Texas Exotic Hunting 2026

Application Deadlines Non-Resident Fees Resident Fees Big Game Season Dates Draw Result Dates State Contact Information

Raffle: October 15, 2026
Public Draw: November 1, 2026

UP-FRONT FEES
Big Time Texas Hunts Raffle Entry Fee (Online)	$9.00
State Draw Application Fee	$10.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Hunting License	$315.00

UP-FRONT FEES
Big Time Texas Hunts Raffle Entry Fee (Online)	$9.00
State Draw Application Fee	$10.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Hunting License	$25.00

TEXAS WHITE-TAILED DEER SEASON DATES
Rifle (North Zone)	Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Rifle (South Zone)	Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 13, 2027
Archery (most counties)	Oct 3– Nov 6, 2026
Muzzleloader (select counties)	Jan 4 – Jan 17, 2027
Special Late (North Zone)	Jan 4 – Jan 17, 2027
Special Late (South Zone)	Jan 18 – 31, 2027
Youth-Only (Early)	Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026
Youth-Only (Late)	Jan 4 – Jan 17, 2027 (North Zone only)
TEXAS MULE DEER SEASON DATES
Archery (Panhandle Zone)	Oct 3 - Nov 20, 2026
Archery (Trans-Pecos Zone)	Oct 2 - Nov 26, 2026
Rifle (Panhandle Zone)	Nov 21 – Dec 6, 2026
Rifle (Trans-Pecos Zone)	Nov 27 – Dec 143 2026
TEXAS DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON DATES
Public Draw / Translocation Areas	By permit only; dates vary (typically late fall–winter)
TEXAS EXOTICS SEASON DATES
Aoudad (Barbary Sheep)	Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)
Axis / Blackbuck / Fallow	Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)
Nilgai (South TX & Coastal)	Year-round where legal (draw hunts may have set dates)

Disclaimer: Texas seasons vary by county/zone, weapon, and hunt area. Some hunts are draw-only with assigned dates. Always verify current regulations with TPWD: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/

Early November

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
ph. 512-389-4800

APPLY

Guided Gemsbok Hunt

Texas offers an awesome chance to hunt gemsbok in the public draw. The hunt is guided, and food, lodging, and on-site transportation are provided. This is an adult-only hunt with a minimum age of seventeen. The hunt dates are December 15 through 18, 2026. The hunt will take place on the Mason Mountain WMA, and you will be able to harvest one gemsbok of either sex and unlimited feral hogs and coyotes. Only centerfire rifles with a minimum caliber of .270 and 150-grain projectiles are allowed. For the 2025/2026 season, there were two permits and 8,214 applicants. For the 2024/2025 season, there were two permits and 8,917 applicants. For the 2023/2024 season, there were two permits for 8,248 applicants. Traditionally, this hunt usually boasts a 100% success rate. The Guided Scimitar-Horned Oryx Hunt Package will be running in conjunction with the gemsbok hunt package.

Guided Scimitar-Horned Oryx Hunt Package

The guided scimitar-horned oryx hunt will take place on the Mason Mountain WMA December 15 through 18, 2026. Food, lodging, and on-site transportation are provided on this guided hunt. This is an adult-only hunt with a minimum age of seventeen. You will be able to harvest one scimitar-horned oryx of either sex and unlimited feral hogs and coyotes. Only centerfire rifles with a minimum caliber of .270 and 150-grain projectiles are allowed. For the 2025/2026 season, there were two permits and 7,915 applicants. For the 2024/2025 season, there were two permits and 8,857 applicants. For the 2023/2024 season, there were two permits and 7,911 applicants. Traditionally, this hunt boasts a 100% success rate.

Texas Barbary Sheep (Aoudad) Hunting

Texas is home to some amazing free-range aoudad hunts. Because most of Texas is private land, we would highly recommend you get in contact with an outfitter. This is a great opportunity for an “offseason hunt,” as most hunts run from October through March. If a 30” ram is on your bucket list, give us a call, and we will set you up with one of our Endorsed Outfitters.

Included in the Big Time Texas Hunts raffle is their Exotic Safari Package, which allows the winner and one companion to harvest three exotics. The exotics available for harvest are gemsbok and scimitar-horned oryx. The winner can harvest two trophy exotics, and their companion can harvest one management exotic. Food and lodging are provided on the Mason Mountain WMA. You will be guided by an experienced TPWD biologist as well as guides from the Mason Mountain WMA. You will receive taxidermy after the hunt in the form of two shoulder mounts. On the hunt, you can use a rifle with a minimum caliber of .270. You will also have the opportunity to fish, harvest unlimited feral hogs, and bring along a non-hunting companion in addition to the hunting companion. As a bonus in 2026, you will also receive $500 in ammo of your choice.

Texas offers a chance to hunt elk in the public draw through the Guided Exotic Hunt Package. The hunt is guided, and lodging and on-site transportation are provided. Grocery stores are located nearby, and hunters should plan on providing their own meals for breakfast and lunch at a minimum. (They will have access to the kitchen and facilities in the big house.) This is an adult-only hunt with a minimum age of seventeen. The hunt dates are September 21 through 25, 2026. The hunt will take place on the Elephant Mountain WMA, and you will be able to harvest one bull elk. Only centerfire rifles with a minimum caliber of .270 and 150-grain projectiles are allowed. For the 2025/2026 season, there was one permit for 3,530 applicants. Loyalty Points will not be awarded due to the varying opportunities of species that come in and out of this application category.