It’s said that there are two types of writers: True poets and those who just make lists.
The following is a calendar of important dates that sporting participants need to keep in mind.
Feb. 25 — North zone javelina season closes Feb.25. South zone open all year.
Feb. 25 — Squirrel season opens in East Texas; reopens May 1-31. Other counties open all year.
Now through Feb. 18 — Art of Texas State Parks exhibit honoring 100 years of Texas State Parks at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas.
Oct. 28 — Quail season opens statewide; closes Feb. 25. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Surveys indicate an increased number of bobwhite and scaled quail thanks to a combination of cooler temperatures and spring rainfall during the start of nesting season. Quail populations are likely the strongest since 2018-19. Despite summer heat, bobwhite numbers exceeded expectations as birds took advantage of early season nesting opportunities. TPWD biologists recorded the most promising population survey results of the last five years.
Oct. 28 — Sandhill crane season Zone A opens; closes Jan.28.
Oct. 28-29 — High Plains Mallard Management Unit opens; then closes until Nov. 3-Jan. 28.
Nov. 1 — Texas oyster season opens to protect and restore oyster reefs showing signs of environmental stress; many shellfish harvest areas will be closed to fishing at the beginning of this season. See WWW.tpwd.texas.gov for areas remaining closed. Entire season closes April 30.
Nov. 2 — Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission votes on new proposals to protect Texas whitetail deer from chronic wasting disease at 4,200 Smith School Road, Austin. Public testimony permitted.
Nov. 3 — Archery only season (deer and turkey) closes.
Nov. 4 — White-tailed deer & Rio Grande turkey seasons open in north and south zones; north closes Jan. 7; south Jan. 21, except four turkey counties on Feb. 25. A large fawn crop 5.5 years ago — now matured — spring rainfall during antler-growing season, and a healthy carryover of bucks from 2022 make this a much anticipated buck deer season. See TPW Outdoor Annual for other deer and turkey seasons and particular counties.
Nov.4 — Regular duck season opens in south zone; closes Nov. 26; reopens Dec. 9-Jan. 28. Light and dark goose seasons open (both zones); east zone closes Jan. 28; west zone Feb. 4.
Dry conditions could pose challenges for waterfowl hunters this season.
Nov. 11-26 — North zone duck season opens; reopens Dec.2-Jan28.
Nov. 11 — “ Explore Bowhunting” event at Brazos Bend State Park.
Nov. 18 — Panhandle mule deer season opens; closes Dec. 3.
Nov. 23 —Thanksgiving Day. An opportunity to thank God for letting you live in Texas — possibly the finest place on Earth to live if you’re a hunter, angler, hiker, Nature wanderer, photographer, or those who cherish wild country.
Nov. 24 —Trans-Pecos mule deer season opens; closes Dec. 10.
Nov. 24 — Sandhill crane season Zone B opens; closes Jan. 28.
Dec. 2-24 — Pheasant season in Panhandle/South Plains opens; closes Dec. 31.
Dec. 16 — Sandhill Zone C season opens; closes Jan. 21.
