With mid-year underway, hunting season is fast approaching. White-tailed deer, wild turkey and waterfowl are all up for grabs across Parker County and surrounding areas. Many Texans from Weatherford to Mineral Wells are excited to partake in this time-honored tradition, taking out their rifles, bows and shotguns.
Before you head into the field, make sure you understand the regulations. This includes having a valid license, knowing property boundaries and following bag limits.
Taking these steps can keep you from facing costly Game Warden citations that could result in fines, equipment confiscation or even criminal charges. Beyond these precautions, here are some common violations to avoid.
Five costly hunting violations
While hunting is fair game (no pun intended), it still has rules that make the experience safer and more sustainable for everyone. Here are the top violations to avoid this season:
- Hunting without a valid license or permit: This is the most common citation issued by Game Wardens in Texas. Every hunter, regardless of age or experience, must carry the appropriate license for their activity and be able to present it upon request. Different game requires different endorsements. Hunting with no documentation to show for it can result in fines starting at $25.
- Taking game outside of legal hunting seasons: Each species is under a designated hunting period established by Texas Parks and Wildlife. For example, general deer season typically runs from early November through mid-January, while turkey seasons vary by county. Hunting outside these windows can lead to violations with fines up to $500 per animal and potential loss of hunting privileges.
- Exceeding bag limits for deer, turkey or waterfowl: Texas regulations specify how many animals of each species a hunter may harvest daily and seasonally. For instance, in most counties, the bag limit for white-tailed deer is five per season with specific restrictions on bucks versus does. Exceeding the allowed harvest means breaking legal limits and can result in very high penalties of $500-$4,000 per animal taken over the limit.
- Hunting on private property without landowner permission: Texas takes trespassing seriously, especially when weapons are involved. A verbal agreement may lead to misunderstandings, so always get written permission from the landowner before hunting on private land. Game Wardens coordinate with local law enforcement when someone trespasses on private land. Even a quick walk across the property can result in trespassing charges in addition to potential civil penalties.
- Using artificial light (spotlighting) for night hunting of deer: “Spotlighting” or using artificial light to locate and hunt deer at night is not allowed since it gives hunters an unfair advantage and creates dangerous shooting conditions in the dark. Violations are taken very seriously and may lead to paying fines of up to $500-$10,000 or possibly even a lifetime loss of hunting privileges.
By staying informed and following these guidelines, you can ensure a safe, ethical and legal hunting experience.