New Texas Hunting & Fishing Rules Every Lubbock Outdoorsman Needs to Know

September in Texas doesn’t just mean football and the first hint of cooler weather—it also kicks off a brand-new hunting and fishing season. And for 2025–26, there are some major changes you’ll want to know about before you grab your gear and hit the field.

Get our free mobile app

Digital Tags and Licenses Go Statewide

Say goodbye to digging around your truck for a crumpled paper license. Starting this season, Texas Parks and Wildlife has expanded digital license and tagging options statewide. Hunters and anglers can now carry everything—licenses, tags, permits—right on their phones using the Outdoor Annual or Texas Hunt & Fish app. Paper versions are still available, but for most folks in the Hub City, this is going to be a big time-saver.

READ MORE: Community Rallies Around Deputies Injured In Highway 87 Crash

Bird Season Shuffles: Pintails Up, Teal Down

Migratory bird hunters will definitely notice some changes. Teal season has been cut down from 16 days to 9 because of declining populations. On the flip side, waterfowl hunters got a win with pintails—the daily bag limit jumped from one to three. Quail season also shifts a bit this year, opening November 1st and running all the way through February instead of the old late-October start.

Wild Turkey Hunting Comes to Lubbock County

This one’s a first: Lubbock County finally has a turkey season. Both fall and spring hunts are now open here in the North Zone, and hunters get a four-bird limit. That means you won’t have to drive hours away just to chase gobblers anymore—you can do it right here on the South Plains.

Longer Archery Seasons for Mule Deer

If you’re an archer, good news: mule deer seasons just got longer. In the Panhandle, bowhunters now get 56 days, and in the Trans-Pecos, 62 days. The Managed Lands Deer Program has also been simplified into one long continuous season from late September through January. That gives everyone more flexibility to get out there and fill a tag.

The Bottom Line for Hub City Hunters

Here’s the quick rundown:

• Digital tags now make licenses easier than ever.

• Teal season shorter, but pintail limits higher.

• Quail season starts later and runs longer.

• Turkey hunting finally opens up in Lubbock County.

• Archery mule deer hunters score more days in the field.

READ MORE: Lubbock it or Leave it: Ten Signs You’re from the Hub City

Bottom line? The 2025–26 season is packed with changes that bring more opportunities—and a few adjustments—for hunters and anglers all over West Texas. So grab your digital license, load up the truck, and get ready. It’s hunting season in West Texas!