The following is a video transcript.
Don’t fall prey to Texas hunting laws this deer season. Before you hit the open road, there are a few considerations you need to remember.
PURCHASE YOUR HUNTING LICENSE
If you haven’t already done so, purchase your hunting license and make sure you have it on you at all times when you are hunting. Before going on your hunt, make sure the game you intend to hunt is in season in the location where you’re hunting. Texas Parks and Wildlife or “TPWD,” lists season dates on their website and in their outdoor annual publication. Their brochures are available wherever you pick up your hunting license. If you misplace it, there is also a TPWD outdoor annual app that you can download straight to your phone.
BE MINDFUL OF SHOOTING HOURS
Next, make sure you hunt only during daylight hours. The legal shooting hours for all game animals and non-migratory game birds are from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. In addition to being legally required, shooting during these hours ensures you can see your intended target and anything beyond it.
BE CAUTIOUS WHERE YOU HUNT
Only hunt in areas where you are legally allowed to do so or where you have permission from the property owner. Many people hunt on property owned by family or friends or on leases. In such cases, they might be unfamiliar with the land and the surrounding properties. When hunting in a new or unfamiliar area, make sure to look for trespassing signs. Fences and signs are clear indicators, but other markers such as trees and posts bearing vertical purple painted lines are not as obvious. If you go past these artificial barriers, you may put yourself in a situation where you are trespassing onto another’s property and potentially in the line of fire of other hunters who may not be aware of your presence. Wear your required hunter orange and obey any trespass signs or artificial barriers.
WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU TAKE A DEER
After taking a deer, make sure you immediately and properly tag your animal before moving or field dressing the animal. Fill out your hunting license completely, including the name of the property and the county, cut out the day and the month as well. If you take a buck, measure and record the beam length. As a reminder, many counties in Texas have antler restrictions in place. In these locations, it is unlawful to take more than one buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater, or having two branched antlers. If you are in one of these counties, adjust your bag limit accordingly.
If you have any questions about hunting on the right side of the law this season, call Texas LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney.
Between the red tape and fine print, we know sportsman’s laws are tough and can be confusing. A single hunting violation can cost you thousands of dollars. Call us or log in to your member portal today and add HunterShield for game-changing protection.
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