Do you need a hunting license to hunt exotics in Texas?
Yes. Axis, fallow, blackbuck, red stag and scimitar horned oryx are not native to Texas, so the state sets no seasons or bag limits on them, but Texas Parks and Wildlife still requires a valid hunting license to hunt them, on private land included. Hunting an exotic without one is a Class C misdemeanor. The good news for out-of-state hunters is that Texas sells a short, inexpensive license made for exactly this trip.
This guide covers which license to buy, what it covers, the hunter education rule that catches people by surprise, and how to have the license in hand before you arrive at Rustic Springs Ranch. Fees are current for the 2026-2027 license year and link to the TPWD pages they come from.
Which license do you need?
| License | Who | TPWD item | Fee | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Special 5-Day Small Game/Exotic Hunting | Out-of-state hunters | 157 | $48 | Exotic animals, game birds except turkey, non-game animals; any 5 consecutive days you choose |
| Non-Resident General Hunting | Out-of-state hunters who also want whitetail | 105 | $315 | Any legal bird or animal, through August 31 |
| Resident Hunting | Texas residents | 101 | $25 | Any legal bird or animal, through August 31 |
| Youth Hunting | Anyone under 17, resident or not | 169 | $7 | Any legal bird or animal, through August 31 |
Source: TPWD hunting licenses
For most of our out-of-state guests the answer is the 5-day license. It costs $48, covers every exotic species we hunt, and you pick the five consecutive days when you buy it. The dates print on the license, so buy it once your hunt dates are set.
Where the 5-day license stops
The 5-day exotic license is not valid for white-tailed deer, mule deer, turkey, pronghorn or bighorn sheep. If you are combining an exotic hunt with a trophy whitetail hunt during the Texas general season, you need the Non-Resident General Hunting License at $315 instead. Whitetail also carries tag requirements, and exotics carry none. Tell us when you book which animals you plan to hunt and we will point you to the right license.
Hunter education: the rule that surprises people
Texas requires hunter education for every hunter born on or after September 2, 1971, and it applies to exotic hunts the same as any other hunt. If you were born before that date, you are exempt. If you are 17 or older and have not completed a course, Texas sells a one-time Hunter Education Deferral for $10 that lets you hunt for the rest of the license year while accompanied by a licensed adult who meets the requirement. You can use the deferral only once, so plan to complete a course before your next trip. TPWD offers online courses that count.
How and where to buy
- Online at the TPWD license sales site. You get an emailed receipt, and you can print or save your license.
- In person at sporting goods stores and many retailers across Texas, including on your way to the ranch.
- By phone at (512) 389-4800 or (800) 792-1112.
All Texas hunting licenses expire on August 31 and the new year's licenses go on sale August 15, so a hunt in late August or early September may fall across two license years. Check the dates when you buy. Carry the license with you in the blind, on paper or on your phone.
Seasons and limits for exotics
Under Texas law there is no closed season and no bag limit on exotic animals on private property. Landowner permission and a hunting license are the only requirements. That is why Rustic Springs Ranch hunts blackbuck and scimitar horned oryx year-round; axis, fallow and red stag are hunted in their spring and fall windows because that is when they are in hard antler, not because the state requires it.
What we do at the ranch
Every trophy hunt at Rustic Springs Ranch is fully guided, and part of the guide's job is making sure your paperwork is in order before the first morning. We will remind you which license to buy when you reserve your dates, and we are happy to answer questions about the process. The license has to come from TPWD or a retailer, so please buy it before you arrive. The ranch is under 2 hours from Dallas in Franklin County, East Texas.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is a non-resident exotic hunting license in Texas?
- $48 for the Non-Resident Special 5-Day Small Game/Exotic Hunting License, TPWD item 157.
- Can I hunt whitetail on the 5-day exotic license?
- No. Whitetail requires the Non-Resident General Hunting License, $315.
- Do I need hunter education to hunt exotics in Texas?
- Yes, if you were born on or after September 2, 1971. Hunters 17 and older can buy a one-time $10 deferral for their first trip.
- Is there a season for exotic animals in Texas?
- No. The state sets no closed season or bag limit on exotics on private land.
- Can a child hunt exotics in Texas?
- Yes. A Youth Hunting License is $7 for anyone under 17, resident or not. At Rustic Springs Ranch youth hunt alongside a parent.