Texas Parks and Wildlife

2027 Youth Fish Art Contest Welcomes Entries

October 7, 2026 – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) has opened the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s 2027 Fish Art Contest for entries. The Texas division of the contest will celebrate 20 years in 2027 thanks to the vision of Mr. Richard M. (Dick) Hart, a conservation leader who helped bring the program to the state. Mr. Hart was a successful business and family man with a passion for fishing, conservation, and TFFC.

Don’t Let a Bad Decision Sink Your Labor Day Weekend, Game Wardens Urge Boating Safety

September 5, 2026 - Summer isn’t giving up without a fight in Texas. With hot temperatures continuing into Labor Day weekend, lakes, rivers and coastal waters offer a welcome place to cool off. As you enjoy them, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds boaters not to leave safety at the ramp.

Texas Game Wardens will be on patrol throughout the holiday weekend as Labor Day typically brings increased boating traffic across the state.

Strong Dove Population Numbers Anticipated as Hunters Fly Toward Opening Day

Dove Season Opens Statewide September 1 for the First Time in History

August 25, 2026 – For a third year in a row, Texas received significant rain in the spring across most of the state, bolstering the previous year’s healthy dove populations. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologist’s estimate both mourning and white-winged doves are near record highs again.

These new population reports are good news for hunters hitting the field on September 1, a historic early opening date approved earlier this year.

Texas Hunting, Fishing Licenses on Sale Aug. 15

August 13, 2026 – Summer is winding down and fall is on the horizon which means it’s time for hunters and anglers to renew hunting and fishing licenses. Before taking the boat out or hitting the field, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds hunters and anglers to purchase their new licenses for the 2026-27 season.

Current-year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except the Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package) expire at the end of August. Licenses for the 2026-27 season go on sale August 15.

TPWD Accepting Drawn Hunt Permit Applications for 2026-27 Season

July 6, 2026 – Hunters have an exciting lineup of opportunities and a chance to experience the beautiful scenery of Texas through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) drawn hunt permits program.

The drawn hunts program issues permits to hunters for drawn hunts on both public and private lands throughout Texas. Applications are now being accepted for a shot at nearly 9,800 permits in more than 60 high-quality hunt categories.

Seven Summer Safety Solutions to Protect from the Texas Heat

June 24, 2026 – A Texas June marks the beginning of increased temperatures and the risk of heat-related illness, so Texas State Park staff are presenting seven tips to help visitors beat the heat and enjoy the beauty the state has to offer.  

In 2025, 169 heat-related incidents were reported across Texas’s state parks, with six involving pets.  

As we approach peak heat season, here are the top seven hacks to help reduce the risk of heat-related illness: 

TPWD Details Fatal Sabine River Boating Incident

June 12, 2026 - Texas Game Wardens in Shelby and Sabine counties responded to a single-vessel incident on the Sabine River near Joaquin around 2:30pm Saturday, June 6.

A witness reported that Matthew Freeman [Mathews], 21, of San Augustine, was operating a flat-bottom boat at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vessel and collided with a tree. Freeman was ejected from the vessel and did not resurface. He was wearing the vessel’s emergency engine cut-off switch lanyard but was not wearing a personal flotation device.

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