Texas Porch

Upland birds

Wild turkey

Two kinds, two sets of rules.

Rio Grande turkey covers most of the state; the Eastern turkey in the far east is much more limited. Read this one closely.

Where

Rio Grande: central, southern, and western Texas. Eastern: far East Texas.

Daily / season limit

Statewide, the limit is 4 turkeys a year, and no more than 1 may come from the East Zone (the Eastern turkey). This season, counties that used to allow either sex let you take only gobblers and bearded hens.

Season(s) (2026-2027)

  • Rio Grande, Spring (North / South) Apr. 3 - May 16, 2027 / Mar. 20 - May 2, 2027
  • Rio Grande, Fall (North / South) Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027 / Nov. 7, 2026 - Jan. 17, 2027
  • Rio Grande, Archery only Oct. 3 - Nov. 6, 2026
  • One-gobbler counties (spring) Apr. 1-30, 2027
  • Eastern turkey (spring only) Apr. 22 - May 14, 2027

License & add-ons

Hunting license plus the Upland Game Bird Endorsement. Turkey tags are included with your license.

  • Upland Game Bird Endorsement

Reporting required

Every wild turkey must be reported within 24 hours using My Texas Hunt Harvest - all subspecies, every county.

Quirks & things to watch

  • One-gobbler counties: in a cluster of central Texas counties you may take no more than one gobbler per county per year, with no fall season. Always check the current list.
  • East Zone is stricter: only shotguns and lawful archery, and no hunting over bait.
  • Matagorda and Wharton counties are closed to turkey this season.
  • Never hunt turkeys on the roost, and never release turkeys without TPWD's okay.

Source to confirm: TPWD Wild Turkey / Seasons by County

More upland birds

Others like this

Upland birds

Quail

A statewide upland classic with a long winter season.

Where: Statewide. Bobwhite is most common; scaled quail in the west; Gambel's in the far west.

Seasons, limits & official link ->

Upland birds

Pheasant

A short, region-only season where hens are off-limits.

Where: Only the Panhandle and South Plains counties.

Seasons, limits & official link ->

Upland birds

Chachalaca

Sometimes called the 'Mexican tree pheasant,' found in just four counties.

Where: Only Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties.

Seasons, limits & official link ->

Official sources

Hunting rules for wild turkey come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the season, limits, and your county's rules before you hunt.

Data vintage:
Built on the 2026-2027 season
Last reviewed:
June 15, 2026

Caution: Seasons, limits, and open counties change every year. The official TPWD pages are the final word.

Page feedback

See something wrong or unclear?

Send a note about this page. The page address will be included automatically.

Send a note