone: Panhandle/South Plains
  • Daily Limit: 3 cocks
  • Possession Limit: 9 cocks

Chachalaca

  • Season: November 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
  • Counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy
  • Daily Limit: 5
  • Possession Limit: 15

American Woodcock

  • Season: December 18, 2026 – January 31, 2027
  • Daily Limit: 3
  • Possession Limit: 9

Wilson’s Snipe

  • Season: November 7, 2026 – February 21, 2027
  • Daily Limit: 8
  • Possession Limit: 24

Mourning & White-Winged Dove

  • North Zone: September 1 – November 8, 2026 & December 18, 2026 – January 7, 2027
  • Central Zone: September 1 – October 25, 2026 & December 11, 2026 – January 14, 2027
  • South Zone: September 1 – October 25, 2026 & December 18, 2026 – January 21, 2027
  • Daily Limit: 15 aggregate

Weather Assessment & Bird Hunting Outlook

Survey Methodology

Texas has one of the country’s strongest long-term quail datasets. TPWD conducts its annual August roadside survey, recording birds, coveys and broods across regional routes.

However, the 2026 survey results are not yet available, so this forecast combines the latest available TPWD population data with independent NOAA/NCEI, U.S. Drought Monitor and drought-monitoring data.

Weather Impact & Habitat Conditions

  • Winter 2025–26: Warm and very dry. This avoided severe cold mortality but created poor range and forage conditions across portions of western Texas.
  • Spring 2026: Very uneven. By late March, 89% of Texas was in drought, with particularly severe deficits in the Panhandle and western Texas.
  • Summer 2026: Conditions improved considerably in central, eastern and southern Texas, including a very wet June, but the Panhandle and northern Texas remained substantially drier.
  • Overall: The state has a strongly regionalized weather pattern, making statewide averages misleading.

2026–27 Population Outlook

Northern Bobwhite Quail — FAIR–GOOD

The 2025 TPWD survey was strongest in the Rolling Plains and South Texas, both above their 15-year averages.

South Texas subsequently received improving rainfall, while the Rolling Plains has been more variable.

Best prospects: South Texas and portions of the Rolling Plains.

Forecast: FAIR–GOOD.

Scaled Quail — GOOD–FAIR

Scaled quail entered 2026 with a particularly strong baseline. The 2025 index was above the 15-year average in every surveyed region, with especially strong numbers in the Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos.

Drought is the major concern, particularly across the High Plains and western Texas.

Best prospects: Edwards Plateau and selected Trans-Pecos areas.

Forecast: GOOD–FAIR.

Gambel’s Quail — FAIR–POOR

Texas has a limited Gambel’s population concentrated in the Trans-Pecos, and there is no strong current statewide population index comparable to the bobwhite survey.

The drought picture makes this a highly localized opportunity.

Forecast: FAIR–POOR.

Ring-Necked Pheasant — POOR–FAIR

Texas pheasant numbers remain well below historical levels. The latest TPWD survey recorded only 1.64 birds per route versus a 2.18 long-term average.

The Panhandle remains the state’s only meaningful pheasant region, but persistent drought there is a concern.

Forecast: POOR–FAIR.

Chachalaca — FAIR

Restricted to the four southernmost counties, chachalaca prospects depend heavily on thornscrub and local rainfall. Conditions improved during the spring and summer.

Forecast: FAIR.

American Woodcock — FAIR

Texas’ winter woodcock population depends primarily on northern breeding production and migration weather. Moist bottomland and young-forest habitat will be important.

Forecast: FAIR, with good opportunities possible following migration fronts.

Wilson’s Snipe — FAIR

Dry conditions have reduced temporary wetland habitat, but permanent wetlands, irrigated areas and wet agricultural ground should remain productive.

Forecast: FAIR.

Mourning & White-Winged Dove — GOOD–FAIR

Doves are considerably more resilient to the drought pattern than quail. South Texas remains particularly important for white-winged doves.

Forecast: GOOD–FAIR.

Overall Texas Outlook: FAIR–GOOD

Texas entered 2026 with strong quail populations in several important regions, but the weather has been too inconsistent to support a blanket statewide “excellent” forecast.

The key distinction is regional:

  • South Texas: ⭐ Best bobwhite opportunity
  • Rolling Plains: ⭐ Strong bobwhite potential, weather-dependent
  • Edwards Plateau: ⭐ Best scaled-quail opportunity
  • Trans-Pecos: Good localized scaled/Gambel’s potential
  • Panhandle: Poorer quail conditions; pheasant remains depressed
  • Central/East Texas: Improved summer conditions, but less significant wild-quail opportunity

The most important missing piece is the 2026 TPWD roadside survey. Until those August results are released, the weather data support a regionalized FAIR–GOOD forecast rather than a statewide GOOD/EXCELLENT rating.

Bottom line: Texas remains one of the country’s best states for wild quail, but 2026 looks like a “find the rain” year. South Texas and portions of the Rolling Plains are the strongest bobwhite bets, while the Edwards Plateau leads for scaled quail.

For the most current information, including any changes to dates or regulations, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website (tpwd.texas.gov) or the Outdoor Annual.