Learn About Texas Hog Hunting License Requirements

Understanding Texas Hog Hunting License Basics

Texas hog hunting has become increasingly popular over the past two decades, with the state's wild hog population estimated at over 2 million animals. Unlike many game animals in Texas, hog hunting operates under different rules than deer or turkey hunting. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) manages hunting regulations, and understanding the basic licensing structure is the first step toward legal hog hunting.

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A hunting license from Texas is the foundation for any hog hunting activity. Texas residents and non-residents must hold a valid hunting license to pursue hogs on public or private land. The state offers several license types, each designed for different hunting scenarios and timeframes. A resident annual hunting license costs $30 and covers a calendar year. Non-resident hunting licenses cost more—around $280 for an annual license or $48 for a five-day license. These prices may change annually, so checking the official TPWD website provides current information.

What makes hog hunting unique in Texas is that you do not need a special hog stamp or endorsement beyond your basic hunting license. This differs from hunting deer, which requires a deer tag, or hunting turkey, which requires a turkey stamp. Hogs are classified as a non-game animal in Texas, which means the licensing requirements are simpler. However, this does not mean hogs can be hunted without restrictions—specific seasons, methods, and location rules still apply.

Texas offers several hunting license options beyond the standard annual license. A one-day hunting license costs around $20 for both residents and non-residents, making it possible to try hog hunting without a long-term commitment. Young hunters aged 12 and under may have different license requirements, and some junior licenses cost less than standard licenses. Learning which license type matches your hunting plans helps you understand the baseline requirements before pursuing hogs on specific land.

Practical Takeaway: Obtain a current Texas hunting license before purchasing land access or planning a hog hunt. Check the TPWD website for current license prices and types, then select the license duration that fits your hunting schedule.

Residency Requirements and Who Can Hunt Hogs

Texas hunting licenses distinguish between residents and non-residents, and this classification affects licensing costs and sometimes what you can hunt. Residency status matters because Texas residents pay significantly lower license fees than non-residents. Understanding how Texas defines residency prevents purchasing the wrong license type and wasting money.

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To be considered a Texas resident for hunting license purposes, you must have maintained a domicile in Texas for at least 60 days preceding your license purchase. Domicile means your permanent home and the place where you intend to live. Simply owning property in Texas does not automatically make you a resident for hunting purposes. You must actually live there. A person with a job in another state but who moved to Texas within the past 60 days would not yet qualify as a resident. The 60-day waiting period exists to prevent people from quickly obtaining resident licenses for short-term hunting trips.

Non-residents hunting in Texas have the same basic hog hunting rights as residents once they purchase the appropriate non-resident hunting license. Non-residents can hunt hogs on private land with permission or on certain public hunting lands. Some public hunting areas in Texas restrict access to residents only, so non-residents should verify land access policies before planning a hunt. For example, some state wildlife management areas (WMAs) allow non-resident hunting during specific seasons, while others do not.

Texas also has special provisions for military members stationed in the state. Active-duty military personnel may purchase resident hunting licenses regardless of their official state of residency. This recognition applies to service members assigned to military installations within Texas. Additionally, disabled veterans and some other veteran categories may receive license discounts or special privileges. The TPWD website lists current military and veteran benefits for hunting licenses.

Young hunters have separate residency considerations. Children aged 12 and under may hunt hogs with a valid hunting license and adult supervision. Teenagers aged 13 to 16 can purchase youth licenses at reduced rates. These youth licenses still require the hunter to follow all hog hunting regulations, including season dates and legal methods. Non-resident youth hunters must purchase non-resident youth licenses.

Practical Takeaway: Verify your residency status before purchasing a license. If you moved to Texas recently, count the days since establishing your residence to confirm whether you qualify for resident rates. Non-residents should confirm that public hunting lands they plan to use allow non-resident access during the intended hunting season.

Hog Hunting Seasons and Timing Regulations

Unlike deer or turkey hunting in Texas, hog hunting has different rules that offer more flexibility for timing. Texas allows year-round hog hunting on private land with the landowner's permission. This extended season reflects the state's view of hogs as a species that damages crops, pastures, and natural habitats. There is no closed season for hog hunting on private property, meaning you can legally pursue hogs in January, July, or any month in between, as long as the landowner allows it.

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Public hunting land in Texas offers a different situation. Hog hunting on state wildlife management areas (WMAs) and national forests is allowed during specific seasons that vary by location and land management authority. Some WMAs allow hog hunting year-round, while others restrict hog hunting to specific months. For example, some WMAs align hog hunting seasons with deer hunting seasons to simplify regulations, while others offer separate hog-specific seasons. Checking the regulations for each specific public hunting area you plan to visit is essential, as one WMA's rules do not apply to another.

National forests in Texas, including the Sam Houston National Forest and Angelina National Forest, have their own hog hunting regulations. These federal lands typically allow year-round hog hunting, but specific access rules and licensing requirements may apply. The U.S. Forest Service provides regulations for each national forest on their websites. Private corporations that manage large timber tracts in East Texas sometimes allow hog hunting on their property during specific seasons.

The timing flexibility for hog hunting makes it attractive for hunters who cannot coordinate schedules with traditional hunting seasons. You can hunt hogs in spring when other game is off-limits, or in summer when the heat might discourage most hunters but when hog activity remains high. Early morning and late evening offer the best hog hunting opportunities throughout the year, regardless of season. Hogs are most active during cooler parts of the day and during nighttime hours.

Time-of-day restrictions do not apply to hog hunting in Texas, unlike some other game. You can legally hunt hogs at night on private land with the landowner's permission and appropriate lighting. Night hunting for hogs has become increasingly popular, particularly with hunters using thermal imaging or light-amplifying equipment. However, this requires verifying landowner permission and being certain of your target and what is beyond it, regardless of lighting conditions.

Practical Takeaway: Plan hog hunting around private landowner availability on private property, since seasons are year-round there. For public land hunting, contact the specific WMA or national forest office to learn its hog hunting season dates before making travel plans.

Legal Hunting Methods and Equipment Restrictions

Texas allows multiple methods for hunting hogs, providing flexibility based on hunting style and personal preference. The primary legal methods include rifles, shotguns, handguns, bows, and crossbows. Each method has different regulations regarding ammunition types, caliber restrictions, and usage situations. Understanding these rules prevents legal violations and ensures ethical hunting practices.

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Rifle hunting for hogs requires using a centerfire rifle with ammunition that is legal for the specific land you are hunting. On private land, Texas has minimal caliber restrictions for hog hunting, though .22 rimfire is not recommended for ethical reasons and may violate the state's animal cruelty laws. Popular hog hunting rifle calibers include .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, and .308 Winchester. These calibers are effective for hogs ranging from small pigs to large boars weighing several hundred pounds. On public hunting land like WMAs, check specific regulations, as some areas have caliber minimums or restrictions to prevent conflicts with other hunters pursuing larger game.

Shotgun hunting for hogs is legal using slugs or buckshot. Shotguns with slugs are particularly effective for close-range hog hunting in thick cover. Buckshot patterns work well for younger, smaller hogs but may be less effective on large boars. The advantage of shotgun hunting is the ability to quickly