In our great Lone Star State, we enjoy excellent hunting all year round. Depending on the county where you’re hunting, the hunting season, and rules governing that specific year, your hunting options will vary. With that in mind, let’s talk about what to hunt in Texas in early spring. Bow hunters, crossbow hunters, and rifle hunters be sure to share your favorite early spring game in the comments.
Which Game Animals Come into Season in Early Spring in 2022?
Rio Grande Turkey
North Zone: April 2 – May 15
South Zone: March 19 – May 1
Special Limit Season (1 turkey): April 1 – 30
Youth Hunters:
March 26 – 27
May 21 – 22
Eastern Turkey
April 22 – May 14
Turkey hunting in Texas has an annual bag limit, which applies in and across all counties: (4) turkeys are permitted per hunter, with no more than (1) of which shall be an Eastern turkey.
Exotic Game Animals
Texas imposes no limits on the hunting season for non-native exotic animals, nor do they impose any state bag limits, possession limits, or closed seasons on exotic wild game. At Nine Bar Ranch, we know our hunters want to know what to hunt in Texas in early spring. You may enjoy hunting year-round on species that include, but are not limited to:
Aoudad
The aoudad, or Barbary sheep, stands from 2.5 to 3.6 feet tall at the shoulder, and weighs 66 to 320 pounds. Their immense horns curve out, back, then inward, and can be over 3 feet long. Their horns are mostly smooth, though small ripples appear at the base as the sheep ages.
Axis
The axis, or chital deer, stands from 23 to 35 inches high at the shoulder. Males are much larger than females. Males have antlers that are three-pronged and nearly 40 inches long.
Blackbuck Antelope
The blackbuck is a strikingly-colored antelope native to Nepal and India. In addition to bright white chins and eye areas, males sport bright white underbellies and inner legs. In contrast, their backs and the outside of their legs are deep brown to black. They stand from 29 to 33 inches high at the shoulder. Males weigh up to 125 pounds, with an average of 85 pounds.
Fallow
Fallow deer stand 33 to 37 inches at the shoulder and weigh 130 to 220 pounds. Fawns are born in the spring, making this season a great opportunity to see fawns sprinting around the ranch.
Sika
Sika deer are widespread in Japan. The stags have thick, high antlers which are usually forked. Antlers of this species range from 11 to more than 30 inches.
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the world’s largest deer species, standing 37 to 51 inches high at the shoulder. Their size, widespread range, and ability to adapt to many climates make them favorites of hunters throughout the world.
Scimitar Horned Oryx
The scimitar oryx is a majestic animal that is extinct in the world, but thrives in human-provided habitats. Scimitar horned oryx stand 39 inches at the shoulder. Their smooth, swooping horns are prized by hunters.