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Commission adopts 2025–26 hunting and migratory bird proclamations, including pintail limit and mule deer season changes
Summary
The commission adopted multiple hunting and migratory game bird proclamation changes: a 3‑bird pintail daily bag limit, a shortened early teal season, quail season moved to Nov. 1–end of February, and extensions/consolidation of mule deer archery/MLDP seasons; advisory committees and conservation groups generally supported the proposals.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on March 27 approved a package of proposed changes to the statewide hunting and migratory game bird proclamations for the 2025–26 seasons, adopting multiple adjustments that staff said reflect federal frameworks, advisory committee recommendations and stakeholder input.
Sean Oldenberger, small game program director, outlined migratory game bird proposals. He said federal and flyway actions allow a maximum daily bag of three northern pintails, and staff recommended setting a three‑bird daily bag limit in all Texas duck zones for the coming season. Oldenberger also said a drop in the blue‑winged teal breeding population requires reducing the early teal season from 16 days to nine days under federal frameworks; staff proposed redistributing available days to take advantage of early migrants and to balance season dates.
Oldenberger and colleagues reported public comment totals and agreement rates across proposals (examples cited in staff slides): 275 responses on the pintail proposal with 88% in complete agreement; other proposals showed varying support and disagreement percentages that staff summarized for the commission.
On statewide hunting proclamation proposals, staff recommended adding Lubbock County to the wild turkey north zone, clarifying a previously published I‑35 corridor season line, and adopting digital‑tagging clarifications for wild turkey and deer tied to the digital licensing package. Oldenberger also noted the commission-directed modification to the quail season structure: hunting from Nov. 1 through the last day in February.
Sean Gray presented mule deer proposals. Staff recommended extending the special archery season in the Panhandle from 35 to 56 consecutive days and in the Trans‑Pecos from 35 to 62 days, with those archery seasons ending the day before each region's general season starts. They also proposed consolidating Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) archery seasons to allow "any lawful means" for a uniform season. Gray told commissioners that advisory committees (mule deer advisory committee) and stakeholder surveys supported the changes; the record shows survey response agreement rates above 80% for the mule deer items.
Two outside speakers addressed the commission in support of the package. Matt Wagner, executive director of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, said the chapter supports the proposal package and commended use of advisory committees. Andrew Earl, director of conservation for the Texas Wildlife Association, said his organization also supported mule deer archery season extensions and the quail season adjustment.
Commissioners moved and seconded the motions; the commission voted by voice and the chair recorded ayes with no opposition. The commission approved the proclamation package. Staff said the adopted changes will be published as amendments to 31 TAC and referenced the proposed text published Feb. 21, 2025 in the Texas Register.
