Welcome to the THF Will. Depends on where your hunting. These are the rules for TPWD Annual Public Hunting Permit lands. Other public lands such as Corps of Engineers and National Wildlife Refuges will be different.
http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/annual_public_hunting/need-to-know/Youth Hunting Information and Regulations
All participants in youth hunts must possess a hunting license, any required stamps, and HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification if hunting migratory birds.
Adult supervision of minors is required during public hunts. When hunting on public lands, youth under 17 are required to be under the immediate supervision of a duly permitted, authorized supervising adult, age 18 or older, who is licensed to hunt in Texas.
Youth under 12 years of age must remain within normal voice distance of an adult supervisor.
For youth ages 12 to 16 who have received hunter education certification, the requirement for immediate supervision is relaxed to the extent that the supervising adult is required only to be present on the public hunting unit.
Please note that this hunter education requirement is different than the statewide requirement and is in effect for all public hunting lands under the administration of TPWD. The supervising adult is responsible for the actions and liability of the youth.
A Quick Reference Chart is included on each Public Hunt Region Map to assist in locating those public hunting areas which will offer youth hunting opportunities this season. Refer to the chart and the Table of Contents to locate an area. All of the youth hunt information is found on the unit maps. Special regulations and notices of applicable rules that will be in effect during the hunts are listed in the Legal Game box, or on some maps, in a separate Special Regulations box.
YOUTH ONLY HUNTS: During the hunts listed as Youth Only, only youth under 17 are authorized to hunt. Youth participating in the Youth Only Waterfowl season established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must be age 15 or younger.
YOUTH/ADULT HUNTS: Each group must contain a youth under 17 years of age to participate. During the hunts listed as Youth/ Adult, the supervising adults as well as the youths will be allowed to hunt.
YOUTH HUNTS BY POSTCARD RESERVATION: Click here for more youth hunting opportunities by postcard drawings.
Hunter Education
Every adult hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years and cost is $15.
If you were born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, and you are:
under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
age 9 through 16, you may successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied*.
age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a "Hunter Education Deferral," and you must be accompanied*.
Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount off the $15 course cost.
* Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting.
Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.
For course information, please consult the TPWD Hunter Education section or call toll-free 800/792-1112 (menu 6) or call 512/389-4999.
